Hip-Hopping Europe

By John Burl Smith

The Atlanta Vibe begins 2003 with terrific news for international spoken word fans. Smooth As Kappacino, Inc. is promoting Yohannes Sharriff Smith in his first European tour. Considered the "Best All-Around Poet 2002 by his peers, Yohannes and seven poets will depart Philadelphia January 19, 2003. According to tour coordinator Phyllis Scott, the first "war of words" tour will open with two shows in London, England on the 20th. These globetrotting Poets for Peace follow the tradition of ex-patriots Josephine Baker, Memphis Slim, Richard Wright, Ida B. Wells, Paul Roberson, James Baldwin and Miles Davis.

Rekindling the flames of almost 80 years, this hip-hop troupe will share love with fans in France, Germany and Italy. Emblematic of Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell and Pablo Picasso's fight for justice and freedom in the Spanish Civil War, they will join sisters and brothers across Europe speaking out about the millions of innocent children who are dying in the Middle East and will die in a war against Iraq.

Hoping to make his first European tour a memorable occasion, Yohannes will debut his first solo compact disc (CD) "Cosmic Possibilities of Father Time." Having collaborated on several CD projects, including Moore Epic Slam Team 2002 and Urban Soul Fire's "Southern Thang," this solo project brings together all the diverse influences, which shaped Yohannes' art. Expanding themes from T.H.I.N.C. (Teaching Humanity In New Consciousness): The Chrysalis of Evolution, his first book, Yohannes' poems/songs offer consciousness as the alternative to the gangsterism, violence and hatred that have returned to dominate the world.

Responding to questions from The DISH, Yohannes gave the 411 on his new joint. From what you have learned the last six years performing with the Atlanta Vibe, why now for a CD? "Well a solo CD is something I have always wanted to do, but the trick has been how to maximize its impact? This European tour became the perfect vehicle." What messages in this CD you want listeners to hear? "God is everywhere, in all things and not to get caught up with illusion, because each break is an opportunity for rebirth." Why do you feel debuting this CD in Europe will get those messages across? "It is a chance for two different cultures to dialogue and vibe face-to-face without the media's propaganda to obscure the truth all people share." How do you see this tour impacting the problems you talk about in your poetry? "My hope is to bring people together around the things that unite humanity. I want to unite the haves and the have-nots in a celebration of mutual caring and sharing, not war!" Atlanta Vibe Homepage

Exporting Exploitation

The United States, international financial institutions and Europe were identified in separate reports as partly responsible for the famine in Africa. Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy and the United Nations, charged the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), backed by US muscle, with exacerbating African hunger through programs that fatten the coffers of multinational corporations at the expense of poor people.

IMF/WB economic structural adjustment plans force indebted nations to pay down debt by cutting services for their citizens, exporting crops, dismantling crop reserves and devaluing their currencies. The reports condemned the US for causing the hardship then providing aid that amounts to a de facto means of product support for US farmers. Europe and the US keep Africans in poverty by perpetuating a system of closed markets and heavily subsidized agriculture. Hood Notes Homepage

I am the Speaker

By Yohannes Sharriff Smith

Lost and found my mind at the same time

The divine pain drives my thoughts.

Could never be contained

by sixteen bars or a city of asphalt.

Shifting like the aurora borealis doing somersaults

Bright flashes of color across my third

Engulfed in the word, I supplant my staff into the earth

The heavens part and pour the fullness of God through my pen.

And, it's a heartbeat, a thunderous rhythm

For I am the speaker

Pushing 100,000 watts of word sound power

hypnotic and unforgettable, unrelenting and immeasurable

I am the speaker

Black women amplify the force of my vibration

Altering creation each wave of the DJ's hand

Orbiting the party like the moon

Music mystically manipulating your mood

It's the meter, alliteration

And, the use of onomatopoeia

Boom! When the base drops into the pot

we slang rock and bang cock until hot

enough to dim a sunspot through hip hop

explain plots to stop progressive blacks Ops

Like Pac getting popped, riots started by cops

and CIA drug traffic through Watts

and the Oscar goes to the APD (Atlanta Police Department)

