6–15–2016

Yesterday in Oakland Ca. another young black girl, was killed by a bullet fired by some INSANE black males. This isn’t anything new, since two other women were also shot during the week. While I was in Oakland I attended a street rally at the site she was killed. I have lost track of how many alters I’ve seen from NY to D.C, to Chicago and now in Oakland. Among the concerned folks there, was several mothers who lost children through this same type of street MADNESS. Each spoke of their painful experiences and the need to end this MADNESS. Next several men who work in the community spoke on the need to end this continuing cycle of murders. Among them were several preachers, male/female who at various times ask the crowd to pray. This went on for over 2 hours. Other speakers, talked about the need to show more love toward the type of young people who perpetuated these type of crimes. One of the men who spoke, talked about the need to make the city government do more to stop the violence. He went on about how the police took their time in arriving as did the medical services that might have saved her life. From there he went on to explain the process used against the African-Amer. Community by the city government. At one point he even alluded to Malcom X’s comment about the ballot or the bullet, in a manner that appeared to be suggesting something more radical in the communities methods of trying to stem the crimes committed.

While I watched this I thought of my time working and teaching youth at risk from NY, to D.C. to Chicago. I thought about all the young folks, who by now are either dead or in prison. I remember the long discussions I also had with inmates in prisons, who started much like the young men in Oakland living the street life.

As I looked at the crowd, the words PREACHING TO THE CHOIR, kept coming to mind. Most of the crowd was compose of women, all colors all ages. There were a few older /young men. As the speakers droned on and on about how the violence must stop, all I could think about is why at most of the rallies, the crowds are small and always compose of a few people, who regularly attend these events? Why wasn’t there not more concerned older black adults and young folks there? I thought about events like the Warriors winning and how vast and large the crowds were for this event.

After more of the same tired, refrains about love, being nice to each other and other empty bullshit, I had to step away without speaking my piece to the gathering. I have for the past 10 years been screaming to anyone who would listen the following; NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF THE FOLLOWING 2 ELEMENTS ARE NOT ADDRESS; the mental condition of black folks and economics. To be specific, trying to just appeal to young broken youths humanity, through weak community programs leading to no real change haven’t and won’t work. Dealing with young folks, who come from dysfunctional homes where often times their parents have the mentalities of children themselves misses the mark. Telling them to believe in spiritual crap has no meaning in their material driven media created drugged out bling, bling lives.

Answer this question, who would these young folks be more receptive too some preacher or a sports/rapper, type with millions? What would happen if tomorrow, Beyoncé, JayZ,Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre. got together and announced the following; they would combine their millions together to create business, tech schools and daycare centers for the community of Oakland? What could it be like if they also brought in some of our great professional people from all areas of expertise to teach, mentor and

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Sincerely work with both the youth and those coming out of prison? What kind of systemic changes could we hope to see if among these professionals were African centered Psychologist, who specifically worked in the communities and with all the various age groups who are so in badly need of serious psychological attention on a daily bases? What would be the result of this infusion of not only monetary resources, but sincere caring from Black professionals who really do care about the welfare and betterment of all our people? Think of what it could be like, if these resources were collectively applied to the following areas, buying up buildings and houses in the community and then rented out at a reasonable prices with the goal of future ownership? Inner city gardens, where people could get back in touch with nature and the need for land and produce, would also do a lot to remove the stigma of having to depend on the city government for basic food sources of process unhealthy food. Think of the number and type of skills that could be taught to not only control our communities but create businesses as a source of pride in our communities among our people. The reprograming of generations for success would be the outcome of these plans.

Let’s look at the alternative, the continuing parade of our youth either into prison, drugs or insanity leading to MENATCIDE, (the internal killing of US by US.) More self hating generations who abuse, misuse and continue to push the ugly reality of self-hatred, reactionary thinking and being beggars into the 21century.If you need examples of this, at a community event, I asked a well-known African Amer local Oakland writer the following question; “At what point do we start demanding more from our people with millions in order to correct some of the horrible problems we face?” His response,’ “I ain’t gona be begging rich black folks for no money”. That same day at another event held at Laney College, the new mayor Libby “shaft”, was doing a photo op and who do I see all wrapped around her, this same clown, who earlier made the statement about not begging for funds. As the mayor went on to tell the crowd how this man was her favor local writer, I had to keep from screaming at him his own words. For most of my life I’ve witness this kind of behavior from often times folks who claimed to be about the liberation of African people. Some of these same types, will rant about how the youth are out of control and need to be checked. The question I ask, what else do we really expect after they learn how phony a lot of the folks my age really are.? This same selfish mentality is evident among the new class of young professional so-called educated, wealthy black folks. Too often we see fools, like Dr. Dre. giving millions to white Universities, while giving chump changes to his own community. While Asian and Latino communities focus on creating institutions that teach real world valuable skills, we get late night basketball games and fashion shows, for our youth. For to many of us praying, begging, whining and trying to make the government do for us has become the mantra of our lives.

POWER is the ability to control our destiny on all fronts both economically and mentally. Can you honestly believe this will ever be achieve by any other way then us making it happen? As you read these words, I want you to watch the INSANE reactions and excuses that will be generated by me daring to tell folks to” get off your knees, stop, begging and waiting on the very forces of oppression that got us where we are today.” Until we DEMAND, that those we supported with our money and devotion now must give back in meaningful ways to our communities’, we will continue to be regarded as, FOOLS, TOOLS and the perpetuators of our own demise in the 21century.

Signed

The Dark Overlord

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