Volume 2 Issue 39… Dedicated to the Dialogue on Race …October 9, 1999

Note: The DISH is based on themes from T.H.I.N.C. (Teaching Humanity In New Consciousness): The Chrysalis of Evolution. According to the President's Initiative on Race, "The issues that this book brings to the forefront are important in our efforts to achieve the goals set forth by the President for the Initiative. This work will serve as a solid resource for us as we begin to examine these critical issues." For your copy of T.H.I.N.C., The DISH or to submit comments, contact ICIM, Inc. at (404) 244-6023 or e-mail us.

By John Burl Smith

A few weeks ago, Fort Worth, Texas resident Larry Ashbrook jolted America's politically correctness with another demonstration of pain, hate and madness. Such madness and hatred are deeply embedded in the American frontier survivalist mentality and Wild West character. Those supporting unrestricted access to guns came to power with Reagan/Bush's drive for "law and order." Ashbrook's behavior is acceptable as long as such violence and murder are directed at Native and African Americans. Society cannot accept wanton violence against those who are different and not become desensitized to violence.

"Unemployed," "disturbed," "troubled," "suicidal," "homicidal" and "isolated" are terms used to describe Ashbrook. Psychologists recognize these individuals as highly volatile and proned to violent behavior. Depersonalization and marginalization increases the possibility that these individuals will strike out at others to reduce their anonymity. However, "law and order" and Reagan/Bush tax cuts made reducing funds for rehabilitation and mental health programs popular. Reagan/Bush convinced Americans they should not pay such costs. Ashbrook is a byproduct of their benign neglect; now prisons warehouse those with psychological problems to keep them off the streets.

Thousands with psychological problems are released from prison with undiagnosed and untreated problems. America has millions of dollars to throw at George W. Bush playing politics, but does not have funds to care for those with psychological disorders. Larry Gene Ashbrook shows that society will pay the cost of Reagan/Bush, one way or another. Like spoiled brats, Americans refuse to give up their dangerous and destructive habits and behaviors. The Wild West was a long time ago, and no one uses cap pistols anymore. Essays by Mr. Smith

The most tragic bombing incident ever to occur in the United States happened more than 75 years ago, according to research by Ron Wallace and Jay Wilson, who describe it as "a black holocaust."

"On June 1, 1921, "Black Wallstreet," the name fittingly given to one of the most affluent all-black communities in America, was bombed from the air and burned to the ground by mobs of envious whites. In less than 12 hours, a once thriving 36-black business district in northern Tulsa, OK lay smothering - - a model community destroyed, and a major African American economic movement resoundingly defused. The carnage left some 3,000 dead.

Black Wallstreet: A Lost Dream chronicles for the first time in the words of area historians and elderly survivors what really happened there on that fateful day in 1921, and why it happened." For your copy call 1-800-682-7975 or email BIG1@ILHAWAII.NET Other bits of Black History

With infinite pride, I watched, listened and marveled as members of the Atlanta Vibe painted poignant pictures and conveyed cogent lessons learned through lyrics. Kudos to these men and women for making Atlanta the "spoken word" Mecca. Their hard work and dedication to the art form have enabled the city to live up to its billing as "the Mecca;" black people are flocking here for the Vibe. Kudos are in order for these word warriors. It is time the city showered some love and recognition on its poets. The Atlanta Vibe

On Concerned Clergy

By Dot

When members of the black clergy came together and opened a credit union in South DeKalb County, The DISH applauded the effort. It was a move in the right direction toward fighting redlining, which is an obvious form of racism practiced by financial institutions. Whether or not the credit union can spur economic growth and development in South DeKalb, thereby reducing the negative impact of redlining, remains to be seen.

Increasingly, faith-based organizations are looked to for solutions to socioeconomic and political problems. From aid to AIDS' patients to psychological counseling, faith-based groups provide an amalgam of social services that impact the lives of parishioners and the greater society. In South DeKalb County, the influence and prosperity of faith-based institutions, especially the black church, make them uniquely situated to impact environmental racism. For years, residents in the Seminole Landfill area have complained about the stench and potential environmental health hazards posed by the county-owned and operated facility. County and state health officials know the landfill is a source of air pollution and groundwater contamination. Rep. Cynthia McKinney asked EPA to examine the situation.

