THE WIRE Pt. 1: Are there adequate social services and community programs to protect children from the streets or deter their involvement on the streets?

 

 

When I was growing up in the Dallas area, my mother would “adopt” other children and treat them as her own. She would often be the only positive parental influence in their lives. We treated them like siblings. Her goal was to impart Christian principles, educational standards, life skills and love into their lives. I often view my mother’s life work as a grassroots campaign to save every child she can from the streets and the wrong pathway. There are many individuals like her in the community that make concerted efforts to make an impact one child at a time. The most frustrating reality, however, is the social systems that run contrary to the work of individuals like my mother. Many members of my immediate and extended family are involved in and have been involved in education. We all agree on one thing…there are not enough viable social services and community programs to meet the needs of at-risk youth in the inner city.

Many children in the inner city do not live in dual parent households, live below the poverty level and attend schools that lack adequate resources. Many children in the inner city are forced into the foster care system because of unfavorable living conditions. Many children in the inner city are forced to be their own parents and support their families at a young age. When their circumstances are pointing them in the direction of the streets, what role should the federal government play in prevention? What role should cities play in prevention? What current programs help to keep children off the streets by providing programs and alternatives? What current programs are missing the mark? I want to address two categories of social services and programs:

The leaders: These are national programs that have a proven history of working hard to prevent children from getting involved in the streets

1. Boys and Girls Clubs of America-They are an example of what happens when you seek to provide services and programs to inner-city youth and use the youth as service providers. The impact of this organization is far reaching. I worked for a local club in college and realized on a large scale how important these clubs are to the inner city. The organization has over 4,000 autonomous local clubs. They primarily service youth between the ages of 6 and 18. There are nearly 47,000 professional staff members that help to service approximately 4.6 million children in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. A large majority of the clubs are strategically located in the inner city. In my opinion, they are the best program for inner city youth.

2. Big Brothers, Big Sisters- Studies have shown that positive mentoring can prevent inner-city youth from being involved in the streets. This program is the example and pattern of an effective mentoring model. They serve approximately 200,000 youth in 5,000 communities in all 50 states. Their goal is to reach one million.

The Meltdowns: National programs that are missing the mark or dysfunctional.

1. The Administration for Children and Families(ACF)- Often times when dealing with governmental agencies, it is hard to find out who is at the top. The foster care system in America is dysfunctional. You cannot even trust the national statistical data on foster care because the agency responsible for gathering it (The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System-AFCARS), is a subsidiary of ACF. This agency is the parent agency that oversees foster care programs on the national level. Group homes often hurt the children more than help them and the “red tape” that prevents deserving foster parents from getting children is ridiculous. Once foster parents do get an opportunity to house children, there are not adequate resources for them.

2. D.A.R.E.- I know many people will not like what I am about to say, but this program has become more of a t-shirt than a deterrent. In the beginning D.A.R.E. was effective, but that was also the 80s. Here we are 20 years later and they are still functioning in the same manner. D.A.R.E. needs to take a more aggressive approach to fighting drugs in the inner city, in my opinion, by providing more programs in the inner city community centers and schools. D.A.R.E. needs to be more than a t-shirt and a guest speaker, it needs to provide counseling, rehabilitation, and more community involvement. They need to go into the neighborhoods and partner with churches, community centers and housing units to reach the most at-risk youth. They have a good mission and have done a lot of good in the community, but I would like to see them expand the program to the next level.

3. The Churches- Churches need to quit preaching prosperity, pastors need to quit trying to live like rappers and athletes and they need to begin preaching the original Christian message of salvation. Why aren’t they taking a more proactive approach in saving children from the streets? 50% of churches are simply businesses now masked under the umbrella of Christianity (this will be another blog entry). What is more disappointing is they often see the most at-risk youth on a weekly basis by way of their families going to church. They have ongoing access to the children and their respect, but fall short of utilizing that positioning in the community. There are some churches that are doing it right though. I applaud the churches that have taken a proactive approach by opening their own schools, providing counseling, and utilizing Biblical principles and teachings as a means of deterring children from the streets. Churches as a whole need to and should be leading the fight because they are located in the communities where the problems originate.

