I’m wondering if there is any real crime in Flint. Ofcourse I know the answer is to this question is yes so then the next question becomes  “do the cops in Flint not have more to worry about than the harm of saggy jeans”. Who hires these idiots, everyday people are being murdered, raped and a host of other violent crimes and you want to harrass people who wear their pants sagging.

It’s indecent and immoral, ok I hear you but what about the drugs being sold on the streets of Flint, the armed robberies, crimes that actually affect the well being of our communities. Make those crimes your priority not saggy jeans which is no more than a tacky fashion statement that I myself used to partake in.

Unless the real reason behind this saggy jeans thing is more remniscent of the broad view of racial profiling. The broad definition allows that you utilize race and other factors; ie. geography, dress, location, age and other factors to profile certain individuals. People who don the style of baggy, saggy jeans are more likely than not, young black males so this would give the police ammunition to approach young black males. Why? Because they fit the description and by wearing these saggy jeans, they are breaking the law.

So maybe the police chief has bigger hopes in mind. Maybe while taking these young black men off the streets for such a petty crime they will find drugs or some type of other criminal activity afoot during their harassment of these males. Just something to ponder!

Michigan police chief: Wear saggy pants, get arrested Flint’s top cop calls it ‘immoral self-expression,’ but others fear racial implications By BRYN MICKLE Newhouse News Service Published on: 06/27/08

This city’s new police chief is saying no to crack.

Interim Flint Police Chief David R. Dicks announced this week that officers will begin arresting people wearing pants or shorts that sag too low, exposing rear ends. “This immoral self-expression goes beyond free speech,” Dicks said in a statement released Thursday.”It rises to the crime of indecent exposure/disorderly persons.

” It’s a style that irks many — a few cities nationwide have outlawed the rear-revealing pants (the Atlanta City Council proposed a ban amid much debate, but the plan was ultimately tabled). However, the order also raises serious questions about how it would be enforced, whether it disproportionately targets young black men and whether ultra-low riders should be considered constitutionally protected.

Is Dicks going too far?

Greg Gibbs, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney in Flint, said how people wear their clothing is a form of expression but cautions that not all of those forms are protected by the Constitution.

“The issue is: Does it violate the First Amendment?” Gibbs asked.

Some Flint residents are all for busting those who go bottoms out. “It’s overdue,” said Sam Berry, 73, of Flint.

Gwendolyn R. Allen, 72, of Flint agreed: “It’s so disgusting … It’s disgraceful.” Claude Carter, 49, of Flint sees the issue differently, though. He said wearing pants in that manner is a fad — not a crime. “I see young and old wearing their pants that way,” said Carter. The crackdown on buttocks is an apparent response to “significant” complaints from citizens, according to Dicks. Under the chief’s orders, any sworn officer who sees “sagging/exposing buttocks” will have probable cause to make an arrest under the city’s disorderly person ordinance — a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine and three months in jail.

Flint NAACP President Frances Gilcreast is no fan of the style but worries about police focusing on young black men.

“My concern is how (the policy) will be applied equitably,” Gilcreast said. Some Flint police officers, however, aren’t too sure how they will enforce it. “What about ‘plumber’s crack’?” said Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Association. In the past, Speer said, officers would issue warnings if too much skin was showing but reserved the handcuffs for full moons. “Most of the time, if they’re wearing sagging pants, they’re also wearing boxers,” he said. Memo notwithstanding, Speer doesn’t expect any big changes in how officers handle the issue. “It’s like issuing a memo telling officers to enforce the law,” Speer said. “Are we going to get a memo every time somebody complains?”

This piece comes to us from an intelligent young brother who is concerned about not only himself but the world around him. With a critical eye, he looks at the Sean Bell situation from the perspective that he too is Sean Bell. We must continue to encourage our youth to be brave and valiant in their efforts to speak out about injustices and to challenge the status quo. I AM VERY HAPPY TO SHARE THIS GENTLEMEN’S WORK WITH YOU.

