Police Targeting Black America; Impact

I wrote this on my phone as I was reading… I hope it makes sense, and I have a feeling this book though it is full of questions I myself cannot answer, I have a feeling it will be sparking many more posts similar to this. It starts with,

“Are you scared?
Where do you as a Black American feel safe?
Where do you feel threatened?
Why are we still afraid?
Haven’t we been afraid long enough?”

This is just the beginning of an amazing book and already the questions posed I feel are vital to knowing oneself and to ending the evilness of white supremacy. I am honored to be reading this, and I want to utilize this books questions with the precious children I work with, whom I know are afraid… Perhaps in digging deeper into their fears and showing them reasons also to be proud and brave, it will counter some of the racist cruelty that has been forced into their innocent minds?

I fear doing this however and this is my biggest problem… It breaks my heart to hear my friends/family tell me they are afraid anytime they see a cop, I understand WHY I just hate that this is reality. So when little children tell me the same thing, it breaks my heart that much more, it also makes me angry. White people whom say there is no racism from cops and that it’s directed at them and they are ignored (load of bs) simply are upset because they want to be the center of attention now and always, in ever matter.

But if any of those sort read this, I ask, how many white people ESPECIALLY white children do you know who that are afraid upon seeing an officer or knowing one could be around? I have yet to meet a white kid that is afraid and I’m talking 3 years old and up. So no; there is nothing they are “wrong” they are doing to provoke violent and too often fatal responded by police, which is a reply I see too often and I don’t know why as it is beyond logic or any other form of credibility.

In fact, a few years ago I asked one white child in my group what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“A cop!” He replied after a couple of seconds. I was a bit taken off guard because that’s the last job I expected, so I asked him why. This is word by EXCITED word what he said:

“So I can shoot people!”

That was his answer. He was barely 5 years old. What does that answer say about white cops and the American police department in general? What does the difference in his response vs the Black children’s response to police say? Never have I had a Black child give me that response.

That isn’t to say I’ve never had Black children that didn’t want to be a cop; in fact in one of my first cases a 15 year old wanted to be a cop. He suffered from mental illness, and during one of his episodes his mom called the cops, thinking of how he respected them I am sure. Even though he was hurting no one but himself with a knife to his face when they arrived, they took his life. (See video on this post).

I know my writings are depressing; they are real, though, and instead of letting it make you sad or feel hopeless rise against that and feel anger! Don’t let depression take hold; sadly that’s not a luxury available that I see. It is sad and I wish I didn’t have this page but I do because if I don’t speak what I know then in just as guilty as them.

Back to the response these children gave me, years apart the white never knew anyone in my current group of course. Both of these innocent souls have been tarnished by police racism, bigotry and brutality. The white child thinking it’s not only “cool” but ACCEPTABLE to kill; while the Black children are afraid of hearing that answer because a part of childhood has been stolen.

How many times I’ve heard someone say one of the following or something all too similar makes me sick to my soul:

“That could have been my father,” or “my son,” “my brother,” “my nephew,” “my husband,” or that could have been “me”…

I’ve not had anyone other this non-white children and adults confide this horrific fact, and it’s a fact I grew up hearing my friends/family talk about and it enraged me as it does now because I don’t have to worry; and that is not right! If the people I am with have to worry, so should I! Until non-whites have the right to not worry, then no one should have the right that white and light skin people do.

Harm Reduction & Syringe Access Saves Lives Campaign; Get Involved!

Please help support Harm Reduction Coalitions and programs to help provide addicts and users with clean, sterile syringes to lower the risk of HIV/AIDS and infection, just to start.

Additionally, these clinics will offer a medication for users to keep on them in the event of overdose; thus lowering the rate of heroin related deaths.

This man shares his story regarding how Harm Reduction saved his life… Please watch…

From the site:

For over twenty years, we’ve supported syringe access programs through trainings, conferences, technical assistance, and advocacy. Communities struggling with the harms of drug injection – overdose, HIV, hepatitis C, and other health problems – reach out to us when they need guidance and support.

This year we’re helping new syringe access programs start up in places like Kentucky and West Virginia, which have never had programs before. But in too many places, syringe access programs are too controversial. Over one-third of the country doesn’t have any syringe access programs. We have to get the word out that syringe access works, and we need syringe access now.

That’s where you come in: help us kick off a new campaign to spread the word and expand syringe access. We’re planning a social media campaign that raises the voices of people who care about syringe access – people who care about those struggling with drug use. People like you.

We’re in the midst of a new heroin crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people across the country are injecting drugs, and too many of them don’t have a syringe access program nearby. The stakes have never been higher, and the opportunities for expanding syringe access have never been greater. We can end the heroin crisis and save lives – through hope, compassion and harm reduction. That means sharing a simple message: Syringe access now, syringe access everywhere!

