2007

by Anna Kirsch/PNN

Come to Barnes & Noble in Tanforan Mall 1150 El Camino Real in San Bruno Friday September 14 @ 7p.m. to hear Vet read from Purposes!

Vet Williamson has kept a diary for as long as she can remember; a sacred journal describing her most personal experiences and life struggles. Most of which would have been easier for her to forget than re-write, re-tell and share with the world.

But, unlike most, Vet, a race and poverty scholar and former Bayview resident, decided to unearth her painful past and share it in her recently published book, Purposes! A Real Love Story. To do so, years ago Vet began the heart wrenching process of digging back through her old journal entries to create her compelling memoir.

“It was pretty difficult to relive certain circumstances and remembering those feelings, passion and anger, was hard,” says Vet, “but I wanted to offer encouragement and hope to those who may go through some of things I experienced in my life.”

Written as a love letter to Jesus, who Vet wholly credits for her existence and survival, Purposes takes the reader on Vet’s moving journey through life. From drug abuse, racism and homelessness to poverty, welfare and motherhood, Vet writes in a simple, brutally honest manner that the reader can easily empathize with and relate to.

The story begins with Vet’s birth and the extremely close bond she shared with her mother through childhood. “I slept with my mother every night and would pull her arm over me to feel safe,” she writes. We then feel her grief when she loses her mother as a teenager and must support her family while struggling with her father’s alcoholism.

From this moment on the reader connects to Vet and becomes extremely engaged in her words and story.

We learn about the racism she suffered, even within her own race, living as a dark-skinned woman in Cincinnati, Ohio. We read on, as she becomes a teenaged mother in an abusive relationship. We see her life almost completely unravel, as she struggles with an addiction to crack, becomes houseless and survives rape.

Her story is interwoven with biblical passages, quotes and poems, each telling of how she managed to survive and overcome. While Vet credits much of the strength she found to her own community church, she also boldly points out that many churches today don’t operate in love and truth, which she believes are “the only means to set us free.”

Although rooted in Vet’s religious beliefs, Purposes doesn’t preach but openly demonstrates the healing and strength that can be found for many struggling with issues of racism and poverty through Jesus and prayer.

As Vet eloquently stated, “I was able to overcome because of the fact that I had a relationship with God…it was the way he built me, I just don’t know how to give up.”

Vet’s is a story of love and forgiveness and by the end of the book, her strength and courage are undeniable. Her life is a true tale of survival, thrival and resistance.

Purposes! A Real Love Story can be purchased online at amazon.com, as well as at Barnes and Nobles.

by Lola Bean

The Whites of your eyes

Can’t find my light

See my shape right

Unless your lids are locked tight

Or your eyes are cast down.

The curves of your ears

Deflect words

Left unheard

Without tone

Unless my lips make your sounds

The wind in your throat

Blast sirens over notes

Lost songs to the monotone

To drone out my wide mouth

And the pain and the love that&actures pouring out

And you cover yourself in your skin

Hide the motion and electricity

With thin tint

Believing it is

Where you stop and where I begin

Stop

My Eyes See just fine

I find light through your lines

Sense the motion behind

And see yours as what&acutes mine

My ears hold

Vibration from your soul

Shake words free

Lets loose tone

And then fills me

With you

Whole

My throat cuts notes

Makes waves out of air

Beats drums in your ear

Fixes your stare

And reveals what you fear

And my Skin

Created When

You meet me

A living process where light meets being

And I can feel you

To know your meaning

In this moment we create each other

You sense my eyes

Locate your light

Pull out that dim spark

You&acuteve spent lifetimes trying to hide

And your muscles grow hot

And your breathing slows deep

And you swell with my words

Spoken with intimacy

And so I reach through your hot soft shell

And into your soul sleepy and scared

And seek longingly for your connection

For passion and revelation

And you fear what you feel

And accuse me of obscenity

Say my eyes blindsided

Everything that you claimed to be

And you knock out my shine

Just to teach me a lesson

To you I&acutem not human

I&acutem just something lesser.

by Dee Allen, Joseph Bolden, Queennandi Xsheba, Jewnbug, Luis, Vivian Hain, Dharma, Ruyata

Yesterday the POOR Magazine crew embarked on a our journey to the US Social Forum, traveling from San Francisco, California to Atlanta, Georgia. Though half of the POOR crew traveled via van and even on bus, a group of POOR Magazine folks, including myself, traveled by air. For me, this would be my first time traveling with POOR Magazine. The journey would be quite a harrowing and learning experience for me.

The night before my journey, I was up all night, packing and cleaning the house. I was feeling a lot of anxiety and anticipation, especially since it is the end of the month and for me, it is always a tough time financially. I am on welfare, so my food stamps and money usually runs out, so I was a little nervous about leaving my kids. I wanted to make sure that they had everything that they needed while I was away. By the middle of the night, I was still frantically packing my things and feeling very restless. I didn't get any sleep at all. I went into my children's bedroom and kissed each one of them on their little foreheads and quietly whispered goodbye, as their little bodies lay asleep in their peaceful bliss.

By 6:00 in the morning, I was feeling even more anxious and a little delirious, yet I continued to get myself ready for the travel. By 8:00 a.m., I was out of the door to meet Leroy Moore, POOR Magazine board member. Seeing Leroy made me feel better and more relaxed, as we made our way to the BART train station three blocks from where we both live. We took the BART train to S.F. from Berkeley, riding on a hot, packed and overcrowded train full of dull-faced 9-5 commuters. We arrived at the POOR office, met others and got on our way to SFO, where things went quite smooth. Even the security check was not so bad, but I didn't like the way they treated Leroy. The airport staff were pushy and rude toward him, rushing him through and not taking in consideration of his disability. This made me angry inside. I made sure that Leroy had whatever help he needed.

