Jena 6 and a word on civility

For all the new folks that found the site and particularly interested in the Free the Jena 6 piece, I appreciate your presence. What I don’t appreciate is the sewage that I see in some of the comments. The subtitle for this site is Black Thought at the Highest Level which means that this is not a place for vulgarity, cheap one-liners, or otherwise uncivil dialogue.

If you cannot make your point without reason and tact, let me inform you that there are thousands of sites that appreciate such discourse. The SuperSpade is not one of them.

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.

Guest Contributor, Jameelah brings the fire…again

SuperSpade guest contributor Jameelah has blessed us again with another great piece of work; this time in the form of a poem. Let me add that art (in all its forms) are the true galvanizing force in advancing the causes we all keep dear to our heart. And if you are like me, then it is somewhat difficult for you to truly appreciate the ways in which movement politics and art must never be separated. The same way I get goose bumps when I hear Sam Cooke’s, “A Change is Gonna Come,” I had goose bumps when I read this poem and I was reminded that my source of energy must encompass more than the facts. Thanks Jameelah.

Punk Politics: Why no presidential hopefuls showed up at The Jena 6 rally

Barack Obama came out in support of The Jena 6; he was the first to do so publicly. Hillary Clinton made a statement praising Mychal Bell’s case being thrown out. John Edwards made a statement on the issue. So on the surface, it looks like the democratic presidential wannabes are on the record here.

Let me tell you why this not only insufficient, but it is another example of [democratic] politicians’ lack of backbone on the issues that matter in America.

In search of justice for the New Orleans 200,000

A note from Dr. Calvin Mackie from the day before the Jena 6 rally.

One Love. One II.

–

Brothers and Sisters,

When you get to Jena please tell all those Black people that when they leave Jena, come to New Orleans in support of the injustice towards the New Orleans 200,000! Tell them that Charles Rangel (D) from NY still hasn’t visited New Orleans and that over 200,000 citizens, mostly Black, are still displaced to over 5500 cities in America. Where is our justice? Where is the outcry over a government who damaged and destroyed generations of Black fiscal, cultural and historical wealth via political and engineering neglect?

Okay, I have just awakened and realized that i dreamed that people, especially Black people, gave a damn about the greatest catastrophe in the history of the country. I guess racism and levees don’t mix, or we just can’t put it together. I guess we don’t see that civil rights is tied to equal protection, protection in the judicial system as well as in infrastructure. I’m awake now and I apologize for thinking and questioning, because I know a Black man is not suppose to do that.

Until the Lions have their historians

I used to have a quote that I used in my signature that said, “Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunters.” Fortunately, the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have a historian through the International Tribunal on Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

The tribunal was formed to hear testimony by experts and survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. After 30 hours of testimony, the preliminary findings are unfortunately not surprising.

Jill Soffiyah Elijah, the Deputy Director of the Criminal Justice Institute at Harvard Law School and Chief Judge for the International Tribunal on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, announced the Tribunal’s preliminary findings “It is our view that the U.S. government has committed crimes against humanity particularly in relation to its failure to maintain functional levees that should have protected the City of New Orleans from flooding; … it was the reckless disregard and, in some instances, negligence of the U.S. government, the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans that created the devastation we continue to see today.”

The Lawn Jockey Awards: Holding the Congressional Black Caucus accountable

Cross-posted from Brave New Films Blog.

The CBC Monitor and Black Agenda Report are putting together an event called Lawn Jockey Awards on 26 September 2007 in Washington DC. More details here.

These events that hold the government publicly accountable are not only [sadly] entertaining, but they are fundamental to the success & survival of representative democracy. This political age is too familiar with politicians who thumb their noses at the people they represent, caring only about a small, influential rich subset of their constituency.

The Congressional Black Caucus is just as guilty of this as any other subset of the legislature. However, given the general lack of attention afforded to Black issues in media and government, this adversely the Black folks the caucus represents even further.

I'd like to see "awards" like this given out for every caucus within the Congress. It's time to start getting politicians to put their votes where their rhetoric is. Too often these two do not align.

One Love. One II.

P.S. Can I vote for Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick?