How We’ll Do It

Syringe Access Saves Lives will be an online campaign using words and images to advocate for syringe access programs in the places that need them most. In September, we’ll bring the talented photographers from Luceo to the United States Conference on AIDS. They’ll photograph conference attendees and capture – in their own words – why their communities should support syringe access programs. These words and images will be the foundation for a national awareness and education campaign, reaching policymakers, health officials, and the general public to support grassroots advocacy for syringe access. The funds that you donate will directly support the costs of developing and producing the Syringe Access Saves Lives campaign.

To read more and/or to donate anything; even just one dollar to better society; to help one soul, please, please click the funding link HERE or share it with others... Remember, if we want a better world and if we want to help give other people a chance, we have to be active… Talking is no good without some form of productive action so please… Please just share if that’s all you can offer; anything is better than nothing…Thank you…

Is There Any Hope Left? -Regarding Police Brutality …

Whether this society is hopeless or not doesn’t matter. If this society is damned, then that doesn’t mean we must allow it to defeat the good within us, we shouldn’t bow down to sickness even if the sickness will never end. But it can end. And I know how. I know why I have hope.

No matter how evil, racist, sexist and hate filled this society is, I will be more so. Love conquers all, and I can and do love enough to hate (Slipknot reference, sorry). I refuse to let hope slide away. If there is no more hope for humanity, trying to save it may be pointless, but one thing each and every one of us can do, hopeless or not, is at least fight back against those who are doing inhumane things. Comfort those who need it; speak out for those who cannot or will not.

Another 12 year old child was murdered on video, Tamir Rice (I say another because he is not the first and I fear he will not be the last). I watched him, somehow I connected with him in a way I rarely do with anyone. I felt his innocence, I saw his humanity, his good soul; and I saw it stolen for no reason in under 2 seconds upon police arrival.

Then I see that the cop who blatantly killed Eric Garner in that choke hold (video available for this also) has been cleared… while the one who video-taped it was indicted. Why are we not rioting in the streets more? Is this what it means for society to lose all hope? To stop fighting? Because we are letting murder, blatant murder, go on and the murderers go unpunished. Why is society not revolting? Why are more people not outraged? Giving up hope on society is one thing; silencing yourself is another.

Why is America Allowed to Monitor and/or Imprison the Wrong People?

“The United States has about 5 percent of the world’s population, but we have 25 percent of the world’s prisoners – we incarcerate a greater percentage of our population than any country on Earth,” said Michael Jacobson (the director of the non-partisan Vera Institute of Justice, also running the NYC jail and probation systems throughout the ’90s.

Though we all know Facebook, in partnership with the government (and many others), monitor us and have been spying on innocent citizens via Facebook with the excuse that is for “national security” when actually it only really seems to aid in arresting people for things as insane as a teenager making a sarcastic remark to hunting down people who for using drugs.

An Update: New Book, Essays, Videos to Come…

It has been quiet some time since I last posted on here, but there is a reason. Besides life, I have been plotting my new book(s), essays and other projects. As important as it is for me to focus on the latest news, especially regarding police brutality and abortion, however I want to do more in depth research and writings regarding certain topics I will list below.

Since prior to even being able to write I dreamed of being a writer. That passion and love has never faded, only grown. Research and writing both are in my soul and it is truly what I hope to do for a living for it isn’t a job, rather a blessing.

Currently, I am working on an essay which discusses the brain of infants and how abuse/neglect/etc impacts us as adults. In addition, I am working on a book about the so called War on Drugs and ways we could improve addiction and even dealing.

I am also working on rehabilitation projects for drug users, most specifically on Heroin, the long term impacts that no one discusses and the latest research on how to help addicts. Finally, I am compiling a presentation and essay regarding abortion, quality of life and women’s rights.

I know these topics seem a bit broad, but there is so much to do and so little time.

I have many other projects planned, but for now these are the ones I am working on and I hope so desperately will impact others in a positive way.  One upcoming project is to do with domestic violence/abuse and mental health (no relation).

Sadly, because I can’t do all of this, volunteer and work I neglect my blog at times and that hurts me as it truly is another passion of mine. As much as I would love to have a website/blog that brings in money so I can get by while doing the things I love the most [i.e., research, writing- exposing truth(s)] it sadly doesn’t pay. I don’t want to be rich, I just would like to be able to eat and keep my internet on so I can continue the research I so love doing. All I need is just enough to get by.

I am going to add a donation button, I don’t expect anything but if anyone does make a donation so that I can make my dream of being a writer/researcher possible, I will be eternally grateful. I also am more than willing to do freelance graphic design, writing, and things of the like for those interested. I want to live life exposing truth, researching, writing, learning… I don’t want handouts; I am more than happy to work for money, if anyone is willing to give me a chance.

