tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post3190182255188626231..comments2024-03-28T10:43:34.270-04:00Comments on field negro: In Praise of Philly.field negrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411743587725023134noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-57536184395953899942008-04-08T02:09:00.000-04:002008-04-08T02:09:00.000-04:00My family came from Philly. Some of them still t...My family came from Philly. Some of them still there - lots of Catholic schools & colleges - & a bunch of them scattered out toward the South Jersey shore area in 1930s & 40s to buy cheap winterized bungalows & breed their large families. They're Irish, & my grandmother sounded about equally prejudiced toward all the non-Irish people in Philly regardless of ethnicity or color, which I thought was remarkably consistent.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16567817295665099690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-25896727562850516532008-04-07T12:10:00.000-04:002008-04-07T12:10:00.000-04:00Field, thanks for the ode to Philadelphia!!! I'm ...Field, thanks for the ode to Philadelphia!!! I'm a Philly girl, through and through! Although I now live in what's been listed as the city with the best quality of life in the world, Geneva, Switzerland (which was tied with Zurich), I'd come back to Philly in a heartbeat!<BR/><BR/>I do indeed miss the in-your-face at-ee-tude; You know exactly where people stand. (I could live without the Philly accent. I don't miss that at all.)<BR/><BR/>I grew up in West Philly until my parents moved us to the Main Line, which is one of the most beautiful suburbs in the country. Philly has special neighborhoods with lots of character.<BR/><BR/>The weather can get sticky and hot in August, which surprised my Jamaican husband, and we can get entirely too much snow, but most of the time, the weather is nice. The roads can be tricked up and Septa costs too much, but it is easy to get around. The cost of living is still pretty good. <BR/><BR/>I take the good with the bad and Philly is great!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-20305241753427230312008-04-07T07:19:00.000-04:002008-04-07T07:19:00.000-04:00[quote]Blaming the condition of urban A-merry-ca o...[quote]Blaming the condition of urban A-merry-ca on a lack of creativity, initiative and self-actualization and expecting the trodden upon to find their own way out (possible for some but not so for the masses) of a maze not of their own making is unrealistic and narrowly focused. <BR/><BR/>It's a zero-sum game where we are expected to (and lauded for) construct and base our worth and salvation on the values/premises of those who don't hold us in high regard and often don't value us or our contributions.<BR/>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>singaporeswim:<BR/><BR/>It is one thing to make the case that "they didn't make the maze" (the system) - they are only forced to find their way through it as the proverbial mouse did. It is yet another thing to assume their PASSIVE, REACTIONARY relationship to all that has been set forth before them - assuming that they have no power of choice to substantially shape their environment. <BR/><BR/>Philadelphia provides a wealth of examples to prove the contrary point. I was there on the eve of the "first Black mayor" being elected into office. During that time the shadow of Frank Rizzo and his famous police force dimmed the sunshine from many Black communities in the city - if you allow them to tell it. (Rizzo - the long time Democrat I must note) There was to be the dawning of day now that "We run things!!". <BR/><BR/>The plan for our community to achieve a certain end via the American political process and via party politics got derailed like the Market Frankfort el having shaken itself off of its own tracks in a self-inflicted wound once the "Move Incident" happened in which "our guy" not only allowed the incursion from the government forces but said that "he would do it again" if the situation presented itself again. In the ultimate turnabout - it was the long time popular villain of this same community who noted that if HE had commanded the police to drop a bomb on a house full of Black people and caused 2 whole blocks in a Black community to burn to the ground these same people would have ran him out of town for doing so. Seemingly that particular mayor's racial membership provided adequate cover for his actions and the muted response that resulted. But indeed the honeymoon was over for the Black citizen who previously figured that he could VOTE his way into a prosperous community and a modern day Utopia.