For the best supporting role

in the drama unfolding on my block

From the Dec (Decatur) to the S.W.A.T. (SW Atlanta)

it lingers in the shadows, curled in corners

lining alleyways, cracks, crevices and curves

tightly wound around the shaded limbs

Of old oak trees, beautifully knotted by life

I am the speaker

On my street on this block soaked in pain

there rests a heavy burden laden with misery

A spiritual penitentiary

A vortex of pain pulsates at the pace

of the heartache or heart disease

as it animates the lean of the homes

and the people who move like ghostly apparitions

Never realizing that heaven resides within

Where I live, poisoned and imprisoned

carcasses, once air borne sparrows, line the sidewalk

Sly talk cause the straight and narrow are bent

No longer rose-tinted more a shit-colored chartreuse

Announced by the sound of Dr. Seuss on a flute

playing strange fruit; Trent Lott makes BET news

for saying what most redneck crackers

want to and do say on the daily; I am the speaker

Sat on the same stoop as the spook

Who said spades are drowning with every shallow breath

But, stay ready to wild

cause he got an extra deuce in the suit

I am living proof; P-funk said it best

we can dance underwater and not get wet

yet, they keep asking why

thugs feel the need to bring heat

And, I say most thugs would rather there be peace

But, if it's war you bring, then war will be

under the threat of billy clubs, dogs, fire hose,

poverty, drugs, Co-Intel-Pro, unemployment, unjust laws,

false imprisonment, homeless and hungry in the land of plenty

Bought into the lie; Satan Claus came down the chimney

But, no he came from Germany,

As soldiers posing as Jews who moved into Palestine

He came as German generals who fled to the West

And developed the CIA and its operatives

He came as the grandson of the Bushes

Who financially backed Hitler

And helped Nazis escape to America

to continue their agenda

And, if the true Jews are African

then America is one big concentration camp.

And, I am the speaker

Built by God to weather any storm

Able to perform my sworn duties

Without a Mic, pulpit, podium or bullhorn

God is the platform; At the corner store

With the scholars scripting folklore

So hard, the poetry pours down in sheets

The thunder sounds like exploding artillery

The backup generator just kicked in auxiliary power

In search of shelter from the hell shower

Amir puts his arms around the children

Protecting them from brimstone

We black men stand strong

And connect like hand to drum

To be the link in the chain for our daughters and sons

Cause this river of blood runs so swift

People, homes and whole civilization ripped

from their foundation and set adrift

But, I am the speaker, town crier,

whistle-blower, pied piper

friendly neighborhood reminder of the timeless beat

Africa is Eden...Echoing from my lips

Drawing the sublime sorrow so surreal

Like Basque in Salvador kicking it with Dali

on a Harley with Gandhi

Bartering with locals on our way to see Somali

Rose after the Sabbath to do a show with Bob Marley

Sailing the seven seas

on the Black Star with Marcus Garvey

More than probably carving the unseen out of reality

I am the speaker, so you cannot stop or retard me

You ain't even black enough to carbon copy

You cannot abstract the heart from my artistry

starve or condense my vision into microfiche

card catalog my style

Or lock my truth in Vatican vaults

The lie you will not bury time

Under the radar we come

beyond the scope of man's law

In the interest of Pan-African national security

The spirit employs the speaker

Able to reach the people and reveal God in surround

pushing 100,000 watts of word sound

I am the speaker

Intuit's Homepage

Thomas Robert Malthus (1766-1834

 English clergyman Thomas Malthus is best known for his Essay on the Principle of Population (1798 and 1803) and Principles of Political Economy (1820). Malthus argued that a region's population tends to grow faster than its food supply, unless checked by famine, pestilence and/or war. While not the originator of this pessimistic doctrine, it became known as Malthusian theory. Embraced by the upper class, Malthus pessimism dampened charitable giving for decades in England and gave Charles Darwin and A. R.Wallace a vital clue in setting forth the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Three factors influenced Malthus' theory. In 1790, England had to import food; prices rose noticeably. England became more urbanized as factory production replaced production in the home; the misery of the lower-income classes became more evident. William Godwin, father of philosophical anarchism, blamed government for the misery and vice plaguing the world. Unlike utopian writers like Godwin, Malthus argued that changing social and political institutions would not rid the world of evil.

Classical economists, Adam Smith, David Ricardo and others, used Malthus' population theory to argue the futility of attempts to improve the economic welfare of the low-income masses. Simultaneously, classical economists accepted Say's Law. French economist J.B. Say (1767-1832) theorized that a capitalist system automatically provides full employment of its resources and high rates of economic growth. Although Malthus argued against Say's Law, i.e., "supply creates its own demand," it ruled economic thinking until the Great Depression of the 1930s. John Maynard Keynes' macroeconomic theory revived Malthus' arguments against the classical assumption of full employment equilibrium. Keynes recommended deficit spending by the government to augment insufficient demand in the private sector. History Homepage

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro was rudely awakened early on Tuesday; the vacation is over. When quizzed for comments, the Dark One/Ninja/Zorro thought for a moment and then, as if seized by inspiration, suggested, "Let's do the holiday again!" Back to the Cave

On Year Six

By Dot

This issue launches our sixth year as the only international e-magazine dedicated to the dialogue on race. Conceived out of a need to expose the harsh realities of institutionalized racism on the ground in the United States of America, The DISH has matured into a vehicle for the voiceless throughout the Diaspora.

