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April 28, 2005

Youth Violence Is Not a Black Thing

Okay, maybe I'm feeling a little sensitive but a news piece on CBC radio this morning really irked me.

Toronto police had just returned from Britain after researching a highly successful youth violence prevention initiative. The Trident program urges "black youth" to support police in their efforts to reduce violent crimes by coming forward as witnesses. Toronto hopes to develop a similar initiative.

The problem I have with this piece is CBC's failure to mention that youth violence is occuring across all racial groups and that this program could benefit ALL youth regardless of race. Why the emphasis on black youth?

Below is a letter I wrote in response. I'll let you know if they respond.

Dear CBC,

Although I appreciate learning about the positive impact the Trident program has had on reducing youth violence in Britain, I'm concerned about the message you sent. As an African-Canadian and Torontonian, I believe solely linking violence to "Black youth" is nothing short of inflammatory and irresponsible.

Youth of all races are experiencing violence. My brother-in-law, a white youth from a middleclass family was shot by another white youth days before the nightclub shooting [a shooting in which a young black woman was killed]. Not surprisingly, the media failed to sensationalize this tragic event. I'll leave the question as to 'why?' to you. I already know the answer.

As you know, Toronto's black communities are still recovering from the illegal practice of racial profiling. My guess is the impact will be felt for years. Racially insensitive pieces like the one you aired this morning are of no help in the healing process.

A bit of advice: I'd agree with the officer that urban youth aren't a part of CBC's listening audience. Obviously, CBC caters to predominately white, middle-aged adults. If you can't help Canadians of colour, please do your core audience a favour and dispel with the myth that youth violence is a urban re: Black problem. Their children's lives depend on it.

Sincerely,

Jason Robinson

Posted by Jason at 10:42 AM | Comments (1)

April 21, 2005

The Games Our Children Play

In the early hours of Tuesday morning I was awoken by the ringing of my phone. At first I thought I was dreaming but the repetitive rings had that eerie sense of urgency. I answered the phone and was given the following news: My 17 year old brother-in-law was shot point blank in the stomach. His chances of survival were next to none. The shooter was also a teenager; age 16. I sat there unable to move as if someone had just unplugged me.

Over the next 48 hours, I would become witness to unbelievable pain and suffering. I'd also witness unwavering love and support for a young man who needed a miracle...one that he would receive.

In a time where violence is glorified; where hip hop stars boast of the number of bullets that have pierced their flesh; where the top selling video games are about robbing and murder; where the military markets war to young men and women; I am here to tell you that there is absolutely no glory in what happened to my brother-in-law. This act of violence can only be described as gruesome and horrendously painful.

Picture a young man's chest and stomach opened to the world. His body swollen, no longer a young athletic dynamo but a near lifeless shell. Blood soaked the sheets of his hospital bed. The faces of his family contorted with agony, with the thought that they would lose their beloved brother and son. There is absolutely no glory in this whatsoever.

How could this have happened? This is the question that surfaces in a sea of sadness. The answer is undoubtedly complex. Lack of family support and guidance for the young offender. The apparent ease of acquiring a gun. The glorification of violence in our media. All of these precipitated this terrible act.

It is important to reiterate that this is not a story of urban youth and gangland retribution. This tragedy happened to middle-class teens in a "nice" neighbourhood. There is no hiding from this. No one is immune from this social illness. No amount of money nor distance from a city can protect you or the ones you love. As a witness to this tragic event, I am asking you, no, begging you to act...now. Don't support media that glorifies murder. Talk to your political representatives about gun laws. More importantly, hold them accountable. Support programs that give youth positive outlets to express themselves. Most importantly, talk to young people. The stakes are way too high not to.

I decided to include a spoken word piece along with this post. If you like it, please pass it along and ask that the person retell this story. Fortunately, this story had a happy ending. I shudder at how easily it could have gone the other way. Such was the case for another teen shot that very same night.

The Games Our Children Play (aka The Evolution)

Bitch!
Bitch? Who you callin' bitch? Bitch!!

