With the Presidential election campaign gearing up, prepare yourself for the onslaught of differing political campaigns across the nation as well. It’s going to be a long election season.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (D), has found herself the target of an new viral ad that has Democrats across the board crying foul. Spearheaded by a new conservative group called “Turn Right USA,” the ad features a multitude of inflammatory depictions, including two African American men portraying “gangstas,” a blonde Caucasian woman (Councilwoman Hahn is a blonde as well) dancing upon a stripper pole, and uses the lyrics ”Give me your cash, bitch, so we can shoot up the street. Give me your cash, bitch, so we can buy some more heat.”
Hahn has received criticism from some, for employing former gang members to participate in gang intervention programs within the Los Angeles community. An area notorious for its difficulties with gang violence.
While the ad is a blatant example of both racism and sexism, those responsible are already scurrying behind the shield of free speech.
While some on the right have accused Hahn of “paying gang members off” I can’t help but wonder what we should call those who “pay lobbyists, oil companies, and Wall Street off.”
Oh yea..we call them Congress.
#PureFuckery
There seems to be a level of denial that is sweeping the nation.
Oscar Grant: Revisited
UPDATE: I originally published this in 2009 directly after this event occured. To date the officer in question was convicted and has since been released after serving less than a year in a Los Angeles prison. It has been noted that Michael Vick served more time for the death of an animal, than this officer served for the death of a man. He has already received job offers. #PureFuckery
On New Year’s Day the city of Oakland, California was once again reminded of why it holds the dubious title of the 5th Most Dangerous City in America. However; while many may be quick to write it off as another infamous example of the much hyped “Black on Black” crime, it must be noted that this is not the case. The victim, 22 year old Oscar Grant, was murdered by a police officer. Considering a new study has found that 98% of emergency room doctors suspect that some of their patients have been subject to police brutality, yet less than half of that report it. It makes one wonder just how many more “Oscars” have suffered the same fate.
In the early morning hours of the New Year a fight broke out on a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, i.e. the Bay Area’s version of a subway) train bound for Dublin. After arriving on the scene, police grabbed individuals off at the Fruitvale station in order to calm the situation down and obtain the full story of what had actually occured. Reports differ as to whether or not the right people were apprehended, but needless to say Oscar Grant was among the group that was detained. Laid face down on the pavement with his hands handcuffed behind, a friend and witness recalled how he implored for his safety, referring to the fact that he was the father of a 4-yr-old little girl. Moments later he was shot two times in the back as a police officer, (later identifed as Johannes Mehserle) stood over him.
Grant would later die as a result of his injuries.
To date the officer has resigned, but has gone under police protection and has refused to talk about the incident; and no charges have been made.
Amazingly, it was all caught on tape.
My purpose of this is to implore the youth to take a stand. I myself feel a personal connection because this occured in my hometown, yet as I type this from Houston, many here can recall yet another recent display of police brutality that occured in Bellaire. Though rioting, as they did in my hometown last night, may not be the answer; something must be done. We are often written off as the apathetic generation..this is our chance to prove them wrong. I find it odd that outside of the Bay Area no national media coverage has been issued, thus I implore you, if nothing else, to get the word out.