by Joseph Bolden, staff writer,

Wednesday, April, 21, 2000Friendly Fire: A military term, used when soldiers
are wounded, killed by weapons fired from our own military fighting
enemy forces in war.

Folks, like I wrote before, not all though most
police have a'Thin Blue Line' mentality down perfect. As in a Providence,
Road Island restaurant on Friday, January, 28. That mental "blind
spot"cost 29-year-old Sgt. Cornel Young Jr. an off-duty officer,
out of uniform. His life. It happened to a black police officer,
attempting to help two fellow policemen both white.

Solitro, 33, and Saraiva, 30, were responding to
a fight outside the restaurant. Young, in street clothes, drew his
gun to help the officers, both officer's said they repeatedly told
Young to drop the weapon, but he did not comply and they shot him.
The police union insisted Young's shooting was a split-second decision,
not prejudice.

I guess, between the adrenaline flow in all three
officers, a situation highly charged and poor Sgt.Young maybe didn't
hear - his focus being on the immediate problem... helping two 'brother's-in-uniform
but he in his skivvies is like any other citizen, in the way or
a suspect. Leisa Young Mr. Young's Mother is angry having to learn
Tuesday's ruling from reporter. Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse,
criticized by some community leaders for his handling of the inquiry.
Bill Fisher, an aide for Whitehouse, said "the attorney general
had left messages at her Mrs. Leisa Young home and work but could
now reach her before he held a news conference announcing the grand
jury's decision: Jury clears 2 white Rhode Island Cops of accidental
killing of off-duty officer.

To me it sounds like a righteous shoot? I may be
wrong. Warning to off-duty officer's: show a badge, police academy
ring, anything showing your police personnel too. Is it an aberration?
I guarantee this has and will happen in other places as long as
cops are trained to shoot black outlines which automatically make
African-American's or any non Caucasoid in the minds of officer's
walking targets.

My humble suggestion: change those shooting targets
into mixed colors, rainbow spectrums not just one gradient of black,
gray, brown, or white outline... in case police departments have
those around. 'Ya know between those four goons in not all of their
names begin with a G like Mayor R. Guiliani, G. Garcetti of Angle,
'uh Angel City, The Honorable Reverend/Supervisor Amos Brown, what
he's done to a family I don't care what he says in a reputable newspaper
it is WWW. Wrong! Eloquent, stylish, 'lucky Dot-money investor Mayor
Brown, and across the Bay STRONG MAYOR and Former California Governor
Jerry Brown or E-B Emperor Brown have some weird convergence going
on Darn, them aligning planets! Cops flipping out, gone crazy making
mistakes killing innocent people and if an officer isn't in uniform,
off-duty he or she is libel to be another victim.

 top of article 

I'd sure like to hear that "Cop Killer"or any other
track on the same subject and hope they B'n M know what I mean folks,
b+m-rhymes with groan. In other Cities, States, Counties, small
towns the same thing is going on and citizen's are fed up; here
it is damn near the 21st Century and cops are have devolved backwards
only with modern weapons. It's a nasty time for anyone 'walkin the
street with flops 'uh cops acting out their 'Wild Wild West fantasy's
with real weapons and I don't mean the TV show or updated movie.

There are many ex-military, gang members, younger
folks fed up-won't take this crap plus we know those bullet proof
vests, shields, armor plated don't protect one from grenades, portable,
rocket launcher's or a Vintage WWII bazooka in mint condition. People
become radicalized, organized, politicized, and more vocal and they
tend to want payback when friends, relatives, or they get shot at,
wounded over "a perception or suspicion" Cops constantly piss folks
as it is, with their power of legal murder I see why some cops "eat
their gun" Maybe the next generation of police will learn from past
mistakes.

I do not envy minority cops of either race, sex,
or sexual orientation because when you take off the uniform you
literally can lose your life as Sergeant Cornel Young Jr. did either
by trying to help or not being believed that you are one of the
'blue's only off duty.

'Wanna know what I call 'friendly fire'? When a
'smart-bullet hits a cop and knows by optical scans, colors, imaging,
diagnostic/medical technologies its made an error, corrects it by
releasing natural and nanobots healing, cleansing, closing the wound,
also excellerated healing then spills over to further heal other
areas with left over med-bots. For criminals the same so 'accidental
hits to heart, lung, or brain is no longer automatically fatal.
Back to reality.