<BR/><BR/>Fast forward to approximately 2005 where I was watching a documentary about the conflict between a group of poverty activists in the Frankfort section of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia government/police. In the classic 'good guy against the thugish system' plot it was the Philadelphia government lead by Mayor Street who is of the same party as those who are economically aggrieved in the story using its police force to film protestors as they marched in order to keep a record of their 'insurgent activities' , its licensing and inspections department to prevent these protestors from occupying housing that was otherwise vacant.<BR/><BR/>The ultimate point, Singaporeswim is that just as the universe turns in upon itself rather than going on to infinity - once THE PEOPLE got the power over their own city having run their old enemies out of town (or at least waited until they departed on their own ) a new set of ENEMIES were crafted - THEMSELVES! The same forces that they assisted in putting into office had assumed the role as the oppressor.<BR/><BR/>Thus - going back to your original challenge - as you say that the VICTIM has no role in constructing the maze that he is confronted with - I say - you had better believe that he does. He plays a central role in this development. Like a Texas two step he feeds off of this maze in his responses to it and the 'maze builder' responds accordingly to his actions as well. In Philadelphia today you have those who are putting up the new walls of the maze having been the trapped victims of yesterday. They are now in power setting up new walls for the group that is behind them.Constructive Feedbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13417405356099504421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-89671833770789551632008-04-07T06:53:00.000-04:002008-04-07T06:53:00.000-04:00Whoops :) Thanks ferocious kitty, I will check tha...Whoops :) Thanks ferocious kitty, I will check that.<BR/>BTW, you have a nice site too.<BR/>You folks and these handles:)field negrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411743587725023134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-35245565035796178882008-04-07T01:18:00.000-04:002008-04-07T01:18:00.000-04:00Philly, as you, and others here have described it,...Philly, as you, and others here have described it, seems like a smörgåsbord kind of place.<BR/><BR/>A smörgåsbord offers so many aromas for the nose to savor, that it's hard to differentiate one from the other.<BR/><BR/>A smörgåsbord offers so many choices for the palate, that you hardly know where to begin and where to end--you want to sample everything in sight. <BR/><BR/>A smörgåsbord invites the poor and the rich to sit down at the white-cloth table of abundance, without regard for the other's social status or economic wellbeing.<BR/><BR/>A smörgåsbord tempts us to over-consume, and experiment with the strange and the unusual, just because it happens to be there for consumption.<BR/><BR/>A smörgåsbord leaves us satisfied and at peace--that we have eaten our fill, and drank our limit--our belly's happily extended, and our wallet's none the slimmer for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-66201453592971011312008-04-07T00:59:00.000-04:002008-04-07T00:59:00.000-04:00Field, just so you and others will know, I've noti...Field, just so you and others will know, I've noticed that there is another Angie posting here.<BR/>What is a girl to do?<BR/>It's not like I have a trademark on the name. And it's not like I feel like this is my territory, and how dare she move on my turf. Hell, the more the merrier. <BR/>But for real? Another Angie in the fields?<BR/>I guess, I will have to make sure that I sign my post with the title of my blog. (Nuvision) Or maybe I should add my last name initial to Angie.<BR/>I don't know what I should do. Something happened like this with a brotha at Skep's site. I want you to know the brotha made sure that this other person,<BR/>who supposedly had the same name, didn't come back. But I'm not gon' be like that.<BR/>Well, I just wanted to point that little tid bit out. I didn't want this other Angie to say something to piss y'all off, and y'all come looking for me. LOL!<BR/>Peace,<BR/>Angie<BR/>(The Realist)<BR/>**wink**<BR/>Nuvision for a Nuday<BR/><BR/>BTW: Brotha, you ain't telling no lies about Houston's climate. It's only April, and the humidity and heat is already trying to sneak up on us. I'm not<BR/>looking forward to the summer.Angela L. Braden, Writer, Speaker, Professorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17473106954036686180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-63366254405396611642008-04-07T00:49:00.000-04:002008-04-07T00:49:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Angela L. Braden, Writer, Speaker, Professorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17473106954036686180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-29575376813209384692008-04-06T22:59:00.000-04:002008-04-06T22:59:00.000-04:00Field, I