The federal government's inertia is reflected in the snail's pace at which state officials respond to the community's request for a health study. Foot-dragging characterizes the official attitude when it comes to the safety, public health and welfare of South DeKalb residents. Residents need to know builders used plastic plumbing pipes in areas where there is groundwater contamination. Contaminants can leachate plastic and pollute water flowing through them. Residents using contaminated water risk exposure to carcinogens. Residents need this information.

What better place to find useful information on what is going on than where we worship? Who better to provide it than the Reverend or Bishop, delivering the Sunday message of love and caring? Who best to gain an audience with county commissioners to lobby for changes in building codes to safeguard public health than the heads of faith-based institutions? Who better to inform the public of the health hazards and spearhead a much needed conservation movement than our faith-based organizations? We know where they are on the money; now, where are they on improving health conditions in the community? Other Hot DISHes

For a number of years and several independent studies later, Seminole Landfill has been shown to be responsible for air pollution and groundwater contamination.

Unlined section closed in 1998. This section of the landfill operation came online at a time when waste management technology did not include liners, which provide some minimal environmental protection.

No DeKalb County official has advised the public of the health risk posed by Seminole groundwater contamination.

Key county officials have assumed the attitude of DeKalb's Public Works Director Tom Black, which is "so what if there is groundwater contamination? County residents don't get their drinking water from the ground." DeKalb CEO Liane Levetan knows Seminole contaminates the groundwater; she has said nothing about the situation, deferring all inquiries to Black. Moreover, other public elected and appointed officials know of the danger posed in the use of plastic plumbing pipes in homes built where there is groundwater contamination. These DeKalb officials also know developers in the rapidly growing residential area around the landfill use cost saving construction measures like plastic plumbing pipes. With all this knowledge, those charged with safeguarding public health are silent.

Years of silence and inaction from federal, state, county elected and appointed officials place the public at unnecessary risk. Closing the building code loophole that allows builders and developers to use plastic pipes in contaminated areas would help, in addition to informing the public about the health consequences.

Funky Hood MIA: Missing in action on environmental issues affecting south DeKalb County are Nadine Thomas, Bill Brown, Porter Sanford, Liane Levetan, Tom Black, Jackie Scott and other officials, who play Russian roulette with public health and safety. Previous updates on the Funky Hood

Ghost of Manifest Destiny!

By John Burl Smith

Anyone doubting African American claims of genocide by the United States of America need only examine the demise of Native Americans. From colonization onward, hypocrisy characterizes their relationship. Imperial wars contributed mightily to the slaughter, however Manifest Destiny was the policy that brought Native Americans to the brink of extinction. Hostile American actions at Tippecanoe, The Trail of Tears and Wounded Knee were merciless campaigns to exterminate Native Americans simply to possess their land.

Growing up in Quitman County Mississippi, blacks were like Native Americans, something to be killed. Then called Indians, they were portrayed as lazy, good for nothing drunks sitting on good land that needed developing. Why waste good money on them? Native Americans had to be swept aside, like garbage on the road of progress. My great grandmother was part Cherokee.

As guardian, the United States government maintains the former owners of America as though they are squatters on their own land. America has never honored any treaty made with Native Americans, as it has never honored any amendments to the Constitution granting African Americans equality. Native Americans are treated like Albanians in Kosovo and the displaced in East Timor.

For instance, Americans are rushing to get on the information super highway. If you are not connected to the Internet, you are in the Dark Ages. There are Native American reservations that have dirt roads that do not connect to any highway. Without poles and lines to carry telephone service, some Native Americans are isolated in an information wasteland. It is utterly astonishing that at the dawning of the new millennium, there are Native American children who have never had telephones. Even more amazing, while claiming to be looking out for their best interest, the federal government is responsible for them not having telephone hookups. So, where in the Stone Ages does this put Native Americans? Essays by Mr. Smith

UGA President Michael Adams did the right thing by retaining a race component in the university's admissions formula. Already under threaten of a lawsuit against the "affirmative action" aspect of its program, i.e., a minuscule number of blacks are accepted, UGA will likely have to go to court to defend the program. Given this foregone conclusion, the situation is not aided by the defeatist attitude of the state attorney general, who must defend Adams' decision in court.