The really sad part is as a dedicated officer if
he Sgt. Cornel Young had survived this tragic event he probably
would have thought twice before doing it again. How many off-duty
cops survived, were wounded, killed simply because they were seen
as potential criminal-with-gun-threat? Someone could make a national
website adding up statistics of related "Friendly Fire" Cop-Killing-Cops
by accident it may surprise us how many are being lost. If I offended
any former or retired cops feelings... My deepest apologies; EVERYONE-
BE SAFE. Bye folks.

by Aaron Selter

Has the San Francisco Chronicle become the National Enquirer? In the
Chronicle's initial report on the truck driver who crashed into the state
capitol, its editors chose to publish unconfirmed reports on the front page
concerning a supposed grudge between the driver and Gov. Gray Davis. These
"unconfirmed reports" turned out to be false, yet the Chronicle waited unitl
page four of the next day's edition to correct its statement.

Michael Bowers, the deceased truck driver, had written the governor a
letter in which CHP Commissioner D.O. "Spike" Helmick characterized as
"non-threatening". The subject of the letter, the unacceptable facilities
and treatment Bowers was receiving as a patient in the Atascadero state
mental health hospital, can now be seen as a threat or challenge to correct
a system which was failing and individual. Though, the governor did not
choose to see the issue in this light when he received the letter.

In 1986 Bowers was incarcerated for the first time. Over the next
several years he was sent back to prison for various parole violations. His
family states that over this time Bowers had spent a total of two years in
solitary confinement. When the state corrections department was asked for a
response they stated that they could not verify the claim. Is this becasue
they do not know what is occurring in their prisons? Or are they afraid
that the truth may be detremential to their status quo?

"He used to like to sing, dance, ski," Robin Bowers, the victims sister
said. "When he came out of prison, he wasn't my brother anymore. He was
different."

Bowers was sentenced to six more years of prison in 1991. The first
three years were spent in prison, then Bowers was transferred to Atascadero
state mental health hospital. One state mental health official said that a
transfer such as this indicates that Bowers, "had a severe mental disorder
that was not in remission and represented a substantial danger or physical
harm to others."

Bowers was eventually shipped to another state mental health facitility
where he stayed until an opportunity for parole came up twice. Both times
Bowers refused to sign the parole papers because they incorrectly stated
that he was a heroin addict and required methadone treatments as a condition
for parole. Did the state think the methadone would have cured Bowers
mental health problems even though he was not an addict? Or is the system in
such disarray that they can not process paperwork correctly?

Despite the urging of the prosecutor and psychologists that Bowers was
a danger to society, a jury decided that he no longer posed a threat and
released him in 1999.

Every governmental agency that Bowers encountered failed him.
Beginning with the solitary confinement in prison, to the substandard
treatment in the state mental health facilities, to the media who falsely
characterized him. The combined collapse of the system resulted in the loss
of a citizen. In order to protect itself and deflect criticism the system,
who should be held accountable, placed the blame on the individual.

The popular solution is to build a wall around the capitol, closing it
off from the people it is supposed to serve. Nobody has suggested breaking
down the walls that prevent change in our correctional and mental health
facilities.

"All the people in the world wouldn't have prevented what happened,"
Helmick said.

I disagree. The system could have prevented this tragedy. Many
people, who make up the system, had a chace to help Michael Bowers but they
failed; and now a life is lost.

by Joseph Bolden, staff writer,

Tuesday, May, 23, 2000

Boston - Millions more children than previously
thought might have lead-linked mental impairment. Another study
supports a strong link between lead exposure and juvenile delinquency.

How many of these interior-exterior painted buildings
still exist?

Does anyone remember the late 1970's or 80's crack
epidemic, and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) infants
born to addicted mothers? Mainstream media and TV specials said,
"These babies have a dim or no future." Many of these reports are
wrong; some of these children are geniuses, although some do have
mental or behavioral problems. Notice fewer news reports on "crack
babies", though there are still problems with infants born with
drugs and the AIDS virus in their system. Then miracles happen as
babies' immune systems fight off the disease and live!

Or when so many young African-Americans died from
gang related drive-by shootings all over the inner cities of America,
that first year medical students were learning triage medicine by:

1) separating the seriously wounded from

2) the dead and death bound and

3) survivors.