ain't gonna lie. I like the fact that the...Field, I ain't gonna lie. I like the fact that the brothas have been moved away from Penn and you can walk around down there w/out getting mugged. I like hanging out at the Barnes & Noble on Rittenhouse Sq., and doing book readings at the nice as shit Borders on Broad. When I was in college the city was an armpit, or groin perhaps. Some parts were damn near the rectum. The white sections like up off Cottman Avenue were something out of a movie. <BR/>Accordingly, vive Center City, and the rest don't matter. Sacriledge, ok. But it's true.Christopher Chambershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16981041389119024155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-87288610969469681912008-04-06T21:24:00.000-04:002008-04-06T21:24:00.000-04:00Hey, FN...In the intro to this column, you give a ...Hey, FN...<BR/><BR/>In the intro to this column, you give a shot out to Pamalicious, but the link you provide is actually to my blog, Mamalicious! FYI...<BR/><BR/>Also, I appreciate your voice on this blog, and thanks for blogrolling me.<BR/><BR/>That said...I'm in Pittsburgh, but "some of my best friends are from Philly." F'real. One of the best house parties I ever went to was in Philly, New Year's Eve, ushering in 2007.<BR/><BR/>I'll end with a quote from Dem consultant and resident whiner James Carville: ""Pennsylvania is Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with Alabama in between."Ferocious Kittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12287894265595748824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-61136695103405753902008-04-06T21:18:00.000-04:002008-04-06T21:18:00.000-04:00cali, I will check out your site for tht graphic, ...cali, I will check out your site for tht graphic, I know you did it up. <BR/><BR/>pamalicious, you are welcome. And you are right, I am NOT feeling the new ATL. I have lots of friends there though, and I know they are going to kill me after this post. Nice place to visit and vibe for a weekend or so, but sorry, you can keep it. Holla at me when you come up this summer and I will try and change your mind about Philly. <BR/><BR/>Thembi, you put it down with that analysis, and you nailed the whole neo soul, middle class black vibe better than any social anthropologist could. <BR/><BR/>angie you are right, Heston did do some good things in his early years...so now that I think about it, maybe he shouldn't go to the hottest part of hell.field negrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411743587725023134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-85976608200352064492008-04-06T20:59:00.000-04:002008-04-06T20:59:00.000-04:00I'm torn when it comes to Charlton Heston. I didn...I'm torn when it comes to Charlton Heston. I didn't like many of the things he did in his later years. I found his NRA stint especially grating. Yet, in his younger years, he spoke out against racism and the Vietnam War.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-9027773565542858522008-04-06T20:21:00.000-04:002008-04-06T20:21:00.000-04:00I'm from Philly and live in Philly and call me bli...I'm from Philly and live in Philly and call me blinded but I think it's the realest place in this country. Field, you hit the nail on the head, but I have to note one thing:<BR/><BR/>When you describe the white people here it sounds way harsher than reality. Your explanation is accurate except that the lack of white guilt does not translate into conservatism or social segregation. The lower class segregates and hates in every city, but the Philadelphia middle class is notably diverse and we're just about ALL democrats.<BR/><BR/>One wonderful thing about Philly is the fact that because there are so many universities here and we're neither in blatantly racially intolerant Boston nor the HBCU south, there's an abundance of middle-aged black folks who were poor in the 70s but got educations here, settled down, became middle class, and raised a class of black up-and-comers who are more openminded than their counterparts in any other city, except perhaps San Francisco. This is where the Philly neo-soul movement comes from, this is why Mt Airy (in the northwest corner of the city) has been recognized as the nation's most multicultural neighborhood for decades, and why one of our public schools JR Masterman) has been consistenly voted one of the best in the country even when up against private schools. My peer group was exposed to so much more than our own neighborhood like any first generation middle class black kid, but there are so many of us that we've rubbed off on the city. Do we have knuckleheads and segregation and pwts and an isolated aristocracy? Of course, any city worth its salt does. But the intersection of awareness of our past, the value