Its a MoVeMeNt baby!

About a year after the Jena 6 incident in Louisiana took place, we have seen history take place right before our eyes. The election of America’s first black president was quite a historical boundary for black people. With that said, it is almost odd to believe that the Jena 6 situation was only a year ago and still to this day the fact that any of the violence was motivated by racism rests solely on the shoulders of the Jena 4 and not those who hung nooses in a school yard.

Even in retrospect, the white citizens of Jena suggest that there was no racial motivation behind the hanging of nooses from a tree on the school’s yard. An editor from the town’s newspaper even suggests that most of the media’s accusations about the incident were false and broke them down into myths. This is just one of what Jena Times assistant editor, Craig Franklin referred to as myths during an interview with The Christian Science Monitor taken directly from the published article. -

Myth 2: Nooses a Signal to Black Students. An investigation by school
officials, police, and an FBI agent revealed the true motivation behind the
placing of two nooses in the tree the day after the assembly. According to
the
expulsion committee, the crudely constructed nooses were not aimed at
black
students. Instead, they were understood to be a prank by three white
students
aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo
team. (The
students apparently got the idea from watching episodes of
“Lonesome Dove.”) The
committee further concluded that the three young teens
had no knowledge that
nooses symbolize the terrible legacy of the lynchings
of countless blacks in
American history. When informed of this history by
school officials, they became
visibly remorseful because they had many black
friends. Another myth concerns
their punishment, which was not a three-day
suspension, but rather nine days at
an alternative facility followed by two
weeks of in-school suspension, Saturday
detentions, attendance at Discipline
Court, and evaluation by licensed
mental-health professionals. The students
who hung the nooses have not publicly
come forward to give their version of
events. -

What? If that is true, then what are these students learning about history. If these students don’t know the the racially intimidating image of a noose hanging from a tree, then there is a lot more than racism that is an issue at this school. I find it had to believe that none of the students in on the so-called prank had no idea that a noose hanging from a tree could possibly be offensive to black students – black students who supposedly have so many white friends.

Get real. If the prank was merely a joke for some rodeo team, then where were the cows? Isn’t the rodeo team supposed to rope calves or something, or do they hang them from trees now? And what part of rural America has a rodeo team anyway? Too many questions and not enough answers that make me believe that Jena is a little racist place in the corner of America where places like this still exist. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

Almost three hours after the court hearing started, Kwame Kilpatrick had officially been sentenced to his 120 day stay at the Wayne county jail downtown Detroit. The lawyers argued back and forth, but to no avail, the mayor received the sentence that was prepared for him when he optioned to take a deal a couple months back.

With his signature smug arrogance, Kilpatrick seemed to be a man not on his way to prison, but a man who was going to be exonerated of all charges. In the beginning, even his wife joined in on a few chuckles and everything seemed to be just fine.

While Kilpatrick awaited his sentencing, lawyers from the City of Detroit argued that the firing of police officers and perjury were reasons why the sentence should be upheld, even though the court had received 19 letters asking for leniency on Kilpatrick’s sentence. Still, the firing of police officers and lying in court about an extra-marital affair don’t equate. The prior has yet to even be proven.

After apologizing to Detroiters and his wife for his extra-marital affairs and the perjury charges that subsequently followed, the mayor finds himself in a Wayne County Jail cell for 23 hours a day. The lone hour of recreation for the mayor is still an hour of solitude, whereas he is not allowed on the yard with the general population.

The small cell allows for a television, a phone for collect calls only, a toilet, shower and a view of the city he once lead. Visitation is limited and unless his lawyers argue otherwise, his children will not be able to visit during the 120 days.

I applaud the mayor for taking his punishment without bowing to the pressure of being a powerful black male in the public eye. I do, however, believe the punishment to be outlandish and over bearing for the situation, but then again, I’m no politician or criminal. Just a black man in Detroit. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

Friday marks the end of the work week. The beginning of the weekend. The last day before two days of rest and relaxation. For some it is the end of a school week. A school week that was detrimental to a certain nine students in Arkansas back in 1957.

I was talking with my nephew last night who is a freshman in high school and he was just talking about how bad things were for black people in the past. He mentioned that his class was watching a documentary about the first black students to attend an all-white high school in Little Rock Arkansas. I’m glad he saw that film.

I am also glad he feels the way he does about the injustices done unto our black communities. This younger generation needs to be more in touch with the issues of the past in order to really appreciate that there are so many black business owners. In order to see the importance of an education. In order to see the importance of America voting in its very first black man as president.

Understanding the struggles of the past makes the things that are going on around you more relevant. You think its nothing that Jay Z can sellout a concert at Madison Square Garden, but you can appreciate it more when you realize that less than 70 years ago, he would not have even been allowed to enter the front doors of the Garden to even see a show. We are only one generation away from segregation.

After talking with him I was happy he had learned something about history. I was also happy that he sees the importance of the small things that we take for granted. The things that our last generation fought and sometimes lost their lives trying to get for us as a community. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

I was listening to the radio this afternoon, on one of my rare days off, and the topic of discussion on this particular station was education, or lack there of, in relation to young African American men. The guest speaker was commenting on the extra effort that needs to be exerted to decrease the number of young black men who, by his account, make up just about 80% of America’s special education population. Of course 80% sounds like a ridiculously high number, but it may be more accurate than you think.

The guest speaker, who had developed an organization dedicated to the education of young black males, said that these students need to be intrigued by the school – work. Then he added that once their attention has been grabbed, then that is when they will be willing to learn. I can understand that, but at the same time the educational system and the parents who send their children there tend to boggle my mind.

I completely understand the idea that if something is relatable it is far easier to understand and learn new things, but at the same time—what is going on?

When I went to school, it was boring. I was 15 or 16 and would much rather be trying to see what “Keisha” was doing after school than figure out how many oxygen molecules were in hydrochloric acid. That was my idea of school, but nevertheless, I tread the waters of diversity and came out with a high school diploma. Through those years I made it through school and the lesson plans never changed. The teachers never entertained us, or related any of the material to the world I lived every day when I left the confines of King High School and went back to my eastside neighborhood. When are parent going to take a role in this?

I pushed through school because my mom enforced the benefits of an education from day one. She had made me realize that school may be tough and may not seem as though it has anything to offer me, but in the end, it would be more valuable than I would ever know. Parent involvement in a student’s life is not an option. It is definitely not an opportunity for a parent to shift all the blame and initiative to the school.

There was no Beowulf in my neighborhood. I couldn’t realistically answer a story problem about leaving a tip for a waitress at a high – end restaurant when I was more accustomed to ordering take-out at Zorba’s Coney Island where we didn’t even leave a tip. None of the schoolwork seemed to involve me or my neighborhood, but the words and urgings of my mother were what pushed me through. She always would focus on the benefits of having an education. She set my view for the future, not just the daily task at hand. Her involvement is what pushed both my sister and I to get an education.

I suppose that I am just a little annoyed with the idea that our generation, our race, our society has come to a point where we have to have extra attention in order to stay focused and receive the education that years of fighting, both politically and physically, has given us the opportunity in which to take advantage. Instead of relating the scholastic material to what I’m used to on Six Mile and Hoover, let my parents instill the value of an education within me, then let that scholastic information take me to places I’d never think I would be able to go. I know Six Mile and Hoover and I also knew that my education would be the key to unlock the rest of the world for my exploration.

I wonder of that 80% of special education students, who today’s special guest reported to be young black males, what percentage of those parents and family members have been active in encouraging education as well as participating in the child’s education. If that percentage rises, there is no doubt in my mind that the 80% number will decline. An education is supposed to get me off the block, not remind me of it everyday. Catch ya’ on the FLIPSIDE.

“W.O.W.”
World of Wealth

As I look out my window this morning, I see awesome beauty
I feel renewed strength but also renewed sense of duty
On the cusp of the victory that many fought to see
It is time for us all to be “a brand new me”

Our first African-American President, “WOW” is all I can say
I’m sure that many of us never thought we would see this day
Outside my window, there is a rainbow of colors
A sign, a revelation it’s time to unify all sisters and brothers

Black, white, Asian, Latino and more
No longer do I see a closed door
“The world is our oyster” we can do anything
“Change” for the good, this victory will surely bring

The river is flowing, a calm, serene shade of blue
In this life, we must also flow calmly in all we say and do
The sky is a mixture of blue, red and gold
Another sign of all that we have, all that is ours to hold

Again, “WOW” is all that I seem to be able to say
As I prepare myself to begin this wonderful day
We hold a “World of Wealth” in so many, many ways
And it is time for our wealth to be shown, to be displayed

Several journalist are asking; “What do we do now?”
The answer is simple, live the best that we know how
Dig deep within and exhibit what we all are made of
And that is our “World of Wealth” our God given Love

We as a people and also as individuals in this life
Are slowly being freed from a world of hatred and strife
The word of God tells us that this world will be ruled by brown skin
We can make a difference by embracing each other with the love we have within

Brothers, cling to your wives, in life, “Do the right thing”
Be a good example to the children into this life you bring
Sisters, although many have been left to do things alone
Do it with pride and dignity, God made us strong

It is time to go back to “the old time way”
And when we see things that are wrong, “speak up! Speak out” without delay
“It takes a whole village to raise a child” many of us were raised like this
From today’s society, this is an important factor today’s kids miss

We say we are proud, we love our new president-elect
The proof is in the pudding, for us all, this is a great test
Who is really willing to stand up? Who is willing to stand?
Who will walk in unity with Barack to change this land?

It is not hard, just reach deep within your heart
We all know right from wrong and have known from the start
When you see or hear these young ladies and these young men
Cursing, dressing inappropriately, acting out, speak out
Speak firm, not mean, let them know their wrongs and leave no doubt

Push education, that’s another right thing to do
Remember how our parents and neighbors pushed you
When we did wrong we got spanked from one end of the block and again when we got home
But I bet we thought two or three times before again we would do wrong

Tune into your spirituality, pray and never cease
Silence the violence and increase the peace
We can change this world, Yes we will “Yes we can”
We hold a “World of Wealth” divided we fall but “together” we “Stand”

Written By:
G.J.Lewis

Copyrights owned by: “FLIPSIDE INK”

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