Volume 2 Issue 7
Teaching Humanity In New Consciousness!
Reminiscent of what occurred at the end of the "Dark Ages," T.H.I.N.C. (Teaching Humanity In New Consciousness): The Chrysalis of Evolution, a book by Yohannes Sharriff Smith, represents a new direction in thought. Then as now, existing orthodoxy struggles to reconcile reality and their teachings. Perched between a brutal century of genocide and beginning anew, humanity may fade from the looking glass. T.H.I.N.C. reintroduces man's original reflection by asking, "Who am I and why am I here?"
Video imagery, rhythmic flow and piercing commentary establish Yohannes' "hip hop" literary style as a viable artistic genre. Hip hop began underground in large urban centers. Like ghosts from the "Harlem Renaissance," young brothers and sisters created an authentic African American expression. Interlocking blues and heavy drum rhythms, hip hoppers told the story of our people. With spoken word artists like Yohannes, hip hop's explosive force bonds us to mother Africa's beat.
Written in 1997 when the author was twenty-two, T.H.I.N.C. presents a message of personal responsibility to young people. Epically, this story traces Yohannes's mental and spiritual evolution through his first two years of college. Connecting with young people through hip hop, Yohannes channels his vibe, and awakens their consciousness. Hip hop was never a part of the Generation X. GenX'ers were those who freaked under the pressure to conform. Recapitulating black power's rage, Tupac Shakur revived Malcolm X's "by any means necessary" as a hip hop battle cry.
Symbolizing the efforts of young sisters and brothers to gain respect and personal space, Yohannes offers T.H.I.N.C. as a new reality. Affirming the struggle to establish support networks that give young people more chances, Yohannes has this message, "You must struggle. Growth does not come without a price. Pay that price, and you will earn the knowledge you need to survive. If your dreams survive, you survive." T.H.I.N.C.
Other Essays by John Burl Smith
Busy during African American History month, Yohannes began with an appearance at Cross Keys High School. Invited to perform for an English class, Yohannes talked about a personal responsibility to participate in the system, and giving it one's best. On February 24, 1999, Yohannes joined Shon for a hip-hop spoken word fashion show at Ying Yang Café. Owner of Over H.E.A.D. Crowns, Shon's collaboration brings a sister with real drive to the fore. Her crown art presents a variety of original headgear.
Rounding out the week, Thursday February 25, 1999 at 6:00 PM,. the Atlanta Vibe will hip hop Thomasville Heights Community Center, 1150 Henry Thomas Dr SE. Poetic Therapy Anthology presents "Where I'm From" featuring an open mic. Some of the most explosive and dynamic vibers like Yohannes, Kemi, Dres (The Beatnik), Rochead, and Trudy will share their art with young brothers and sisters. The event is free. Come out and bring the family. Atlanta Vibe
Mailbox: Calls, Faxes & E-mail
"My daughter and I had just finished a salad at Neiman-Marcus in Dallas and decided to have a small dessert. We decided on their cookie. I asked if they would give me the recipe; the waitress said, "I'm afraid not but, you can buy the recipe."
I asked how much, and she responded, "Only two fifty, it's a great deal!" I told her "just add it to my tab." Thirty days later, I received my VISA; it showed "Cookie Recipe - $250.00"
Neiman's Accounting Dept. refused to refund my money. According to them, "What the waitress told you is not our problem. You have seen the recipe. We will not refund your money at this point." I threatened to refer them to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General. "Do what you want, it doesn't matter, we're not refunding your money." I waited, thinking of how I could get even, or even try and get any of my money back. I just said, "Okay, you folks got my $250, and now I'm going to have $250.00 worth of fun." I told her that I was going to see to it that every Cookie lover with e-mail gets the cookie recipe for free. Please, pass it on to everyone you can possibly think of. I don't want Neiman-Marcus to *ever* get another penny off my recipe!"
(Recipe may be halved)
2 cups butter; 4 cups flour; 2 tsp. soda;
2 cups sugar; 5 cups blended oatmeal ***
24 oz. chocolate chips; 2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. salt; 1- 8 oz. Hershey Bar (grated)
4 eggs; 2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla; 3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)
- Blend measured oatmeal into a fine powder.
- Cream the butter and both sugars.
- Add eggs and vanilla,
- Mix together dry ingredients add to mixture
- Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar and nuts.
- Roll into balls
- Place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.
"For balance, The DISH Kudo to Campbell for sticking up for the city against gun manufacturers should include a question mark about this guy's motives. I don't trust him; he should be run out on a rail for the resources squandered under his watch. Empowerment Zone and Atlanta Housing Authority monies have disappeared down a black hole. Privatization is an opportunity for profiteering. His administration has been a rip-off. Now, he wants the city to fund a risky financial scheme to give police a raise, he says. This and that gun thing smell suspiciously like changes to squander more taxpayers' money!" Ewright@aol.com Mailbox
Walker's Racism
Charles Walker (D), Georgia State Senate majority leader, screamed racism when the media reported he distributed a letter to lobbyist to drum up business for a temp agency operated by his son. The DISH called Walker to get his side. When he replies, we will share his response.
According to his state senate biography, Sen. Walker is African American. He is an Augusta businessman, representing the 22nd District. Walker is president of the Walker Group, which includes publishing and temporary employment companies.
Temp agencies are on The DISH list of boycotted places, people and things. This business epitomizes neo-slavery. Since he is engaged in this enterprise, this could not be why Walker cried.