There needs to be more aggressive programs in the community to prevent children from getting involved in the streets. There needs to be less politics in governmental social services.

 

The WIRE: The Children, the streets, the schools, the politicians, and the police in the inner-city

There is a series on HBO called THE WIRE that explores the lives of young people, schools, drug dealers, police, and politicians in the City of Baltimore, Maryland. The show is compelling for several reasons. It raises critical questions about politics, schools, and social systems and the way they all tend to break down when it comes to fighting against drugs in the community and saving children from the streets. It addresses the inner fight politicians have to be loyal to the community while staying focused on their political aspirations. It shows the love/hate relationship police officers must have with drug dealers to catch the leaders. It addresses the daily battle in schools to educate children while being forced to meet testing quotas. The show also vividly displays the reality that many kids resort to the streets to survive the only way they know how. In a series of blog entry’s, I want to address what I personally feel are the most important themes from this show.

Although this drama is based on one particular city, the themes in the series are conducive of all cities in America. The problems addressed are real situations children and teenagers face in the inner city. This is the first season I’ve watched the show, and it made me want to buy all of the series. The news-media has taken notice of this series as well, particularly this season. Although there is harsh language and violence on the show, the message is not compromised. Some of the characters on the show remind me of people I knew growing up and I know there are many other people that can relate to them as well. Here are the common themes I want to address from the show:

Issue 1: Are there adequate social services and community programs to protect children from the streets or deter their involvement on the streets?

Issue 2: Do a large majority of children get involved in crime out of necessity to survive?

Issue 3: Are schools more focused on testing instead of meeting the educational, social and disciplinary needs of the students?

Issue 4: Are the police more concerned about numbers and politics than solving crimes? Do police officers care about the “insignificant” individuals that were engulfed in a life of crime and killed on the streets?

Issue 5: Do politicians always put their political aspirations above their desire to serve and meet the needs of the community through their position?

My goal is not to answer these questions, however my goal is to ask them and provide supporting data that will allow you to be an informed reader. The WIRE is fictional, but the themes expressed in the show are very real in every major city in America. Can children that are historically raised to live a life of crime be saved from it? I think they can be, but it will require a huge sacrifice from the children, the streets, the schools, the politicians and the police. The debate over the authenticity of the themes expressed in THE WIRE is pointless, because they are true themes and real questions that need to be answered. The only people that view the show as “over the top” or “far from reality” are the ones in denial. The sad reality is the show displays vividly the true depth of the fight to save this generation. It is my hope that this series of blogs will compel people to fight harder in the battle we are losing to the streets.

Here are some clips from The Wire that show how the kids are indoctrinated into the system of the streets. Some of the language and subject matter in the clips may not be suitable for all viewers.

 

 

 

3rd World Country, Super Power Hustle: Internet Scammers from Nigeria

There aren’t many times when I see a story on the evening news I find so compelling I want to report it again. Today, however, I ran across such a story. We often hear the stories about members of other countries being involved in illegal drug trafficking, cartels, and money laundering, but we rarely hear of scams from other countries so intricate that it effects many Americans. People often assume that third world countries are just that, sub par nations. The reality is very different. This perception is what I believe makes Americans even more vulnerable to foreign scams. No one can possibly trick the intelligent Americans out of millions of dollars, especially not anyone in a third world country…right? Who would expect one of the most intricate computer scams to come out of Nigeria, definitely not egotistical Americans.