News all over the country, in a main story format,
was the possible extinction of Blacks in America.
It seemed to me at the time that there was
actual glee at such a prospect. We as a people not only survived,
but thrived, as in an old Richard Pryor joke: "After 400 years of
this shit (Slavery) we ain't afraid of aliens in spaceships."

Now we're becoming victims of the accumulated lead
poisoning from buildings constructed in the 20th century: the 1930's,
40's, 50's, and 60's, in both old and 'urbanely renewed' neighborhoods.

How many children have permanent mental or physical
problems, and as young men or women, do not know why, blaming themselves
for something not their fault. I ate bugs 'n roaches as a child,
especially those big, fat waterbugs; full of blood and crunchy.
Later I learn they are also full of diseases, too, and they walk
on lead painted walls.

Everything must be reassessed, and with updated
medical progress some children and adults might be helped. Permanent
brain damage from lead poison may not be as irreversible with new
therapies like were available to the cocaine babies and AIDS infants.
And no more black folks to scare. There could be a way to reverse
brain damage. Let's all say it together: "Fetal cells, stem cells."
Just a thought. Talk to each other. "The answers are with us all."
Bye.

(back to top) 

by Jewnbug

Poverty bought my lottery, ticket.

writing uplifted hurting, emerging.

searching through books to rescue stories buried deep in shame.

poverty gave social services my name.

Time trys to trap my rhyme, won’t b a mime 4 da 9-5 ride.

Stress needs rest, rethinking how to organize mess of past relations with press, my ex.

moving on to the next , I press.

Incarceration epdemic sickens nations with investations of violations.

Police canceled yo lease, ceased possessions, release demanded from zoo cages.

Words fly with birds not just nerds, unlocking the will to flirt again , again.

Poverty locked me in a cage.

Words fly with birds release my RAGE!

by S.H.A.C.

San Francisco, CA-Members of the Senior Housing Action Collaborative (SHAC) joined up with members of the SF Tenant’s Union to spread a holiday message: STOP EVICTING SENIORS!

They chose the Law Offices of Wiegel and Fried to kick off their carol tour. Wigel and Fried are the attorneys who represented to John Hickey Brokerage in their much publicized eviction of 84 year old Lola McKay last year. They are at it again. This time two seniors are on the chopping block; Norma Morgan and Alma Augueles.

Alma Augueles is being evicted from her flower shop in the Mission. Alma is 55 years old and a native of San Francisco. Her landlord, Kaushik Dattani has hired Wiegel and Fried for their expertise in evicting seniors in order to displace Alma from her shop where she lives and works.

According to Ted Gullicksen from the SF Tenants Union, "Unlike dot.coms who go unpunished for violating the planning code, Alma is being evicted.The irony is that she is actually adhering to the LIVE/WORK philosophy while many dot.coms do not."

Weigel and Fried’s services have also been retained by the WCW Corporation in order to evict Norma Morgan and the other tenants from their four unit building in the Inner Sun -set. Norma is also a senior and she is disabled. She is a member of the Senior Action Net-work and she is fighting mad. "I have lived in San Francisco for 55 years. Weigel and Fried have been hired to assist this out of town corporation to maneuver through San Fran-cisco’s rent control ordinance in order to evict me. They are using the Ellis Act to sweep us all out. Thanks to John Burton’s Lola Mckay amendment I have one year to look for a place. However, six months have already gone by and I am not one step closer to finding an affordable roof over my head. I am simply asking for Wiegel and Fried to stay the evic-tion until I find affordable housing to move into."

>p>The seniors and tenants from the Senior Housing Action Collaborative and the SF Ten-ants Union serenaded Weigel and Fried with revised holiday carols such as "I’ll be home-less for Christmas" and "Here Comes the Landlord" and presented them with stockings full of coal as well as their demands. Wiegel and Fried, however, were not the only recipients of these seniors mock-carols. The SF Association of Realtors and Mayor Willie Brown also received stokings full of coal.

