By John Burl Smith

For white communities, the assumption is the police protect people and serve communities. The converse is true for African American communities, because police operate with a threat mentality. They automatically assume, "blacks have done or will do something in violation of the law." Therefore, police are ready to respond to the perceived black threat with extreme prejudice.

Aggressive pursuit policies make black Americans targets. A badge is a license to kill. Consequently, African Americans get gunned down unarmed, as if we lived in Dodge City 100 years ago. This genocidal aspect of law enforcement is rooted in racism, because, the legal system functions to deny African Americans equal justice. Atlanta Journal Constitution (2-13-99) reported crime lab problems. GBI Director Milton Nix admitted the "evidence reported by scientist could not be verified." Lab workers "mishandle or lose evidence, even file false reports suggesting tests were conducted when they were not."

Coweta Judicial Circuit Prosecutor Pete Skandalakis, blamed it all on, "the Lab is overworked, underfunded and undermanned. It's not surprising that some of the scientists may have cut corners." However, since most drug evidence is tainted, and the vast majority of young black men in jail are there on drug charges, it seems police and prosecutors have simply made up drug charges to lock black people up.

The latest victim of police operating under a perceived threat mentality is Amadou Diallo, the 22 year old unarmed man police fired at 41 times and killed in the vestibule of his apartment building. "I thought he had a gun" is the New York policemen's response. For African Americans, the absurdity of this tragedy is that murdering African Americans on snap judgements is justifiable homicide. Police do not kill white people under such circumstances. Remember Tyisha Miller? America is guilty of genocide. Other Essays by John Burl Smith

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro will fight bad guys and save the day. The Dark One/Ninja/Zorro is now recruiting a Bat Girl to help save the world. Bat Cave

On Secondhand

By Dot Smith

While growing up in South Memphis in the fifties and sixties, new shoes and clothing for school were luxuries. If we got a new outfit or two, we earned them by working on cotton and soybean plantations in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas for $4.00 or less per day. With what little money we earned, we shopped at Kent's Dollar Store and other discount outlets. Hand-me-downs and bargains momma found at Goodwill stores composed the remainder of our school wardrobe.

Given this history, I read with interest that secondhand clothing is en vogue in Japan. Of course, among the artsy people in every culture, there is an appreciation for the used; the worn possesses character. However, the news article (Tokyo's second rows AJC 1/28/99) suggests more than this group is now flocking to the thrift stores in the wake of Japan's economic slump.

The Japanese are wise to buy secondhand name brand clothing. What bothers me is the stock for Japanese secondhand stores is coming "from large secondhand shops in America like the Salvation Army."

This kind of profiteering makes it difficult for some to donate to the Salvation Army and other non-profit organizations. Maybe this explains yard and garage sales. It seems shady to sell for profit abroad garments given for the poor and homeless at home. Yet, this is a perfect reflection of the mentality at work in the I.O.C. It's okay to make a buck! DISHing It Up Hot!

Disgruntled says: Looking at "The Wiz," we come in my different shapes, but Black is truly beautiful.

Disgruntled feels: Relieved that this impeachment ordeal is over!

Disgruntled wants to know: How can inflation be dead when the change machine gives back only 60 cents for a dollar? Disgruntled

Instantly

by Yohannes Sharriff Smith

"Here comes the rain again..."Like a faucet,

My function is straight forward. Drip drops.

My love for you...I hit the center...it's so simple.

I am instant, just add water. "Here comes the rain Again..."

Your presence...drops.

Not instant like whiteout,

Concrete, or CIA cover ups...drip

Not instant like clarity, death or GA weather...drip

Not even instant like grits, oatmeal, or soap...drops

I am instant like food...fresh from the microwave?

Extremely hot, yet not quite the same as I was,

'Cause I'm confused as hell...about...

What?! just happened to me?

"Here comes the rain again." The feeling is so simple;

The technology just makes it complex.

So simple like a drop of water...

As harmless as a tiger without teeth

As harmless as 40 below zero and a frozen tear

Clinging to my cheek. I can't stand the heat,

So I'm sitting in the kitchen melting...

Wishing I be ice cube cool thawing in you..

A shimmering memory glistening like sun drenched

Water dancing in a crystal glass. Ting...

Accidents do happen. Kaleid-o-scope!

Imagine if you will a spill. (Swoosh!)

Oops...Drip drops. "Here comes the rain again."

Instantly...Innocently you unleashed chaos.

The perspective of an ant...DRIP DROPS...

An OCEAN falling toward me.

From the core of my being rips a primal scream!

Then SPLASH! The most profound sound

I have ever uttered instantly consumed.

"Here comes the rain again..."(woosh!)

A drowning embrace freezing time and space in the slow motion magnificence.

The cascade of water Colors in this life and death struggle to survive...

To stay alive to simply breath again.

Each ripple Shakes me, INvades me. BREaks me, Takes me past

The core..pent to the floor..Thru the brink and Beyond!