THE CASKET

This casket I’m in.. Old and tarnished..

Made just for me…

Sun creeping away. My eyes now at the ends of my fingerprints..

The walls weak from holding my mass.

Patruly, pipe tobacco and camphor ripping my nostrils, leaking from these old worn out walls the stifling smell whispers to me..

Remember those old guys you used to call pop, uncle, grandpa..

Dead and gone…

Soon u might be comin’ along.

The world u livin in is da world they got killed in.

Life taken; stolen, buried and rewritten…

Jumped out he had a gun.  50 shots den he is done..

Blood spillin’ on dees brown hands screaming peace. Holding, white flags in the air.. Waving, screaming, PEACE..

Life taken stolen buried and rewritten..

See dis casket dat u in…. its drowned in da system.

Submerged in…. bleach, washing away the truth..

In waters subjective enough to leave not one speck of brown skin above it..

Suffocating……

Your head only sinks.

Ever wonder why the water is so black.

Can’t see past your brother. Your sister your pops.  ©ÙzzØ we all trapped in dis casket.. Dis one big box..

Tags tatted on da walls.. Olu  A.k.a…….

But what does your Aka stand for when I might not breathe another day.

What does your aka stand for in this casket of marked men?

Your aka is just a joke to them.

Its like smearing I’m a loser on a wall to them.

A marked man can’t speak.

And u are marked man. So pleaze believe.

Dat Ur word. Is powerful. If only in numbers.

If life gives u lemons den u have to make limes.

©ÙzzØ a marked mans words… Don’t fit between the lines.

A marked mans words don’t fit into the system.

©ÙzzØ a marked mans words come from a different tradition.

Pleaze listen cuzz a man will never be forgiven.

For changing a system. Dat da whole globe is livin’ in.

Oludare Bernard

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40: 1-2

So I’m walking in the mall yesterday strolling along, when V Cape the Legend calls. Ironically, I had missed church that morning but V Cape was calling me to tell me about his experience at church. Now this doesn’t happen too often so he had me all ears because I feel it is a necessity that as men we continue to grow each other. So V Cape was excited about what he had heard in Church; he said the Pastor spoke about the 5 C’s or five types of people who are beneficial to our growth. They are the Challenger, Confronter, Counselor, Comforter and Celebrator. He began to tell me about the sermon and it sounded amazing. I told him I would weave in some way shape or form these 5 C’s into the pardon me this week. I felt good when I got off the phone with him because even though I had failed to go to worship earlier in the day we both gained something from his experience.

Well when I went looking for a scripture this morning I was led to Isaiah chapter 40 which is the chapter that speaks of the comfort for God’s people. So comfort is the theme of today. That person who comforts you in your time of need, or weakness. When I think of comfort, I think of it being synonymous with faith, the person who comforts us holds our trust. We believe in their words because they will not steer us wrong. As God was comforting his people in the above scripture he is letting them know that their struggling is over, there time has come and they will receive the Lord’s grace. Comfort is like the warm blanket that rests upon your shoulders as you look out the window into the storm that is ravaging your neighborhood. The blanket comforts you because it keeps you warm, that warmth lets you know that this storm will be over but until then here is your comfort. You shall not be cold, for you are being protected. We must be thankful for not only the comforting person that is in our lives but we must pay homage to our Almighty Creator who always comforts us. Peace and Grace be unto you!

Unless you call out, who will open the door.

As you will read in the story below a grandmother was jailed for beating her 16 year old grandaughter who she caught having sex with another female. Let me say this again, the grandmother was jailed for beating her daughter who she caught having sex in her home that she pays the bills for.

Child Protective Services may close the blog down today because I say “BEAT THAT CHILD!” I’m 24 years old and if I get caught tomorrow having sex in my mother’s house, there will be hell to pay. Once again I am 24 years old however I have enough respect and I know better than to try and have sex in my parent’s home. I know the consequences, my mother wouldn’t play that at all.

