Scarface Speaks Out on The Severity of His Health & COVID-19 For the First Time

I am in shock, & ask you all to keep Scarface in your thoughts. This post is dedicated to him surviving, to serve as a thank you for what he gave me growing up in his music, and still gives me in those same songs… I also want this to be a testament to the amazing things he has done, such as Houston City Council. The most important thing about that was his reasoning… But more on that below.
I had no idea he was this seriously sick… May he be blessed and heal, to see a long life, as he deserves… Ankh Udja Seneb…. 

The Diary.

That has remained my favorite Scarface album since I first discovered his music. I can relate to the songs so well, especially back then. He cut into me deeply, his voice absolutely unmistakable, I played his album relentlessly. I still do from time to time.

“I’ve got the man in the mirror, so I’m looking at me vaguely, but I can’t seem to fade me.”– Scarface

He remains the one and only Houston rapper I respect as a person and a musician. His sharp, on point lyrical skill, depth and creativity; his confidence in talking about topics many shy from, are but a few of the reasons I love his music.

No nurse rhyme rapper, like most today, he instead used his distinct voice and knack 

Scarface on “Smile”

for telling vivid, intense stories with a beat that somehow melts together with his voice; so many reasons, he has remained in my top 5 favorite rappers.

Then he did a song with my *father* Tupac, Smile, and I decided I loved him. I take music very much to heart and very seriously; as I do most things in life.

I just saw that he has been very ill due to COVID and kidney failure. My heart literally sank. The good news is the 49 year old man is still living, and can make it through. He seems to be optimistic, I think, regarding recovery and I hope everyone will keep him in their thoughts and hearts as he battles his way through this.

He describes for the first time since the announcement of his being ill his diagnosis and condition in the video interview below. A quote from the interview:

“I gotta do dialysis … four times a week, three hours a day. And that’s taking all my blood out, cleaning it and putting it back in my body. Before the COVID, I never had any kidney disease.”

[Regarding being in the hospital] “Everybody they’re putting on ventilators is f*cking dying, bro. I don’t think there’s any real way to treat the COVID. So I would be in the hospital on a fucking ventilator and I would rather died at home, you know? Than a little hospital room with no toilet, no shower, no nothing, have me quarantined at the hospital. I could have just quarantined at the house. So that month I quarantined at my house was hell bro. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t breathe bro. It was the worst time of my life because I couldn’t do nothing. My kidneys failed, bro.”

“Hanging on that string of death will make you appreciate life. If you let the doctors tell it, they don’t know how I’m alive.”

Before I end this, I have to add that I had no idea he had run for Houston City Council and on top of that, he almost won. You can read about his almost successful run for the “fourth largest city in the United States” and can read more about it here.  

I will end this with a quote from his campaign, what he says is so true and sadly too often forgotten. It is a message of truth and hope that needs to be spoken of often, and taught to children, youth and even adults, nationwide…perhaps now, more than ever.

“Let this campaign be a reminder that you can grow up and still live in the ‘hood, and still be the mayor of the fourth largest city in the United States of America. My dad and mom said to their nine kids, ‘You can compete. You can do well. We may not have what somebody else has. We may not drive what somebody else drives. But Sylvester, you can still compete.’ And tonight in this city, you have reaffirmed the message of my parents.” ” 

I couldn’t get the embedded code to work, so, here is the full interview [5 minutes] where Scarface talks about his medical condition, and his concern over Texas, Georgia and other idiotic places re-opening right now. You can visit video on YouTube by clicking here.

 

Newark, NJ, ICE LockUp’s Exposed: Once Again! ANOTHER CRITICAL WATCHDOG REPORT: ROTTEN FOOD, DECAYING MATTRESSES

Why in hell do we have people in any positions of power who are abusing, in any shape or form, fellow humans, sexually harassing them, making them sleep in decaying beds…and then sarcastically playing it off as if it isn’t an issue… HOW DO THEY SLEEP AT NIGHT!?

And how do those of you who turn the other way live with your selfish souls?

This is more than I humane… and if you are one of these jerks who can’t even stand against what’s wrong but complain about those who DO speak out; it is you that is the fool and should be ashamed. I sure as hell am not and by being silent you only aid cruelty.

What is more, someone came talking to someone near me about a woman complaining about her food quality. He played some YouTube video they’d made into a joke of her, I didn’t fully understand what in hell they were on about…

Now I do. If I’d been more up to date then I’d have torn into their sick souls for truth and knowledge I will always inflict; I don’t care when or who you are… please share!

+++ start

A Newark, New Jersey immigrant detention center has been feeding detainees moldy, spoiled and foul-smelling food—an abuse that’s led detainees to file scores of grievances and to report symptoms of food poisoning, according to a report released Friday by the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General.