"Til Kingdom come thy will be done!!

Dear love, In your presence, I bare witness!

And I am left wet and shivering.

"Here comes the rain again.." Intuit

 "Before DNA testing, African Americans knew Jefferson slept with Sally Hemming. Fornicating with slaves was en vogue in those days. How else do we explain the variety in our skin tones from passing high yellow to dark chocolate brown? Duh! Chorse@Bellsouth.com

"Gentlemen, We are a Christian Station. We object to the terms used in your newsletter as racism is a sin. Please remove us. Thank you" Facsimile: WAEC/WWWE Radio

"Dot, this included white people too...we are ALL slaves..no matter what color in the eyes of corporate Amerika" Email: rumba2@earthlink.net.

A DISH comment: Often we do get involved in stating the case for African Americans and lose sight of the bigger picture. We are all in this together. Please bear with me and those who contribute to this weekly newsletter. As works in progress, we have issues. Thanks for taking the time to point out the oversight. We welcome all comments. Mailbox

Paul Robeson, neither scientist nor inventor, is an American history treasure. This gifted singer and actor possessed an impressive bass-baritone that served him well when he became an orator for human rights. Born in 1898, Robeson gave his voice to the struggle for human rights around the world. Star of screen and stage, Robeson was the first African American to perform Othello with an all white cast.

A victim of McCarthyism, Robeson candidly criticized America, but refused to say anything negative about his fellow African Americans, even his detractors. Robeson's contribution to American enlightenment is immeasurable. He personified the global struggle for human rights. This enlightened African American hero died in 1976. Bits of Black History

Feeling shut out of the new education agenda, aspiring politician Linda Schrenko, Georgia Board of Education Superintendent, fired off a letter to Gov. Roy Barnes bemoaning her predicament (AJC ,"State school chief seeks new allies in government, 2-12-99). Schrenko's complaint of partisanship affecting education is an exit strategy from her November 3^rd declaration not to seek re-election after, her term expires in 2002. Realizing her party's credibility loss means Republicans will seek candidates free of ultra conservative ties, Schrenko wants to remain in play. While professional politicians turn their future into a political football, Georgia's children suffer. Schrenko is more concerned about her political career than our children's education. Voluminous statistics show dismal performance by Georgia's students ("Chasm of Inequality," The DISH, 2-12-99). Six hundred fifty-two schools failed state standards. Nationally, Georgia ranks at the bottom in student achievement. Her solution: more discipline and a re-election threat. The majority of students affected by her disastrous tenure are black. Schrenko reflects arcane southern attitudes about education, generally, and black education in particular. When such attitudes were overt and whites exercised absolute power, segregationists viewed government as a reward system for whites and punishment for blacks.

Like poets of the sixties and seventies and the roaring twenties, Atlanta Vibe's word warriors are spreading the message and in the process raising consciousness. They participate in and help shape spoken word venues all around the metro Atlanta region. Atlanta Vibe is the cutting edge of a cultural revolution; it provides commentary and plugs the holes left in mainstream American history. Atlanta Vibe poets recant the experience lest we forget. Atlanta Vibe is the drumbeat for American justice. Atlanta Vibe T.H.I.N.C.

Information is crucial. We live in an age when even elected officials assume no responsibility in protecting the public against unscrupulous businesses. "Let the buyer beware" is their advice. With no information available, how can consumers make intelligent decisions about where to live, work and play?

A long awaited study on the South DeKalb County area around Seminole Landfill is complete. Conducted by the Department of Human Resources (DHR), the report grew out of odor complaints from area residents. Those complaints were echoed in a meeting called by Commissioners Porter Sanford and Bill Brown to discuss acquiring property around Ward Lake for recreational purposes.

At that meeting, while area residents expressed an interest in securing recreation space, they questioned the efficacy of placing a playground near a landfill. In addition, the residents were concerned about Ward Lake contamination and its implications. More important than the stench, they wondered about the long-term health consequences of living near an unlined landfill.

These are valid concerns, but this report does not address them. In fact, this study contains no new information. Indeed, the study offers nothing beyond what has already been made available in The DISH. DeKalb's County Commission is void of information on this subject. Its agenda is too crowded with backbiting, infighting and trees to be concerned with the larger county planning and development problem posed by environmental racism.

EPD, EPA and CDC need to become involved to provide relevant information and resolve the outstanding Funky Hood issues. A comprehensive health impact study is needed to do that. When it comes to environmental health and welfare, we are all stakeholders.

How did the acreage around an unlined municipal landfill become prime residential property with homes selling for more than a hundred thousand dollars? Who benefitted from the industrial to residential zoning change?

• Criminal charges should be brought against commissioners, developers and realtors who benefitted from putting homes so close to an unlined landfill. Will area residents bring suit against the county?

Municipal landfills considered by many environmentalists to be the superfund sites of the new millennium. Does Seminole pose such a health threat to area residents? Funky Hood

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