Volume 3 Issue 21…Dedicated to the Dialogue on Race… June 2, 2000

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 email us at icim@bellsouth.net. The DISH 8 2000

Justice for all?

Shiriki Unganisha

 Though America was built on slavery, Americans pretend the founding fathers worked the land with their hands to create the wealth of this nation. An historical review of U. S. Corporations shows they were founded on slavery. Aetna Insurance Co. wrote slave policies. John McCain revealed his family tree is rooted in slavery.

Why does America acknowledge inhumane acts against every nationality except Africans? It refuses to apologize for slavery, let alone pay reparations. History shows the law made it legal to own Africans. The Church soothed slaveowners' conscious by justifying African enslavement. Even poor whites could bid for Africans at auction. Like the super-rich European nations, U.S. wealth can be traced to slavery, which lasted so long because it had the government's blessing.

Lynching parties were a family pastime sanctioned by the government. James Allen's Without Sanctuary is a powerful piece on American history; it exposes the depth of racism and hatred of the Europeans that gathered for lynching parties. They posed for pictures with the lynched victims and sent them to relatives and friends. From the 1800's until around 1944, there were some 4000 lynchings. Where is the justice for them and compensation for the slave labor provided by Africans?

When you switch the dates from the 1800s to 2000s, little changed for Africans in America. The murders of Amadou Diallo, Tyisha Miller, Timothy Wilson, Carol Kern and some 2000 others by government agents attest to a lack of change. I can only imagine the depth of my ancestors' fears in a land where there is no sanctuary, no escape from the evils of racism, except through death. However, I do know how I feel today. This same environment exists as we enter the 21st Century, and I feel there is no sanctuary, no avenue to petition for justice. How can a people that massacred a nation of people to steal their land, invade another country, kidnap its people and enslave them on the stolen land and have no respect for Mother Earth be expected to render justice for all? (See pictures of the lynching at http://www.journale.com/withoutsanctuary/main.html)

About Me: I'm always speech-less when sistas/brothas ask for a bio, because I do not know what to really say about what I do, because it just seems like breathing to me; it is natural. I deal with the prison struggle, volunteer in an alternative school, assist sistas/brothas in the struggle and I co-own KCBLR 91.1FM.

Hightower Grilled by FBI

 The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) feeds a rumor that Fulton County Commissioner Michael Hightower is under investigation. Based on what it printed, the AJC knows FBI agents questioned Hightower. The AJC does not know on what or why they drilled him. Atlanta observers speculate it is corruption. With Hightower quiet, the rumor spreads to include Mitch Skandalakis, former chairman of the Fulton County Commission. Hightower is known as Skandalakis' boy. It is hard to believe he is the only one under investigation for corruption, which seems rampant based on casual observations of bond funding and contracting. Something is surely amiss. Without an independent audit, we will never know WHERE=S THE MONEY? Atlanta is a microcosm of America; taxpayers are robbed to benefit a few special interests and whites controlling the purse strings. With corruption rampant, more than Hightower must be grilled to end it!

by John Burl Smith

Obscuring the real reason for its talk of balancing the budget, MARTA's board proposed a 25-cent increase. Like a vacuum cleaner, MARTA sucks DeKalb and Fulton Counties dry providing North Georgia public transportation. According to its finance officials, "they must raise fares to pay for increased costs of opening two stations in Sandy Springs." Since GRTA stuck its straw into MARTA, its new role is extending rail service to counties that refuse to pay MARTA's 1-cent sales tax.

Plugging this funnel, Fulton County Chairman Mike Kenn, plans to block a contract extending MARTA's rail system to Cobb and Douglas Counties, which do not pay the MARTA sales tax. Kenn said he is "protesting the county's unequal burden of paying for the transit agency and Grady Memorial Hospital." This unequal burden is taxation without representation. Kenn demands that "the legislature pays for MARTA," since GRTA runs it and Gov. Barnes has stacked MARTA's Board with state officials to ensure he gets his way.

However, the bombshell of the week came when Rep. Mike Snow, vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee said, "Georgia's constitution prohibits the state from funding MARTA's operations, and I can't foresee the state ever funding MARTA." Hot under the collar because someone spoke up in Atlanta, Snow snorted, he "does not take kindly to Kenn's attempt to use the MARTA contract as leverage because the General Assembly is controlled by rural Georgia."

This controversy illustrates why the Confederate emblem in Georgia's flag is so important to Barnes and his cronies. It symbolizes the "good ol' boy red neck mentality" that arrogantly runs Georgia. After extending the MARTA tax on DeKalb and Fulton County until 2047, using bond issues tied to the tax to pay for all kinds of commercial developments and taking it over as the regional transportation network, we find out the state's constitution prohibits it from paying the cost. How is that equality? Barnes and the state legislature are committed to sponging off DeKalb and Fulton counties, like they did in creating sprawl. Barnes' GRTA vacuum bag has blown up in his face, because taking control of local authorities under such circumstances without a local referendum is unconstitutional. Barnes' great train robbery will siphon MARTA funds to develop north Georgia and leave DeKalb and Fulton sucking empty udders. (Vol. 5 No 34) John 2000

Intuit=s Weekly Vibe

Cleopatra, Who Taught You Game?

by Yohannes Sharriff Smith

Men are so simple.

While lustfully weighing upon this physique,

Such heavy eyes watch my body.

Nature spins gentle a deadly web.

Hunters helplessly enchanted with fantasy,

Poor lambs lie intoxicated and confused,

Consumed as I exaggerate language skillfully.

Moon glistening ebony skin

Draws them deeper into my feminine loom.

This siren plays heartstrings in her parlor room.

Soft eye contact and they melt. Effortlessly,

Phrases flow fluid from mother's hips to my lips,

Ringing in their ears. Africa laughs a lullaby,

As sleepy lashes caress my breast,

Watering mouths long to suckle erect nipples

Swimming endlessly in the fathoms of my seas,

I cast them as ships never to reach their destiny.

Men, such entertaining creatures

 Swooping down like a Tuskegee Airman to host the premiere of Nen Savoir's Spoken Word Is, the mad bomber of truth, Yohannes Sharriff Smith, lit up Café Taste. Saturday's soiree included a documentary, which features some of the hottest artists in the ATL Vibe. Flying cover for performers like Wanda Jean, Aqiyl, Drez the Beatnic, Starr and Sapphire, the mad bomber mesmerized the spot with Ease On. Produced by, Ayanna Salisbury, Nzinga Akemp and Felicia Moore, the film showcased some of the artists that have elevated spoken word from the shadows into the most vibrant black expression on the entertainment scene today.

 Kudos to Fulton County Chairman Mike Kenn; he took the heat and refused to retreat from Gov. Barnes and the legislature. Kenn is under vicious attack for opposing their effort to suck DeKalb and Fulton County citizens dry paying for the regional transportation plan with the MARTA sales tax. An instance replay of sprawl's creation, Kenn is the only official with enough balls to oppose the parasitic practice. Georgia needs real fighters. Welcome to the fray Mike.

New York Garbage in South DeKalb

 Environmental racism rears its ugly head again. Adding insult to the injury to our community by all the waste facilities, now we are the likely recipients of New York garbage. Hickory Ridge is contracting with New York to dispose of its waste. Hickory Ridge, Live Oak and Seminole Landfills are in South DeKalb. We are told nothing we do will keep New York's garbage out of our back yards. Imagine this happened in Cobb or Gwinnett Counties? Elected officials would do something or get booted from office. In response to this environmental racism, our representatives are doing what they did all the other times this subject came up, which is why we have so many landfills and other funk factories nearby.

Foreclosures: Sucking >Em Dry

Predatory practices prevent black wealth accumulation. Bloodsuckers stalk our community talking debt consolidation. Burdened by high interest debt, some substituted unsecured credit card debt for secured debt backed by home equity. Debts and Clinton/Gore downsizing put many at risk. Forced into bankruptcy, lawyers steered them to Chapter 13, rather than Chapter 7. Under 13, failure to make monthly payments leads to foreclosure. Predatory practices create homelessness.

Ironically, those engaged in predatory practices are arms of reputable establishments. Like Aetna, which sold slave insurance policies, the credit and equity industries rob African Americans. In majority black DeKalb, foreclosures are the highest in the nation as black wealth is sucked away through predatory practices, taxes, fines, fees and criminalization.

Soapstone: Line-Dancing South DeKalb

 Funding for the arts in South DeKalb is dismal. The majority black area subsidizes amenities in the northern end of the county. Our representatives acquiesce or are bought with the funding for south DeKalb arts outreach. When asked about the now defunct Soapstone Arts Center, which the county no longer funds, all anyone can remember is "line-dancing." After funds to support the center were cut-off, those seeking arts grant money were given a one-day notice about the availability of these funds. No explanation of Soapstone's dismal history has been provided. South DeKalb got soaked with soap; somebody got rich. As funding for Soapstone goes to the same people who gave us line-dancing, the duping continues.

Residents want to know, what happened to plans and the money to turn the Mathis Dairy property into an arts center for the area? Ironically, the hottest art form in the Atlanta area, which includes DeKalb, is spoken word, yet it is overlooked in the funding, promotion and support for the arts in our community.