by Joseph Perryman

1/24/2001

THEY SAY THAT I AM FREE

BUT THEY WON’T LET MY HANDS GO

THEY TRY TO KEPT ME WITH AH BLIND FOLD

AND SAY DON’T GO WHERE THEY GO

TRUTH BE HOLD IS THE TRUTH REALLY BEING TOLD

NO MATTER WHAT IT MAY BE

YOU TOOK SOMETHING FROM THE PEOPLE NOW GIVE

IT BACK THREE TIMES FOLD

I’M SO HOT I COULD SCOLD

I’M FEELIN BIG THAN BOLD

YOU SAY WO WE’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE

BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THE FIRST

THE MATTER HAS GOTTEN WORSE

WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN CURSE

WE GOTTA HIT’EM WHERE IT HURTS

WE NOT STEPPIN ASIDE

WE STEPPIN N STRIDE

WE CAN NOT HIDE FROM THE FACT

WE THEY AIN’T TO HAPPY CAUSE WE BLACK

THEY WANNA SEE US ON OUR BACKS

YOU CAN BE STRAPED

BUT IS THAT REALLY THE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT

YOU CAN SCREAM AND SHOUT ABOUT IT

BUT DO THEY HEAR IT

OR FEAR IT IF YOU GET NEAR IT

by pnn

ALABAMA

ARISE

P.O. Box 612 Montgomery, AL

36101

Phone: 334-832-9060

Fax: 334-832-9061

Birmingham Health Care for the Homeless Program

712 - 25th Street,

North Birmingham,

AL 35203

Phone: 205-439-7201

Fax: 205-458-3383

Email: judunning@cs.com

ARIZONA

Phoenix Consortium for the Homeless

902 West Culver Phoenix,

AZ 85007-1907

Phone: 602-253-6905

Fax: 602-253-6972

Primavera Foundation, Inc.

3232 E. Third Street Tucson,

AZ 85716-5545

Home: 520-325-5876

Fax: 520-881-6818

Email: gpackard@azstarnet.com

ARKANSAS

Women's Project

2224 Main St. Little Rock,

AR Phone: 501-372-5113

Northern CALIFORNIA

Listed/Ulisisted In 2001 Phone Book

Alternative Family Services

(L) 25 Division Phone: 415-626-2700

American Indian Child Resource Center

(UL) 522 Grand Ave.

Oakland, CA 94610

Phone: 510-208-1870 Email: aicrc@aicrc.org

Applied Research Center

(UL) 3781 Broadway

Oakland, CA 94611

Phone: 510-653-3415 Fax: 510-653-3427

Ella Baker Center For Hunman Rights

(L) Samantha R.ext.24 Bay Area Police Watch Project Jazzman De La Rosa
ext.26

- The 3rd Eye Movement)

- Judie Appel ext.23 (Names, Extentions contiue on Phone message)

1230 Market St. P.M.B.409

San Francisco, Ca. 94102

415-951-4844

Fax: 415- 951-4813

Website HumanRTS@Ellabakercenter.org e-mail HumanRTS@Ellabakercenter.org

Back On Track Tutorial

(L) 1399 Mcallister Phone: 415-346-9316

Bay Area Legal Aid Foundation

(415)982-8399

Bay Area Literacy (BALit)

A consortium of library-based literacy programs in the Bay Area. Our programs, which you may know as Project Read, Berkeley Reads, Project Second Chance, Write to Read, and more, all offer free, confidential tutoring for adults wishing to improve their reading and writing skills. Programs are located in communities throughout the Bay Area, and operate out of public libraries. Millions of Bay Area residents could benefit from these services that enable them to realize their professional and personal goals, and participate more fully in their communities (voting!).

The toll-free hotline is 1-888-740-READ, and our web site is www.literacynet.org/balit.

BOSS - Community Organizing Team Third Floor

(L) 685 - 14th Street

Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: 510-663-6580

Fax: 510-663-6584

Bread, Work and Justice(Johna/othan?) Community of Correspondence


(UL) Phone: 510-465-9914

California Child, Youth, and Family Coalition

Youth Crisis Line: 1-800-843-5200 (L)

Californians for Justice

(L) 1611 Telegraph Ave. Suite 206

Oakland, CA 94612

Phone: 510-452-2728

Fax: 510-452-3552

Center for Young Women's Development

695 Market St. Mission(L)

San Francisco, CA

Phone: 415-977-1980

Central YMCA of San Francisco

220 Golden Gate Ave.(L)

Phone: 415-855-0460

Child Care Inclusion Challenge Project

Phone: 415-343-3334(L)

Children's Council of San Francisco

Phone: 415-243-0700 (L)