Claiming racism seems to be a reflex action or convenient fallback position used by blacks of consequence whenever an ethical faux pas is revealed. Is it racism to expose Walker for demonstrating a lack of ethics that is par for the course? Will the media expose other peddling?
The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro enjoyed the Disney movie Mulan. Now, the Dark One/Ninja/Zorro wants to go to China to find a woman! Bat Cave
Where to from Here?
After reading the Department of Human Resources (DHR)'s health consultation on Seminole Landfill, I called Jane Perry Britt to discuss the study (The DISH Vol. 2 Issue 6). Britt suggested that I call Bob Safay and petition ATSDR for a health study. Based on the statutes creating it, ATSDR is responsible. Since DHR's investigation failed to address the odor complaints, Rev. White and Second Chance Community Services, Inc. asked The DISH to confer with Mr. Safay on its behalf.
When asked about petitioning for a health study, Bob Safay, ATSDR Regional Representative, said, "You've done it." Simply by calling to request it, a health study will be conducted. Imagine that! Well, Rev. White and I found it difficult to believe it could be so easy. We drafted a letter to Safay to formalize the request and his agreement. Funky Hood
DISHing It Up Hot!
Where's Ever-Lite?
by Dot Smith
A sucker for causes purporting to aid the poor and disadvantaged, several years ago, I replaced every light bulb in my house with an Ever-Lite product. Ever-Lite Distributing Co. is billed as an employer of the handicapped. Its bulbs are "guaranteed for five years." An erroneous claim, of course, but Ever-Lite replaces bulbs that do blowout. After a couple of years, every one of my Ever-Lite bulbs has blown, with years of guarantee remaining.
About a year ago, Lynn, the Ever-Lite representative who sold me the bulbs, called to sell me something else. I purchased some multi-purpose wash cloths. During the sell, I asked for replacement bulbs. A few days later, they arrived in the mail. Last week, I called Ever-Lite to order replacement bulbs only to discover the telephone number is disconnected. The disconnection message does not reference another number. Does this mean Ever-Lite is out of business? What about my five-year guarantee? I was sure I had solved my bulb problem to 2003! Can I sue for the cost of bulbs beyond the millennium? What a bummer!
This kind of experience makes it difficult for even a sucker like me to contribute to organizations that claim to work for the poor and underprivileged. I plan to visit Ever-Lite's Church Street location in Decatur to see if they are no longer in business. I am hoping the absence of a forwarding telephone number on their disconnect message is just an oversight. Somewhere there is an Ever-Lite! DISHing It Up Hot!
: For those who didn't get it before: It's not what you know; it's who you know!
Disgruntled feels
: Like Spring!Disgruntled wants to know
: Since the elders are dying their hair and acting like kids, who do our youth look up to and seek out for guidance and wisdom? Disgruntled
Intuit's Weekly Vibe
Chicken Heads...PLEASE!
By Yohannes Sharriff Smith
It ain't all beautiful.
It ain't even all G O O D good.
Broken dreams cut like glass.
In this precipitating depression,
Hope is shattering against the concrete.
Sharp rain drops slice into my flesh.
I don't wanna do this alone. I'm struggling...
Damn near burnt out. So chicken heads...PLEASE!
Chicken heads steadily pecking conversation seeds,
Running drama and asking dumb question.
Her body language is swaying...relaying something
Saying she is strictly a boner, but I want to build her.
I admit I'm higher learning;
You can't make a whore a wife.
Broken dreams cut like glass.
I'm tired of sifting thru chicken heads and getting cut.
I'm tired of proving myself to lunch boxes
Running mad game about the ex-man
Who crushed her precious feelings
And, if it wasn't for all the bad men in the world,
"I would a happy woman."
Your gobbling gabbing gambling ass
Sitting at the crap table complaining.
Lacking self-esteem in the game you playing.
Twat is the only tender! You know you're addicted
To sex...like the glass phallic.
Yeah, you're a chicken head ....crack baby
Feening for the drama. Ms. Innocent in the spot,
But, after a few weeks or a few drinks,
Your real intent is caught tape.
Pimp your pain and get charged to the game
I'm not player hating; I'm just losing patience.
All you chicken heads...PLEASE! Honestly,
If it wasn't for the last man who did you wrong,
What would you have to talk about?
But when its time to reciprocate,
You don't give a shit about mine.
You just trying to pimp me in transition,
'Cause I'm a sensitive artist.
Here is some advice:
For all you wannabe conscious folks
If you're not ready to heal the scares,
Leave the bullshit at the home. Intuit
Options!
By John Burl Smith
Sisters and brothers of "Turn Out 75%!" The key to consolidating power is the ability to evolve into clearer reflections of shared goals. Gains made recently must not be viewed as successes. Our actions were in response to an overt threat. Americans always rally against an attack on fundamental values. For Democrats to equate poll results with support, before addressing relief from the massive consumer debt crushing citizens, would be a grave mistake.
During the 1970's black power advocates fell into the trap of trying to move at the speed of the media. Strategically, the media creates a "Battle of the Bulge" scenario, driving events faster than anyone can control. The present buzz is "The First Lady Runs for New York Senate Seat." Obviously, the press has never liked First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, so why are they doing her such a favor? Answer: St. Matthew Chapter 4. Media wizards are trying to lure her into a battle that divides her efforts and strains her resources, while preempting consideration of the First Lady as Al Gore's vice- presidential running mate. Her popularity, fund-raising ability, organizational support, a public forum, not to mention being a very intelligent woman, make her a very formidable addition to a Democratic ticket. She would solidify their base from left to right.
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