Volume 2 Issue 10

The death of the Rep. Tyrone Brooks (D) sponsored bill, HB163 - to remove the confederate battle emblem from the Georgia State flag, does not come as a surprise. We were forewarned of HB163's imminent demise in the Rules Committee, which is chaired by Calvin Smyre (D). According to Rep. Brooks, "We have been trying to change the flag for fifteen (15) years. There was no action this year, because there were simply not enough votes. Unless the people demand that this legislation be given a full debate and vote, it will never happen."

HB163's death represents a temporary setback, a small skirmish, in the battle to remove this racist symbol from Georgia's flag. Rep. Brooks suggested the people demand it, and The DISH is encouraging everyone to contact your state representative to do just that.

Overstanding: A Work in Progress

by Yohannes Sharriff Smith

(Reprinted from T.H.I.N.C.)

Alone I stand in the cool blankness

Of a cloudless night

At the threshold of genesis,

My conscious expands the Milky Way.

This immature world sleeps, gazing into forever,

Replaying yesterday and creating tomorrow.

Chilling winds of change blow bringing

Form to nebula raging within my infant mind.

I hear the moan bereaving the dying past

The cry, EVOLUTION! The future is being born.

Staring into the starlit sky,

I sense the universe move within my confines.

Yet, as my unbridled imaginings swim in epiphany,

I still feel alone...separate...disconnected.

Succumbed by the hunger of a starving soul,

My need to touch searched furiously through

Layers of facade to cradle the undiscovered self.

As my want for life's breath broke the grip of stasis,

Inner will became consumed by purpose.

And in my quiet dark,

Muse was the only spirit witness

To the emergence of a phoenix.

False images burned, releasing this child from his tomb;

A cocoon of tears woven from

The fabric of linear secularism

Capsuling my limited sphere.

In an attempt to quench my unknown thirst,

Questions of Fate found salvation

In the abandonment of familiar existence.

Once freed, my foundling hope rode

The wind upward grasping the spinning infinity.

Quivering with a nameless fear,

My heart clung desperately

To the soul no longer feel alone!

In that moment, the sleeper is the Awakening! Intuit

Chocolate City

by Latonya McNeail

Ever heard the words "Chocolate City?" They conjure up a warm and fuzzy image, particularly if you have never heard of the Metropolitan Avenue topless club. In reality, Chocolate City makes black women look like trash. Young girls, ranging in age from 14 to 19, hang out in front of the club, selling themselves for pennies. Their pimps are always nearby, sitting in nice cars and counting the money these girls make in the oldest profession.

The majority of these girls are mothers, some with as many as five children. Too many have drug habits and no life outside this "fantasy hell" they live. In my opinion, they will do anything for another dollar. The name Chocolate City should be changed to "Sloppy City," because it is a trashy sight after hours. This place destroys the lives of young people. How are we ever to stop the diseases and drugs of destruction? Probably not until places like Chocolate City become churches or shelters for these poor people. Hood Notes

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro had a student-parent-teacher conference. His teacher informed his parent his conduct needs improvement. Later, his distraught parent asked: "Why are you showing your ass in school?" The Dark One/Ninja/Zorro replied, "But mum, I don't show myself to anyone at school!" Bat Cave

by John Burl Smith

Perceive Existence as an Evolutionary Process is the third principle of T.H.I.N.C. (Teaching Humanity in New Consciousness). Philosophically, Yohannes conceptualizes life as a "Work In Progress (AWIP)." T.H.I.N.C. sees humanity as salvageable and advances the proposition that people can and do change. Human beings are not locked into some predestined thought pattern, or wired to act counter to what life's experiences have shown to be a wiser course. Moreover, humans can live years as vile murderous feigns showing absolutely no concern or respect for life. Consequently, when judging behavior, Humanists and Christians alike must always error on the side of repentance. Whether through grace or a moment of introspective clarity, Saul became Paul and saw life anew.

America watched such a drama play out in Texas last year as Carla Faye Tucker fought desperately to live. Not unlike Paul in his early life, after years of reflection Carla Faye professed her convergence and tried to live the change in her daily living. AWIP recognizes this process by embracing change as an inevitable consequence of life. Therefore, for a society to preclude the possibility of repentance or clarity on the part of any human denies the truth of St. Paul.

AWIP stands as a reminder of Carla Faye's plea for mercy, which was denied by a Governor who claims compassion as a cornerstone of his political philosophy. Yohannes feels by, "Perceiving existence as an evolutionary sphere, one comes to feel a part of all living beings. Just as death, experience and growth are inevitable. All life flows in a cyclical pattern, and, by applying AWIP to existence, all revolutions interconnect. Retrospective internal analysis during the crests and troughs of life facilitates ascension, transforming all experiences."

Other Essays by John Burl Smith

Disgruntled says: All things worth having come in due time

Disgruntled feels: It is time to reap the harvest!