Back to the topic!

If I am able to begin making even a bit of money here and with my current projects I will be able to spend a lot more time on here and that is something I long for. I have plans for my page that I just have no time to get around to due to the other projects and life, but I am so desperate for work, freelance, donations; anything.

In case donations or freelance gigs don’t occur, please do follow me on twitter as I post updates there very regularly. My twitter account can be found here -> @aPoeticTragedy

I also do youtube videos from time to time, I hope to increase this. You can find my youtube channel, HERE.

All I need is a chance and I know I can accomplish something. I am leaving gmail and searching for a more secure email server so I will be posting that up shortly. I also want to close this by saying, if I have not responded to you email, text, messages, etc it is not personal.

My mind is a bit scattered but it by no means is me intentionally ignoring any of you; all emails shall be responded to 🙂 Except hate mail. I am done with that, I don’t read it so please don’t waste your time. 🙂

Last but not least this is not me saying this blog is shutting down; far from it. I just want all readers who have stood by me to know I am trying my very hardest to balance it all and in time I hope to be able to have the career and more free time to spend on my blog.

So if you’ve stayed with me this long, thank you. Stay tuned, for lots more is to come, including a new book and other writings as well as videos. I will post here as I can, please don’t give up!

US Marine Facing 15 yrs for Facebook Post ….

One more reason I don’t do facebook, one more reason I’ll keep speaking my mind. No threats are made rather opinions, I don’t believe he really meant it when in an angry rant he put “kill” -this is just another way they are trying to take out people who are fed up. Being fed up and using phrases that aren’t meant to be real but could be made to seem real is all I see his words as: talk, anger and rightful anger, at other governments harassment of people and drugs.
Keep your own opinions – it is are scaring them. Never stop educating others!
A repost from daily tech (link follows):

Speechcrime charges on the rise in the U.S., marine is also involuntarily committed for his protest speech

Frustrated with the U.S. “War on Drugs”, which he believed was a farce, and with a seeming increase in police violations of U.S. citizens’ civil liberties, Matthew Michael created a group on Facebook, Inc.’s (FB) social network targeting the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency with angry statements.

I. Protest the U.S. Government? Think Again

In one post, he reportedly wrote, “War is near. Anarchy and justice will be sought…I’ll kill whoever I deem to be in the way of harmony to the human race…BE WARNED IF U PULL ME OVER!!”

The posts — while threatening in a vague manner — did not name any specific DEA agents, or even make any clear plan for violent action.

Department of Justice caught wind of the post and has now been given the go-ahead by a federal judge — Judge William Lawrence of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana — to charge Mr. Michael with three counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce.

Each of those charges, according to 18 USC § 875 (the U.S. Criminal Code) carries up to a 5-year sentence. Under U.S. criminal law, sentences can be served consecutively or concurrently (see this helpful Yahoo! News post). The decision of how to assign the sentences, if the defendant is found guilty, is up to the Judge during the sentencing phase.

That means that Mr. Michael faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 15 years, all for speaking out against the government in an incendiary manner in Facebook.

Judge Lawrence argued the case should be allowed to proceed, despite the ambiguous nature of Mr. Michael’s comments, writing, “The First Amendment does not insulate all speech from criminal consequence. Certain categories of speech having little or no social value are not protected, and threats are one such category…. It would be inappropriate for the court to enter a verdict of not guilty based solely on the face of the indictment unless the court could imagine no facts that would render Michael’s posts unprotected. That is not the situation here.”

II. Marine Also Imprisoned Without Trial

The case echoes the story of U.S. Marine Brandon Raub. After honorably serving his country on tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mr. Raub, 26, had grown disillusioned with the U.S. federal government, and like Mr. Michael took to posting vague, frustrated, incendiary commentaries to Facebook.

Those posts led to local authorities and federal agents in Chesterfield, Virginia detaining Mr. Raub and then exploiting the state’s involuntary commitment laws to label the protester as “mentally ill”, effectively imprisoning him indefinitely and without trial in a state-run veteran’s hospital.

Such rulings are questionable given that in the 1969 case Brandenburg v. Ohio, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled,

“[T]he constitutional guarantees of free speech and free press do not permit a State to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or of law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action.”

In other words, unless specific, immediate violence is promised, you’re free to make statements of protest against the government — even violent ones.

III. Speech Crime — a Dark and Dangerous Road

But it’s also important to remember that speech is not action, and often times speechcrime legislation — even mild provisions outlawing threats of imminent violence — proves merely a vehicle to unload more severe censorship upon the unwitting public.

A critical example Germany’s 1933 decision to suspend “the Fundamental Rights” in its Articles of Government if “if public safety and order in the German Reich are considerably disturbed or endangered”. The Third Reich seized the opportunity by staging a fire at the Reichstag building, which they then blamed on protesters/terrorists, leading to a blanket suspension of protest speech against the ruling regime. That censorship proved critical to the atrocities and oppression that ensued, as the Reich was able to send anyone who spoke out against its policies to prisons or concentration camps.