Detroit Public Schools and the need for Restorative Justice

Cross posted from Michigan Messenger:

On August 31, 2007 Detroit Public Schools announced they would be setting up mini-police stations within certain high schools in their attempt to ebb crime in and around schools. 

Additionally, the Detroit News reports, “This year is historic because thousands of high school students are being forced to transfer to new schools because four high schools largely serving students from the city’s west side — Redford, Mackenzie, Murray-Wright and Detroit Northern — closed at the end of the last school year.”

When I was in high school, the extent to which school could feel like a precinct was the use of metal detectors. Between the violence stemming from guns and knives especially, the metal detectors were draconian, but I could see how others could see the logic. The police mini-stations are logical but they create an extremely stigmatizing environment for students. It is time for a wholesale revision of how justice is administered to people, school-age in particular.

Mychal Bell’s conviction has been overturned!

One of the Jena 6 is now free closer to free.

His conspiracy charge was already thrown out. Now, his case will be handled exclusively in juvenile court, which is where it should have been all along.

One Love. One II.

The Weekly Dream: Do Your Part

“And [God] delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.”

-2 Peter 2:7-8

 Everyday, I face a decision: either stick my head in the sand like an ostrich or be aware of what is going on around me.  Why is this such a difficult decision.  If I bury my head in the sand (i.e. work, routine), then I am in control.  I am the King of My Comfort Zone.  In this realm, I am King Comfort.  And King Comfort is extremely selfish.  However, if I choose awareness, I choose to be challenged, and on some level, see things I do not like.  I choose to feel.  And sometimes, feeling is frustrating. 

The World’s Gone Mad…

Lately, this decision has become more immediate.  Personally, the injustice in the world seems especially intense.  From the Jena 6 to the Genarlow Wilson case, to the War, to the extremely poor race relations, to the woman who was tortured-our justice system has become a mockery.  We are more concerned about the death of some dogs than our brothers and sisters.  Our government has become mockery because it seems like it has silently and not so subtly declared war on its citizens. 

The question I have really been dealing with is whether things have gotten worse or are things just the same.  Throughout history, when law was born, so was injustice.  I used to thing that the days were getting darker, but I am beginning to believe that it is just a re-run of the same fight, good v. evil.  And each generation has had their own battle to fight to maintain and restore justice on the earth. 

Righteous Lot

In the book of Genesis, Abraham’s nephew Lot followed Abraham out of Mesopotamia.  When God had blessed them to where the land could not contain them, they parted ways.  Lot settled by the city of Sodom.  Sodom was extremely wicked, to the point where God could not find ten righteous people in the city.  Lot lived in the city, but he did not condone their lifestyle.  The new testament said that his soul was vexed.  Lot was so righteous that the inhabitants were sick of him.  So God decided to save Lot and his family and destroy the city (Genesis 19). 

How many of you have been vexed by the injustice that you have seen?  The next question is what have you done about it?  Or have you been too “busy”?  Busy is how most of the atrocities that take place occur.  In the Book of Ezekiel, God calls us “watchmen.”  What do watchmen do?  They are aware and they sound the alarm when something happens that should not be happening.  How have you been doing as a watchman? 

I am not saying that it is your job to try to whistleblow on every injustice in the world.  However, do not turn a blind eye to the suffering and injustice in the world, that way you know you are supposed to do something to make this world a better place.  We can always do more, but do something small, repeatedly over time, is better than not doing anything at all.  People are hurting, the world is hurting.  I have been challenged in my spirit to do a better job.  The least I can do is speak up. 

That is the entire mission of The Superspade and that is what we work for.  To not only be aware and speak up but to put our action, time and resources behind our beliefs.  We and our readers are people of conviction and action.  So, do not lose heart. I have not lost hope.  All this madness that surrounds us is a call to action and a call to battle.  We must fight until either peace is restored or the world comes to an end.  That is the mentality of a warrior, it is all our nothin’.  But it will not come easy. 

We must do our part.  And if we allow ourselves to get uncomfortable, God said we will be comforted.  But you cannot comfort someone who is already comfortable.  I just had to get that off my chest, because I am disgusted with what has been going on in this country and the world on all fronts.  So, sign a petition, educate yourself and those around you, work your governmental system, discuss the issues.  Just do something. 