The DISH editorial staff encourages our readers to become active dialogue participants. International safety and security require each of us to vocally oppose and physically resist the propaganda of hypocrites who claim war is an instrument of peace. Historically, wars have been used for economic gain and to control undesirable populations. The upper classes start wars, but the lower class do the dying. Until the rich man the battlefields, the poor should stop the senseless killing.

In response to readers' requests, our on-line header will contain a table of contents. Bear with us; it is a work in progress. Again, The DISH would like to thank those who expressed gratitude for what we do throughout the year. To you and yours, peace and love! DISHing It Up Hot! Homepage

By John Burl Smith

CNN's year-end look at sports covered football, golf, cycling, basketball, etc., but nothing was said about tennis. This begs the question, "Was this blind spot caused by the brightest spot in tennis' black hole?

Changing the color of everything, Serena Williams wielded her tennis racket like a light saber in 2002. Vanquishing all contenders, the sports world pretends not to notice that Serena is as stunning as she is spectacular. Proportionally across sports, Serena's performance was equivalent to winning the Triple Crown in baseball, the America's Cup in Yachting or both NASCAR and the Indy Series. In past years, because such performances usually only occurred once in a lifetime, the recipient was awarded, Athlete of the Year.

An also ran in 2001, Sports commentators failed to appreciate the fact that Serena began the year charging uphill trying to catch players who gathered points sliding downhill. An injury before the Australian Open sent Serena tumbling like Jill. However, once righted, she was unbeaten in Grand Slam play with victories in the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open. Serena exploded with an amazing 56-5 WTA won/loss record. Collecting titles at the State Farm Classic, Italian Open, NASDAQ 100 Open, Princess Cup and Sparkassen Cup in only thirteen matches was truly astounding. Atop the summit at number one, Serena amassed 6,080 points- 940 points ahead of her nearest rival sister Venus.

In just her seventh year on the tour, commentators seemed oblivious of the fact, no other athlete faced the mountainous challenges Serena braved. A cut-direct, sports image-makers saw her only through the glow of gender, not athleticism. Talking heads could not comparatively evaluate Serena on the basis of skills, mental toughness, consistency and discipline required of any athlete trying to sustain a championship performance. No damsel in distress, yet vulnerable, Serena displayed tremendous courage, concentration and confidence. Exemplifying qualities that are standards for champions, Serena was relentless. A ferocious competitor, quicker than a cat and three times as deadly, the "fashion feline" was the most dominate champion in any sports in 2002.

Let us be honest, Serena is a victim of the same chauvinist racist mind-set that dominates at the Masters, the Augusta National Golf Course, the government, churches and most institutions in the USA. Uninvited to the White House, Serena's treatment reflects the 3/5 Compromise attitude that says "to give a black person their just dessert deprives some white person." There is always a white person that can benefit more.

The bottom line is the color line has always blocked the spotlight from shining on dark skinned women. A powerful dark African beauty, whites' prejudice and discrimination will not allow Serena to bask in the glamour and adulation heaped on white girls with far less talent and fewer accomplishments.

Demanding she hide her light under a bushel basket, the marketing claim is Serena's dark hue is a hindrance to her acceptance. Therefore, regardless of her talent and success, she must de-emphasize, minimize and downplay her natural black beauty. An effective counter to this myth is, most men, blacks in particular, saw Serena in her cat suit, as a statement of confidence in her true beauty and independence backed up by talent and intelligence. Athlete of the Year, Woman of the Year and Person of the Year, Serena proved on all levels that Black is Beautiful! Other Essays by John Burl Smith

Disgruntled says: As the cost of natural gas consumes more of disposable incomes, Georgians and others across the USA regret its deregulation, a scheme that enriches corporate crooks, like Enron, and politicians. Using our tax-funded pipelines and infrastructure, gas marketers overcharge for this essential energy source for winter home heating. If you live in a region where politicians are pushing privatization of water and/or other essential services and resources, beware!

Disgruntled wants to know: Good strategists know, the best offense is a good defense! Before George Bush released details of his economic stimulus package, Republican talking heads criticized prospective opponents for waging class warfare. Bush's plan favors the upper income class and is questionable in terms of stimulating economic growth. What exactly does one call the redistribution of income from the bottom up?

Disgruntled feels: Supply-side! Dubya did the unthinkable. Bucking tradition, he jawboned down the economy to justify a $1.35 trillion dollar tax cut. With a growing national debt of $6.4 trillion, deficits as far into the future as analysts can calculate, costly warmongering and defense spending, jaws will drop on realizing the real axis of evil is supply-side economics. More Disgruntled Moments

THINC  || 2002 Issues || The DISH