of education, lots of interaction with liberal white people, an ingrained appreciation for creativity and the arts, and as a result, and extreme form of BLACK OPENMINDEDNESS is notably absent from my counterparts from other cities. It just makes Philly such a cut above.Thembi Fordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01444442842465183297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-77329717001479885932008-04-06T19:57:00.001-04:002008-04-06T19:57:00.001-04:00Aww thank you very much - I feel soo special :)My ...Aww thank you very much - I feel soo special :)<BR/><BR/>My mom has been there about 15-20 years and what it is now is what I want to get her out of. <BR/><BR/>I was there for a number of years myself. Went to Community College of Philadelphia and started prior to that started spending my summers there with my dad when I was around 15 or so. My first bonafide teenage story book summer romance was with a boy who lived off 5th and Mifflin.<BR/><BR/>I have some fond memories of Philly from walking down to South street, Rita's Mango Water Ice, sitting out on Synder Ave just people watching.<BR/><BR/>I grew up here in Atlanta so it was totally different to like go to the corner to the store.<BR/><BR/>I guess I never really got adjusted to what I call the 'harshness' of Philly and black folks. The girls be looking soo rough (this is my perspective and opinion), like any minute a beat down is imminent. I guess I'm just more a southern bell. I felt like I was continously in the soundtrack to set it off,lol<BR/><BR/>Not until I kinda got down with the Neo set did it become 'cool' and the women and men leaned toward a more NY kinda urban look and feel and I could get with that. I lived in NY (Manhattan) for like 10 years and that was my shit - Philly however just never gelled with me.<BR/><BR/>Not knocking your town - because you probably would go beserk in what is now the new Atlanta (rollin my eyes at these negroes to) - but it wasn't my cup of tea.<BR/><BR/>I soo appreciate you running it for me. I might be up this summer and I DEFINITELY will be hitting you up!Pamalicioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16113841112514407209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-15052563345307908532008-04-06T19:57:00.000-04:002008-04-06T19:57:00.000-04:00Feedback:First, I would NEVER presume an entire ag...Feedback:<BR/>First, I would NEVER presume an entire age, race, or class of people are..... anything. Something you are attempting to ascribe to me and that I whole heartedly reject. In fact, I am well aware that even in this city, with all the gun violence, that the overwhelming number of citizens, young/old, black, brown and white, are NOT engaged in illegal activity. Are NOT carrying weapons, and have the sense of self respect and dignity you are referring to... in fact most folks are working hard to make ends meet, take care of themselves and their families.<BR/><BR/>What I will also say is that from my experience working in the legal community, that those young men who I have crossed paths with, the ones that are facing gun charges, that none of them woke up that morning thinkin... hey, I think I will kill somebody today. They weren't thinking about the finality of their actions when, in an angry or scared moment, they pulled out their gun and shot or shot at someone. The young men I talk to say they have the gun for self-protection.... just like all the other god fearing, gun toting americans out there..... just like you. And in Philly, gun violence is related to one of 2 things... 1.the drug trade, where it is strictly business. Not unlike some multinationals that have as a part of doing business "cost/benefit analysis" that includes covering the costs of deaths. And, 2. a crime of passion, where in a moment of anger, a gun is pulled, and regretted almost as quickly as the last breath is taken. An all too tragic, HUMAN, reality. <BR/><BR/>And, so for those young men, I want to be a human being that does NOT reject their humanity, I want to be a person who can see that they are not the totality of one moment in time... that they are also someone's son, brother, they have the capacity, even after a horrible mistake, to choose again... to choose differently. And, I give them in that moment my unconditional support. Because I also recognize that my humanity is intricately bound to theirs. <BR/><BR/>I too want a society that promotes dignity and honors the sacredness of life for all people. And I know this is the challenge:<BR/><BR/>This country is a violent country and we glorify and codify violence. We encourage violence through wars and popular culture mediums. We teach history by war instead of social movements. Capitalism THRIVES on violence, both physical and spiritual. <BR/><BR/>Being committed to non-violence is NOT the norm. As a practioner, who has been arrested and jailed for that practice, I have been ridiculed, called naive, and on and on. But, I am CONVINCED that I have to try to live the reality I want to see, so I will continue doing what I do, in hopes that it will contribute to a more peaceful and just world. <BR/><BR/>THAT is my agenda.