The center, which can house more than 900 men, is run by the Essex County Department of Corrections, under an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. DHS inspectors conducted a surprise visit last July and found multiple health-and-safety violations of detainee rights and ICE standards. The inspector general’s report noted that the Essex County Correctional Facility also failed to disclose to ICE, as required, incidents involving fights among detainees and hospitalization of detainees for mental illness.

A detainee also found a loaded gun belonging to a guard in a bathroom, the inspector general’s report said.  Center staff admitted to inspectors that they told the detainee who found the gun “not to discuss the matter with anyone,” according to inspectors.

In the report, inspectors noted that detainees filed about 200 grievances about food quality during the first six months of 2018.

“For dinner, we were served meatballs that smelled like fecal matter,” one detainee wrote.

“The food that we received has been complete garbage,” another wrote. He also wrote: “I have a stomach infection because of it and the nurse herself told me it was caused by the food.”

Inspectors observed “expired and moldy bread” in a refrigerator, despite requirements that staff toss it out.  “The food handling in general was so substandard that ICE and facility leadership had the kitchen manager replaced during our inspection,” inspectors reported.

ICE asserted that after seeing a draft of the report its officials “immediately initiated a follow-up review process” at the Essex facility. ICE and Essex detention officials could not be reached for comment.

ButWNYC radio in New York reported that ICE, in a statement,

said that conditions inside Essex had improved and that ICE was “committed to continually enhancing” detention operations to promote “a safe and secure environment.”

The inspector general additionally detailed how inspectors last July found showers at Essex covered with mold. Staff had placed trash cans under holes in ceilings to collect rain leaking in; two leaks were in detainee rooms right over their beds.

When inspectors asked guards about decaying mattresses they observed, the report says,

guards said they “wait for detainees to complain” before staff put in a request that mattresses be replaced.  😡😡

The Newark immigration detention center isn’t the first facility where DHS inspectors have found neglect and substandard conditions.

In October, a DHS inspector general report found violations at the Adelanto detention center in California that included inappropriate handcuffing and shackling of detainees and medical neglect, as theCenter for Public Integrity reported.

A dentist employed at Adelanto, which is operated by the private GEO Group, Inc., told inspectors that detainees could use strings from their socks to floss their teeth if dental floss was not available to them.

Inspectors also found evidence that a disabled detainee in a wheelchair was placed into “segregation,” or isolation, for nine days, during which time he was unable to sleep in a bed or brush his teeth.

In January, another DHS inspector general reportaccused ICE of issuing only two penalties against contractors holding immigrant detainees despite finding 14,000 violations of detainee rights and ICE standards. The violations were found at 106 contract detention centers from 2015 to 2018. Violations included contractors’ failure to report alleged sexual assaults to ICE. Last September, the Center reported on private-prison companies’ history, and allegations of abuses that include medical neglect.

To Real Men in Newark Nj Who’re Fed Up & Want To Be a Part Of Change, Check This: Happening Tonight [10/18/2017]

Happening today October 18th, 2017, one starts at 3pm, the other at 6pm in Newark, NJ; if you are in the metro area, NYC, Newark, anywhere near… Please make sure to join and check it out… And as the photo to the left says,

“…we must be ready at a minutes notice to respond to the needs of our communities and our families!”

Not only is that real, but you can be a part of it and I hope you will be. Please share!

This Isn’t the Start of Neglect From the US Against Puerto Rico…

I am surprised that I was taken aback when I began to realize how many people were unaware that Puerto Rico is, and has been, a part of Amerikkka…or at least it is in some ways, “Amerikkkan Liberation”- a term that is full of sarcasm if it’s not clear for America liberates no one. But in keeping this short; please, take the time to educate yourself on even simply how, why and what rights are given and denied to the people of Puerto Rico. The recent and on going tragedies in Puerto Rico’s Hurricane aftermath give a realistic and appalling view of how America, especially under Trump, treats the places it is supposed to protect. Let this be an eye opener: they want to try and keep us in the dark; ignorant, so we won’t unite. So we’ll stay in our places and marinate in wrongful, misplaced anger and hatred.  Keeping the people ignorant is a key step for people like Trump… But it’s been going on long, long before Trump’s racist ass came along.

It baffled/baffleS me how few care about Katrina just as this baffles me…How can so many not care?

Personally, it is absolutely, positively certain and clear to me how the lack of knowledge I speak of regarding Puerto Rico is intertwined with the current treatment of those who survived Hurricane Maria; many left in dire situations; they need the help that should be a birth right. Of course, Trump and his mockery of an administration will never step up and offer the help they would an Island of white supremacists. Not being dramatic but real. The fact that some people (too many and especially whites I’m noticing) roll their eyes at this legitimate belief is enough to make me physically ill. These same people then go on trying to claim whites are under attack and that they are the victims…Sickening, egotistical cowards! 

Before this turns into more of a novel, let me wrap this up.

The following is a well written, accurate and deeply felt article I recommend highly on the Crisis in Puerto Rico and why the current treatment really should not be shocking and is anything but a surprise to those of us with loved ones there; friends and family alike- let alone if you live in PR.
NOTE: I am reblogging, please click the link after the below quote to go to the original posters page where the detailed post and further reading can be found.

“Puerto Ricans on the island and the diaspora feel a sense of neglect and insensitivity—a sense of grievance backed by the actions of the federal government for the last century. The Wall Street Journal editorial “Second-Class Puerto Rico” resonates with citizens who have lived a history of mixed policies—Jones Act, Section 936, Medicaid, PROMESA—that at times are beneficial and at times hurt the island and its dependent economy.  Over time these policies have changed with the concerns of the U.S. government, which often ignore the direct or unintended consequences of these policies on Puerto Rico and its U.S. citizens.

[. . .] After a century of Puerto Rican U.S. citizenship, it is clear that the main goal of the Jones-Shafroth Act of augmenting a “bond” with Puerto Rico (and Puerto Ricans) by granting citizenship has been achieved. But the question is, “Is American citizenship worth the same for Puerto Ricans as it is for other Americans?” For too long, Congress has looked the other way while its inconsistent policies continue to harm Puerto Rico. It is high time for members of Congress to pay attention and act before the humanitarian crisis facing 3.4 million American citizens reaches a point of no return.”

Both quotes from the article on another bloggers page,here.

You can read the reasons for the above quotes and so much more if you click here for the page which I found it on. It contains not the article in a more enlightening light, but also a great wealth of information to inform and explain the above comments and quotes. Again… please do not forget to click here and read the knowledge of the post!

—Originally located at: THE U.S.’S NEGLECT OF PUERTO RICO HAS NEVER BEEN BENIGN ; REBLOGGED from original poster, found HERE.

Killings and Cop Killings in The Black Community

To fight racism, united is needed… In Chicago alone these 700+ deaths are the highest since 1998… But that doesn’t mean we should forget about slave patrols aka cops who kill. Check the article, the video if you wanna hear my thoughts and get involved… Every person matters…And nothing lasts forever, we can stop this. 

Article follows video but first, the words my friend and bro, Bashir Akinyele, wrote about it..

DO BLACK LIVES REALLY MATTER? I DO NOT THINK SO!

I am outrage to hear this heart breaking news! Chicago, Illinois is in a state of emergency! There have been over 701 murders in the city! Almost all the victims are people of color! If these victims were white, the entire country would stop to find a solution in Chicago right now! But the victims are black, no one seems to care!

Real talk, the Black and brown community is in bad shape! We must find a solution to this problem fast. Our people are dying a fast death to genocide!

Stop the shooting! Stop the Killing! Stop the Violence! Black Power! All Power to the People! Hotep! Peace in the Streets!

Bashir Akinyele
-Community Activist ( Member of the Newark Anti-Violence Coalition/the NAVC)
-Educator
-Co-Producer and Co-Host of the All Politics Are Local Radio show
-Committee member for the State of the Black World Conference IV

Murders here surpassed the 700 mark Thursday, a somber tally not seen since the drug wars of the 1990s as the police department continues reforms aimed at regaining public trust.

Article.

CHICAGO—Murders here surpassed the 700 mark Thursday, a somber tally not seen since the drug wars of the 1990s as the police department continues reforms aimed at regaining public trust.

Police say that 77 were killed in the month of November alone, which saw 316 shooting incidents and 389 victims. As of Dec. 1, 701 people had been murdered across Chicago, making this year the most violent since 1998.

Amid the spike, police…

Click here for complete article.

 

Be There-10/4/26 Newark- Anti-violence/Gang Awareness Program called PEACE IN OUR SCHOOL

All of you in or around my second home in Newark, Nj, NYC or anywhere from NJ to PA – this Gang Awareness / Anti-Violence awareness program will be having a great program for any one who wants to get involved in this TRAGICALLY SERIOUS problem working towards solving to make some positive change regarding gang violence and “Black on Black” violence. 

November  4, 2016! Hosted and moderated by a brilliant man who I am honored to call my friend, Bashir Akinyele, a history teacher and activist within the community. UNITED WE CAN DO THIS! Take the step; if you’re concerned and believe Black lives do matter (& Hispanic, as again we again to unite together!), then please either attend or let others know about this opportunity to help save and better the youth and future…  

RELEASE FOLLOWS! Please SHARE! 