575 Sutter Street. San Francisco CA.

Child Care Referral: 415-243-0111

Coalition for Ethical Welfare Reform

459 Vienna Street (L)

San Francisco, CA 415-239-5099

Community Action Now (CAN)

1581 - 20th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94107

Phone: 415-759-7669 Web: www.cansf.org

*CopWatch

Phone: 510-548-0425

CTWO

1218 E. 21st Street

Oakland, CA 94606

Phone: 510-533-0923

Fax: 510-533-0923

Email: mtoney@ctwo.org

Disabled Advocates of Minorities Organization (DAMO)

(L) 415-695-0153

DrawBridge (L)

PO Box 2698

San Rafael, CA 94912

Phone: 415-456-1269

Fax: 415-456-3284

Email: arts4home@aol.com

East Bay Community Law Center

Phone: 510-540-4848

Family Rights and Dignity

415-346-3740

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Phone: 415-345-0126

Families With A Future

100 McAllister Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Phone: 415-255-7036, ext. 320

Fax: 415-552-3150

Web: www.fwaf.net

Haight Ashbury Free Clinic

1440 Chinook Ct Treas Is

San Francisco, CA

Phone: 415-487-5638

Haight Ashbury Food Program

1525 Waller

San Francisco, CA

Phone: 415-566-0366

Holy Family Day Home
299 Dolores Street
San Francisco, Ca 94103
Free Childcare spaces available now for children age 2-5 years old.Must be toilet trained.To qualify: family must be certified homeless and be working towards employment or educational goals.For more information, call (415) 861-5361.

Homebase (Senter For Common Conserns)

870 Market St. (L)

San Francisco, Ca. 94102

Phone. 415-788-7961

Homeless Prenatal Program

Phone: 415-546-6756

Just Cause

Oakland 1-510 464-1011

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children

100 McAllister Street

Phone: 415-255-7036

Email: lspc@igc..org

Lifetime

2065 Kittredge Street Suite E

Berkeley, CA 94704

Phone: 510-452-5192

Fax: 510-452-5193

Email: dspatz@hotmail.com

Living Wage Coalition

955 Market St. 11th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone: 415-243-8133

Fax: 415-243-8628

Mission Agenda

2940 - 16th Street Suite 204

San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone: 415-436-9707

Fax: 415-436-9170

Email: magenda@energy.net.org

Media Alliance/Raising Our Voices

(415) 546-6334

Mission Anti-Displacement Coalition

Phone: 415-431-4210

Mildly Ill Childcare Program

Phone: 415-821-0411

San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of The National Lawyers' Guild

Phone: 415-285-1055

Parents United for the Needs of Children (PUNCH)

Phone: 415-357-4674 (?)

People Organized to Demand Economic Right

Phone: 415-431-4210

POWER 32 -

7th Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

Phone: 415-864-8372

Fax: 415-864-8373

Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC)

PO Box 339

Berkeley, CA 94701

Phone: 510-893-4648

PUEBLO(?)

1920 Park Blvd.

Oakland, CA 94606

Phone: 510-452-2010

Fax: 510-452-2017

Email: peopleunited@igc.org

Respite Care Program & Infant Care Program

Phone: 415-821-1300

Salvation Army Adult Women's Shelter

Phone: 415-292-2585

San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness

468 Turk Street

San Francisco, CA 94102-3606

Phone: 415-346-3740 x306

Fax: 415-775-5639

Email: coh@sfo.com

SHAC (Senior Housing Action Network)(L)

Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco

1370 Mission Street, 3rd Floor

San Francisco, CA. 94103

Phone: 415-398-0527

Fax: 415-703-0186/

shac9@hotmail.com

Single Parent Network

Phone: 415-387-3684

Supportive Parents Idependent Network

4069 30th Street

San Diego, CA 92104

Phone: 619-285-1003

Fax: 619-285-1019

Talk Line

Phone: 415-387-3684

(For Emergency: 24-hour Hotline)

The California Association for Health, Education, Employment, and Dignity,
Inc.

Phone: 415-642-9886

Email: caheed@caheed.org

Third Eye Movement

Phone: 510-632-1195

Vineyard Workers Services

PO Box 166

Glen Allen, CA 95422

1-707 933-0897

Email: vws@vom.com

Whitney Young Child Development Center

Phone: 415-821-7550

Women's Economic Agenda Project (WEAP)

Phone: 406-543-2530

Fax: 510-986-8628

Email: weel@montana.com

Young Women's Work Project

Phone: 415-974-6296

Southern CALIFORNIA

Acorn

Suite 25 1010 S. Flower

Los Angeles, CA 90015

Phone: 213-747-4211

Fax: 213-747-4221

Email: caacornia@acorn.org

Los Angeles Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness

Suite 339 548 S. Spring Street

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: 1-213-439-1070

Home: 626-577-5615

Fax: 213-439-1080

Email: HN1674@handsnet.org

COLORADO

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless 2

100 Broadway

Denver, CO 80205

Phone: 1- 303-293-2217

Fax: 303-293-2309

Email: JP@coloradocoalition.org

Denver Grassroots Leadership

Denver, Colorado

1-303-753-1370 (Denver Leadership Conference)

CONNECTICUT

Mothers for Justice(not) Some Christian Org.

168 Davenport

New Haven, CT 06519

Phone: 1-203-777-7848

Fax: 203-777-7923

Vencinos Unidos

PO Box 260 268

Hartford, CT 06126

Phone: 860-236-1295

Fax: 860-236-8071

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Center for Community Change (CCC)

1000 Wisconsin Ave. NW

Washington DC 20007

Phone: 202-342-0567

Fax: 202-342-1815

National Low Income Housing Coalition

Suite 610 1012 - 14th Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20005-3406

Phone: 202-662-1530

Home: 703-683-8639

Fax: 202-393-1973

Email: sheila@nlihc.org

National Partnership for Women and Families

Phone: 202-986-2600

Fax: 202-986-2539

FLORIDA

Florida Coalition for the Homeless c/o Office of Justice and Peace

134 E. Church Street

Jacksonville, FL 32202-3130

Phone: 904-358-7410

Fax: 904-358-7302

Email: peace@cxp.com

Miami Workers Center

16375 NE 18th Ave. #315

North Miami, FL 33162

Phone: 305-919-7222

Fax: 305-919-7665

Email: miamiproject@hotmail.com

Minority Families Fighting Wages

6020 NW 13th Ave. #9

Miami, FL 33147

Phone: 305-919-7222

Fax: 305-919-7665

Email: miamiproject@hotmail.com

GEORGIA

Center for Human Rights Education

Phone: 404-344-9629

Empty the Shelters

Atlanta, GA 404-589-1333

GA Citizens Commitee

on Hunger Nine Gammon Ave. SW

Atlanta, GA 30315

Phone: 404-622-7778

Fax: 404-622-7992

Email: hungercoalition@mindspring.com

Georgia Human Rights Union

Phone: 404-622-7778

Project South NIne Gammon

Avenue SW Atlanta, GA 30315

Phone: 404-622-0602

Fax: 404-622-7992

Southerners for Economic Justice (SEJ)

Nine Gammon Ave.

Atlanta, GA 30315

Phone: 919-682-6800

Fax: 919-682-6502

Task Force for the Homeless

Second Floor 363 Georgia Avenue, S.E.

Atlanta, GA 30312-3139

Phone: 404-230-5007 x118

Home: 404-659-2590

Fax: 404-589-8251

Email: abeaty@mail.homelesstaskforce.org

Union of the Homeless c/o Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless

363 George Avenue, SE

Atlanta, GA 30312-3139

Phone: 404-230-5000

Home: 404-688-1755

Fax: 404-589-8251

by Irma Jean Lewis-Epps

Micro- economics. I don't want or need this word to be defined
for me by a dictionary. I live this everyday on the money I recieve
from San Francisco's Dept. of Human, Services (D.H.S.) also known
as WELFARE. I am defined by D.H.S. , along with my daughter, as
a single-parent head of household, plus one. Technically we represent
a unit of two, therefore we are entitled to the micro-economically
deprived sum total of $493.50 per month. We spend every waking hour
(as the parent this is my task) attempting to make this amount last
from momth to month. This can only be done on paper as a matter
of theorectical application. On my block we smilingly refer to it
as a waste of paper.

Tonight my child and I are once again in search of someway to
survive another day. We are part of a fortunate few being given
the opportunity to participate in government subsidized program
that will ,eventually help us transistion off welfare to work. This
particular program is the Bay are IDA collaborative program. The
East Bay Asian Local Develpoment Corporation is comprised of thirteen
different organizations that serve low-income individuals . The
main idea is to help all of us low-income and close to no-income
set up a savings program. The way the system is set up now you can
easily be penalized for having any savings, IDA's are attempting
to change that way of thinking.

George Loew was the E.B.A.L.D.C. representative at the orientation.
Along with the basic information he was dispensing he also intimated
that there may be cause to plant seeds of hope. IDA's can be used
for job training or education, business start-ups, up to $600 and
first-time home ownership (not all participants will qualify), up
to $1,920. At this meeting we get information as well as applications
to be filled out in order to determine eligibility. Now of course
all of us low slash maybe no-incomes know about forms and the absolute
need to first determine eligibility, after which if we meet the
necessary requirements we proceed to the next step which is to make
an appointment. If we make it to the next appointment, we bring
along with us the filled out forms to a one on one meeting with
E.B.A.L.D.C. If accepted into the program you attend five weekly
sessions on money management, attend other training specifically
related to your individual goal. For those of us trying to stretch
our meager monthly income the concept of savings is so strange and
alien that we truly need the assistance of others to familiarize
us with something left over to be "saved". At this point we are
then shown how to open an Individual Development Account at a designated
financial institution ,make monthly deposits and attend monthly
"peer savers" club meetings. This is a good idea.

As we all know by virtue of it's being a good idea, it does not
have a snowballs chance in hell of being actualized. They are presently
compiling the statistical data necessary to present to government
(on the Federal level)the need for this program, a.k.a. enough numbers
to get funded. Now back to reality, word on the street is that knowledge
is power. I say power is an action , Knowledge is only power if
you use it. What happens if not only you don't use it cause you
don't know it, but you are having trouble confirming it cause you
never heard it. In order to have acess to this program you must
be referred through one of the thirteen organizations comprising
E.B.A. L. D. C. As soon as I get a list of them all you will be
the first to know. I am presently a part of Poor magazines WE WILL
BE HEARD NEW MEDIA JOURNALISM STUDIES PROGRAM. If I were not a part
of this program I would not have ever heard of IDA's. In my particular
class there are less than a dozen students , fortunately for us
chosen few Poor Magazine is enpowered to allow us entrance into
the hallowed halls of participation (if we meet the eligibility
requirements) . If you don't have acess to the knowledge, you sure
as heck won't be using it, and you can trust me on this one , you
will lose out on a lot by not knowing. In this program your personal
savings held in an IDA account are matched by the Bay Area IDA Collaborative
Program, two dollars to every one dollar you save. Your matched
savings are kept in a parallel account managed by the IDA Program.
You will recieve monthly statements from your banking institution,showing
your personal savings & fromthe program showing your earned match.
You will also recieve matching funds for savings used towards your
designated savings goal. If you have any questions pertaining to
IDA's contact George Loew at (510)287-5353 ext.436, or e-mail Gloew@ebaldc.com.

As I sat there listening small rays of hope began to tinge the
edges of my reality. Not those big rays you may associate with sunshine,
but tiny tingles along the edges because along with them came the
realization that only a hand full of us will be able to take advantage
of this cause only a few of us know. So my real contribution to
the cause will be to let you know that in order to get info on how
to get a referal , reach out to Poor Magazine attn. Lisa Gray-Garcia.
CAll (415) 863-6306 and ask Lisa about IDA's . It has been my experience
that it costs a lot to be "poor" in San Francisco and now thanks
to Poor Magazine I have taken another step away from low-income.

by Leroy Moore

As a Black disabled man, I can not rely on Hollywood to represent me! Although Hollywood may be learning about people with disabilities and it already has had years upon years to learn about Black culture and how to represent Black people, Hollywood has not connected the two into one: Black disabled people. I was really excited to see movies with disabled themes and actors playing disabled roles, but when I concentrated on what has been coming out of Hollywood I realized that the movies have looked like the dominant culture.

Before the mid 90’s I could count on one hand the movies that had a Black actor or actress in a lead disabled role, and they were not portraying disability in a positive and empowering light. On the other hand, there have been many movies with White actors and actresses playing positive disabled roles.