Blah on Georgia State Attorney Thurbert Baker for trying to throw the case before it is presented in court. His, "While its chances of prevailing is slim, the university is entitled to have its attorney present its case in court," (AJC, 10/1/99) shows his narrow frame of reference in defending affirmative action. With Baker's attitude and limited experience, Adams would do well to make sure someone other than the attorney general is assigned the lead in arguing UGA's case in court. Other Kudos and Blahs

Disgruntled wants to know: As one of his closest advisers and most vocal admirers, I wonder what Christian influence Barbara Bush exerted on George W. in the Carla Faye Tucker execution?

Disgruntled says: Americans do not need to go to Europe, Asia, Africa or any other foreign shore to discover and study holocausts and genocidal atrocities. We have a treasure trove of historical and current events within our borders involving African and Native Americans to keep historians and archeologists busy for centuries.

Disgruntled feels: like taking a vacation! More Disgruntled Moments

More and more blacks are moving away from the caustic chemicals used to alter their natural hair. Entertainers, such as Maxwell and Lauryn Hill, sports figures, like tennis pros Venus and Serena Williams, Latrell Sprewell and others are spearheading acceptance of natural black hair. This current natural hair comeback is reminiscent of the 1960s and early 1970s, when Afros were worn by most "black" and "proud" Americans.

Checking heads at a recent outing, styles ran the gambit from wigs and straight-weave-to-achieve Veronica Lake-like falls to dreadlocks were worn by men and women. In between were baldheads, Afros and cornrows, such wondrous variety is hair diversity unmatched in any other group in American society. With a growing appreciation of natural hair, African Americans are displaying an endless variety of natural hairstyles; head art is happening.

Fat, thin and medium-sized cornrows, braids and plaits are possible with pliable healthy African American hair. Styles are as endless as there are head shapes, hair lengths and creativity. Head art uniquely fits the natural attributes of African American hair. Other HoodNotes

The horror of the Jewish Holocaust affects all of us; every living being is diminished for it having occurred. Some Georgia taxpayers footing the bill for a holocaust museum and a state agency believe we carry recognition of an event that did not take place on American soil a little too far. This is especially true in light of the fact that Georgia has a holocaust museum and a well-funded state agency to administer it. Ethics charges are being brought against two state legislators, who voted to create the state agency that administers the museum, because apparently they directly profited for its operation. The really sad thing about the Georgia holocaust museum fiasco is the fact that Georgia's own holocaust remains untold, and no one is educating us about it. While worshiping at the altar of the WWII Jewish Holocaust, we pretend our own never happened. When will Georgia or any state in the United States lavishly fund a museum and create state agencies dedicated to educating the public about slavery and segregation? Other Phantom Scribbles

The Lesson!

Vice-president Al Gore's redeployment to Nashville seems born of the same desperation that trapped the French at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, during the war in Indo-China. A lesson repeatedly learned, those with superior fire power tend to forget the strength of conviction. Refusing to believe their brand of warfare died in Korea, the French desired a decisive battle against the Viet Minh. Deploying thousands of men and equipment in such rugged terrain, gave Ho Chi Minh the advantage. Ho understood the law of supply and demand: "One can not always supply what is demanded."

Once the battle began, the French were trapped by their own strategy, without room to maneuver, counter attack or re-supply such a massive contingent of troops. Surrounded by inferior forces, humiliated by the lost of personnel and material and chastened by glimpses of a fading empire, the French surrendered. There were those who saw the writing on the wall and spoke up to warn that nation of its impending loss. Gore, like France, thinks power and money can overcome the human will. "An idea is the strongest force in the universe." Politics2000

National and local news has revealed that American GI's killed South Korean refugees during the initial stages of the Korean War. The President, DOD and Secretary of Defense have pledged to investigate the allegations. Some of the GI's were interviewed by the press and admitted they shot and killed refugees as ordered. What is going to happen about the 1200/1400 African American GI's that were killed by firing squad in Centreville, MS during WWII? The last I heard, the NAACP and the National Archives is investigating the allegation. What have you heard as to any progress on the investigation? Who in the NAACP can I e-mail and inquire as to the progress of the investigation? I would appreciate any feed back you could give me on this. HAVE A FANTASTIC NAVY DAY AND LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN." Email big daddy at WILLIAMCAIN@webtv.net.

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