We got on to the plane and were packed in tightly in the mid rear seating area. The airline crew didn't seem too friendly. We managed ourselves well and got ourselves settled in on the plane. Though the plane ride started out smoothly, it got very rough during mid flight with turbulence. This put a lot of us on edge, feeling as if we would not make it! The plane bounced around in the big thick clouds. We were scared, yet I knew that we would get through it, just as we always manage to do in our lives of daily struggle. We had no food offered on the plane and were very thirsty. We had crappy snacks. We landed safely in Atlanta. The minute we got off of the plane, I felt the hot air hit me like a big punch, knocking the breath out of me. The air was hot and humid. I felt as if I was breathing inside of a hot metal drum that was left out in the middle of the desert.

Yet, for me, being here in Atlanta for what and why we are here is most important, as the issues that we deal with in CA are endemic throughout the US. As we drove through downtown Atlanta, I could see many lone silhouettes moving about the dark streets. I knew that no matter where I go in America, the same issues effect many like myself. Also on this trip, I am filming a lot of video footage. I want to catch the raw essence of our experience at the USSF and beyond it. I hope that we can bring forward and share the 'truth' to why this whole forum is what it is meant to be, not just a gathering for social justice groups. It is important to keep it real and get the message out of this reality.

I know that the same issues affect communities here in Atlanta just as they do in the S.F. Bay Area. As we drove in the hot van through the city center of Atlanta, I saw the same images despair that I see back home; the vacant streets of closed business as many roam the streets looking for a place to rest their bodies upon. I can only imagine how difficult this must be with this suffocatingly hot weather. I wonder where they go to get out of the heat, out from under the scorching sun, where can they go when all I can see is nothingness for them out there..

We drove in the hot van for another couple of hours, dropping people off, picking people up. I was sitting in the back of the van. Every time we stopped, it was very hot outside. It was still very hot after midnight. By the time we reached the hotel, my asthma had kicked up, making me feel very listless and exhausted. My chest felt like it was going to burst, my heart racing like a horse. I needed water. I felt very suffocated, but remained calm and quiet. When I got into the hotel, I immediately went to sleep. My body was beyond its capacity.

As I drifted off into a much needed deep sleep, I thought of all of those lone silhouettes I saw walking through downtown Atlanta in the night heat and how I was very privileged to be able to lay my head on this pillow in an air conditioned room. This is why I am here in Atlanta to give voice and send a message to the world that this type of social dynamic must change, for everyone should have a pillow to lay their head on in an air conditioned room here in Atlanta and everywhere throughout the US and the entire world. This is where eminent change must happen and we are here to be part of that.

by Vivian Hain

May 8, 2007 was the 10th Annual Hunger Action Day at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Many advocates and low-income people from the California Hunger Action Coalition (C.H.A.C.) were in attendance to urge state legislators to support several state senate and assembly bills that would enable food security to many who need it in California. The event, consisting of mostly St. Anthony participants from throughout California, started out early with a morning rally at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

My twelve-year old daughter, Jasmine and I, both of us poverty scholars representing POOR Magazine, got the audience pumped up and energized, along with advocate Frank Tamborello and his group from L.A. singing their own rendition of ‘California Dreaming’ with the lyrics:

We're black and white and brown

Yellow, red and gray

We're going for a walk

To the Capitol today

We came from the Central Valley

Oakland, San Diego, L.A.

From all over California

For Hunger Action Day

Had to stop into a church

Just to get a meal today

Food stamp office wants my prints

Why they need that anyway?

Gonna tell the Terminator

What we're here to say

California Feedin

On Hunger Action Day

Need breakfast for the kids

So they can learn and play

No sanctions on the families

And a C.O.L.A.

Gonna tell the Terminator,

What we're here to say

California Feedin

On Hunger Action Day

The morning rally at the church ended with a procession of over 100 strong, banging big metal pots and carrying large signs demanding food security to the west steps of the State Capitol where another rally followed with awards given to two California state legislators for their work in helping to get food security to low-income families in the Central Valley during the recent crop freeze.

After lunch, Jasmine and I led a group of low-income participants, like ourselves, from the Alameda County Community Food Bank and St. Mary's Center in Oakland to meet with Senator President Don Perata (D-Oakland) to discuss several legislative bills and seek his support on bills requiring more support for low and no income families, such as a bill requiring breakfast programs for low-income students in California schools (AB-92) and another bill that makes it easier for those on MediCal to apply and get food stamps in a simplified process (AB-433). In addition to many other bills eliminating current bans and requirements to receive food stamps.

Currently, there are a multitude of obstacles that prevent many people in California from having food security. With the Schwarzenegger Administration continuing to target California's poor, it is imperative that these bills are supported by state legislators, especially when it concerns food stamps, which are a federally funded program. In addition, it is important that there is less USDA food in food bank bags each year, as this food has low nutritional value, especially for the elderly and children.

Next we headed to Senator Perata's office, located on the second floor in the historical part of the State Capitol building, where amongst the fancy wood and marble architecture the voice and noises of visiting children moving about in groups could be heard. Upon opening the large, wooden double doors, I entered a lavish office adorned with large paintings, chandeliers and wooden furnishings. We were then lead into a conference room by one of Perata's aides.

