Prelude To Assassination!

By John Burl Smith

January 15^th marks the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man whose impact changed the world in unimaginable ways. Talking with him less than an hour before his assassination changed me. Earlier on the day of his death, The Invaders met with Dr. King. Though he gave assurances, I came away convinced we were being used. Charles L. Cabbage, who met Dr. King in Atlanta while working with draft resisters and SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), felt a face to face would allay my fears. Dr. King came to Memphis to assist striking sanitation workers, while struggling to keep his budding coalition from falling apart.

Dr. King's "Poor People's Campaign" was to be his vehicle for changing the balance of power in America. His dynamic vision began with African Americans, and extended to organizing women, native Americans, Hispanics, poor whites, labor, youth, and other minorities into a potent political force. He theorized that such an alliance would provide national focus and broaden civil rights beyond a southern struggle. Dr. King's rationale was sound. He believed this human juggernaut aimed toward Washington, D. C. would be a dramatic demonstration of controlled mass action. Tactically, the "Poor People's Campaign," a field exercise, was designed to gauge responsiveness and allow participants opportunities to deal with one another.

As black power advocates who believed in Malcolm X's philosophy "by any means necessary," The Invaders were a real concern among those around Dr. King. To them, I was just "A Face in The Crowd." Personally, I viewed Dr. King much like I saw those around him - not to be trusted. Those so-called leaders had already tried to sell the striking sanitation workers out on at least two separate occasions.

Unlikely heros, the lowest of the low, sanitation workers suffered the indignity of riding the bus smelling like the garbage they collected. Black workers had no showers. These men were husbands, fathers, brothers and sons; we knew some by name. The Invaders were committed to helping these old men whose stand had inspired and united our community. We were not interested in joining a national movement.

Dr. King envisioned The Invaders playing the role of ground troops. Specifically, he needed to establish networks among black power groups in the inner-city. He understood the local leadership struggle, but challenged my motives. Placing a hand on my knee, he looked me in the eyes and said, "Nobody elected you, so who are you working for? Colored folks need young people willing to lead, and I am offering you that opportunity." Sometimes, I think I can still feel his grip on my knee.

I had no idea that twenty minute conversation foreshadowed a real conversion. In that last encounter something real passed between us; years later, I came to understand his plan. His touch left the vision of a world more inclusive. Strategically, the "Poor People's Campaign" never reached its full potential. Nonetheless, many of it's veterans remain in the field, believing wholeheartedly that if we continue to cultivate the seeds, his dream will spout anew. Happy Birthday Dr. King! Other Essays by John Burl Smith

by Dot Smith

I read with interest the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in-depth article on local radio. I was somewhat disappointed when the lengthy piece failed to examine the other minorities in the medium. An article in the Atlanta Voice written by Linn Washington, Jr., Ethnic Cleansing in America Purges Minority Radio, examined black radio ownership.

Washington's article recalled the loss of WAOK in the Atlanta black radio or urban contemporary market, the term used by the radio rating service Arbitron to identify stations reaching a "black"listening audience. With a limited AM range and a gospel format, WAOK is still around, but it no longer serves the larger metro Atlanta black community. In the late eighties, WAOK's owners sold the station to V103's parent company, which immediately changed AOK's format, effectively eliminating the station as competition in the black radio market.

V103, a FM powerhouse, sells sound bites to advertisers for the highest price the market will bear. The radio station with the biggest audience share, according to Arbitron ratings, gets to charge the highest price to advertisers targeting its audience. For a decade or more, V103's urban contemporary format has enjoyed favorable ratings; the station priced its commercials accordingly. Atlanta is a lucrative market for urban contemporary radio, and V103 has gotten rich selling things to primarily African Americans. Because its ad prices are generally so dear, few black businesses can afford to advertise their products over its airwaves.

V103 profits off the black community. Claiming to be "the People's Station, it exploits black talents to front for the organization; ask Carol Blackmon! The depth of its commitment to serving the black community is questionable. With AOK gone, Atlanta is void of a station sensitive to the needs of the black community. In the current environment, community-oriented means making a profit pimping black people or PBP. DISHing It Up Hot!

YEAH by Keneatha Knight

Yeah! I see you standing there

A smile upon your face

Thinking you've destroyed the best of my race

Thinking that since you've destroyed them

The rest of us will scatter and run

Be at your disposal for sadistic work,

Pleasure and fun

If that's what you really believe,

You bout as dumb as you look

No way will my race go back to being mistreated

Our advantages took. We've come too far

Our ancestors worked too hard to give up

'Cause you hating to see us driving a new car,

Damn near kills you if we move to your hood

But you come into ours buy property cheap

To turn around and sell us high priced goods

If your sons date our daughters or better yet

Your precious daughters date our sons

You wanna act a fool and fuss, but tell the truth

Y'all just wanna be us; y'all get tan

We don't get lighter; you don't see us in the hills

Trying to get brighter. But every summer

Y'all lying about like fools

Ain't no telling how much money y'all have spent

On all kinds of sun tan lotions, creams

And every tanning bed that's for sale or rent

Then, there's our music; y'all swear y'all hate

Saying this and that, but trying to duplicate

Y'all know y'all buying;

Y'all kids walking around pants sagging,

Mumbling it, trying it. The way I figure it,

Music's good for our health

Every tape or CD you buy

Contributes to our ghetto wealth,

On the real, most of us just can't afford all that!