In other words, treating threats of violence as speechcrime can be cleverly used as a prelude to suspending free speech in general, if the ruling regime can argue that a “terrorist” threat (possibly staged) mandates a broader removal of civil liberties. Already accustomed to seeing their speech somewhat limited, the public will provide far less resistance.

In a threatening display of power, the Nazi state would eventually commit to a bloody execution via gun and guillotine of convicted “speechcrime” offenders who belonged to the White Rose movement, who had distributed non-violent fliers in Berlin proclaiming, “Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and protection of the individual citizen from the arbitrary action of criminal dictator-states.”

Today both of America’s ruling parties support so-called “free speech zones”, or their various euphemisms, which essentially block citizens’ right to directly speak out with words or written signs against politicians at political rallies.

And today Mr. Michael faces speechcrime accusations, which echo those of historic regimes past. And while he does not face the death sentence for his speechcrime, he does face the prospect of spending over a decade of his life in prison; all for posting something the U.S. government found threatening.

Please view the original article here for links to resources and info included in original article that I couldn’t repost.

Teenager Takes His Life Due to Cop Cyber-Bullying Him

Sadly, I have to head out so I am going to copy and paste this tragic article which involves a cop tormenting and bullying a teenager, driving him to suicide… Their people “skills” are lacking and beyond disgustingly insane. I do not have the link to the original article, if you know it, please do link it in the comments, when I return later today I will search for it as I did not write the following but it is definitely news everyone needs to know about.

We’ve had numerous cases of people; from the computer hero Aaron Swartz who saw suicide as his only way out due to the governments plan to punish him for a length of time not only unreasonable but also unjust. There are many cases that deal with this and this is the latest (that I know of). It is nothing but bullying and abusing power, people can say they didn’t have to take their lives but sometimes, suicide seems the only way out and when you’re in that frame of mind you can’t think straight. It feels hopeless. And sometimes, it sadly is.

Article begins.

Nineteen-year-old Pullman, Washington, resident Andrew Cain took his own life on Saturday. Now his sister, Alise Smith, is asking for an apology from the local police department who allegedly cyber-bullied the young man just days beore his death.

Most Incarcerated, Most Violent, The American Way

And we are still the most violent, why? Because the majority in prisons are in for drug offenses – they do not belong in prison. They need help not punishment, it solves and helps no one. Except those profiting from it. Child molesters, rapists, murderers, etc.. They should be in prison, but represent less than 10% of the american prison population. As KRS1 says, “why is that?”

I rarely watch movies but this is an excellent clip to sum it up,…

I’ll be writing more on this soon…

New Supreme Court Rules on Mandatory Sentencing

Repost:

June 17, 2013 (The Sentencing Project)

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Mandatory Sentencing Will Bring Greater Fairness in Sentencing

In a 5 to 4 decision today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that certain facts must be proved to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt in order to impose a mandatory minimum sentence.   The case of Alleyne v. United States focused on whether in federal cases the brandishing of a weapon must be charged in an indictment, and proved to a jury, in order to set or increase a mandatory minimum. The Court held that this rigorous burden of proof is required by the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“Today’s decision is a victory for the thousands of individuals and their families — disproportionately from communities of color — whose lives are put on hold each year by unjust mandatory minimum sentences,” said Marc Mauer, executive director of The Sentencing Project.

“Research shows that mandatory minimums

Join Jeremy Hammond’s Brother & Tell Judge Loretta Preska To Give Some Justice

Please sign the petition to help Jeremy Hammond; a computer activist who has harmed no one, but been locked up since March 2012 “awaiting trial”. Please tell the American government pedophiles and rapists (ETC) should be in prison; not a young man whom is intelligent and wants to better society, again, harming not one soul!  It only takes a second. Please click the link below to read his twin brother’s plea for Jeremy. Here you can also add your name to the petition, and your reason for signing (the latter is optional for those who don’t desire to do it). Stand up for something REAL. Jeremy is being prosecuted under the same “law” they tried to get Aaron Swartz with. Sadly, we lost Aaron due to this. Like Jeremy, he had hurt not one soul and simply was a young, intelligent man that cared about society and where it is going. He tragically took his own life instead of being the victim of this unjust system. For his beautiful memory, for those taken from the struggle, please stand with us, and for us; for the life Jeremy has left to live; hell, the life all of us who care about the world have left to live! Are you telling us this is our destiny if we stand up for what is right?

http://freejeremy.net/press-release/join-jeremys-brother-in-calling-for-a-sentence-of-time-served/

If anyone is interested, this is what I wrote: