Volume 2 Issue 18

by Yohannes Sharriff Smith

Watch the muppets cast an illusion before your eyes.

As comatose couch cushions pin senses to soaps,

Sensors wash commonsense with seductive corruption

Spawning controlled consumer surrender.

We stab our open wounds with currency.

Secretly, pimps pray prostituting will sates the need.

Like infants, the masses suckle the phallic superficial.

Impaled upon the crucifix of debt,

We sacrifice live dreams for dead presidents.

As they strive,

Even children shutter with unearthly pleasure,

Pushing pass pennies from parents put in collection plates,

Panting for the devil's almighty dollar power.

Crucified! Why, for lifeless wooden promises?

The spirit of will dies, while industrialized primates feen for better visual highs.

Assimilated lobes open wide like parted thighs

With signs...and penetrating cries

Creaming for the evening news, pushing lies deeper.

Journalism is delivering billions of subliminal

Violent multiple orgasmic editorials.

Pornographic bent reality drips from thin pink lips

Advertised with no life found in empty eyes.

Realize 'the top story' is woven from the fabric

Of politics and Nielsen's opinion to paint a pessimistic

Picture reflecting societies apathy.

But please, read between the lines to see the true

Signs of how hopeless the media wants you to be

So commercials can program your mentality. Intuit

By all news accounts, Music Midtown '99, held April 30^th - May 2^nd in Atlanta, was an unqualified success. 'Legal freaking' events, such as this, receive extensive local press coverage; those news accounts, however, rarely include information on law enforcement. Atlanta events observers see this as just one of the many differences between 'legal freaking' events and Freaknik. Of particular note is the180 degree shift in the attitude of law enforcement officials. In the case of Music Midtown '99, Atlanta Police melted into the background; they were unobtrusive. Not sticking out like sore thumbs, they were not handing out tickets wholesale or towing cars with undue speed and frightening efficiency. During Freaknik, the attitude of law enforcement toward black children is best characterized as total intolerance; police maintained an oppressive presence. Atlanta's finest practiced zero tolerance, and the local media captured the overkill in crackdown statistics.

This 180-degree attitude shift is racial profiling - a component of institutionalized racism. On the eve of a new millennium, it is sad that black people are still second class citizens in the United States. It is horrifying and downright disheartening that blacks are still second class citizens in the Black Mecca, where an African American is the mayor and the police chief is a black woman.

When asked for his weekly comments, the Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro replied, "Tomorrow I will say something." The Dark One/Ninja/Zorro cannot be rushed into imparting words of wisdom. Bat Cave

by John Burl Smith

Participant of Turnout 75%, the Richard L. Kirksey, Jr. Memorial Foundation commissioned this review of possible causes and effects of the Littleton, Colorado tragedy. Although an overwhelmingly dreadful act, it seems the two pathetic young men learned the lesson America teaches best: hypocrisy. Analytically, hypocrisy becomes a way of life growing up in a duplicitous nation, which denies responsibility for its slave history. In such a society, psychological unpredictability is an outcome of repression.

Comparatively, an aspect of Linear Secularism, doublethink requires one to create alternative realities in order to accept such facades as equality. Holding two diametrically opposed ideals coherently in one's mind produces a precarious equilibrium. Living a lie in both worlds, hatred, anger and aggression trigger emotions, which militate against a balanced state.

In balanced states, paradoxical worlds usually slide pass each other, like tectonic plates, avoiding violent collisions. Unresolved double-binds produce double standards. Double standards are instruments of institutions, i.e., the United States Supreme Court.

In microcosm, high school and college students practice adopting proper ideals, attitudes, dress codes, looks, friends, fashions etc. As in the larger society, there are those who view themselves as keepers, enforcing their codes on others- Lord of the Flies. They become leaders through the school's informally official network: the "popularity" track. Considering this, one can infer, unwittingly, the two young gunmen unmasked the community's facade of equality!

Symbolically, they attacked the depository of community values and ideals. Schools are a community's highest expression of itself. Reflecting the nation, Columbine High reveals a deeply troubled and divided community. Such a calamity digs at a canker festering long past gangrene, which cannot be cauterized with lies.

Psychologically, repressed emotions, though buried deep in abandoned Neanderthal caves, bust forth like a Jurassic Park nightmare, shattering America's comfortable bliss. Suddenly, two perfectly normal white boys could no longer keep America's paradoxical worlds from colliding. Doublethink has real consequences.

A new millennium pied piper, the media's song is so melodiously seductive, intoxicatingly addictive, and magically hallucinogenic, it caresses the mind of unsuspecting young children. Chasing the Holly Grail of greater profits http://home.att.net/~yicim, it panders glitzy images of star making. While its coverage left unanswered such questions as, can anything sate the need once the cameras are gone? Can America quietly slip away, or does Littleton become The Truman Show? It supports the conclusion, Columbine High is hypocrisy's legacy! America your bill has come due! Check The Genocide Chronicles for more information. Other Essays by John Burl Smith

Disgruntled says: People who cop middle-class attitudes think they are better than others, because they own a few more things. These middle class minded freaks graciously substitute things for a conscious and platitudes for a heart.

Disgruntled wants to know: Does anyone truly believe NATO mistakenly bombed the Chinese embassy?

Disgruntled feels: profiled. Disgruntled

"Did you ever wonder why there is so little tennis being covered this year, especially women's tennis? That's easy! Venus and Serena Williams. These African American sisters are ranked in the top five and ten, respectively, among tennis players in the world. Venus Williams has beaten all the women in the top ten in the world, including her younger sister Serena. Can you imagine white American tennis players, like Lindsey Davenport and Mary Pierce, doing so well in world competition, yet getting so little media attention and recognition at home? No! This lack of media coverage and recognition now for these young tennis players brings back memories of the experiences of other African American athletes. The experiences of Hank Aaron, Arthur Ashe, Jackie Robinson and so many others come to mind. The Williams' media blackout is tantamount to second class citizenship; it is the kind of thing that confirms nothing has changed, relatively speaking." Email: 10sNut@aol.com

Hip Hopping The Patti Hut!

Nothing is more rewarding than a return to one's roots. About three years ago, Yohannes Sharriff Smith visited the Patti Hut's Open Mic and experienced an emotional awakening. "Young sisters and brothers were representing togetherness and sharing love. Poets, rhymers, freestylers and mic rockers were throwing down like the Last Poets. Power was in the air; the feeling was electric. I decided that night to get on the bus."

John Burrows, the owner of The Patti Hut Cafe- located upstairs in the Rio Mall- provided fertile soil for poetry to take hold and blossom. His husbandry helped cultivate the ATL. into the most explosive scene in the country. Motivated by more than profit, John wanted to provide real opportunities for young blacks to develop some marketable skills. At a time when most businesses looked the other way, he brought young people in off the streets by creating a spot for their expressions.

In gratitude, Thursday, May 20, 1999 at 8:00 p.m., Atlanta Vibe will celebrate a real homecoming, when Yohannes serves as guest host for The Patti Hut's weekly open mic. One of the oldest spots, it is the sentimental favorite of veteran hip hoppers hanging in the vibe. Yohannes said of his return, "It's where I got my start. There are so many great memories here. The Patti Hut is the bomb!"

The following Saturday, May 22,1999, Yohannes will host Righteous Vibes another ATL. blowout at The Soul Vegetarian in the 4.0 Kafé 879 Ralph D. Abernathy. Throw down time is 8:00 PM. For information call (404) 752-5194 Atlanta Vibe T.H.I.N.C.

by Dot Smith

A hidden tax is the bottom line in racial profiling. Whether traffic stops, employment opportunities, home ownership or renting, the targeted group's existence is taxed. This hidden cost of survival lowers the standard of living, because it creates a burden, one that is borne mainly by women and children. Though black men more often end up serving time in city jail cells and federal prisons, women are the ones who must make ends meet to support a family; children suffer whenever there is a deficit.

Pine Lake, GA is a microcosm of national racial profiling. Citizens for Justice, headed by its founder and CEO Darryl Dorton, are protesting Pine Lake's hidden tax practice. Made up of men and women, the group is committed to bringing justice to Pine Lake residents and anyone who travels through its jurisdiction. The group is protesting a practice that last year brought in more than $850,000 for the small town of only 900.

The DISH went looking for Pine Lake and the individuals who dared buck a biased system. Unfamiliar with the area, we asked for directions. "Yeah man," the young man said, " Anybody around here can tell you where that hell hole is at. Go out here, hang a left, and take a left at the second light. Keep an eye out or you might miss it. It's a racket man; it ain't no bigger than the Wing Shack. Good luck man. You gon' need it!"