One computer, one email and an intricate letter has wreaked havoc on many Americans. Here is a breakdown of the scam:

The most compelling fact surrounding this scam is people are still falling for it. I think it is important for the public to be informed. In one news spot, they spoke with an American doctor that lost nearly $350,000 to this scam. They spoke with professionals, teachers, and many ordinary people that you wouldn’t believe fell for this hoax. Why did they then? There are two reasons:

1. Greed. Many people are so hungry for money, the reality of winning a “lottery” or gaining an “inheritance” from a relative in a land far off is attractive

2. Perception. I believe many of these individuals assumed if it was coming from Nigeria, it could not be a hoax because they would not be smart enough or have the resources to pull it off. NEWS FLASH: AFRICA IS ONLY THIRD WORLD IN THE EYES OF AMERICANS! It has more natural resources than any other country in the world and is just as technologically sound as other countries. The news media only shows the ravaged parts of the country. (an explanation of this requires a whole blog entry) It is what I refer to as reverse perception, the belief in someones incompetence that is so great an individual does not see their intelligence coming.

This is a case of reverse perception and greed. The letter takes on many forms. There are not many ways to get rich quick, short of taking a billion in one chance at winning the lottery while wasting your hard earned money or going to Vegas and getting caught into the illusion. Why are these illusions? When it comes to “quick money,” people always look at the one chance they might win, they never look at the million chances they are statistically set up to lose. You must be mindful of these things.

Here are some tips to help you from being tricked:

1. Do your research…make sure it is legitimate. Use the Internet.

2. Never send money to receive money…I have yet to hear of a case where you have to send money to receive money. Ask your self the question, “Why don’t they take the processing fee out of the balance of the winnings?”

3. Do not trust lotteries from other countries…other nations have very different laws and most of the time those laws will not protect your interests as it relates to you living in America.

4. There is no quick money…This is a sad revelation, but 99% of money earned comes the hard way through work

“Money often costs too much.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.” –Thomas Wolfe

 

 

Katrina: Show me the money?!

Nearly 2000 people lost their lives on August 29, 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit the American Gulf Coast. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters and one of the worst cases of governmental neglect in the history of our country. It is astounding to think this disaster was almost a year and a half ago. It is even more compelling that New Orleans still looks similar to the way it did just after the levees broke. In the middle of the fight for control of Congress and the debates over Iraq, Katrina has taken a back seat. Katrina is no longer a hot button issue and the victims are no longer the cause of the day. What are people doing to aid and help the victims of Hurricane Katrina now? How many of the victims have seen revenue from all of the fundraisers and special events held in honor of Katrina victims? Has America forgotten?

I have friends from New Orleans that lost everything in the storm, and they are still not receiving the aid and help they need to return to their previous quality of life. There is political rhetoric that claims New Orleans is being rebuilt, yet there are no physical indications of change in the city. Many people still have not received trailers. Insurance companies, according to Wikipedia, have quit paying out claims and are denying new claims because of the high storm risks in the area. Many Katrina victims are losing their financial aid and assistance as we enter into the new year and the job markets of the cities where they moved to are saturated. In cities like Houston, an already competitive job market was saturated after the storm, especially in blue collar jobs. Less than half of the residents of New Orleans have returned to the city. Where has the aid gone?

According to MSNBC, The Bush-Clinton Katrina fund has given away most of its $130 million. The funds were given out as follows: $40 million to the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama; $30 million to colleges; and $25 million to churches and synagogues. MSNBC also stated that over $4 billion in donations given by individuals and corporations is almost all gone. They estimate that over $1 billion collected has been lost to fraud and mismanagement. FEMA was responsible for managing these funds. The incompetence of FEMA is appalling. The funds that were not lost to mismanagement and fraud have been caught up “in the system.” There needs to be more accountability with funds that seek to aid Katrina victims.

People need to still be outraged that insurance companies are using technicalities to avoid paying out money due to victims. People should be outraged that the federal government complains about helping tax paying individuals that lost everything (although some residents were living on government assistance). People need to be outraged that donated money has been used for individual and corporate gains through fraud. People should be outraged that many residents that grew up in New Orleans, helped build New Orleans, maintained New Orleans, and created the tradition that we know as New Orleans will never have a chance to live in their city again. People should be outraged that Katrina victims from all over the Gulf Coast will never get to live in the places they called home again!

Even-though many people have forgotten, we must still advocate for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

 

 

How much is a “nigga” worth? The plight of Frank McBride and Kyle Doss

The “n-word” is causing just as much controversy in today’s society as it did in the 60s. The difference is the controversy is now based in the confusion of the usage of the word. When is usage of the word “nigga” appropriate? Is it ever appropriate? I asked this question the first time I talked about Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld) using the word to address black hecklers at one of his shows. He has been criticized, publicly humiliated and ostracized because of one word. I am in no way condoning him using the word, but I do question if the level of scrutiny he’s receiving is warranted based on the prevalence of the word in mainstream culture.

The two hecklers, Frank McBride and Kyle Doss, are actually seeking financial restitution for him using the word against them when they rudely interrupted his show. These men are acting as if they are so offended by the word their lives have been impacted. I have three questions to ask them:

1. If this were a black comedian, would you seek financial compensation?

2. Why were you heckling at a show to see a comedian you obviously like because you bought a ticket?

3. How did the word “cracker” fall so easily from your lips?

I have questioned, on several occasions, the prevalence of the “n-word” in black comedy routines, rap videos, black TV shows, etc. Many of the individuals that use the word in these instances claim they have entitlement to it. People hear the word on radio stations, CDs and other places, but in our elementary world of political correctness the word “nigga” is bleeped out while the word “cracker” is allowed. Why should certain segments of society be allowed to determine if and when something is offensive. As I stated before, if Michael Richards usage of the word is so offensive to them, they need to sue every one of their friends that use the word towards them, every rapper they listen to that spurts out the word, and every black comedian that may point them out and begin a sentence with “look at this nigga…”

I often wonder if in efforts to be so “offended” we actually yield more power to the word. If these men are so offended by this, lets not stop with “nigga,” lets sue for every “wet back,” “chink,” “cracker,” and “towel head” that we hear. Let’s fight against every verbal injustice in our society. Why not even take it further? Lets push legislation that makes usage of the word “nigga” a federal hate crime and name it the McBride/Doss Bill. As a matter of fact, add every other deplorable slur. If we do this, we are at least being fair. At least with legislation, there will be equal indictments and criticisms for usage of the word by anyone instead of certain ones.

A crusade of ignorance has started as a result of Michael Richards, a white man, daring to use the word in anger. Now Paul Mooney says he will no longer use the word, Jesse Jackson will probably start another organization called Rainbow P.A.N. (people against nigga) Coalition, and Al Sharpton will make another bid for the Presidency on the premise of “nigga” proliferation. We can not be selectively offended, and we certainly cannot seek financial restitution for it when we choose to be offended. A black comedian would have tore into them for interrupting their show too.

I say we give the money to these two social degenerates that do not have the decency to shut up when someone is on stage. There has to be conditions with the money they receive however…they should be monitored at all times with a tape recorder and anytime they use a racial slur, they forfeit the total amount received and have to pay back any amount they’ve spent.

Again I ask, can these two guys be so offended they must go on talk shows and radio shows to tell their story? Seriously, how much is “nigga” worth? Is it worth more than “cracker,” “wetback,” “towel head,” and “chink”? The reality is all of these slurs are offensive, yet only one garners attention in the public only when it comes out of the mouth of a white person. Activism against racism and discrimination should be consistent.

 

The Supreme Court, public schools and race…

During the 60s, it was common place to see segregated public school systems in many American cities. It was not unusual to see marches, protests and public resistance when efforts were made to integrate school districts. It was not uncommon to see people fighting against “busing students” from traditionally black schools to predominately white schools. Mainstream districts made concerted efforts, regardless of the constant resistance however, to make sure that black students were successfully socialized into predominately white districts. This was not an easy process. Despite many of these efforts in the 60s, districts in many major American cities are still primarily divided based upon race. Although often times this segregation of sorts is not forced and is more based on demographics, should school districts be allowed to take necessary steps to change the racial makeup of their student population? This very question is being raised in a current Supreme Court case.

