TO GIVE UP FREEDOM

I can't tell you how many people have tried to "brainwash" me in debate, conversation, posting and lecture into freely giving up my FREEDOM to be handcuffed by a police officer when innocent. KEYWORD: Freedom. New York Mayor De Blasio had the audacity to suggested that AMERICANS (Black and Latinos) should always adhere to an officers demands to be handcuffed (guilty until they determined you are innocent) to prevent an "altercation". An altercation for what?

In essence, the Mayor of New York, whom Black and Latinos voted for to deal with the over-policing and harassing measures of the NYPD and its legal system, he is asking for those same voters whom are at the center of legal violations to "silently and orderly give up their FREEDOM before he; THE MAYOR, has even "ATTEMPTED" to deal with these issues?  That the creation of and "altercation"; a noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public ..... is un-American and unacceptable when told and or demanded to give up their FREEDOM freely and without question? Peacefully? EXCUSE ME BUT THE LAW AND PROTOCOL is to state what the crime is (if there is one) first and when asked by the accused and not exercise some skewed act of Jurisprudence until they can figure out a charge they can use to justify their action(s).

I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. EVEN IN PLACES WHERE I WORK. I have never allowed an officer to handcuff me, My FREEDOM is given to me by GOD and it is in knowing that, a gift that I do not and will not give to anyone. This frustrates the police when a person stands their ground because intimidation is key to their protocol for arresting and or subduing people.

I am not asleep and my mind is sharp ... you can not tell me that giving up your FREEDOM to authority without question is normal. If anything it is the actions of animals led to slaughter. HELL .... even pigs fight before they are made into bacon for your BLT sandwiches.

AN OPEN LETTER TO JOHN AND GOOD COPS

John, the reality is this. "GOOD COPS" are feeling the pressure for the actions of Bad Cops, Bad policing, discriminative legal decisions and their lack of internal support to rid themselves of the infection of injustice. More so, these acts and actions are disproportionately focused on People of Color (i.e. Black People). This is not an exaggeration, the facts don't lie. The evidence (including the missing and distorted) is real and obvious. It don't matter how many "fluff" pieces that go viral, BBQ's and Block parties in the community, P.A.L. events, dog rescue stories or sympathy broadcasts made, if the infection of Bad Cops and sweeping reforms holding those cops accountable for their actions aren't made, Good Cops will be guilty by association. Guilty by cause and by default. Why? Because internally, fraternal organizations know who the "Bad Apples" are. Those on the outside do not have this luxury. For some, to be approached by a police officer is a "hope and prayer" that THIS ONE is a good one.

For an individual Cop to stand up and yell, "Not Me!", the action would be moot because EVERY Cop should be standing. And they aren't. Everyone supports good policing. What society should be demanding is that everyone should be condemning bad policing .... and based upon the statistics, the actions, the evidence and silence .... they aren't. Which could only mean one of two things, 1. People don't care or 2. they accept things as they are. This same philosophy can be said of GOOD COPS who stay silent and work side-by-side with Bad cops. The internal silence and on the side pleas of community acceptance come off weak and sorry to say .... "spineless.' to those most effected by bad policing and Bad Cops.

WHY EVERY BLACK CHILD IS TRAYVON MARTIN

There is the Truth and the Bold Lie. Florida, the Media (paper, local and cable) and those that just want to oppose what is obvious have, since the day of the shooting, been trying to find justification and (fictitious) evidence to exonerate David Zimmerman. The events and actions were clear from the start. It was very cut and dry. The more the other side pushes with their desire to apply justification for an innocent child's murder, the more uber-evidence comes to the surface. Almost like an erupting volcano. Just this video alone shows that the reports of a "life-and-death" struggle fall flat.

There is one thing about having an open mind and another to look for reasons to reject the truth. THIS IS ONE OF THEM. What the nation (Florida) is struggling with is accepting that not only was this a CHILD but a child that did not fit the psychological profile that has been brainwashed into its psyche ... the THUG, the Criminal, the Dangerous Boogie Man-Child. It speaks to proving that this nation has a deeply rooted psychological "need" to categorize and profile based on looks, dress and mannerisms. Whites are even (slowly) starting to acknowledge that if the role/races were reversed, Trayvon and the nation would be calling for the DEATH PENALTY. This even exposes how People of Color, Creeds and sexualities have to exercise CODE SWITCHING so that they can function in society. When Black families have to TEACH their children how not to walk, talk, act, dress, eat, sing, dance, play, respond, stare, smile, associate, travel, drive, shop, study, write, work, travel, worship, vote etc. for fear of being "misinterpreted" ... how any action or normal behavior will be subject to an error in judgement or confrontation ... or the end result will be adding them to the thousands of Black and Brown children being shoot all over the country ... you don't pull a Rick Perry and say, "Opps" and keep it moving. This is what the Florida police tried to do and found out that Black people were not going to let it happen.

The media tried to ignore it and deem it as "another common Black child shot" story and they were in error. If the police and media had done their job, there would not be the national rallies, social media barrages, community marches, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson on call. But when you ignore the facts and ignore the reality of murder, looking for "another truth" , you are simply copping out for not wanting to take off the Rose Colored Glasses and seeing the events as they are.

Geraldo Rivera is catching Hell for his statement that it was Trayvon's hoodie and or his parent's fault for "allowing" him to wear Thug Clothing ... the same clothing that every college and university child wears. Even worst, the police did a FULL toxicology and autopsy and found NOTHING. Where was Zimmerman's tests on that day and a "citizen who killed someone? Now they are trying to brand Trayvon as a school trouble maker and drug user/dealer. NOT TRUE.

Stand Your Ground is a law that was to protect innocent people attacked within their homes, businesses or in protecting their property from an aggressor. NOT a person looking to play TOP COP with known psychological issues. Maybe I have dedicated myself to gathering all the information I can on this case and trust me, the evidence from the other side is all weak and non-existent. But for the idea of two truths ... there is only one and all the evidence points to it. Now its up to Florida to show its TRUE COLORS.

SKEWED LOGIC FLAWED DATA

I just read an article that is weighing heavy on my conscious. Heavy because there is this movement, so subtle and so insidious that if you aren't aware, or you choose to ignore it, you'd find yourself within a movement of people who are brainwashed into thinking that their skewed logic and flawed data is the TRUTH.

The article in question is from the Blog, "the Root". Specifically, "Black Men: Death Rate Lower in Prison than Outside it?" Normally I'd read it and debate it within myself, research it and or debate it among my friends but this particular article I needed to take a way-back stance and look at the Big Picture. What is going on that is not seen or spoken. Where is the information trying to take me or "us" what matters. Who was this article for? And ultimately why?

As a researcher and historian, I have found that noting the person, group, institute and the sponsors of a study is very important and should be presented before quoting its data. I do not believe these statistics are applicable to the whole of Black Men nor do I subscribe to the notion that the application and gathering of the data is non-bias. Granted that People of Color are disproportionately incarcerated than Whites, the elements of prison life; depending on the prison (minimum to maximum security), would determine the health and welfare of individuals. Also consider that within the Industrial Prison Complex, resources such as medicine, health care, physical conditioning may be available but the mental health of prisoners are always a matter of concern and debate.

Michele Bauchmann recently made a statement that Black Families were better off during slavery for having a stable two parent structure than during a time when there is a Black President. Looking at the statistics and numbers, that may be true but the data is flawed because you don't take into consideration that there were outside elements which adds to and or prevents families from staying together or taking in extended family members as it was during and post-slavery. During slavery you had direct families, extended families as well as adoptive families collectively together. Within the US, there are laws as well as economics that prevents this or make it difficult to do. To use this type of misrepresentation would be like stating that Black employment was better during slavery than under a Black President thus using him as the cause of Black unemployment. This being said, the data for this study is flawed because elements such as education, family, environment, social structures both within and outside, the diversity of Prisons studied and their resources and the core comparison of those whom are/did serve time in prison over an extended period of time and those that haven't was not presented in an actual academic setting.

Do I believe that there is "some" truth to the study? I believe in a small way yes but with all things being equal, with health care, physical conditioning, access to education, a healthy diet and the like, Black men on the outside would live longer due to better Mental Health. This article not only encourages but give credence to the existence of the Industrial Prison Complex as it relates to Black men and other Peoples of Color and frankly as a Black man I am offended especially since the articles doesn't address that once many of these Black men leave, they either return (mental illness), they suffer from addiction (sustained and or acquired in the prison), are or have become HIV positive, or in need of medications that were freely given to them but become unavailable once they leave the system. I could easily say that Black children do better in Summer Camp than those that stay home. Does that mean we should consider removing all Black children from their homes and have them live in perpetual summer camps? Some would say that's what our modern day MILITARY is for. Collect all the Black men in America for Summer Camps, Military duty, Colleges and Universities, the employed and Community Active and let's do a real comparison and contrast ... you'd have to show me all of the data and the people who signed the checks for this to have this study done. Then again we can allow the subliminal messages sink in and eventually live in the world of the researchers and Michele Bauchmann and have Black male unemployment at 0% as slaves and have a child and a wife in every shack under Massa's care. Life was so much better for Black people then.

YOU F___ UP MY DAY

You know I try to look at the good in all things before I speak. I like to listen and learn before I judge. Better yet, I try to HEAR. I hear because it’s deeper than listening. Listening is a passive action. You just stand and or sit there and allow the sounds to come to you BUT hearing requires action. You have to not only take in the sounds but the spirit and intent of the sounds that come in to you. In saying this I HOPE the person this Blog entry is meant for HEAR ME when and “IF” you decide to read this it is PERSONAL. (One Man .... I know you are out there listening but TRUST its not about YOU).

I woke up this morning with a dream about my Father. To all reading, my father past on last year from cancer. It was a changing moment for me because it closed the door on a chapter of my life that has brought me closure on a number of levels. I talk about it sometimes but I rather express it within my ART. I believe that DREAMS are mental signposts that can help you heal, give guidance and exercise desires in ways that “Sane Folk” could never do in the waking World. I like DREAMING, I don’t do it much, but when I do, I make note of them all the time. Today, in my dreams, my FATHER gave me a sign and I didn’t know what it meant until I walked through the door to begin this entry.

If I hadn’t said it before I’ll say it now, I had a good day until ……

I work up and took my time to prepare for a doctor’s appointment. I was a little stressed because I had just had a bad experience with a previous physician whom had a piss poor professionalism and bedside manner. The one thing I HATE more is having to demand and pull information from a doctor about my health and he or she having an attitude about giving it to you. I dealt with that for a little over six months until I decided to kick ol’ Doc to the curb and get another MORE qualified doctor. This new doctor was ON POINT. He did in one visit what my previous physician still hadn’t done over 6 months.

For me, that is a serious load of GOODWILL bestowed upon my spirit. So in that moment, on a cold and windy day, it was SUMMER and SUNNY all the way home. Mind you, I am on a waiting list for a New Place, a list for this great place I had been trying to get into for a while. So you’d think my blessings where raining upon me all full blast. Taking my time to get home I decided to whip out the camera to take pictures of the town. I was thinking about taking Blog pictures as my theme because LORD knows my Blog fans rarely see the LIGHT side of my personality. Soon the photographer in me came out. I haven't allowed myself enough ME TIME to take a few shots so I needed to test my eye, keep it sharp. As I took on subjects, the POET in me came out as well. I took pictures of people shopping, kids on the street playing, dogs and posters, gates and trees, store front signs, all the things that make up living in an urban city, the Metropolis called Harlem.

So I walk past a one of the high-rise projects and see a great pictorial concept, an iron gate in front of a tree. I looked at this contrast as any artist would; hard and soft, man-made and natural, dark and light, and many other possible contrasting examples.

As I am taking my picture I hear a voice behind me. “Hey you!”

Now I would like to put out there in the UNIVERSE, I neither respond to anyone who responds to me as HEY or YOU nor would I ever consider you worth my personal energy if you put the two together. This ASS did that.

I take my picture and then I begin to continue on my way when I hear from the same direction (which was behind me), “Excuse me, what are you taking pictures of? Buildings?”

It was a police officer in a squad car. In my mind I go, “WHAT THE F%*# DO YOU WANT”, but I give the benefit of the doubt. So I responded, “I’m taking pictures of this gate. Is that against the law now?”

“No, I was just curious.”, the officer responded in a smirk and condescending manner.

Lies. I had just walked past 5 drug dealers on the corner and 3 double-parked cars and several other possible easy citations and this Mofo rolls up on me for taking pictures of a gate and this MADE THEM CURIOUS? I would have given THEM pause if I was dressed like a THUG with my pants SAGGIN' in 20 degree weather, or I was carrying a lot of BAGS and wearing a beanie and a long ass Middle-Eastern gown, if I fit a stereotypically ARAB PROFILE, or was walking around constantly looking over my shoulder and circling the area, I mean anything that would give a RED FLAG for criminal behavior but I was walking and stopped for a minute and TOOK A FREAKIN' PICTURE OF A TREE. Last I checked, I didn't hear of a secret organization of Photographers banning together to DESTROY America, much less, A HOUSING PROJECT IN HARLEM ( Shyt I'll leave that to the Empowerment Zone and the Crooked Snakes behind that organization).

I doubted this cops sincerity and his curiosity even less, so I had to decide how I was going to do this. I knew my next move; the next words that I’d say would either have me calling Al Sharpton just down the street or home Blogging off this situation in a RANT. Then I recalled the Dream I had earlier. In my dream I was visiting my father where he was living. I had to wait in line for my turn to use a one-person elevator when I was called to come forward to take my turn. As I got on the elevator, the Keeper or Elevator Operator asked who I was going to see and I told him. He responded, "How long has it been since you have visited your father?" I responded, “A while.” The Keeper then hands me an envelope and says, “Here, this is for you, he told me to give you this.” As I take the package I wake up.

A fairly simple dream but for me, it had significance. My FATHER in his youth was a man who knew the truth and when it came to using his mind, he was exceptional. That was his gift to me, and the package in my hand was that SIGN.

I know I am prone to SPEAK FIRST AND THINK LATER when it comes to a person’s RIGHTS and mine was being messed with BIG TIME. I did not want to end up like my father, who has seen HIS DAYS with police and brutality and civil right violations in the 50’s and 60’s and being placed behind bars because of his actions and or mouth and this was my lesson. "You are needed more outside then in right now, LET IT SLIDE." I have leaned in my activities against community OVER POLICING, it was more important for me to give the illusion of their POWER than TESTING it.

I decided to flip the script and humor the officer sitting on the passenger side so I walked toward the car and asked, “You do know what a BLOG is?” He hesitated as if taken off guard. “Ahhhh yes I do.”

“Good, then I don't have to explain to you that having pictures are a part of a good one”, I replied back.

“What is the BLOG about?” the cop asked.

“The BLOG is about me, I am a poet.” As I stare in his eyes as a challenge.

“REALLY?” he smirks back.

“Really. It has poetry and more. The more YOU might not like.” Long pause.

“And why is that?”

“Because I talk about people like you. Sometimes, not in the best of light.” I say with a smile.

“What is the BLOG address?” The cop asks.

I tell him the site address and as I do that, in the back of my mind I say to myself, “You just might get a promotion if you report it to HOMELAND SECURITY.” But I decided not to push it, we did our dance already and the song was over for now.

So the officer writes down the address on a sheet of paper and then shows the other officer who was driving (and silent all the while). As I back off from the squad car I say, “I hope you enjoy it. Oh, and don’t take everything I post personally. It’s just who I am as a POET.”

My day isn’t quite over as of this posting so maybe I can salvage it with some good MUSIC or reading Nathan McCall latest book, THEM. I get so exhausted when shyt like this happen. And it happens all the time to SO many people who are innocent and law abiding. Now you might think I am blowing this OUT OF PROPORTION but this happens all the time, policing urban areas like Military war zones. One might be happy for this type of policing if one lived in a crime infested area BUT for my area, the crime crack downs are MORE SO of what Mayors Giulliani and Bloomberg would deem, QUALITY OF LIFE offensives. And since those Guilliani years, the type of OVER POLICING that he established and allow to flourish, it has taken on a whole new face. Because of the radical changes Uptown and then factor in the economy and loss of home and housing, you now are getting a community that is ANGRY just because. And these rookie Cops sitting with the season Cops left over from those days of "Shoot and Empty Out You Gun And Worry About The Cover Up Later" isn't going to keep flying anymore. Especially Uptown. When a person is stopped for taking pictures of a Housing Project gate I have an issue. Taking pictures of Highway exits and Toll Booths I can understand. THERE IS A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE you idiot. My anger doesn't come because I was stopped for picture taking, my anger comes from YOUR DUMB ASS STOPPING ME while ignoring the F&%$$ Drug Dealer across from you.

Where is my JILL SCOTT CD? I need a HIT of something POSITIVE!!