It used to be about cops and robbers
It used to be about cowboys and indians (Native Americans, First Nations)
And now out of the mouths of babes comes,"Keepin' it real."
Very live
extremely direct
In the absence of thought
violence takes root in the mind

Punk!
Punk?
Why'd you hit my brother, punk?
I didn't touch your brother, punk!!!

The slap/crack of flesh against bone against flesh
The sound of young hands wielding misguided manhood
Look ma! Check my new skillz (creating conflict)
Small hands sometimes
kill
while shattering illusions of being a man

And in a puddle of salty tears
violence
begins to grow in the heart

Fuck you!
Fuck me? Fuck you!!

A drive-by
A Columbine High
A nation left to ponder why
But we know why

And yet it's so easy to blame technology
Let's just...
"Get the guns off the street."
Let's just...
"Place metal detectors in our children's schools."
Let's just...Face reality
It's time to redefine our sense of
community

Scientists say,
"evolution"
is a result of changes within our environment
They say
that which is unnecessary
is rendered obsolete
Violence can be rendered obsolete
But only if
our communities change
the games our children play

Posted by Jason at 4:52 PM | Comments (3)

April 18, 2005

When Activism and Journalism Collide

Last week the Boston Globe retracted a story by freelance journalist Barbara Stewart. Ms. Stewart wrote in graphic detail about the Canadian seal hunt just off the coast of Newfoundland. The problem: The hunt hadn't happened; she fabricated the entire event.

Too be honest, I'm not sure if Stewart's rationale for lying stemmed from her views on issues of cruelty to animals. In fact, this might just be a case of a journalist using an emotionally charged story for professional gain. Either way, the story can now be used as fodder to discredit those who oppose the seal hunt.

If PETA or Greenpeace were smart, they'd issue a statement condemning Stewart's action and engage the public in a positive dialogue on this issue.

Posted by Jason at 9:42 AM

April 14, 2005

The Dope Poet Society in DC

After yesterday's post, I decided to pass along this concert plug for those in the Washington, DC area. If you want to see conscious hip hop in action, check out The Dope Poet Society. You can find out more by visiting www.jlr1.com

Just a quick note to let y'all know that The Dope Poet Society will be doing a crazy series of shows in Washington DC over the next several days surrounding the protests against the IMF and The World Bank.

The happenings kick off with a kick ass concert tonight featuring The Dope Poet Society with M-1 of Dead Prez, A-Alikes, Head-Roc and more.
The list of events is posted below.

The new album, PROINTELPRO is in stores across Canada, and with virtually no promotion budget, the album is on the verge of making record breaking sales for an independent Canadian Hip Hop group. If you're down with conscious Hip Hop, make sure you help the movement grow by picking up this album and helping to spread the word about it.

Hold tight.

THE RADICALS TAKE THE CAPITAL April 13-18
The Dope Poet Society in Washington DC
A series of performances in and around the protest against IMF and
The World Bank. The Dope Poet Society have been invited to
perform at the following events:

April 13 Mwazi Wednesdays
April 14 Concert w/ M-1 of Dead Prez, The Head-Roc War Machine, A-Alikes and more
Both events at Cafe Mawanaj 624 T St NW DC (1 block from Howard University)

April 16 Performance at the protest, 3PM, in Dupont Circle
April 16 Hard Life Ent. Video Shoot, Island Cafe at 829 Upshur Street NW
April 16 Evening Concert Location TBA
April 17 Afternoon Concert Location TBA
April 17 Evening Concert Location TBA
April 18 DC Guerrilla Poetry Insurgency, in Dupont Circle

Posted by Jason at 9:26 AM

April 13, 2005

All About the McBenjamins

If you haven't heard by now, McDonalds announced a new initiative to reward MCs (hip hop artists) everytime they mention "Big Mac" in one of their songs (think of it as a frequent rhyming program). The MC is rewarded with $1-$5 each time the plug hits the radiowaves.

A couple of weeks ago P. Diddy visited Toronto plugging his fashion line Sean Jean. When asked about McD's product placement plan he said he'd consider it if the price were right and if it made sense in the song. Okay, P. Diddy is a businessman and successful one at that. Undoubtedly, Hip Hop is the biggest player in the music business. You could ask, "What's the harm in cashing in? A brother's gotta make his paper, right?"