Lately, Hollywood has been cashing in on disabled people.There is a lack of diversity in roles, however. Nine times out of ten, White disabled people are enjoying this newly found fame while Blacks and other disabled minorities are nowhere to be found, or are cast in negative roles such as drug dealers or gang bangers, as portrayed in "Boyz in the Hood" and "Slam." Check out the characters and themes in movies like "Children of a Lesser God," "Rain Man," "Born on the 4th of July," and in last year's "The Other Sister,""Theory of Flight," "At First Sight" and "The Mighty." These characters and themes are uplifting, inspirational and they are positive. The 1992 movie "The Waterdance" features diverse characters in disabled roles, but the two main characters represent the balance of good and bad. Compare Wesley Snipes' character to the one portrayed by Eric Stolz and you will find out how Blacks and other minority characters in disabled roles are shaped and viewed in Hollywood.

Recent documentaries on the lives of disabled characters are receiving more attention. In 1999 a local disabled writer won an Oscar for his documentary "A Breathing Lesson: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien." This was a great movie, but I am still waiting for a documentary about a disabled minority in an empowering and positive role! Hollywood seems to be learning about disabled people, disability culture and arts. Hollywood has yet to realize that the disability rights movement and the new disability culture is still lacking diversity thus leaving different perspectives, views and lifestyles out. When you watch these movies with disabled characters and themes, ask yourself: do they represent the whole disabled community, or only the dominant culture?

Recently, the skin colors are changing on the big screen and in small independent films. In 1999 the small but wonderful independent film "Compensation," by Zeinabu Irene, appeared at the 2000 Sundance Independent Film Festival, but hasn’t made it to most theaters yet. This drama is about the life of a deaf African American woman in the early 1900’s, paralleled with the life of another deaf woman living in the 1990’s. "Compensation" examines the relationships of young black couples in which the female is deaf and the male is hearing.

Another recent documentary tells the story of a Black blind man of San Francisco, blues singer Paul Pena. In "Genghis Blues," Pena hears this strange sound coming from his radio that turns out to be Tuvan throat-singers. Pena masters Tuvan throat singing, and then travels across the world to win a Tuvan contest, discovering a newly independent life.

On top of this, it seemed that last year was the year of minorities in disabled lead roles. Denzel Washington in "The Bone Collector" plays a New York City detective who becomes a quadriplegic after a near fatal injury in the line of duty. Washington is left with only his voice and movement in one finger. What is new and shocking is Washington is not a drug dealer and at the end he is still disabled and he gets the girl! Wow!

In the "Green Mile," a movie adapted from a Stephen King novel, Micheal Clarke Duncan plays a Black giant with some kind of mental disability. It is revealed during the film that he is really an angel with healing powers, but is on death row for the murders of two white girls. To put a black disabled giant in the role of an angel is a new way to think about how we view angels!

And how about the recent movie, "The Color of Paradise?"It is the only movie I know of that deals with traditional Asian culture and blindness.

The latest gossip in Hollywood days is about a film on the life and work of Frida Kahlo, a famous Mexican artist, activist and teacher who was disabled from polio and a bus accident.

The recent increase in disabled minority roles is great, but not surprising. Hollywood, like our society in general, has been realizing that disability is a part of life, White or Black. Recently actors, actresses and sports legends have entered the gates of the disabled community. Many think Christopher Reeves started this turn around in the focus of Hollywood on people with disabilities. In reality, we all know that there were many that came before Christopher Reeves, i.e. Richard Prayor with MS and soul singer Teddy Pendergrass, who was in a car crash in the early 80’s that left him paralyzed. And we can't forget the one and only Tony Cox, a Black actor who is a midget and has been around in show business for ten years. He has starred in over thirty movies and commercials, making his most recent appearance in the hit "Me, Myself & Irene," which came out last year.

Although today I see disabled minorities or minorities in disabled roles, it’s still far too few, and most are males with limited roles. Take Tony Cox: he has been in the business since 1977 but his part in "Me, Myself & Irene" is the only one in which he had a leading role and ends up with the girl.

The words of Tony Cox hit it on the nail. He was interviewed by the San Francisco Bay View last year. He said, "Hollywood in some ways maybe views us, African Americans, as invisible. The success of Denzel Washington is great! But how many Denzels you see in Hollywood?" I would like to add to Mr. Cox’s statement by saying, 'how many Tony Coxes, a Black disabled actor, you see in Hollywood?'

By Leroy F Moore Jr. 12\00

Founder & Executive Director of Disability Advocates of Minorities Organization, DAMO.

by Giovonna Willis-Barela staff writer, POOR Magazine

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