Weequahic HS will play host to an anti-violence/ gang awareness program called PEACE IN OUR SCHOOL-EDUCATION MATTERS on Friday, November 4, 2016 from 1:20pm to 2:40pm. The participants will include the following ant-violence/gang specialist: Middy Murdock, Mostefay Shakur, Sharif Amenhotep, Supernova Slim, Rayvon Lisbon, Loose, Shadee, Kay Boog, and Jayda.
 The program will be moderated by history teacher/community activist Bashir Akinyele. Although this event will only be for students and staff, please pray that Weequahic will have a productive program. Hotep (Peace)!

Akon’s Plan in Motion-Giving Millions of Africans Electricity

When Akon’s first album came out I not only loved it for the music, but also because of the pain, kindness and goodness I saw in Akon’s soul (eyes are the window to the soul…). And I can’t think of a better way to say he proved me right than what he is currently doing: bringing electricity to millions in Africa. While this project alone proves his wonderful soul; I can’t help but also mention what sparked his idea to help bring electricity to Africa… What was his initial reason?

His Grandmother and her current living conditions sparked the idea to help her and others living in the same situations in numerous places of Africa. That touches my heart in the deepest way. 

“Without electricity, you can’t even begin to develop a country, let alone your own home.” – Akon

Because George w Bush & America runs off money & greed, aka, oil, Akon initially only had a few unused solar products and he quickly learned America’s unwarranted, once more- greedy taxes attached with Solar Energy. Akons mentions policies brought in by Bush, staying truthfully:

“He (Bush) did it because his main agenda was in oil, he needed the oil to keep burning right, so anything renewable he wanted to keep away because if effected the money.” 

So he turned for help elsewhere and now thanks to the help of Chinese investors, he has $1 billion to work with and contribute towards his amazing dream and project.  

It’s inspiring to me to see not only someone giving back, but giving back to Africa instead of robbing from the Motherland. 

With electricity, despite the obvious benefits of lights and more; it also gives African children -and adults- so many deserved possibilities and opportunities, with the use of things such as computers and Internet. 

In the interview Akon reflected on his African roots, which I’ll paste below. I can’t say enough how happy this makes me… Blessings and love to you, Akon, for caring and staying grounded with your wonderful soul! 

His words on Africa and link follow: CELEBRATE GOOD NEWS!!! It’s so rare, we can’t take it for granted. 

****ARTICLE BEGINS****

Akon also talked about his African background, mentioning how he grew up without electricity, something he now believes everyone should have access to. He grew up in Senegal, a country located on the West coast of Africa. There was neither electricity nor running water where he lived and so they had to rely on a well.

“When I came to the United States, and [saw] the projects or what they claimed to be projects, Vlad I thought they [were] living in luxury, compared to what poverty is back home…” Akon explained, noting that U.S. citizens have a lot more than other people around the world yet many take such things for granted.

The singer said that it’s his grandmother’s living condition that inspired him to start the project. He says his grandmother declined to move from her hometown in spite of his money and fame. She was living in a house without electricity.

“Every time I would come, I would try to upgrade her, but she would never take it… one day I said ma I’m not coming to visit you anymore… you have to at least let me put electricity in the house. Come to find out the grid was so far out; I don’t care how much money I had there was no way I could bring electricity to her.”

And that’s the moment it hit him that something needed to be done, not just for her grandmother, but also in other locations across Africa where people live without electricity. 

 “Without electricity, you can’t even begin to develop a country, let alone your own home,” he says.

For more of the above article, click here.

Healing & Ending Community Violence- Event Upcoming in Newark!

Anyone interested in bettering and healing the violence within the communities and can make it to Newark, NJ, August 10, 2016 … 

Check out the following post and photo for more info! Join in, help build the world and communities deserved; until we don’t have to worry about losing our loved ones for any reason… People should be safe in the area they live… Let’s change and make it that way!

“The HUBB continues with MTOL Live (My Thoughts Out Loud) on August 10, 2016. Help us Become Better by listening to the thoughts of our youth on topics dealing with Healing Our Communities.

Join us as Jaleesa McEachin, Jewell Palmer, Makeba Green, Jimmie White, Steven Johnson Jasmine Burton, Talib Crawford-Jr and a few others square off in Healthy Solution-Driven Discussions at our non-judgmental talk show.

Feel Free to join us at The HUBB– Only come if you are about solutions!!! We want to hear your thoughts out loud as participants in the audience.
Let’s Go and Let’s Grow!!!”

Black Lives Matter – Newark!

Newark, NJ, is a second home to me (after Brooklyn!) and I hope as many as possible in the Newark area show up to and keeping working to end this plague of violence… And it’s time Black and Latino’s stop the hate…. Unify! 💖

Paul Childs, Black Male, 15 year old, Murdered

This is in memory of a 15 year old male named Paul Childs who admired the police, and because of his illnesses, at 15, he was murdered by the police…for no reason other than he had a knife on his own face, in front of his family…

Let this enrage you!!!