The 'Ville. The 1's and the 2's. The affordable apartment complex turned drug thoroughfare turned prevalence of poverty in three tumultuous decades. Unfortunately, the fact Essex has produced some of Richmond's best scholars, athletes, and politicians is vastly overshadowed by the notion of this neighborhood being one of danger and desperation. This is the spot where the Henrico PD resides in a No. 2 apartment like an elderly woman who only comes outside for mail, grocery, and laundry mat runs. It's here where the social assistance companies prey on families' misfortunes; helping [Medicaid only] children for a few weeks; but labeling them for a lifetime. This was the 'hood where a woman allowed her child to wander on the grassy medium on Laburnum Avenue while she enjoyed a night on the town some months ago. And it's where if a violent crime happens in Henrico, it's a pretty good chance it happens here. Speaking of violence, it is no stranger to this complex; with countless mothers experiencing the pain of losing a son or daughter to the unforgiving community, either by chance or by preparation. The following is a perspective on a story of the hurting.
A friend of mine, who is a persistent community activist (living in a Richmond 'hood but representing 'hoods region wide), stopped by my office Monday so we could catch up with each other about our work and other things. During our conversation she updated me on the end of the trial to convict the murderer of her oldest son. Despite over 20 witness of the killing in an Essex Village breezeway, the Henrico judge determined that there wasn't enough evidence to convict the accused of murder or conspiracy. The folks that gave testimony, the documentation of the seemingly unwarranted chase that the accused led police on, the cell phone conversations concerning the victim, it wasn't enough. As the friend was telling me the events of the trial, I pulled up the news report on the incident to follow along with her. There were obvious parallels and the reporter did an excellent job of capturing the character of this broken but resilient mother. Yet there were things that were crystal clear to me that her words and his ink didn't capture.
A snack for thought. When thinking about governments and other similarly structured organizations, there are times where I tend to side with the "everybody has an agenda" theory; which loosely implies a significant level of selfishness drives the decisions that affect others. This theory takes into account that the events that occur, regardless of how traumatic or menial, whoever is in control or in charge will make their choice of action based on their best interest. This is one of those times. It seems to me, based on the information I have received from reports and my friend, that convicting the alleged offender was not on the agenda of the county for various reasons. To protect the innocent, the guilty, the lazy, and the unconcerned I won't go further on that.
The other thing that I hope doesn't get lost in this is that illegal drugs of all types have the potential to bring sudden death aside from direct usage of the drug. My friend acknowledges that her son had some minor dealings in the marijuana trade, and it was reported that those minor dealings and a warm personality may have garnered some jealously from a few Essex residents, which more than likely lead to the execution-style shooting. Particularly in these days with the black media machine perpetuating the glory of the drug trade, coupled with the economic assumptions (and in some cases truths) of this country, too much of our youth are attracted to this line of work. Sadly, the harsh reality that includes 24 hour shifts, mistrust, paranoia, and envy consumes the participants until they hit one of the two eventual paths. And in this case, while the motive for death is somewhat hazy, the fact remains that drugs were involved on some level.
So what our governments and legal systems fail us, they were set up that way. We know that police choose to do only so much, but who can blame them? Still at some point we have to understand that we are not doing enough with regards to relative and practical education and care to not only save resources, but to enhance them. As my friend has eluded, we have allowed fear to seep into the very soul of our existence; where now it's common to call for injustice on social media and leave the fight there. Oddly, we have made a practice of skipping over working on the injustice and we are now embracing it. I understand we all have a different league that we can play in, but if everyone is in the stands, who's on the field?
As the cycle of pain continues, consider some move you may be able to make to persuade a good young person from walking into a hurtful place.
Peace
Posted by TJones at Thursday, October 06, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
WILL We Be Receptive To The "New Knowledge"?
I am always looking for ways to impact understanding and today I was impacted by something New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg said this morning on Meet The Press with David Gregory.
The exact phrase I do not have but what I am taking away from his discourse is the importance of teaching the "ability to absorb and I will go further and say implement new knowledge" in our everyday lives.
We say and ask questions everyday concerning relevance and a whole host of instructional statements about why this or that, but at the end of several days we must build upon acquiring new knowledge and how we use it not only in this global economy but this fast paced global economy.
I believe now more that ever that the currency for prosperity in this fast paced global economy is "Relevant Education... New Knowledge" if you will and its benefits.
We ask for change ... we demand change and then as change is happening we want to go back to this... "this is not what I am use to", "we have not done this before" or some other tired statement that entrenches stagnation.
It is imperative that we accept reality and do the best with what we have NOW.. not what we use to have or what we want to have.. the bird in the hand thingee....
The good thing about critical assessments rest with our REALITY PEOPLE.. JUST PLAIN OLE MATHAMETICAL REALITY.....
Tomorrow, noted author and professor Michelle Alexander will be in Richmond to lecture on her book "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness". I have not read the book as of yet but the shear title alone pierces my consciousness to the point of a must see event.
The question for me with the new knowledge aspect of her lecture is when given this critical assessment of facts, will we humble ourselves to accept the truth without judgement and work toward correcting the miscarriage of justice the seems to continue to play out in too many cycles for me.
I do not want another mother's son to feel compelled to take the life of another mother's son.
LET US BECOME AUTHENTIC and CONSISTENT IN OUR EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNTIES GOING FORWARD.
The exact phrase I do not have but what I am taking away from his discourse is the importance of teaching the "ability to absorb and I will go further and say implement new knowledge" in our everyday lives.
We say and ask questions everyday concerning relevance and a whole host of instructional statements about why this or that, but at the end of several days we must build upon acquiring new knowledge and how we use it not only in this global economy but this fast paced global economy.
I believe now more that ever that the currency for prosperity in this fast paced global economy is "Relevant Education... New Knowledge" if you will and its benefits.
We ask for change ... we demand change and then as change is happening we want to go back to this... "this is not what I am use to", "we have not done this before" or some other tired statement that entrenches stagnation.
It is imperative that we accept reality and do the best with what we have NOW.. not what we use to have or what we want to have.. the bird in the hand thingee....
The good thing about critical assessments rest with our REALITY PEOPLE.. JUST PLAIN OLE MATHAMETICAL REALITY.....
Tomorrow, noted author and professor Michelle Alexander will be in Richmond to lecture on her book "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness". I have not read the book as of yet but the shear title alone pierces my consciousness to the point of a must see event.
The question for me with the new knowledge aspect of her lecture is when given this critical assessment of facts, will we humble ourselves to accept the truth without judgement and work toward correcting the miscarriage of justice the seems to continue to play out in too many cycles for me.
I do not want another mother's son to feel compelled to take the life of another mother's son.
LET US BECOME AUTHENTIC and CONSISTENT IN OUR EFFORTS TO TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNTIES GOING FORWARD.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Priest-in-Chief - Ink Fruit
- from Terrance Jones' Ink Fruit Blog
Yesterday had to be a tough day to be a current or former commander-in-chief. National and global media outlets across the globe were tuning in to Manhattan to witness at least some portion of the memorial service of the victims who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I think it's fair to say that a large portion of the viewers, whether they were at Ground Zero, watching on television, or listening on the radio were a little anxious about how it was all going to go down for [encouraged] reasons. Former President George W. Bush most likely had a heart that weighed a ton as he looked over hundreds of onlookers and being aware that millions of others recognized that his Administration was stained with this horror. And the the current leader of the "free" world may have shared a similar burden; knowing that this was the America he inherited. Yet as I watched the openings of the ceremony, our president did something I found to be admirable.
Yesterday had to be a tough day to be a current or former commander-in-chief. National and global media outlets across the globe were tuning in to Manhattan to witness at least some portion of the memorial service of the victims who lost their lives in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I think it's fair to say that a large portion of the viewers, whether they were at Ground Zero, watching on television, or listening on the radio were a little anxious about how it was all going to go down for [encouraged] reasons. Former President George W. Bush most likely had a heart that weighed a ton as he looked over hundreds of onlookers and being aware that millions of others recognized that his Administration was stained with this horror. And the the current leader of the "free" world may have shared a similar burden; knowing that this was the America he inherited. Yet as I watched the openings of the ceremony, our president did something I found to be admirable.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Lessons in the Pen - From Terrance Jones' Ink Fruit
- from T. Jones
Growing up as a teacher's son, I can only lend to the experiences of a partial summer vacation from school when it comes to discussing summers as a kid. Most summers until I was in high school, and even a couple during Henrico High, I was required to be in some sort of educational enrichment program sponsored by either Henrico or Richmond Public schools; along with my mothers' own educational assignments that I had to complete before I did anything else (except chores of course). This is not to say that I didn't have great times in Chamberlayne as a young boy 'cross county lines during my months off, but Mrs. Jones made it very clear that education was vital; coupled with the theme that the school systems' teaching is only 50% of the game. Because of this in the forefront of my thoughts, I see some advantages to most of the United States removing yet another traditional education staple.
Growing up as a teacher's son, I can only lend to the experiences of a partial summer vacation from school when it comes to discussing summers as a kid. Most summers until I was in high school, and even a couple during Henrico High, I was required to be in some sort of educational enrichment program sponsored by either Henrico or Richmond Public schools; along with my mothers' own educational assignments that I had to complete before I did anything else (except chores of course). This is not to say that I didn't have great times in Chamberlayne as a young boy 'cross county lines during my months off, but Mrs. Jones made it very clear that education was vital; coupled with the theme that the school systems' teaching is only 50% of the game. Because of this in the forefront of my thoughts, I see some advantages to most of the United States removing yet another traditional education staple.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
From T. Jones Ink Fruit - Believe There Will Be War
-from T. Jones
Something that has been pretty amusing to me over the last 4 or 5 years is the notion that Brooklyn-based MC Jay-Z is the devil, Illuminati, even the anti-Christ. The first humorous thing about this is that our people saw Jay-Z as that important. Another point of chuckle revealed to me is that it's obvious many people who hold this opinion haven't been listening to him over the past 15 years; and might be making these outrageous accusations based on his recent popularity and visual presence. Actually, Jay Z has been denouncing God and Christ since his first major release in 1996 titled Reasonable Doubt ("and even if Jehovah witness bet He'll never testify" - Da Evils) and every album since. Yet because he didn't have MTV and later BET fame, few people noticed or cared. Still with those lyrics and countless others, we can only assume he really feels that way, as there is a possibility that he may be referring to the millions who practice this lifestyle by actively refusing the Lord (those of and not of the church). But as the cliche's go, MCs are reporters of the affairs of the 'hood. And with the globalization of hip-hop, they are now reporters of the affairs of the planets' general public. And I think we have to give it to the New York native that nicknamed himself one of the names of the Lord (Jay Hova) for pointing out once again the spiritual struggles of mankind; black or white, rich or poor--even if he is talking about his own issue.
Something that has been pretty amusing to me over the last 4 or 5 years is the notion that Brooklyn-based MC Jay-Z is the devil, Illuminati, even the anti-Christ. The first humorous thing about this is that our people saw Jay-Z as that important. Another point of chuckle revealed to me is that it's obvious many people who hold this opinion haven't been listening to him over the past 15 years; and might be making these outrageous accusations based on his recent popularity and visual presence. Actually, Jay Z has been denouncing God and Christ since his first major release in 1996 titled Reasonable Doubt ("and even if Jehovah witness bet He'll never testify" - Da Evils) and every album since. Yet because he didn't have MTV and later BET fame, few people noticed or cared. Still with those lyrics and countless others, we can only assume he really feels that way, as there is a possibility that he may be referring to the millions who practice this lifestyle by actively refusing the Lord (those of and not of the church). But as the cliche's go, MCs are reporters of the affairs of the 'hood. And with the globalization of hip-hop, they are now reporters of the affairs of the planets' general public. And I think we have to give it to the New York native that nicknamed himself one of the names of the Lord (Jay Hova) for pointing out once again the spiritual struggles of mankind; black or white, rich or poor--even if he is talking about his own issue.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Whole Whopper - from Ink Fruit
-from T. Jones' Ink Fruit blog
Convenience has reared it's ugly head again so I will keep this one short as possible (be quiet mom).
Many of you may have gotten an email (or a version of it) titled 'Calling All Prayer Warriors'. In a nutshell, its theme is suggesting that President Obama is getting verbally pummeled by Republican and Tea Party members and fans on an unprecedented basis because he is African-American. The email encourages all Christians to lift the President up in prayer to ask God to strengthen him in this matter, so that brother Barak may prevail through this, and that ultimately God's Will may be done. It lastly charges us to go into a period of fasting and prayer for the President in this extremely difficult period of his life. I fully agree that now is a good time to collectively intercede for the United States leader. Frankly, I don't remember when there wasn't a time to do this. But still, something is being left out.
Convenience has reared it's ugly head again so I will keep this one short as possible (be quiet mom).
Many of you may have gotten an email (or a version of it) titled 'Calling All Prayer Warriors'. In a nutshell, its theme is suggesting that President Obama is getting verbally pummeled by Republican and Tea Party members and fans on an unprecedented basis because he is African-American. The email encourages all Christians to lift the President up in prayer to ask God to strengthen him in this matter, so that brother Barak may prevail through this, and that ultimately God's Will may be done. It lastly charges us to go into a period of fasting and prayer for the President in this extremely difficult period of his life. I fully agree that now is a good time to collectively intercede for the United States leader. Frankly, I don't remember when there wasn't a time to do this. But still, something is being left out.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Get Real This Time - Terrance Jones
from Ink Fruit
Several African American media markets that I have given my attention to (Richmond Free Press, the Voice, black social media, etc.) are buzzing about the onslaught that the Republican party and its allies are giving the Democrats; or more specifically, President Barak Obama, over the ever present national debt situation. For some reason, these writers, commentators, and others are appalled that the opposing political party would have the audacity to cultivate and magnify the current American financial crisis so it can be a rock-solid political platform against the incumbent president (of rival party status). As if this tactic has never been used in politics on any level before, they can't believe that someone would bring up an issue that has secretly plagued the stability of "the greatest nation on earth" for decades when the white politicians never mentioned it; even as they were perpetuating the problem. Therefore, because of the overwhelming prevalence of misguided opinions from very intelligent people, peep game...
Several African American media markets that I have given my attention to (Richmond Free Press, the Voice, black social media, etc.) are buzzing about the onslaught that the Republican party and its allies are giving the Democrats; or more specifically, President Barak Obama, over the ever present national debt situation. For some reason, these writers, commentators, and others are appalled that the opposing political party would have the audacity to cultivate and magnify the current American financial crisis so it can be a rock-solid political platform against the incumbent president (of rival party status). As if this tactic has never been used in politics on any level before, they can't believe that someone would bring up an issue that has secretly plagued the stability of "the greatest nation on earth" for decades when the white politicians never mentioned it; even as they were perpetuating the problem. Therefore, because of the overwhelming prevalence of misguided opinions from very intelligent people, peep game...
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Blind Take - Pelican Bay Hunger Stike and Counting (Ink Fruit)
from the Ink Fruit blog of Terrance Jones
Issue: On July 1, inmates at the Pelican Bay State Prison (Security Housing Unit) in Del Norte County, California began a hunger strike to protest the "inhumane" treatment by the prisons' system and staff towards the inmates. In addition, inmates in many other California prisons have joined the effort. The strikers in PBSP have 5 demands which are for the prison to stop group punishment, cancel the "debriefing" policy and change the prison's gang status criteria, serve better food, expand programs and privileges for long-term SHU residents, and comply to a 2006 report by the U.S. Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons. Around 1,000 protesters are still striking, and it seems nearly certain that some strikers will either be forced fed or will die. The strike has also put an intense strain on the medical staff at the facility; as many are working around the clock hours to deal with the crisis.
Issue: On July 1, inmates at the Pelican Bay State Prison (Security Housing Unit) in Del Norte County, California began a hunger strike to protest the "inhumane" treatment by the prisons' system and staff towards the inmates. In addition, inmates in many other California prisons have joined the effort. The strikers in PBSP have 5 demands which are for the prison to stop group punishment, cancel the "debriefing" policy and change the prison's gang status criteria, serve better food, expand programs and privileges for long-term SHU residents, and comply to a 2006 report by the U.S. Commission on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons. Around 1,000 protesters are still striking, and it seems nearly certain that some strikers will either be forced fed or will die. The strike has also put an intense strain on the medical staff at the facility; as many are working around the clock hours to deal with the crisis.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
"He/She Who Stands READY For Self Accountability Cast The First Criticism"
What I find very interesting about this whole "Criticize The President, Smiley-West Show" is the lack of "Self Accountability" in this process.
A little back story... When Tavis Smiley was planning the the "2007 State of the Black Union" on the campus of Hampton University.... his promotions read ... "See you in Jamestown"... Hampton University IS NOT in Jamestown... period. I called Tavis' assistant at the time ...Kimberly MacFarland and explained some of what I thought were needed location specific information and offered a tidbit of personal information about my mother & brother being buried on the grounds of the military cemetery-housed within the campus of Hampton University. You can not get to the cemetery unless you drive through the campus of Hampton University. I thought providing that information would raise awareness and help correct the information for the advertisement. Long story short... we never saw the information change nor did we see any heighten advertisement of the HBCU for this event until as time for the event got closer... it was always see you in Jamestown.
I was offended.. personally because of what I thought was on the ground information about location specifics not effecting real time information advertising...so where is all of this... whatever "THAT" is coming from now? My personal offense seems strikingly similar to what I am hearing from the Smiley-West duo today.
I, too agree with Professor Melissa Harris-Perry that much of this is personal and I will go further and say unfounded.
As a community resident of many years ... what I do not see from many of our "proclaimed community leaders and elected officials" for that matter is the empowerment language within our community. EMPOWERMENT is a long term commitment and unpopular for many short term reasons but if we AS vested stakeholders of our community can not see the value of long term collective commitments then why work in the community at all? Self Accountability should be the first rule of community work and that accountability should be reflected in the community work that one does... not the program work that one does.. because one program does not make a community... no matter how many services are being delivered.
Program specific advocacy does absolutely nothing to the goal of changing hearts and minds in order to impact generational success or community transformation.... too many attitudes to deal with and trust me on the attitude dealing part... it takes a strong commitment to stay in it to effect the desired outcome. This is where a paradigm shift will most effect transforming a community.
I long for the day when the merits of whether something will work or whether something will not work will rule the day and not whether someones background influence on it governs the process. There is value in the consideration of the influence but to have the sole basis of its success or failure on influence is a process WASTED and should not be tolerated any longer.... the facts people .. .the facts.
So... let me close by saying, running around to a bunch of speaking engagements, giving epiphany oriented dialogues, and/or representing constituents that you do not know thoroughly is not the standard for how we ALL should gird up our loins and BE THE CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE. Change is developing relationship, Change is perpetual and I hope always more positive than negative. Let us BE THAT CHANGE which will demonstrate community and dissolve the need to place blame on any one person... be they president, elected official, parent and/or community worker hoping to provide some something of assistance within the community. TRUE COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION STARTS AND ENDS WITH SELF ACCOUNTABILITY.
A little back story... When Tavis Smiley was planning the the "2007 State of the Black Union" on the campus of Hampton University.... his promotions read ... "See you in Jamestown"... Hampton University IS NOT in Jamestown... period. I called Tavis' assistant at the time ...Kimberly MacFarland and explained some of what I thought were needed location specific information and offered a tidbit of personal information about my mother & brother being buried on the grounds of the military cemetery-housed within the campus of Hampton University. You can not get to the cemetery unless you drive through the campus of Hampton University. I thought providing that information would raise awareness and help correct the information for the advertisement. Long story short... we never saw the information change nor did we see any heighten advertisement of the HBCU for this event until as time for the event got closer... it was always see you in Jamestown.
I was offended.. personally because of what I thought was on the ground information about location specifics not effecting real time information advertising...so where is all of this... whatever "THAT" is coming from now? My personal offense seems strikingly similar to what I am hearing from the Smiley-West duo today.
I, too agree with Professor Melissa Harris-Perry that much of this is personal and I will go further and say unfounded.
As a community resident of many years ... what I do not see from many of our "proclaimed community leaders and elected officials" for that matter is the empowerment language within our community. EMPOWERMENT is a long term commitment and unpopular for many short term reasons but if we AS vested stakeholders of our community can not see the value of long term collective commitments then why work in the community at all? Self Accountability should be the first rule of community work and that accountability should be reflected in the community work that one does... not the program work that one does.. because one program does not make a community... no matter how many services are being delivered.
Program specific advocacy does absolutely nothing to the goal of changing hearts and minds in order to impact generational success or community transformation.... too many attitudes to deal with and trust me on the attitude dealing part... it takes a strong commitment to stay in it to effect the desired outcome. This is where a paradigm shift will most effect transforming a community.
I long for the day when the merits of whether something will work or whether something will not work will rule the day and not whether someones background influence on it governs the process. There is value in the consideration of the influence but to have the sole basis of its success or failure on influence is a process WASTED and should not be tolerated any longer.... the facts people .. .the facts.
So... let me close by saying, running around to a bunch of speaking engagements, giving epiphany oriented dialogues, and/or representing constituents that you do not know thoroughly is not the standard for how we ALL should gird up our loins and BE THE CHANGE THAT WE WANT TO SEE. Change is developing relationship, Change is perpetual and I hope always more positive than negative. Let us BE THAT CHANGE which will demonstrate community and dissolve the need to place blame on any one person... be they president, elected official, parent and/or community worker hoping to provide some something of assistance within the community. TRUE COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION STARTS AND ENDS WITH SELF ACCOUNTABILITY.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Perspective
I have been lost in perspective since my last blog post because many times and I really like to think..all of the time---I work from the facts.
The problem that I have been having lately is learning that the facts come with perspectives as well.
Any "numbers" person will tell you-- numbers are numbers... the facts if you will ...so where does all this misunderstanding come from?
I have no ill feelings toward anyone for their perspective but when do we use the facts instead of our perspective to solve the problems? Is it that we think that we are using our perspective in conjunction with the facts to solve the problems... oops!
PLEASE....ANYONE.... chime in with your perspective on how to use the facts!
The problem that I have been having lately is learning that the facts come with perspectives as well.
Any "numbers" person will tell you-- numbers are numbers... the facts if you will ...so where does all this misunderstanding come from?
I have no ill feelings toward anyone for their perspective but when do we use the facts instead of our perspective to solve the problems? Is it that we think that we are using our perspective in conjunction with the facts to solve the problems... oops!
PLEASE....ANYONE.... chime in with your perspective on how to use the facts!
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