As we sat down around a big wooden table surrounded by plush burgundy velour chairs, Senator Perata entered the room, placing himself at the end of the table, and welcoming our group. I sat about three feet away from him, introducing our group as part of C.H.A.C. and telling him the reason we were there to see him.

Each member of the group took on a bill issue and asked Senator Perata for his support on each bill. Senator Perata said that he supported all of the bills and said that Governor Schwarzenegger would probably not support most of them due to his inexperience and lack of knowledge about low-income issues in California.

Jasmine advocated for AB-92, a bill sponsored by Republican Assembly member Bonnie Garcia that will require breakfast programs for low-income students in California schools. Senator Perata listened carefully as Jasmine articulated her own personal experience of being a houseless, hungry child with such eloquence that the Senator complimented her brilliance and asked when she was running for office.

Jasmine also stated that: “A school breakfast program is brain food, which helps us students get better test scores.” Senator Perata listened intently and took notes, along with his Finance Director as several low-income people, including myself gave our personal testimonial to why these legislative bills should be supported.

After our meeting ended, I felt a sense of hope. Then I remembered the grim forecast of Governor Schwarzenegger’s May Revision proposal with its draconian legislation that wants to permanently abolish cost of living adjustments for welfare and freeze them for the disabled and elderly, while paying back bond loans to Wall Street bankers a year in advance. Although it looks like the poor will most likely be targeted another year by this administration, we will continue to protest to get our voices heard on these issues facing all low and no income families.

Vivian and Jasmine Hain have recently co-authored a book, My Life x 4, sharing their experience as a houseless family in America. For more information on this and other POOR Press publications, please call 415-8636306.

by Lola Bean/PNN Community Journalist

This story was produced in POOR Magazine's community newsroom at the US Social Forum in Atlanta.

" I felt safer in the box than I did in the shelter. " A lot of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans gender) Community would rather stay on the streets than subject themselves to the violence and abuse running rampant in the New York City Shelter System. A stoic woman with steely eyes and a salt and pepper crew cut sits with me in a grey and musky cubicle, as she recounts gut twisting stories about being beaten, sexually assaulted, and tossed like a worthless and used up sack of garbage down a flight of stairs in a shelter that was supposed to be there to provide her with a safe place to sleep - all because she is queer.

" I talked back to one of the shelter staff, and she just grabbed me and threw me down the stairs, " she recounts with an accent of stern dignity

I met Jay Toole in POOR News Network's Community Newsroom at the Atlanta Social Forum. She is a strong and unapologetic butch dyke that spills the brilliance of her scholarship and uncompromising dedication out of her thin, light pink lips. She is the Homeless Shelter Community Organizer for Queers for Economic Justice, and a queer woman with close to three decades of poverty scholarship with a focus in houslessness under her belt. Jay probably knows more about the New York City Shelter System than anyone else in the Big Apple.

As she details the inhumane and violent stories the New York shelter system has written in her mind, my stomach began rejecting the pizza I had eaten just moments before and my headlight wide eyes began to fill with tears. As a poverty and abuse scholar myself, I immediately connected with Jay's experiences of being physically, emotionally, and economically violated because those with authority and access considered me to be less than human. The mental and physical blows she described almost knock the wind out of me.

The abuse she sustained was not limited to single instances. It was an unsaid contractual obligation in exchange for the right to sleep under a roof. " The guards would be in the same room I was being beaten in. They just turned their backs until they were done." She could be attacked in the bathroom, in the stairwell, in the main room – there was no safe space in the shelter. In addition to physical abuse, Jay sustained mental blow after blow as the shelter system psychologically battered her will.

When asked what the most difficult part of her experiences was, she immediately answers, “The loneliness. It was just lonely not being able to talk about who I am.” The shelters forced Jay to participate in group talk therapy. This was supposed to help her in her healing process and recovery, but actually served to further alienate and isolate her. Jay wanted to talk about her relationship, about the experiences she had as butch lesbian, about the trauma she was forced to endure for being a queer woman. All of these things were at the root of her joblessness, her houselessness, and her addiction. The counselors said she needed to talk about her problems, but when she did, she was told that her problems were to be kept to herself. The consequences for speaking were violent.

Jay was also separated from her partner of 14 years, Shiela. They were not allowed to stay at the same shelter together, although they were each other’s main source of support. Jay not only had to deny her own legitimacy, but that of her partner as well. The shelter system did not want her to exist.

Again my stomach turns. I hear so much of my story in her own. I’ve taken many beatings, lived in conditions I would not wish on anyone, and fought through trauma and its accompanying self medication. The most painful part of these experiences was, and in many ways still is, the lonliness. It crushes your will and dulls your sight. It leads you into dark places and traps you there. It eats the lining of your stomach and bleeds your tears dry. It is where you live with the flashes of memory and the shock of fear.

" Homophobia – it's alive and well in New York City, " Jay says with an upturned eyebrow elevated by dark irony. Jay's queer scholarship spans decades, and I follow her word all the way back to the mid sixties. Saturday nights, to be exact. Which one doesn't really matter, they all ended up the same. Jay and her crew would get together, go out for a night on the town, and end up arrested by the end of the night. Back then, women were legally forced to wear three articles of "female" clothing. Anything less was considered to be male impersonation and violators were charged with sexual deviance. As butch women, their clothing style was a criminal offense.