For the Love of God, we are WATCHMEN.  And if you are already involved, push it to the limit and don’t give up.

Truth and Peace,

Steven M DeVougas

Barbara Lee shows why I love Black women

Because they often times have heart when no one else does.

What’s even more sad is that I know that none of the current presidential hopefuls would have the heart to do something like this.

One Love. One II.

FEMA to provide relocation assistance to Louisiana residents

Dr. Calvin Mackie responded on behalf of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) to FEMA’s decision to provide relocation assistance to Louisiana residents.

An excerpt:

Today’s announcement gives new hope to many of our citizens that have been longing to return, and we look forward to the coming days and weeks as they begin to access these much needed funds and begin making their way back home.

This is good, but sadly, I have about as much confidence in FEMA’s capacity to help people as I do in G. W. Bush’s capacity to tell the truth.

One Love. One II.

AfroSpear Press Release for September 20th Jena 6 Rally in Jena, LA

B has covered the rally in Jena on the 20th. The following is a press release from AfroSpear (a group that The SuperSpade is a member of) that gives a bit more information. We’re expecting this to be one of the largest demonstrations in the history of the state of Louisiana. I encourage as many of you that can go to go.

The entire release is below.

One Love. One II

Barack Obama makes statement in support of Jena 6

Cross-posted from Brave New Films Blog.

Barack Obama has become the first presidential hopeful to make a statement regarding the Jena 6. I applaud him for giving this crisis of American "justice" the attention it deserves.

Here's an excerpt:

Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it’s Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it’s long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances.

I have called for other candidates to do the same. Maybe then actual justice can be served. I wonder if the other Dems will talk about this now?

One Love. One II

Brandon’s new venture: Reporter for Michigan Messenger

First, I want to just applaud and thank Garlin for holding down The SuperSpade. Our regular readers know that for the past several days, there have been new posts from G it seems like every hour. So if I can squeeze in an announcement, I am pleased and excited to let you know that I am now a reporter for the Michigan Messenger.

This new online newspaper/blog is a collaboration of journalists and professional bloggers across Michigan with the goal of breaking news and influencing the conversations about issues. To borrow from my colleague, Michigan Messenger “is part of the Center for Independent Media’s – a not-for-profit organization that fosters diversity of ideas in the national debate by educating and training people on the use of new communications technologies – New Journalism Program.”

My beats include Detroit politics, African-American issues, prison reform & drug sentencing, K-12, and CD-9. I have two articles up right now relating to Alternatives for Girls and the other on auto insurance redlining. I do encourage you to visit the site and show love, especially if you are from or live in Michigan. Like Garlin, I will be posting on The SuperSpade just as often and cross-post on both sites at times too.

Most importantly though, this opportunity would not have presented itself had it not been for you the reader, (my family) continually coming back to the site, posting comments, calling Garlin or I because you were afraid to put a comment, etc. Your participation in The SuperSpade community has truly made my dreams come true.

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.

Surprise! There’s discrimination in lending.

Captain obvious says: Black folks and Latino folks get jerked more often when financing/refinancing mortgages.

Isn’t this the same thing Martin Luther King Jr. was marching against in Chicago during the 60s? This is yet another piece of rebuttal material to the “Race no longer matters” crowd.

One Love. One II

Why the gentrification hurts New Orleans’ future for Black people

There is now data to support the anecdotal evidence that Black folks are leaving New Orleans at a higher rate than white people.

Anyone who's been there wouldn't find this surprising. The places that are the focus of redevelopment areas are the ones that either Black folks never resided in in the first place or that poorer Black folks have been priced out of residing in now. Oh, the wonderful world of gentrification.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood says G. W. Bush should be arrested

I don’t disagree.

One Love. One II

Disney: Black girls can [finally] be princesses too?

Cross-posted at Brave New Films Blog. Also on featured on AlterNet.

Disney, the 800,000,000 pound gorilla of kids fantasy entertainment, annouced that they are going forward with their plans to have their first Black princess in 2009's The Frog Princess.

Disney has had opportunities to show the uniqueness of non-white cultures in it's films, but has failed miserably at doing so in a respectful, non-stereotypical way (see Aladdin and Mulan). I have zero confidence that this film will be any different.