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-84384165832998216402008-04-06T19:56:00.000-04:002008-04-06T19:56:00.000-04:00"Philly, we're not Oakland but we're trying.""Phil..."Philly, we're not Oakland but we're trying."<BR/><BR/>"Philly, at least we're not Detroit."<BR/><BR/>I keep coming back for fun or business but I haven't fallen in like yet. At the end of a day I leave feeling as though I would have preferred to just continue on to either NYC or D.C.. About the same amount of money and better spent but I know that half the love for a city comes slowly after putting in some time and work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-9193233509917393662008-04-06T19:55:00.000-04:002008-04-06T19:55:00.000-04:00Dear Lord, one of us needs a hotel room for that p...Dear Lord, one of us needs a hotel room for that passion about guns. Or a message board.<BR/><BR/>Field -- I'd love to see the East Coast one of these days. Philly, DC, NYC, and Boston. <BR/><BR/>I've never traveled east of Fort Wayne, Indiana and my God, I could not live in that shithole. It's the only place where I've seen the Trix rabbit silkscreened on "Silly faggot, dicks are for chicks" t-shirts on display in shopping mall clothing stores. And the shocking thing was no one in that town finds that offensive.<BR/><BR/>I had some free time during today's Flyers game and made some <A HREF="http://calitejano.blogspot.com/2008/04/fun-with-paint-shop-pro_06.html" REL="nofollow">Obama-Aid</A>. The original graphic took some serious airbrushing, but if you thought Mr. Salty was funny you'll love this one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-83202765890990864692008-04-06T19:30:00.000-04:002008-04-06T19:30:00.000-04:00Mr. (Non)Constructive Feedback,I loudly and clarly...Mr. (Non)Constructive Feedback,<BR/>I loudly and clarly hear what you're saying. History does not always move us forward. It often recycles itself.<BR/><BR/>I too believe in self-reliance, delayed gratification, home training/enrichment and commend your work in the community.<BR/><BR/>Blaming the condition of urban A-merry-ca on a lack of creativity, initiative and self-actualization and expecting the trodden upon to find their own way out (possible for some but not so for the masses) of a maze not of their own making is unrealistic and narrowly focused. <BR/><BR/>It's a zero-sum game where we are expected to (and lauded for) construct and base our worth and salvation on the values/premises of those who don't hold us in high regard and often don't value us or our contributions.<BR/><BR/>Our raison d'etre has been shaken from our souls because we've made the conscious decision to fall back to maintain the status quo insead of reaching forward towards our own growth and salvation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-65619907576407933322008-04-06T19:02:00.000-04:002008-04-06T19:02:00.000-04:00Mark Penn fired?http://www.time-blog.com/swampland...Mark Penn fired?<BR/>http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/04/penn_is_out_geoff_garin_is_in.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-30246579710633427622008-04-06T19:00:00.000-04:002008-04-06T19:00:00.000-04:00~In Praise of Philly.http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/ph...~<BR/><B>In Praise of Philly.</B><BR/><A HREF="http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/philly.html" REL="nofollow">http://www.cwo.com/~lucumi/philly.html</A><BR/>`Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-87372676725134103482008-04-06T18:55:00.000-04:002008-04-06T18:55:00.000-04:00[quote]SingaporeSwim said...true that our plantati...[quote]SingaporeSwim said...<BR/><BR/>true that our plantation massas - from the cotton fields to the White House - have systematically and systemically legislated against the welfare and interests of the most oppressed.<BR/><BR/>your arguments, like many others that put the onus on the victims instead of the perpetrators ["the system"], put the cart before the horse.<BR/><BR/> The remedy is not in analyzing or pondering how we got where we are or who's at fault for where we are as a country BUT how we move beyond. Leadership has answers and solutions to that question.[/quote]<BR/><BR/>SingaporeSwim:<BR/><BR/>I am a volunteer for a reading program for Black boys. These boys from the projects were all born AFTER 1995. I simply refuse to believe anyone who attempts to tell me that HISTORIC RACISM is the reason why those of them who are behind their grade in reading comprehension is due to anything BUT the fact that THEIR PARENT(S) DID NOT PRACTICE READING WITH THEM ENOUGH.<BR/><BR/>I ask you to identify the "legislation" of the modern day that has worked to oppress these young people who will soon be teenagers and then out in the world?<BR/><BR/>You say that I should hold 'the system' accountable. It is interesting that despite the claims that "The System" of today as the problem few people seem to VACATE from the reach of THE SYSTEM but instead are represented in their district by people who seek to INCREASE their interaction and dependency on THE SYSTEM.<BR/><BR/>The key difference between you and I is that I see the need for the SALVATION of a people to be expressed via THEIR OWN WORKS. The culture of a people is crafted over time. It is nothing more than a series of "I burned my hand on the hot stove and will avoid doing that again" lessons that are forwarded to the next generation.<BR/><BR/>I am convinced from experience, however, that some of the main people who can vocalize how THE BLACK CULTURE WAS STOLEN are also some of the most UNQUALIFIED people to CONSTRUCT ANOTHER. They tend to focus on our 400 years of SLAVERY rather than attempting to connect with our 10,000 years of INDEPENDENT, FREE PEOPLE in Africa in which our own choices and actions were the ultimate determiner of if we EAT or not, if we kill each other or not and the conflict resolution principles there in.<BR/><BR/>The City of Philadelphia is but one of the many cities which executed a plan for Black people in the context of the AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM while failing to detail the strategy upon their VICTORY (ie: achieving domination over the enemy Republicans). It is interesting how some of you are so clear on how Bush failed to plan for the military VICTORY in Iraq but are unable to see that in the key cities where our people are most concentrated the same failure to plan for the victory in which OUR OWN ACTIONS would determine the economic output, level of peace on the streets and the academic attainment of our own children.<BR/><BR/>Isn't it time to focus WITHIN SingaporeSwim ?<BR/><BR/>What you PERVERT as "blaming the VICTIM" I call <B>having the people who will MOST BENEFIT from their REFORMATION having to bear the bulk of the responsibility in bringing it forth and LEARNING from the process of birthing it.</B><BR/><BR/>How is this not clear to you and others?Constructive Feedbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13417405356099504421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-55099060509679159412008-04-06T18:40:00.000-04:002008-04-06T18:40:00.000-04:00[quote]You represent a group of people who have ze...[quote]You represent a group of people who have zero relevance in the community with which I choose to align myself. Thus I find your twisted rants somewhat amusing, and nothing else.[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Field-Negro - I am NOT a Republican. I am an independent. At this point in my life my primary mission is to study the forces to which my people are BEHOLDEN TO which have us focusing on strengthening these forces rather than our own community. In doing so I am going to tend to focus on the forces that have THE MOST POWER AND INFLUENCE over my people.<BR/><BR/>It is interesting that you and others can point to those forces (ie: Black Conservatives) who HAVE NO CREDIBILITY within the Black community and who hold no seats of power, seemingly MORE THAN YOU FOCUS ON THE PEOPLE WHO DO HAVE POWER.<BR/><BR/>Are these the actions of a person seeking REAL CHANGE or are these the actions of a people who seek to PROTECT that which he is aligned with as he chases others due to their ideological variance? Doesn't make sense to me. How about you Field Negro?<BR/><BR/>It seems to me that the people who DO HAVE RELEVANCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY also have their fingerprints all over the steering wheel.<BR/><BR/>The question is - what is your objective in what you do?Constructive Feedbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13417405356099504421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-72842566735038391012008-04-06T18:35:00.000-04:002008-04-06T18:35:00.000-04:00[quote]However, they ARE providing the guns... The...[quote]However, they ARE providing the guns... There is not one arms manufacturer in North or West or parts of South Philly. Where the hell are these guns, which are easier to find in some parts of the city than a bank, grocery stores, recreation centers, movie theaters, art centers, coming from?[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Jody:<BR/><BR/>I fully REJECT your line of reasoning on this important point.