Initially Plessy vs. Ferguson set the “separate but equal” standard in American education in 1896. School districts were federally mandated to be segregated, but make efforts to provide the same level of education at all schools whether they were black or white. In 1954, Brown vs. Board of Education, a case out of Topeka, Kansas, challenged Plessy vs. Ferguson and sought to reverse it. One of the key attorneys on the case was Former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. They won the case and set a new precedent nationally for school districts across the country. What was the premise of Brown vs. Board of Education?

“Segregation of white and Negro children in the public schools of a State solely on the basis of race, pursuant to state laws permitting or requiring such segregation, denies to Negro children the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment — even though the physical facilities and other “tangible” factors of white and Negro schools may be equal.“ –from the syllabus of the case

Basically, Brown was the beginning of concerted efforts to integrate all schools. It became a federal precedent after this landmark decision. For the past 50 plus years, districts have tried to live up to this standard. The case currently in front of the Supreme Court does not seek to reverse Brown, however it does seek to determine the level of the efforts that districts can use to ensure they are more ethically diverse. The case centers around two districts, Seattle, Washington and Louisville, Kentucky. Basically, the school district programs seek to make the ethnic numbers of all schools in their districts consistent with the percentages of those ethnicity’s in their general populations.

The efforts are commendable, but the case does not question who these policies help, it questions who they can possibly hurt. Could a white student be denied admissions to a school of their choice if there are not enough black students in that particular location? The answer is yes. The Supreme Court seeks to answer if this is fair based on the precedent of Brown vs. Board of Education. This is one of the cases to watch. Although it will not reverse Brown vs. Board of Education, it can influence what methods can be used to achieve the mission of that landmark decision.

 

What does the boycott have to do with the shooting?

I am always amazed at the many ways organizations and people take tragic situations and utilize them as avenues to push forth their own agendas. When there is a nationally recognized story of tragedy, support comes from many people that simply want to jump on the “bandwagon” and ride the momentum of publicity. When this is the case, the real issue becomes somewhat unclear falling victim to what I refer to as the “secondary hype.” The secondary hype is the issue that really has nothing to do with the story, but people still try and relate it to the story as a means of publicizing their organizational agendas.

I talked about a story out of New York where a young man, Sean Bell, was killed after a bachelor party by police the morning before his wedding. There are several unconfirmed accounts of what happened, but the consistent characteristic in all of the stories is he was unarmed. The other consistency is 50 shots were fired at Bell and his two friends. This is a tragedy as I reported, it can even be considered an injustice towards minority populations in Queens. I agree with those assertions. I do not agree with the secondary hype that is being associated with this story however. There are groups calling for individuals to boycott white businesses as a result of this tragedy.

One question…What does A have to do with B? The cops that allegedly shot Bell and his friends were from various diverse ethnic backgrounds and allegedly have no other cases of using force against victims. How do you go from holding cops accountable for their treatment of minority suspects to boycotting white businesses? This is clearly a case of secondary hype. The argument to boycott white businesses based on the shooting of Sean Bell is just as ridiculous as if someone suggested boycotting black businesses based on the actions of DC area snipers Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad. Radical organizations are trying to use this case as a means of pushing their own agendas. What does this do to the fight for justice for Sean Bell? This takes the attention from the real issue.

This case is not about one race, it is about the tarnished relationship between police officers of all races and minority groups from all ethnic groups. The secondary hype is clearly hurting the fight for justice in the case of Sean Bell. If justice is to be served in cases such as this, we can not allow organizations and individuals with personal agendas to push secondary hype in the place of the real issues. Al Sharpton, The New Black Panther Party, and everyone else jumping on the bandwagon need to keep in mind that the issue is about justice for the victims. While their efforts to lend support are commendable, I do not think their methods are most effective.