This is doubly dangerouse given how Black women are portrayed in today's media. Bringing back up the Aunt Jemima images of old and coupling them today's over-sexualization of Black women and the racist indifference shown towards Black women sets the table for a pretty nasty racial stereotype feast.

Republican front-runners don’t want to meet with Tavis Smiley

Apparently, Republican front-runners Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani declined to participate in Tavis Smiley’s All-American Presidential Forums. Undeclared-but-likely-Republican-candidate Fred Thopson has not committed fully.

A question for all of my Black republican friends: why are your beloved republicans so against talking to Black folks face-to-face? Probably because they only do hand-picked audiences.

More from the release below.

One Love. One II

The Congressional Business Caucus

Jonathan Chait of The New Republic says that the Congressional Black Caucus is trying hard to get into bed with big business and lobbyists.

Why would they want to do that? Probably because instead of being better than the Republicans, some members would secretly rather be just like the Republicans, at least in the way they handle the political process. What these members fail to realize is that it’s pretty hard to find Washington Republicans that have Black folks’ best interests at heart, and even harder to find a major US Corporation that has Black folks’ best interests at heart.

Just as before, we ask that you contact members of the CBC and ask that they turn this trend around and get back to the vision and goals of the original members of the caucus:

to promote the public welfare through legislation designed to meet the needs of millions of neglected citizens

You thought we were done with the CBC, didn’t you?

One Love. One II.

Black woman allegedly tortured by 6 white people in West Virginia

Cross-posted from the Brave New Films blog. Elaborated upon here.

Six white people are accused of kidnapping, torturing, and sexually assaulting 20 year old Megan Williams, a Black woman in West Virginia. It is up in the air as to whether this will be treated as a hate crime Hate crime charges are not being pursued.

Much like how Emmit Till's mother wanted his casket to be open so people could see the raw brutality of his lynching and murder, the Williams family has chosen to reveal the victim's name in order to force "the public to know what happened."

Funny how no one is calling this gang violence (see "Just in my opinion's" comment on this post). Oh, right, it's probably because the suspects are white…

Rev. Lennox Yearwood talks about his arrest

Wow.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood talks about his arrest.

One Love. One II.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood: Democracy while Black

Cross-posted from Brave New Films Blog.

Rev. Lennox Yearwood released a statement today in response to his 10 Sep 2007 arrest.

My role is to make government more transparent to the people, especially people of color.  How am I supposed to convince other African-Americans to come to Capitol Hill to participate in democracy, when Capitol Police will go so far as to jump me when I question my exclusion from a hearing that is open to the public?  We all know what 'driving while Black' is, well I'd call this 'democracy while Black.'"

What is so sinister about the demonizing of dissenting voices is precisely what the Yearwood calls out here: if they make examples of a couple of "unfriendly" visitors, others who share their views will be less likely to speak up or act. Sadly, this draconian, Machiavellian sort of opinion squashing is precisely the goal of today's neo-Conservative.

Minority and marginalized people's fragile will to speak up is too often crushed by these sorts of scare tactics. It is therefore imperative that we use this as yet another reason to drive out these leaders who are neither able nor mature enough to answer questions posed by those who do not share their beliefs.

Clarification: Rev. Yearwood's leg is not broken. The police said that yesterday, but after people were actually able to speak to the Reverend, it was made clear that he instead has severe damage to ligaments in his ankles and is on crutches.

The entire press release is below.

An update on Rev. Lennox Yearwood’s Arrest

They broke his legs.

Things like this make it hard to convince young & marginalized people to get involved in the political process when they disagree with the establishment. Sadly, this is exactly the goal of Republicans these days.

One Love. One II.

Update & Clarification: Rev. Yearwood’s leg is not broken. The police said that yesterday, but after people were actually able to speak to the Reverend, it was made clear that he instead has severe damage to ligaments in his ankles and is on crutches.

Getting down to Jena

What’s up fam,

I want to alert folks who live in Michigan that there is an opportunity for you to get down to Jena, LA to support the Jena 6 as Mychal Bell is sentenced. Thankfully, Arielle Tours Charters have offered to take people down to Jena.