<BR/><BR/>You are placing the KILLING OF OUR PEOPLE as a function of the availability of the GUN more than the CONSCIOUSNESS and RESPECT FOR HUMANITY on behalf of the THE OPERATOR OF THE GUN, who is too often a YOUNG BLACK MALE.<BR/><BR/>What do you ask of the people who you theoretically have control over since they are of your same race and come from your community? <BR/><BR/>Where as the story goes - the CORPORATION is attempting to destroy us Black people.....what do you say to the Black man who is assisting in this effort? Sounds to me that you are saying "I understand that you are brainwashed and societal conditioning has forced you kill that which looks like you, which you hate. Don't worry I am going to improve your community by GOING OUTSIDE OF IT and making sure that these guns don't enter YOUR HANDS so that you won't kill your brother based on your instincts".<BR/><BR/>Does this sound like YOU believe these Black people are EQUAL HUMAN BEINGS to you Jody?<BR/><BR/>I personally own 3 guns. Make that 3 HAND GUNS in particular. In listening to the reasoning of the Black mayor of Washington DC in his post Supreme Court interview - these hand guns have some special magic in which once an inner city Black gets hold of them - he will start killing.<BR/><BR/>We need to change things by first raising our people and the assumptions that YOU HAVE FROM THEM to a level EQUAL to that which you have for yourself and others. When you assume their inferiority and base instinctive behaviors in response to the presence of a gun - you have already lost this generation.<BR/><BR/>I am only seeking to promote the young Black male to an EQUAL human being - responsible for MANAGING the eventual outcomes IN HIS OWN COMMUNITY. What is YOUR agenda?Constructive Feedbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13417405356099504421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-25088852591176992242008-04-06T18:19:00.000-04:002008-04-06T18:19:00.000-04:00Hey, don't be knockin DA CHI! The 'GO! The Windy C...Hey, don't be knockin DA CHI! The 'GO! The Windy City!<BR/><BR/>I think all cities are a dichotomous microcosm of the Two Americas: Poor vs Rich, Black Vs White, Ugly vs Pretty. God help you if you're poor, black and ugly (like me). I want to be rich, white and handsome like Obama!<BR/><BR/>I remember visiting Katt Williams' hometown of Cincinnati and learning that his warning was true: the city's safety level changes by block. We weren't 2 minutes away from downtown before the city became the hood. Chicago is just like that. And just about every major city.<BR/><BR/>But great post!ZACKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15868391244595404406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-66625680237602732432008-04-06T17:24:00.000-04:002008-04-06T17:24:00.000-04:00It's interesting. My cousin and I were looking fo...It's interesting. <BR/> My cousin and I were looking for some math card games for my younger male nephew in a department store once. We had gotten a bit animated talking about him. At twelve he's brilliant, fatherless and easily bored.<BR/>He lives in the city and frankly-- could go any way. . . <BR/>We were soon followed up the isle by a man who informed us that he'd been listening to us (sorry)<BR/>and he was a boy scout troop leader who taught the boys all about guns. Shooting, hunting, gun safety (I 'd guess.) Maybe my nephew would be interested in his kind of troop.<BR/><BR/>We politely said no. But he kept insisting. Telling us how wonderful this would be for my already hyper, video game playing, school ditching little African American nephew to learn the joys of firearms.<BR/><BR/>He kept trying to plead his case and probably pure of heart thought he could save our beloved little boy. We could not get him to truly see or hear what we were saying. It seems his suburban troop had won many shooting awards. . . .<BR/><BR/>I finally turned on him almost screaming and taking a risk of being kicked out of the K-Mart " I will not have my nephew put a gun in his hand when he is surrounded by gang members in a bad neighborhood with cops that only see his skin color."<BR/>The man finally backed off.<BR/><BR/>So if all those people north of 80 making 11 grand or less live where my nephew lives and have to traverse his world maybe the conversation would be a bit more even.<BR/><BR/>R.I.P Charlton. I hope the fates are kinder to you than you were to the memory of all who have died because of your cult of personality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-29324381786037713582008-04-06T17:08:00.000-04:002008-04-06T17:08:00.000-04:00Bury that fucking rifle with Charlton Heston's col...Bury that fucking rifle with Charlton Heston's cold, dead fingers wrapped around it. The guy made some classic films but he was a stark, raving, rightwing lunatic.Christopherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15788931352232874850noreply@blogger.com