DeKalb Property Tax Increase

For years, DeKalb passed property tax increases through higher property appraisals. Higher property appraisals mean a larger tax digest on which to assess taxes. If the millage rate is not lowered, the county collects more taxes, i.e., a tax increase. Without fanfare since residents receive little notice, DeKalb raises taxes. This time more homeowners, as well as commercial property owners, appealed the higher appraisals. More will object to the higher tax bills they will receive, if there is no millage rollback. Concerned homeowners demand an end to these underhanded tax increases. You are urged to make your voices heard.

Final opportunities to do so are June 6 at 6:30 PM, Jury Assembly Room, DeKalb County Courthouse and June 13 at 10:30 AM in the Maloof Auditorium during the regular Board of Commissioners meeting. If you cannot be there, telephone, write, fax, email your views to the Board of Commissioners or contact CEO Liane Levetan; she can be reached at 404-371-2881 or via fax at 404-371-3244.

Disgruntled says: Beware! House niggers will talk diversity during congressional reapportionment. If successful, their efforts will dilute black voting strength.

 Disgruntled feels: hypocrisy is compassionate conservatism.

 Disgruntled wants to know: Ted Turner is the John Rocker godfather. Known for making racist remarks, will he become a blazing hypocrite like George Wallace to save his role in AOL/Time-Warner?

Bush Addresses Graduates

 "Bush Addresses College Graduates," by Mark Babineck of the Associated Press provides examples of Bush's eloquence, which validate our assessment, i.e., the man cannot string together two sentences that make sense. "Bigotry and intolerance are unworthy of our country, because they go against our country's creed - the worth of every person as an individual. The worth of an individual is measured by our hearts and our souls and our potential. We are measured by how we live our lives and how we treat others." Email: HCCHAPS@aol.com

Gore a Boar

Great grandfather Burl Lee called those who believe slaves' descendants could achieve equality in America "bootlickers." He compared America to a sow with too few teats and blacks the runt of the litter. The runt gets a chance to suckle only when one of the fat piglets gouges itself and becomes dislodged from the udder due to jostling to get comfortable. Because of its small size and getting bumped off by the jostling, the runt is prevented from getting its fill. If it survives it will always get pushed around by bigger hogs.

Al Gore approaches issues and policies with a "bootlicker" perspective. Gore thinks it is equality to subsume blacks under social security, patient's bill of rights, gun control, tax credits and the like. He does not see slavery as the root cause of America's problems. Gore does not identify with the dialogue on race, repealing the 3/5 compromise Article 1 Section 2 of the Constitution, reparations, or any thing that addresses the basic socioeconomic and political inequalities, which have existed since slavery. Clinton/Gore are the boars doing the jostling.

Agricultural Adjustment Administration

 In 1933, Congress created the AAA; it provided benefit payments to farmers for cutting production. Funds for the payments came from taxes on processing, such as milling wheat. By taxing products made from wheat, consumers indirectly paid farmers to produce less.

AAA was supposed to bring farm prices into "parity" - the same price relationship of farm products to manufactured goods. Hard to imagine peanuts on a par with a car, but it has not stopped peanut farmers, aided by government subsidies, from trying and with some degree of success given the price of peanuts.

Marginal and small farmers suffered under AAA. It dispossessed many as farmers cut production, evicted tenants and fired field hands. Unintentionally, it aided migration from sharecropping cabins.

In 1936, the Supreme Court held it was unconstitutional to regulate farm production and impose a tax for that purpose. Congress responded with the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, which paid farmers to leave land uncultivated. Landowners were required to share payments with tenants and sharecroppers. Blacks received little, if anything.

The Agriculture Adjustment Act of 1938 provided for soil conservation payments, quotas, export subsidies and crop loans. Farm surpluses were stored, a vital asset for feeding allies during wars. It created the Surplus Marketing Administration to channel surpluses to needy persons and provide for school lunches. As late as the 1950s, no lunches were provided for black children.

 Mark Twain wrote, "It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctively native American criminal class except Congress." From our mailbag comes the statistics to prove it. "If you have already seen this I apologize, however today's social conditions are a product of this leadership and a reminder of the oh so ethical founding fathers. The following company has a little over 500 employees with the following statistics: 29 have been accused of spousal abuse, 7 have been arrested for fraud, 19 have been accused of writing bad checks, 117 have bankrupted at least two businesses, 3 have been arrested for assault, 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit, 14 have been arrested on drug related charges, 8 have been arrested for shoplifting, 21 are current defendants in lawsuits. In 1998 alone, 84 were stopped for drunk driving. Can you guess which organization this is? Give up? It is the 535 member of our United States Congress. The same group that perpetually cranks out hundreds upon hundreds of new laws designed to keep the rest of us in line. God bless the USA!" Email from Jocelyn.

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