Members of Citizens for Justice share a similar view of law enforcement and the brand of justice dispensed in Pine Lake. A grandfather of four, Karim Shahid is fed up with the callous treatment accorded the people. Even the media can be shut out. Conveniently, Pine Lake is not a court of records; the judge exercises a tremendous amount of discretion. It is easy to waffle on issues when there is no record. In the wake of protesting and ensuing media attention, the judge has denied requests for cameras in the courtroom. According to Dorton, "the judge makes up rules as he sees fit." In the media's case, the judged changed the time-line for submitting a request for cameras in the courtroom from 24 hours to ten days.

For Dorton, " the most important thing people must understand here is, if this judge operates like this with the media, the average citizen does not have a chance. Pine Lake has no consistent middle of the road policy."

On Tuesday, Douglas Coffey came to the courthouse prepared to be arrested. For him, it is just that important. He urged everyone who has ever been stopped and harassed in Pine Lake or some other one horse town to come out and support the effort. Pine Lake is located between Decatur and Stone Mountain, GA. For more info, call Citizens for Justice at 770-484-5503.

ª May 18^th and 19^th, Channel 46's Ray Montoya will conduct a two part Pine Lake special.

DeKalb County's District Attorney, Tom Morgan, investigate Pine Lake.

ª Sponsored by State Senator Gloria Butler, a town hall meeting is tentatively on tap for May 20^th

ª The Atlanta Journal-Constitution plans an expose on Pine Lake and its traffic business.

ª On June 6, 1999, the judge has threatened to charge Dorton, Coffey and Shahid with barratry for advising traffic offenders of their right to trial in county court. DISHing It Up Hot!

If you haven't seen the movie "LIFE" starring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, you aren't missing a thing. Set in the 70's, this waste of film is about two men sentenced to life in prison for crimes they did not commit. A comedy, the film is completely absurd; in one scene, an inmate to be released makes it obvious he does not wish to leave confinement, because he does not know how to deal with society.

Jail is no joke! Besides there are many people serving time, some for crimes they did not commit. Being falsely accused of committing a crime is no laughing matter. No laughing matter is the percentage of blacks and Hispanics rotting in jails. They want freedom, a liberty some will never see with life sentences or worse punishments, such as lethal injections and the electric chair.

Obviously, the film's producers did not consider the feelings of those who are dealing with situations similar to those portrayed in this movie. Had they done so, they would have given making this movie second thoughts. "Life" should have been serious, instead of being a sick joke. No one really knows what families and loved ones go through, until it happens to you. Hood Notes

Former Senator Bill Bradley, a year 2000 contender for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination, boldly pledges to work on racial healing. Race is the defining issue of Bradley's bid for the top job in the country. The DISH gives Bradley the political coup of the moment for embracing the number one hot button issue in American politics today. Ironically, this bold step garnered little mainstream media coverage.

"These comments from Tavis Smiley, Host of BET Tonight, are something to think about. 'Thanks to the Littleton tragedy, I now understand the difference between a clique and a gang. If you're a young Asian, Hispanic, or Black male and feeling hated, unwanted and not included, you leave your home in the ghetto, "hook up" with your friends so you can go out in the streets and beat up or kill someone, carjack unsuspecting drivers, and possibly do drugs - then you belong to a GANG. If, however, you're a young White male and not feeling included because you're not on the football, baseball or soccer teams, you put on your black trench coat, leave your room in your upper middle-class home - where you've just gotten off your PC reading and spewing hate and join your buddies and proceed to plant bombs in a school, then cold-bloodily kill thirteen people, as you laugh and spew hate and racial slurs - then you belong to a CLIQUE!" Email from-Air jay at bro_ic@hotmail.com

"It's a shame Chinese can only complain when the government wishes to deliver some propaganda. Protesters are pawns in the campaign. It is sad Americans seem to feel the loss of Chinese life is not worth mentioning, let alone complaining about. Sadder still is the fact that ethnic Albanians (white people) are welcomed by the thousands into this country, but a few dozen Haitian refugees are turned back to sea in leaky boats. Some lives are worthless. These contradictions are hallmarks of hypocrisy." The DISH Mailbox

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