It's your wanna be kids

Keeping our rapper's pockets fat

Yeah! I know you hate to think what I say is true.

Get over it and accept it

Ain't really nothing else to do

Yeah! I see you standing there with that smile

Slipping from your face

Everything you think you're doing to hurt me

Strengthens my race.

My name is Keneatha Knight. I have written all my life. Now, I am ready to pursue it seriously. I work for a financial services company in Tennessee. I plan to transfer to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue my writing. I would like to transfer with my currently employer. However, my first objective is to get my writing heard, seen, and published. I'm 25 and love anything that causes my people, especially my generation, to stop, think and become more aware. I'm a true hip-hop admirer. NOT a fan. I love the words and the message hidden within. Venue

Early on New Year's eve, I received a courtesy call from MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Rudely awaken, I was not at my best when the pleasant voice said "Hello" and inquired about my health My mumbled "fine" was met with "great!" A MADD pitch followed the anonymous caller's enthusiastic response. Assuming the punch line was a request for a donation and still resenting the intrusion, I preempted the spill to come by suggesting MADD sue the alcohol industry. The industry makes a mint off drunks who wreck havoc on the highway. Alcohol manufacturers should pay for the carnage. That's not a bad MADD idea!

Disgruntled wants to know: Why did Congress bother passing legislation against selling tobacco to minors when adults go into convenience stores and buy it for them?

Disgruntled feels: Great to be mobile!

Disgruntled says: Since most men are 'Tricky Dicks,' just leave Bill alone! Disgruntled

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro knows it is not easy fighting the forces of evil alone. The Dark One is sending out another call for assistance! Bat Cave

A DISH reader asked for an opinion of George Bush, Jr. Over a year ago, when he decided to proceed with the execution of Carla Faye Tucker, the Governor of Texas was added to the list of boycotted places and things.

mailto:caq@igc.apc.org. Programmed to be the Republican Party's standard bearer in 2000, Junior is young and charismatic. Popular among a range of minority groups, especially Hispanics, Bush is instant name recognition. In Florida, thanks to his brother's recent gubernatorial election, not to mention his father, former President George Bush, Junior seems a shoe-in for the Republican nomination.

If a tenth of Jack Colhoun's "The Family That Preys Together" is true - he cites information from reliable sources - George Bush should never have been elected president. The prospect of Junior as chief executive is far from comforting. Dot Smith - DeKalb County

"The Family That Preys Together"

by Jack Colhoun

"George Herbert Walker Bush is the first former CIA director to serve as president. The implications for U.S. politics of Bush's move from CIA headquarters to the White House are profound and chilling, but seldom the subject of mainstream political discussion. The corruption of the Bush family, however, is a good introduction.

The Bush's shadowy business partners come straight out of the world in which the CIA thrives - the netherworld of secret wars and covert operators, drug runners, mafiosi and crooked entrepreneurs out to make a fast buck. What Bush family members lack in business acumen, they make up for by cashing in on their blood ties to the former Director of Central Intelligence who became president. In return for throwing business their way, the Bushes give their partners political access, legitimacy, and perhaps protection. The big loser in the deal is the democratic process." Covert Action Quarterly: Email caq@igc.apc.org.

"Atlanta's Mayor Bill Campbell may enjoy popularity among Atlanta radio listeners. A darling of morning radio, especially at black radio station V103, when he comes on, I tune out. His administration has given city government a bad name. He has wasted viable resources that could have been used to help the poor and underprivileged. Empowerment Zone funds were squandered, Atlanta housing monies, like housing units, disappeared down a drain, and contracts were awarded to vendors that don't deliver. If not criminal charges, the hallmark of Campbell's administration will be wasted opportunities." Alice Compton - Atlanta. Mailbox

Not all Atlanta neighborhoods experienced the awesome New Year display of firepower provided in some areas. The welcome nearly brought the house down around some people's ears as what sounded like everything from firecrackers to cannons was fired. Starting as early as 10:30 PM and not ending until well after midnight, it was frightening for some SW DeKalb county residents who "thought the gunfire would never end." The DISH, while in general not a fan of Bill Campbell, thinks Atlanta's mayor is moving in the right direction in adding the city to the list of municipalities suing the gun industry. Kudos

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