The bus leaves September 19th at midnight (from Oak Park) to return on September 21st at 5pm. If there was ever a reason you needed to use your sick time, this is it. The cost for the trip (which includes lodging) is only $168!!!! This is when you think to yourself, “They are only charging $168?” You read that right and for folks that have money but can’t make it, please sponsor someone else to go. I know folks are diligent in signing petitions but this experience will be a special moment because at our core, this miscarriage of justice infected us with outrage the moment we were first introduced to this story.

Don’t ask, just do.

For more information for the Michigan trip, click here

Stay up fam,

Brandon Q.

p.s. For folks that live elsewhere, I would encourage you to find out if there are local organizations that would be willing to organize buses for folks to get to Jena. And if no one steps up to the plate, YOU step up.

Why are people so afraid of Black men who think?

It’s hard being a Black man in Washington that disagrees with the Bush administration. Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Leader of the Hip Hop Caucus was arrested gang-tackled and hospitalized today while trying to be a witness to the Congressional testimony on the status of the Iraq occupation by General David Petraeus today.

Video of Rev. Lennox Yearwood being arrested.

For such a tough guy, this president sure doesn’t like to face peaceful people that disagree with him and his policies.

Why are people so afraid of Black men who think?

One Love. One II.

The Weekly Dream: God’s Tryin to Tell You Somethin’

Hey! Hey! Hey! I know it has been a while, and I been kind of spotty on posting, but I am back.  The kid has been going through some life changes, but I am back on my horse and ready to ride. 

In my time off, I have come to cherish the quiet time I have.  I have written before on the necessity of silence/quiet time and the benefits.  However, I think the subject deserves a little more refinement and discussion.

The Movement that wasn’t, Pt. 1

What’s up fam,

I just want to say thank you to all my people that wished me a happy birthday (Aug 31st). I was in Minnesota getting trained with some dynamic folks over at Wellstone Action. The retreat was out in the woods and I was out of cell phone range. So for all the folks that sent me love, I apologize for not responding in a timely manner.

Something that has been on my heart for a couple weeks is the lack of meaningful communication between people. The two groups I have in mind are based on W.E.B. DuBois model of the “Talented Tenth.” In short, the “Talented Tenth” represents the most gifted and talented among us and it is their responsibility to provide the necessary leadership to improve the condition of the masses.

Jena 6 Update: At least 15 years is less than 22…

The Jena 6 got a bit of a break today. Mychal Bell, the kid who was to get 22 years, has now gotten one of the charges dropped against him. That means that instead of facing up to 22 years, he'll now only face up to 15.

Even long journeys have to start with small steps. You can take a small step by donating to their defense fund.

One Love. One II.

Katrina: Two tough years later

This is a piece by Dr. Mackie written in The Washington Afro-American, and posted here in its entirety.

One Love. One II.

—

Louisiana and the city of New Orleans are participating and rebounding in the most complex reconstruction effort in American history. As you know, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked unprecedented havoc upon South Louisiana in the fall of 2005, creating the first and third most expensive natural disasters in United States history. Presently, schools are reopening. Homes are being rebuilt. Life as we knew it is gradually returning. But this was an unprecedented catastrophe. Pushing the recovery forward will take an extraordinary effort and a commitment to do what it takes for the people of this state, especially the residents of New Orleans.

Introducing Dr. Calvin Mackie

In our continuing effort to present unique and authoritative voices and perspectives on the days’ issues, I’m honored to introduce Dr. Calvin Mackie as a new guest contributor to The SuperSpade. He’ll be writing on a variety of issues including Hurricane Katrina and the recovery efforts, as well as motivational, societal, and politcal pieces.

Besides being a close mentor and dear friend of mine, Dr. Mackie is a speaker, author, and public servant who currently sits on the Louisiana Recovery Authority. More about him here.

I’m excited about what he’ll bring and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it all.

One Love. One II.

The New Orleans Fetish: The Real Reason New Orleans got no help after Katrina

I like it when people list reasons to save New Orleans:

1. It’s morally the right thing to do
2. It’s the government’s obligation to protect it’s cities and citizens
3. Because New Orleans is so special

The third reason, perhaps the most compelling argument to some, is actually what is hurting the systemic relief effort the most.