Disgruntled wants to know: Why do schools with all black basketball teams have all white cheering squads? Disgruntled

ATSDR is conducting a health assessment, which could lead to a health study. DHR's January 1999 report is a consultation, not to be confused with a health study or health assessment. ATSDR assessment will identify exposure pathways to determine the need for a health study. "ATSDR has requested soil, surface and groundwater data," according to Bob Safay, regional representative.

People who have lived in the area thirty years or longer, like Uncle Charlie Morton, who fished and swam in its creeks, streams and lakes as children, know more about the changes that have taken place in this area than anyone. According to Uncle Charlie, "the water is too foul to be used safely for these purposes; pollution has destroyed them." Seminole Landfill is believed to be the culprit.

A number of community activists advised The DISH to contact Representative Cynthia McKinney's office for guidance and assistance. When her office responds, The DISH will let its readers know the Congresswoman's views on environmental racism in DeKalb County. Funky Hood

Current discussions regarding MARTA's future expansion should begin with a look at the areas in metro Atlanta which were bypassed when the first tracks were laid. South DeKalb County was sent to the back of the bus, and there its citizens remain. Service has been extended to areas that fought MARTA's expansion into their communities. Although, it holds the largest concentration of African Americans outside Atlanta, South DeKalb does not enjoy the same clout as those living in the black Mecca of the South. Citizens in South DeKalb suffer taxation without representation.

Residents in this part of DeKalb have paid taxes year in and year out, only to receive shoddy, discourteous and inconvenient service on gas guzzling buses. At the same time, newly annexed areas were subsidized with taxes and fares from South DeKalb riders. More to the point, this area was promised first consideration for rail service when the system expanded. No other under-served area could benefit more from rail service when one compares demographics such as health needs, level of unemployment, welfare assistance, single parent households, elderly population, density, income, and proximity to downtown. This should be the poster community and forward-looking transportation plan designed for the new millennium.

A Sweeping Madness

by Dot Smith

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is finally looking at sweepstakes. I have been a winner numerous times, according to those prize notifications received in the mail. A couple of weeks ago, I received yet another prize packet assuring me I was already a lucky winner. I trashed it, like the many others I have received over the years. While I have been a winner many times, I never received a cent.

The hearing on sweepstakes comes as welcomed news. Congress is at least awake. Let's hope this long overdue hearing leads to a crackdown on these organizations. We should have barred the prize patrol on general principle before Dick Clark and Ed McMahon became household names.

Do you know anyone who has won a Publishers' Clearinghouse Sweepstakes? How many times have you actually seen the prize patrol present a check during the Super Bowl? It should be against the law to ruthlessly dupe people. As it stands right now, it is okay to string people along and milk money out of them. I, for one, am glad the government is investigating; I hope they will curtail the fleecing. DISHing It Up Hot!

The Neiman-Marcus recipe is the genuine article. Feel free to use it. Two DISH readers made cookies and provided samples. Their efforts produced two (2) very different, but delicious cookies. Chandra's efforts received the higher praise. The big difference between her cookies and Bob's seems to be texture. Chandra blended her oatmeal to a fine powder, while Bob's retained some of its coarseness. Either way, this is a great cookie. Stick with the ten minutes cooking time to retain more moisture in the cookie after cooling. Enjoy!

These cookies are rich, packed with fat calories. If you bake them, share your thoughts and experience in an email to a friend, along with the recipe. Give it to neighbors, co-workers, etc. Perhaps, one day, it will return to the lady in Texas, who was forced to pay $250 for the cookie recipe.

"I saw Rev. Al Sharpton speaking at the demonstration in NYC concerning the person who was shot 13 out of 41 times. He was asking where all the white people were. I really think that if the black populace wants whites at protests like this, there has to be unity and communication. It got my attention hearing it on the TV. I responded immediately asking myself the same question: Where are the whites and other races? I am the November Coalition Regional Director in NY. The web page is http://www.november.org. I suggest you and others go there and check it out. African Americans need to get online to communicate. It's here (the net) and is available...ALL colors need to unite against the brutality of governments and organizations. I'm just not sure how to go about it

I know there are white racists, extreme whites who hate blacks. And, I know from what historically has occurred, there are blacks who hate whites. People are people. Point blank. It is this kind of racial division that will prevent us from becoming United, United States of America for ALL colors of people. I am not a racist, for a racist is a hypocrite. Hatred won't solve anything. Peace. Scott. Email: rumba2@earthlink.net

"I'm sure most of you know about the slaughtering of a brother; Diallo is from Guinea West Africa. We must not let his murderers go. Our silence condones this madness! For those of you who don't speak out, it may be you, your brother, your sons, your fathers and your husband or soul mate next. This country will learn to value the lives of peoples of African decent!

Express your outrage and demand JUSTICE! Write to: Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor of New York, City Hall, New York, NY 10007, or call (212) 788-9600. Visit the web site at www.ci.nyc.ny.vs or e-mail NYCLINK and post your comments. Then, email President Clinton! mailto:President@whitehouse.gov NO JUSTICE, NEVER NO PEACE! Email: Jamilah Mailbox

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