If you are going to lend support to the case of Sean Bell and his family, keep the attention on his murder and the investigation surrounding the murder. Slippery slope racial arguments only hurt the plight of black Americans in our efforts to gain equal positioning in this society in all areas. Secondary hype creates “boy that cries wolf” syndrome in the eyes of the American public and when a clear case of racial discrimination is presented it is denounced as “playing the race card.” This is not a case of only race where such an argument would be warranted. There are clearly to many issues surrounding this case to reduce it to such elementary logic.

No Habla Spanish: Why are more cities legally making English the offical language?

How many times have you gone to an office building or to a store and noticed instructions in English and Spanish? If you go to Mexico, wouldn’t you have to learn Spanish to live and function in that country? Have you ever wondered why more jobs are requiring employees to be bilingual? Why should we provide services in Spanish and allow workers that do not speak English to be employed in a country where English is technically the official language? There are more city governments now pushing legislation that legally defines English as their official language. Why? They argue it is because they are tired of having workers that can not communicate with the general public. Is this fair?

In the city of Friendswood, a suburb of Houston, Friendswood city council member Chris Peden is trying to push a measure that will make English the official language of the city. If this measure is passed, all city employees will be required to speak English. Friendswood is not the only city headed in this direction. Farmers Branch, a suburb of Dallas has pushed similar legislation. Why is there outrage over this? Why are people offended by cities that recommend all people use the national language? It is causing a lot of debate. What is the real purpose of the ordinance?

Council-member Peden stated, “We do not have in my opinion an illegal immigration issue in the city of Friendswood, but I don’t want to pass legislation after we get one.” He went on to compare the illegal immigration problem with the city’s ordinance prohibiting sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places where children gather according to the Houston Chronicle. On the surface, it looks like they are simply trying to define what the official language of the city should be, but there is more to it. This is really an indirect means of discouraging illegal immigration. LULAC’s Houston-area director, Rick Dovalina, has cautioned Friendswood that it will cause “negative publicity.”

In my opinion, “negative publicity” is exactly what they want. The Councilmemeber’s goal is to push legislation that will discourage illegal immigrants from coming to the city. Will this strategy work? Is it a fair strategy? LULAC thinks that the measure is discriminatory. I wonder how a measure can be discriminatory when it simply seeks to define what is already in place. English is already the official language in all cities in America. It is not the cities that make concessions for Spanish speaking people, it is everyone else. As long as businesses, public offices, grocery stores, etc. have information in English and Spanish, no legislation can stop the usage of the language.

The implications from this proposed legislation is speaking Spanish is unfavorable. Being bilingual is not really the issue. The issue is whether Spanish speaking immigrants should be forced to learn English. This is the real debate behind all of the politics. Immigration can not be stopped by governmental legislation as long as companies are hiring immigrants. The usage and acceptance of the Spanish language is not a political issue, it is a social and economic issue. Immigrants should be forced to learn English, but they should not be forced to forget about their native language and heritage. America has allowed other cultures to utilize their native language for years, as long as they communicate with others in the dominant language of English.

Three things are for sure:

1. Politics is clouding the real issue

2. Spanish as a language is not the problem, faulty policies and procedures to deal with illegal immigration is the problem

3. Until corporations quit hiring illiegal immigrants, one and two don’t matter!

Immigration is here to stay and we as a nation have to devise viable action plans to address the issue. It can not be addressed through arbitrary politics. The pressure must be placed in the hands of the individuals that fuel the problem, corporations. Corporations cater to Spanish consumers and Spanish speaking employees. This is an economic and social issue that cannot be stopped simply through city ordinances. To discourage illegal immigration, you have to address the reason they come to America…jobs.

 

 

Do musicians have a bigger responsibility?

“My music is the spiritual expression of what I am — my faith, my knowledge, my being … When you begin to see the possibilities of music, you desire to do something really good for people, to help humanity free itself from its hangups … I want to speak to their souls. “
- John Coltrane

Music has a way of calming anxiety, reminiscent of the beautiful spaces and places in life that we wish we could entertain all the time. Every note and every beat in the music is significant to the message the musician is trying to portray. Every tone is important, every sound is unique and the very expression of the music gives you incite into the mood and the mind of the artist. Music is a language that when spoken correctly can heal the hurting, bring joy to the sad, uplift the downtrodden, reinforce dreams, and connect true love. Music is God’s unspoken language of change. As a musician, I believe that the language must be articulated in such a way that people’s lives are positively affected. What is the responsibility of a musician and/or an artist? Is it important for them to put out positive content?

This is just something I was thinking about today. What do you think? I was changing channels on my television and passed through MTV. Videos were on the screen and they were disappointing. I am very disappointed by the music I am hearing and the videos I am seeing on TV. The lyrical content is focused on sex, drugs and behavior that does not uplift people as a whole. One of the things I loved about the music of the seventies was the ability they had to talk about the problems of the world and address social issues through the art-form. Who can forget “That’s the way of the world” by Earth, Wind, and Fire or “Someday we’ll all be free” by Donny Hathaway? Who can forget the songs and the music that made us think like “Sentimental Mood”?

There is nothing wrong with addressing love through the medium of music, but it becomes less significant when the song only expresses the physical relationship between man and woman. Songs like “If its Magic” and”Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder became classics because they talk about the emotional connection of love. Jazz artists, soul singers from the seventies, many hip hop artists, gospel artists, and neo-soul artists have used music to address the human spirit, social issues and to invoke change. On the other hand, many artists of today are socially irresponsible in their music.

Is it OK to say that you call women and people out of their name, use sexually explicit lyrics and constant vulgarity in the name of entertainment? Is this just an excuse to ignore the responsibility and the spiritual effects music has on people? In my opinion, music is more than just something to make people “feel good,” music is a universal language of sorts. When spoken correctly, this language reminds people of the good times, inspires people to make it, connects people to their Creator, and reminds people of the beauty of love. Shouldn’t modern musicians and artists be more conscious of the music they are making? When music is written, performed and articulated correctly, it truly becomes “A Love Supreme”…

The Wild Wild West? The slaying of Sean Bell

I often wonder how in the Wild Wild West the “gun slingers” got away with shooting people in broad daylight. I wonder how they got away with shooting people in close range in front of others and faced no repercussions or disciplinary action. It was a time of lawlessness in a land of laws. The town Sheriff over looked the crimes of “the good ole’ boys” and allowed things to go on from those individuals that were clearly unlawful. It was a time where order in our country was not consistent and laws were not upheld equally. It was a time when many murders took place in the name of justice. It was a time long ago, or was it?

In New York on last Saturday, a young man was slain in “Wild Wild West” fashion. Police reportedly shot over 50 rounds at Sean Bell and two others, the morning before Bell was to be married outside of a strip club in the Jamaica section of Queens. The men were at a bachelor party. Why did the undercover police unleash an arsenal of over 50 rounds on these young men? According to CNN news, the police began to fire after the young man’s car rammed into the undercover policeman’s unmarked vehicle. There are three question that need to be answered…

Why would the police shoot so many rounds at unarmed men?

How could the men have know they were police if they were undercover?

Was proper procedure followed?

This is clearly, on the surface, another case of excessive force used against minorities by police. Although all the facts are not yet known in the case, the case brings about a lot of speculation concerning the amount of rounds that were used. Houses nearby were shot as well as a local train station. Why did the undercover police shoot with so much force without regard for innocent bystanders and a bus driving by when dealing with unarmed men? It is also clear based on reports that these men were not given proper warnings before the shots were fired.

New York Mayor Bloomberg said concerning the incident, “It is to me unacceptable or inexplicable how you can have 50-odd shots fired.” He said this after he met with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and community leaders according to CNN News. When all the facts are gathered, we will know the full story, but based on current information this was a complete injustice.

A young man, Sean Bell, was killed on the morning before his wedding in an execution style slaying by those who were sworn to protect and serve. Now a fiancee will never have the husband she dreamed of and two children are forced to grow up without their father. Dr. King once said that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” This is an injustice when looking at the current information surrounding the case.