This is especially offensive considering that on the whole, it was impossible for butch women to get jobs unless they pretended to be men. " I used the name Melvin. " But even as Melvin, Jay could barely earn enough money to pay for a hotel every once in a while. She explains that it's hard to find work and that she was forced to live on the streets because with no work, there was no money.

Her words echoed in my ears loud enough for me to momentarily believe that they were my own thoughts replaying. In a flash, I relived countless failed job interviews, years spent moving from couch to couch with all of my belongings in my car, hours and hours of dumpster diving to try and find hopefully that last bag of bagels that would feed me for at least 3 or 4 days if I spread it out right. My stomach started turning again and the dry slice of starchy pizza started climbing once again up my throat. Most nights, I could find places to sleep and today cleaning houses helps keep me fed. Jay, a woman who lives to find safe spaces for houseless LGBT community members, spent decades living on the streets of New York City.

With a depth of experience that is only paralleled by her depth of dedication, she admits that as difficult as it was for her to earn a living, it was and still is even more difficult for queer people of color. Without skipping a beat, Jay proclaims, "It's a brown community in the shelter system in NYC. " To take it another step further, the most vulnerable population, is the trans gender community. They used to send the trans gender women off to an island. Ward's island, to be exact. " You're not going to believe the name of the building they were sent to on that island. It was called the Charles H. Gay building, " Jay said. Jay as fought for years to get transgender off of that island and into safe shelters. This task is all but impossible considering the general abusive treatment experienced by the trans gender community in most sectors of Amerikkkan life couple with the fact that out of 53 shelters, only 4 of them are considered acceptable by Queers for Economic Justice. In a recent victory, though, QEJ won a long fought battle and now trans gender men and women are allowed to self determine their placement in shelters.

This is unacceptable in and of itself, but considering the large number of queer folks in the New York City shelter system, it is outright appalling. Between 40 – 60% of homeless youth in NYC shelters are from the queer community. Jay explains, "“The kids I'm seeing on the streets today are the people I'll be seeing in the adult shelters tomorrow.”" Identifying as queer in the United States often leads to forced conditions of violence and poverty. Many men and women in the LGBT community are separated from their families and communities, find it extremely difficult to find work and places to live, and are left vulnerable to hate crimes and other acts of violence. It is no surprise so many queer youth and adults must pass through the shelter systems in New York City and throughout the nation. The large number of poor members of the LGBT community passing through shelters coupled with the high rates of abuse establishes the New York City shelter system as an institutional system of violence against queers. Jay Toole is working to change this.

" Education in the shelter systems is #1." Jay has spent years advocating for sensitivity training in the shelter systems. She worked tirelessly for three years to institute a pilot program in which shelter staff in 4 shelters would be trained on queer issues, especially in trans gender sensitivity. She conducts monthly “Know Your Rights” Trainings for houseless LGBT folks and has run outreach groups in a dozen shelters throughout New York City. Jay is fighting for the right of houseless domestic partners to have access to the family shelter system so they don’t have to be separated as she and Sheila have been. She is also active in the "Shelter Safety " campaign which seeks to end violence in the shelters.

When people are taught that some of their brothers and sisters are less than human, whether it’s because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc., it takes a lot of work to undo the damage that kind of teaching causes. When that damage causes hate and fear and violence that goes unchallenged in any system, it takes a great deal of strength to fight these battles. Jay and those in struggle with her are forced to face violence at all levels in order to secure a safe place to sleep for those in her community. There’s a lot of work to be done before shelters are safe for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans gender community. There’s a lot of work to be done before any of us can find a safe place to sleep.

by Bruce Allison

I started my 3 day journey on the Greyhound bus early Sunday afternoon. I was taking the bus from San Francisco to get to the US Social Forum in Atlanta with Seniors Organizing Seniors. Along the way, I noticed the death of small town America.

There are very few family farms left in middle America. Farms have died. They have been killed by the corporations. Main St. America, too is dead. There were vacant houses and bulidings for miles. Signs everywhere read for rent or sale.

This is due to the building of big box stores like Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Their low-cost and imported products are locking people into poverty all across America. Low pay and non grossing jobs as greeters and clerks at these big box stores also force people to stay in positions of poverty with limited education. These folks are also prohibited from earning livable wages and actions such as striking that might lead to livable wages. This is how the serf class has been and continues to be created in America.

The death of middle America has also been caused by big corporate farms. You can see this clearly in Texas. These large corporate farms pay low wages to employees and often use prisoners as laborers.

The death of the working class in middle America signals the rebirth of the middle ages where the chamber of commerce rules.

by Joseph Bolden

Here,My Core Belief's Boiled to 1 essential mental constuct.

The core of my being have limits to what I'll do to live.

1)Be myself. If it means losing bedmates or a few friends.

2) If I'm beaten up defending a woman unless she says "no." Must keep up martial arts, stay healthy and in shape for life.

3) Never beat women,children,walk-run, leave those potential situation(s).

4)What's told privately stays private unless a lives are at state.

5) My capacity for love,huge marriage may not be for me then its love the ones who like me for me.

My one real addiction is enjoying life as is and improving it over time.

A better bod',brain, other powers, I woudn't mind, why not.

As for women, men both come/go we're both replacible.

As long as I know this no fem can drive me crazy. Great song that cuts both ways.

Boiled down to its essence my basic core belief is...

(1)Be myself-true to my core and adapt, evolve when needed.

by Mari Villaluna/PNN Youth in Media Washington D.C. correspondent

We are the children of the migrant worker…
We are the offspring of the concentration camps…
Sons and daughters of the railroad builders…
We will leave our stamp on America.

- a song lead by a Reverend Norman Fong from Presbyterian Church of Chinatown in San Francisco at the Washington DC May Day API Mobilization

When I was little, I knew nothing of how my mother came to this country. My guess was that they had just moved here. As I got older my Nanay and Lola would reveal to me their stories to carry on their voices of diasporia. My Nanay would always make it clear that first my Lolo (Rest In Power) came to San Francisco by himself. He lived in a house with many other immigrants, who were saving up money to bring their families over or to send it back home. My Nanay told me, " Your Lolo (Grandfather) was already waiting for us in San Francisco. Then I remember hearing on the radio that Marcos declared martial law. We were already trying to leave the islands, and now it seemed it would never happen."

These words rang again in my head when I was living in my ancestor’s homeland and then again when I visited Tagatay, and saw the vacation house that Dictator Marcos built for U.S. President Reagan. They were best buddies, and when Marcos was kicked out of our country he was given political exile in Hawaii. What a slap in the face to my People. This infuriated me to the very core of my soul. My family left the islands to escape political oppression only to have to survive another form of oppression in the United States, a country that caused and supported the oppression of my family and our nation.

So when it came time for May Day 2007, I knew I had to represent for all my ancestors and their struggles. I was born here, so to many I am not an Immigrant, yet to many others I am from the outside, an Immigrant. When asked by an Associated Press reporter why I was participating in the march even though I was a reporter and a U.S. citizen, I stated simply, " My mother immigrated to this country. If I don't support immigrants then I would be denying myself. It's important to be here."

On this May Day, the first day of the Asian and Pacific Islander History Month to support my ancestors and all immigrants, I participated in not only the May Day March, but also the National Mobilization of Asian Pacific Americans. This action was made by a coalition of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Raza organizations. This powerful action with interfaith leaders, US Representatives, API Organizations and Korean drumming circles, was made by a coalition of Asian, Pacific Islander and Raza organizations. In the few days before May Day, these organizations and many Asians and Pacific Islanders lobbied on Capitol Hill to speak out on the injustices of the current immigration policies that the U.S. upholds. First there was a press conference, in which Congressman Mike Honda stated, “" There is a stereotype that Asians are quiet, We aren’t going to be quiet about this right? "

I found it fascinating that there were so many preachers of color out supporting immigration reform. I spoke with Reverend Eun Sang Lee of Warren United Methodist Church, and asked him to comment what Christianity has to do with immigration, “" In God there is no border. This is a human right. We (Christians) have an obligation to care for marginalized and oppressed… There is a biblical mandate to protect the vulnerable." He went on to speak about third world peoples’ need, especially Christians, to stand in solidarity with each other, " We, as persons of color, we are playing into the politics of fear. Pitting one group against the other. We are getting played. In God there is abundance when we lift up each other."

After the press conference, a stage was set up for the rally. There was a moment of silence given in remembrance of the students and faculty of Virginia Tech. After the silence, someone shouted out " Go Hokies! " Throughout the rally there was one constant chant, “What do we want?” The answer was always, " Immigration reform! " Solidarity from other third world communities was shown when other immigrants came and stood beside the Asian Pacific Islander community.

The NAACP came out as an organization and spoke about immigration. Hilary Shelton, Director of the Washington Bureau, NAACP, stated, We " must move from the politics of scapegoating immigrants…Indeed we must move together." Later in the rally, Congressman Guiterrez commented upon immigration reform, " We have only begun the fight." After he spoke, many started to chant, " Si se puede!"

We started to march toward the Democratic National Headquarters. The Korean Drumming group led the March and provided the beat for the movement we were all a part of. When we all reached the DNC we encircled the front of the building, while chanting about Immigrant rights. The Chants never stopped. Even when the chant leaders took breaks, a Grandmother in the contingent would make sure that we continued chanting together.

People never stopped marching in that circle, even though the sun was blazing upon our backs. I felt that this march was part of and connected to all the other walks/marches/protests that had been taken place before. This was not a march that was separate from any other movement; it was one that was intertwined with all movements, especially the movement to have one’s human rights recognized, implemented and respected.

We started to march again. While heading out to march, I lead one of the chants. I chanted " We didn’t cross the border, the borders crossed us." As I chanted, I thought about this land. This land has always been and always will be First Nations land, and the first illegal immigrants were Europeans. One difference between then and now is that Indigenous peoples do not believe that a person can ‘own’ the land. It is ironic that the same people whose ancestors immigrated here are the same people who are against people they view as immigrants. They themselves are immigrants, yet they continue to scapegoat immigrants.

We finally hit the Good Old Party Headquarters; which is the home of the Republican National Party. We encircled the front of the building yet another time while chanting out " Are you tired? " The protestors always responded with a firm, loud, " NO” " It was around 3:00pm and the crowd was still strong and passionate about our voices being heard in the Capitol. I thought about my Lola and her diaspora to the United States. I remember the stories of shopping at the thrift stores, carrying bags of groceries on the bus, and everyone living in a one room bedroom with her husband and all her four kids. I remembered seeing the sign that said, " Positively No Filipinos Allowed " hung inside my Tito’s house as a reminder of the racism that Filipino immigrants survived. I was continuing this walk for my family, ancestors, and community.

As I left the march with my face covered in a rag that said "Who's the Illegal alien PILGRIM?" I crossed the street from the Headquarters of the Republican Party. I passed by two white men in suits, who I could feel were speaking about me. One looked at me directly and stated, " Don't worry darling, I won't tell anyone." I was reminded of my own Lola (Grandmother) and Nanay (Mother) and their stories of immigration to the U.S. and how they escaped the Martial law of Marcos's regime. I was reminded of how my ancestors struggled to live in this country. I looked at him, and stated " I am from this land."

by Joseph Bolden

Life’s Pit Falls And Promise,

Recently I emailed a dear friend not seen in months a few words Live Long,Be Happy,Gain Knowledge, Know Wisdom.

Not profound really its just that people aren’t really living for themselves.

I sure wasn't,since my birthday will be here shortly I've pondered a little.

Yes there’s work, small businesses,or multi national corporate structures,family groups, or even the first shy steps of two people [chose sexual orientation folks].

But most of us are not living our lives to their full potential or as the late Raymond Massy said in the 1936 film "Things To Come"From H.G,Wells 1933’s–The Shape Of Things To Come Science Fiction Classic.

Don’t know which character the great actor Raymond Massy played John or Oswald Cabal but one of them spoke of living life to "Its or "The Best Effect."

That they eliminated war because if needlessly maimed and killed people."

That wasn’t living life to Its Best Effect.

We still have people who if they’ve not been in war.

Want war to prove their own mettle using, spending innocent peoples lives, wasting our best resource Human lives!

In places other folks need to work out their own issues without numerous parties horning in.

Thing is I know my own false starts,ducking, avoiding has taken years until recently to finally do what I always wanted but self loathing and fear kept me away from.

Just sent a shout out to a friend because I too will be moving in other directions testing, surprising, myself in ways not thought of before.

I’ve gone through a few psychological changes I cannot even see yet (it isn’t going political) still apolitical however more grabs at life, collecting thoughts,seeing what I went through was minor to what so many folks have lived to survive through.

Let go of certain heart felt,soulful feelings freeing the self of past losses making room for current gains.

Don’t know where all this leads but it’s a better place to feel more lively.

It like living in thick fog which blocked the brightness of opportunity.

Now,a searing brilliance has cut through this fog and I can never let it cover me inside again.

Difficult explaining any of this if it hasn’t been experienced unless its an ongoing peak experience of illuminated insight permanently burned onto my psychic retina!

A great and good friend may not see me after a while because it may become years long a-questing I’ll be going.

I’ll not be the same either.

Its been difficult (so have I) but one lives, learns,discovers,cast aside certain truisms knowing that some astounding revelations arrive too late or early to have been known.

Such is life and the living of it.

Time to live life to Its Best Effect.

by Leroy Moore/PNN

Since Bush highjacked the presidency for the second time, our country has been at war not only aboard but also at home. Although we have heightened our Homeland Security to protect from " terrorism ", all kinds of State, City, and County police along with the growing INS and Minute Men have not made our society safer, but in fact have made American society unsafe and increased violence in our communities and homes.

Last year alone Florida had at least three, probably more, violent attacks on individuals who were homeless. In California a White racist group attacked and beat a Black man who uses a wheelchair and a Latina transwoman was found dead in March. All of these cases and more like them tell us, people who are disabled, gay, transvestites and homeless that we need to be protected in hate crime legislation. Bush, however thinks it is unnecessary.

One recent article criticizes the bill, saying it leaves groups out like the police! Examining the definition of a hate crime explains why the police are not included and why such a criticism is unfounded.

If we had a President that read the newspaper and was in any way connected to the public then we wouldn’t need to waste time explaining why this legislation is desperately needed.

Another criticism of the bill by Bush and the Republican party, as well as some Democrats, is that this law creates a special class. Once again the blame is on the victim and not the perpetrators. The outrageous fact is there has not been any new amendment to original hate crime bill of 1968 that only covers race, color, religion, or national origin.

Bush and the Republican Party’s reaction to this Bill is not surprising when you realize that this is the same guy who didn’t want to talk about the case of James Bryd, a Black disabled man in Texas who was brutally attacked dragged and beaten to death by a group White non-disabled men. James Bryd's disability was only a footnote in the case.

Bush’s reaction to this bill is unbelievable considering how hard he works to fight the " War on Terror " yet won’t protect his own citizens from violent attacks in this country. We are simply asking for Bush to prevent any more unnecessary deaths and injuries in his presidency.

Leroy F. Moore Jr.
www.leroymoore.com

by Joseph Bolden

Another Birthday

As readers can see I too think of Death's Loopholes

Find 'em expand 'em and the big sleep also gets further away.

If my words offend any readers, my apologies in my bid to be truthful and honest as I can.

It has gotten me in trouble or been called pornographic. (there was a time I had three women editors overseeing my columns)

The frank topics are changing dating patterns of men and women is part of the problem another was monetary gift from Catholic Charities their rule: No discussing anything on birth control.

Well dating sometimes ends with pregnancies, abortion,or ways women are no able to prevent birth.

I wrote of other topics instead.

Yes,I’m a Mid Boomer child,born 1954(9) years after the end of World War II (10) prior the last of the boomer crop were born.

In the middle of the great B migration swept up, cursed ‘n praised for that generation did in their lives while living, discovering,changing,and dying in the world.

Other than that I, like everyone on this globe look for my niche.

Taking care of myself with Omega 3 fish oil, multivitamins,nutrients, trace elements,exercise to improve any chance living longer healthier life.

Life has been thorns, thickets, and bushes. Yes, complained until ya’ find others who survived worse things than I could ever imagine.

No soldiering,police, only temporary security guard C.N.A./H.H.H. [Certified Nurse Assistant – Home Health Aide]. Construction, lots of side jobs along the way.

Some times we try stuff out before knowing what they want.

Its like kissing frogs (guys/girls) a pointed analogy about finding princes among frogs most women do not find them and these days those that do, let them go looking bad boys/men or girls/women.

My straight orientation on that score I thank my mother,two father’s both given name and step father, and father figures on the blocks of New York City, also to girls some mature beyond their years and women who’ve gave mental/ physical ego boosts good and bad.

Recently I’ve gone through a training again for work I’ve avoided for many years however this type of work helps me in endeavors that may finally get me to my niche wanted.

Educationally speaking school was fun except for testosterone fueled competitive drive.

The fights and injuries that only now can be taken care of.

Love, more difficult than sex in that the physical is easy once two bodies in motion they tend to stay in motion (Hold Up! Isn’t that Brownien physics? oh, well most folks know what its means if not read on) bodies with enough energy, stamina for enjoyment of it.

Sex changed me isn’t it suppose to change everyone? (I feel sorry for those who walk the planet not learning anything from their travels,what sort of life is that?)

Humor helped me more than money,cars, or materials.

Its why my clothes comes off,light on/off,doors locked,lotions,food,are near be relaxed taking slow time enjoying these moments with sacred feminine which I had no idea at
the time but its always seemed like that to me.

A friend said I’m intense didn’t know what she meant ‘til recently.

Don’t know how 5 to 30 minutes or less can satisfy a women’s complex body and mind so I take time they’re happy I’m happy,they’re not I’m not.

Times change,looked at pornographic films in movies with and without girlfriends always better with than alone.

[For an unvarnished, unedited version of this column go to Myspace.com].

Yes, my mug is there photo taken maybe as a joke I believe or her part.

Our brains,biggest sexual organ its has been said.

Bad times,good times, dull,or mundane doesn’t matter life,friends,love, travel,

I need ‘em all.

I'll be a work on my B-day later at some party,that's what I like balance.

I’m hopeful my life will go on a little longer continuing to enjoy its fruits.

by Sam Drew/PNN

" They have stirred up a sleeping giant. This issue has awakened the community, " said Minister Christopher Muhammad as he looked intently at his audience at the Grace Tabernacle Community Church. He was talking about the continual poisoning of the Bayview Hunters Point district caused by the redevelopment project at the Hunters Point Shipyard headed by the Lennar Corporation.

The sleeping giant is the organized and unified community that is confronting negligent city and county officials. The sleeping giant has had his peaceful sleep disturbed and is now seeking retribution from those who committed this dastardly deed.

In previous townhall meetings that I have attended olive branches have been extended to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, the Health Department and the Redevelopment Agency to come and test the community's land and water to see if the claims are true. But those fair gestures were met with indifference and the community is moving on to the next phase, as Muhammad calls it "the direct action" phase.

" They have ignored the poor and now the poor are coming to their door," he stated defiantly. " Next Tuesday we need to visit Mayor Newsom in his office, Tuesday is our D-day, D stands for decision" Muhammad continued. " We call for the resignation of the Director of Public Health Mitchell Katz and if he doesn't resign the Mayor should fire him." Muhammad firmly stated.

He went on to speak about how Katz never sounded the alarms when known health violations occurred in the Bayview. Minister Muhammad was referring to the four months from April to August that the Lennar Corporations had no monitors on site to check the levels of toxicity being put into the air. Muhammad smiled as he told the engrossed audience how haphazard the monitoring system was. " Half the time they put the monitors out they didn't work," he stated forcefully.

The sleeping giant has a few more doors to knock on, besides just the mayor's office since his rude awakening. " Archeology needs to be terminated, Archeology is a non profit entity that is suppose to inform the community when they have been exposed to health issues. It is funded by the Redevelopment Agency to the tune of $600,000. Why do you need $600,000 to do nothing, " exclaimed Muhammad.

In the audience was support from Supervisor Chris Daly who received special kudos from Muhammad, "Anyone who stands up for this community needs to have the support of this community but anyone who doesn't stand up for this community should be recalled-all it takes is 10%. No one should be comfortable in a seat when the community is dying," he added.

To show the strength and diversity of this giant various clergymen spoke on behalf of this successful effort for environmental justice. Pastor Joe Niumalelega, who has been with the cause from day one spoke of the joy he felt seeing all of Gods people coming together as one. "God, I want us to come together one time. Let all nations know. Let's do this thing for our young for our community," Pastor Niumalelega said.

Reverend Victor Santana told of his problems attempting to explain to the Supervisors the importance of this issue, as he said, " The last time I went to the civic center to explain to the Supervisors the Supervisors didn't understand."

To reiterate the simplicity of what the community is asking for, Minister Muhammad once again explained the reasonable demands the community is demanding. " We're asking for a temporary shut down of the construction at the shipyard, so we can access the levels of exposure from arsenic and lead and we can't trust the Health Department under Mitchell Katz to do it.we want an independent party."

To put a human face to this story of toxic nightmares, I spoke to local resident Pat Thomas who lives close to the shipyard. She told me how her life has changed since Lennar began digging and showering the community with toxic dust.

" For the last six months my eyes are red and itching. I have headaches and I'm short of breath. I've been breaking out in rashes. Where I live at we had green stuff on the carpet. My husband had to wash it off," she said exasperated.