Wrong. Consider this: The American Obesity Association reports that the percentage of visible minorities who are overweight, obese or severely obese increased over the last decade; statically outpacing their white counterparts. The result: a higher percentage of diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in people of colour.

The report goes on to say that "cultural factors that influence dietary and exercise behaviors are reported to play a major role in the development of excess weight in minority groups."

Ask any MC and they will tell you that hip hop is a way of life. Arguably, no other musical form has had as great a cultural impact in the last twenty years as hip hop. That's why corporate America is getting in the game. Obviously I can't tell P. Diddy that he shouldn't sell out (arguably he already has). But for those young artists out there and those who buy the music, check out Boyz in the Hood. There's this great scene in which Larry Fishburne's character connects the decay of urban communities to liquor stores existing on every street corner. The same can be said of the fast food industry; just check out Supersize Me. After you rent these movies, think about their messages and then ask yourself if corporate America -- and hip hop for that matter -- has your back.

Posted by Jason at 7:52 AM

April 12, 2005

Terry Fox: 25 Years of Inspiration

If you're Canadian, then you probably know the name Terry Fox. Twenty five years ago today, Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in St. John's, Newfoundland. Over the course of 143 days, this cancer patient turned international hero ran 5,373 kilometres or 3,339 miles to raise awareness and money for cancer research. To give you some perspective, that's a marathon a day!!! And for those who have never heard of Terry Fox, Terry only had one leg.

Unfortunately, Terry had to abandon his goal of running from coast to coast as his bone cancer spread throughout his body. He died a few months later at the young age of 22yrs.

To date, sixty countries hold their own Terry Fox Run. Over $360 million dollars have been raised in Terry's honour. In a nation-wide poll, Terry Fox was named the second greatest Canadian ever.

Please visit The Terry Fox Foundation website to learn more about this extraordinary human being.

Posted by Jason at 9:03 PM

April 11, 2005

Gaining Perspective

I don't watch a lot of television, hence I missed this video by Sarah McLachlan. World On Fire really makes you stop and think. Check this video out, tell a friend, be inspired knowing that it doesn't take a lot of money to make a difference.

Big thanks to Asha!

Posted by Jason at 11:41 AM

April 1, 2005

Report: U.S. "Dead Wrong" on WMDs in Iraq

Between the life and death of Terri Schiavo, and the deteriorating health of the Pope, one could not be blamed for overlooking this piece of news -- U.S. intelligence agencies were "dead wrong" about WMDs in Iraq.

Other than restating the obvious, this presidential commission does however shed more light on the attitude of the Bush Administration and members of Congress (including Democrats). I find it interesting that no blame was laid upon the President nor his administration. In fact, the report acts to distance the President from the issue arguing inter-agency "turf wars" and bungling were to blame. Bush apparently agreed with the report's findings stating that, "The central conclusion is one that I share...America's intelligence community needs fundamental change."

I can just see it now, more federal dollars will go to "revamp" America's ailing intelligence community. What's funny is Bush and his Republican supporters are the ones pushing for smaller government.

Bush's response to this report reminds me of former WorldCom exec, Bernie Ebbers. Before being convicted, Ebbers' defence for his unprecedented fraud was that he wasn't adept at the complexities of WorldCom's accounting. This coming from a guy who built a multi-billion dollar company from scratch. Fortunately, the courts didn't believe his ridiculous claim.

Bush's defence for the war on Iraq as it relates to intelligence is similar -- How is it the President's fault? After all wasn't he the victim of poor intelligence? The correct answer of course is: Yes, it is his fault. He's the President of the United States of America and it's his job to know what's going on in his own backyard!

It would seem that 'accountability' has been out of style in the business world for a while now. Pundits argue that the worse is yet to come. Bush has demonstrated (quite amazingly I might add) that accountability means very little in government today. As the Bush Administration pushes for privatization of government services (e.g. Social Security) America's future does indeed seem bleak. One can only wonder what it will take before its citizens step-up and cry, "Bullsh*t!" and make Bush accountable for his actions.

Posted by Jason at 10:19 AM