More people need to beat their disrespectful kids, I do not agree with excessive beating but in my day I was beat with switches, extension cords, rulers. My parents picked up whatever was in hands distance. I never ended up in the hospital and I also learned valuable lessons, respect and the difference between right and wrong. The problem today is people don’t beat their kids. It’s not politically correct, hence we have rising incarceration rates because children are going out committing stupid crimes because they do not know any better.

The lesson today is: BEAT YOUR KIDS, YOU MAY SAVE THEM FROM THE COPS BEATING YOUR KIDS OR EVEN WORST JAILING YOUR KIDS!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9thhiTUKFs4]

Reading woman jailed in beating of granddaughter, 16

Beddell told police that she had done nothing wrong and said she should have been allowed to discipline her granddaughter as she saw fit.

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=95664

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Proverbs 1: 8

Okay, mission wallet has been accomplished. Since Wednesday morning my wallet has been sitting in the Jamaica train Station office, I picked it up Friday night. God definitely looked out for me because I was so not interested in buying another monthly train pass. Happy Belated Father’s Day to the fathers, I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. Father’s Day was interesting for me because for the first time I noticed how Father’s Day can get glossed over. I wrote a piece to my father and posted it on the blog titled “TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER”. He said it brought a tear to his eye, he looked a little emotional as we embraced and at that moment I was glad that I had not only written something about his impact on my life but I was happy that I had shared it with him.

The radio did not blare music that represented fathers day and in fact I heard more conversations about absentee fathers. Interesting how we dwell in what we do not have rather than being thankful for what we do have or what we plan to be. I chose this verse because we have two fathers and I wish to honor them both. Our Father who art in heaven is always there for us, so if we do not have a physical Pops here on earth, we can always look to God and learn from the instruction he has given us. I can also look to the instructions my father has given me over the years and hope to utilize the skills that he has given me to make me a better man. For the absentee father because I have one of those too, he also gave instruction, more like instruction of what not to do. Either way it was a lesson learned and I am thankful for any wisdom that I may receive. Today is not Father’s day but everyday is Father’s Day so I honor my Pops at home and OUR Father in Heaven. Peace and Grace be unto you!

When we can not change a situation, resolution comes through the way we choose to handle it within ourselves.

Ps. This is the last birthday shout out of the month, Steve -O I see you man. I got to bring Steve’s birthday in last night with him, congrats on another year my brother, may God bless all of your endeavors.

Interesting analysis on Police Use of Force by the NYPD. I will be teaching a lesson to 8th graders about the use of force; when it is necessary and when it is excessive this upcoming Monday. For that reason I find it interesting that I found this article, maybe I will print it out for my students.

This article reminds me why we must never forget our fallen soldiers like Sean Bell and Amadou Diallo. It is because of the excessive practices of the NYPD that these two men are not here today. Just some quick facts cops are allowed to use physical force when they are making an arrest, when they fear that a suspect is trying to escape from custody and when they feeel physically threatened.

In the article below you will see scenarios that are the exact opposite of what I have described.

Cops use force - from restraint to drawn guns - in 20% of stops, data show

blesser@nydailynews.com

“You fathers - if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:11-13

Still no wallet, and the nerve of the conductor today. The man looked me straight in the eye and was like “so what”, pay up. Hands me some paper where he charges me $16 for a one way and makes me sign over my information. Now I could have given him false information, its not like I have my license (lol) but I didn’t I obliged and here I am still venting about the lost wallet. On another note I think a common theme throughout the Bible is understanding how diligently the Lord works for those who relish in his word and follow his commands. So that part of today’s message is obvious but the part that stood out to me is how we know how to give good gifts.

What good gifts, of course I know how to buy my mom plants, that always makes her smile. Or diamonds, you can’t lose when you buy Momma Mack diamonds but what about intangible gifts. A simple nice gesture is a gift, a gift of kindness. How is it that so many people are looking to receive but lack the willingness to give. With Father’s Day around the corner I am thinking how can I repay my father, what gift can I give him. Nothing could repay him for the many lessons, the roof over my head, the food in the refrigerator. But maybe just letting him know how appreciative I am of his time could be a gift, a gift of gratitude. I want to receive all of the blessings the Lord has for me but I recognize that I too must be a giver. Enjoy this Father’s Day weekend and give a little you never know what you might get back. Peace and Grace be unto you!

Adversity causes some people to break down and many to break records.

Lil Wayne The Carter III Review

Let it be known that I am far from one of these Lil Wayne fanatics who hang onto every word that he says. I am often disappointed with the state of Hip-Hop or mainstream Hip-Hop because there is a difference. I am still feeling some type of way that Common was not even mentioned in the Hottest MC’s or even MTV’s Honorable mention. But MTV sucks and we all know that they by no means represent the real Hip-Hop.

With that said Lil Wayne’s new album The Carter III is CRACK! Like I can’t feel my face because it’s numb CRACK! With all the anticipation for this album there are many a critic who are running around the Internet making false claims. Claiming Weezy has lost it, the album sucks ect. Ect. I cannot conform to these fair-weather fans, their empty screams sound just as ridiculous as the dude on MTV who was fighting to get Soulja Boy on the top ten (yea, I’m still not over that).

Now before I go any further, is the Carter III comparable to Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic, or Ready To Die. Not at all, those albums are classics and you would be hard pressed to find an artist who could prepare such a lethal album in the current state of Hip-Hop. However one cannot deny that Wayne is one of the hottest mainstream rappers right now.

Let’s get to the album, did he not rip it on 3-Peat, Mr. Carter, A Milli. I mean he starts the album off with a mean flow and witty lines. He and Jay trade bars like ferocious animals on Mr. Carter. Hov himself passes the torch and calls Wayne the heir to the throne. I think Wayne has come along way; I would like to see him focus on more than hit punch lines and actually start saying something valuable. The pyramids were not built in a day, everything is a process and on this album along side his typical swagger and punch line filled rhymes Wayne goes beneath the surface and says some things with some depth on the album. It is always good to see an artist grow!

Mrs. Officer is a certified summer banger; I’m already riding around with the sunroof open letting that joint blare out the speakers. Props to the joint with David Banner, it has that real deep dirty South feel. That Mississippi, New Orleans, Texas feel, which is major that with all this success Weezy can pay respect to his roots and turn the mainstream onto it.

Not to many features on here but those that are on the album are notable. More specifically when Fab meets Wayne meets Juelz we have a nice mix. I haven’t seen Fab spitting like this since he was on the Clue Mixtapes. Now that’s how you let the build beat b****. Another banger for you pump around the way. First I want you to Phone Home then go play in some fire. The production on this album is amazing, hands down.

Concept wise, can you really hate on the genius of Dr. Carter. The game needs a heart shock, something to revive it and this concept, delivery and flow make it one of the hottest tracks on the album….. I saved yo life! I guess hip Hop ain’t dead. Shoot me down, the slow and weak cannot comprehend it and I will not break it down for you.  Tie my Hands, after his completely ignorant statement about New Orleans in the interview I posted on the blog a few weeks ago, I was happy to see him acknowledge the sad state of New Orleans and the disenfranchisement people of color.

Last but certainly not least did Wayne get political on Misunderstood. Did Wayne go and sample Nina Simone and try to put some soul on this. My only complaint here is that Common just used this same sample not even a year ago. In my opinion Common’s version was better but nevertheless the best part of the song was Wayne’s personal reflection on what’s going on with the state of black people and how it relates to the law. His words for Al Sharpton were tough but I felt them. Like if you are not going to reach out and help a young brother improve then please do not say anything at all. All in all I give the album 4/5, it is not a classic but it is definitely a good effort put forth by Wayne!

you you black man
stretching scraping
the mold from your body.
here is my hand.
i am not afraid
of the night. - Sonia Sanchez