Host Pastor Ernest Jackson compared the movement for environmental justice to another famous and successful movement. " In the sixties I was too young to be involved in the civil rights movement. I've always regretted that [but] this movement has allowed me to be in a cause for humanity, at least I can say I was with them," he said.

The pastor added the final words to the evening's powerful meeting, as a call to all community members and anyone with principals willing to stand up for what's right.

" The doors will remain open at Grace Tabernacle Community Church."

by Joseph Bolden

B-Day, Whoop De Do.

Today is pre birthday.

Don't feel my years,am I to feel old because of a few decades of life I don't think so.excuse(?)glitch

Few aches or pains some Yoga helps,walks,sex is a great calorie reducer and relaxing,beats taking laxatives or drinking when depressed.

Food was my choice of self destruction now exercise in place of that.

I figure the more depressed I get the better I'll look.

At 54 life isn’t bad at all sure with aids or std’s [sexually transmitted disease] running riot it’s a wonder I didn’t catch anything especially being part of a floating population of what’s called houseless,transient,folk.

In this instance being negative is a good thing and I've always tested negatory thank God/Godesses
for small miracles!

Found transition housing and staid for a while.

Time to leave maybe find a place with apartments full of single ladies or share rent with a few.

With a new job, ideas of what to do next now possible.

I’m still working on chronological/biological matrix in that one does cancel the other.

Biological caps Chronological.

Here’s what’s meant if one can figure out true not cosmetic age reversal biologically then chronological numbers mean zilch.

Its as if an 80 year woman or man found ways of reversing their age 30 or more years.

They look,act,are younger chronology matters less.

So I’ll try that theory for a long time too bad governments are not testing this on people by gene manipulation or using new improved artificial genes.

I’d volunteer for slow or reverse aging therapies with a slight stipend for my time a guinea pig.

Thinking of more travel, besides Atlanta, or Hawaii (my family is helping with that).

Legal money making schemes, schools, for all kinds of stuff I’ll not mention.

Yeah,life has been exciting,ridiculously dangerous and odd at times but if I’d like a few hundred to a thousand years to contemplate and enjoy.

One thing would really please me and that’s living so freakin’ long unmarried that finally society says nothing is wrong with being a single man or woman.

I’d like to get dates because I’ve braved staying along.

Women are praised for it while are men are look at as strange short lived creatures!

To outlive the single guy,bachelor,image of someone in need of a woman or women.

The joke Married men live longer,single men don’t because they don’t take care of themselves has to be retired along with other so called truism 27 year old women as spinsters.

Imagine a world where because one has lived, loved,experienced, and continues to stay vital they get dates for my um, instructive experience.

For now society has its rules and its up to me and all of us to bend, loosen, stretch, or brake so rules that are arbitrary in nature except (bestiality, child molestation/rape or murder society is needed for the good it also does.

So lets see within a decade or two is society bends again.

In the meantime there are jobs, stuff to learn, friends to make, and lives to live.

How many isn’t know but wouldn’t be wondrous having a few centuries to take the time to find out?

That’s what I’m going for and if its against societies laws oh well, just call me an outlaw.

You I’ve never really been bad maybe this is my chance.

Got to go Life is Calling and Eternity Awaits.

by Dee Allen, Joseph Bolden, Queennandi Xsheba, Jewnbug, Luis, Vivian Hain, Dharma, Ruyata

The trip to Atlanta by Greyhound

By Dharma

I am here at the first U.S. Social Forum, a long journey away from home seeking out a justice among all.

I am glad to be here among my peers at a time of much social change in the world. Unlike many people who are here in Atlanta for the forum, I traveled by bus for 2 and a half days straight. I got on the greyhound bus in San Francisco and traveled through the nights till the bus reached Atlanta. The trip was non-stop for sixty three hours to what feels like the other side of the world.

I felt like I was traveling through time. I traveled by bus to get a feeling for what my ancestors went through during the great Black exodus to the West. I thought back to a time when my ancestors, African descendants traveled the underground railroads out of the South to escape slavery. My mind drifted to what it must have been like to find paths through the trees and land beyond the highways to escape the south. I imagined what early black Americans went through to find a better life.

I traveled by myself. The trip was long and drawn out. I kept my mind off of the long hours by reading and starring out the window. I read about the conditions of prisons in California. I was reading letters from women in prison. from mothers who are locked up while their children live without a family.

I stared out the window for many hours. The land was desolate with dark rainy skies. Thunder and rain pounded us in all five states. At the border of each state we hit thunder storms. I felt like I was traveling on another universe. The lightning struck and reminded me of our country's bloody history. We passed through hot, muggy dust storms. We passed ghost towns, abandoned buildings, empty, boarded up and burned. Nothing but cactus plants, desert flowers, barbed wire, and heat for miles. Single oil pumps dotted the landscape in Texas. The moons I saw are like none I have ever seen before with light shining out all around us. The skies, the land everything was new and frightening. Big skies I thought would never end. But I knew eventually we would make it here to Atlanta.

I leaned my face against the cool window and stared out at the long stretch of dry barren land. I was surprised by the ghost towns between New Mexico and Dallas. I could see the broken down houses in the light of the storms. A dust bowl of memories of leftover life. You can rename poverty but all across America it looks and smells the same. Small houses, trailers, shacks and old towns. One town in Texas the sign read Population 3. We stopped in towns and all the major cities on our route. Some historical and everywhere I went the American flag was flying. I can't imagine living in these small towns with nothing around.

We passed hundreds of McDonald's, Burger King's and Wendy's. They cater to Greyhound. Fast food joints sit waiting for buses and hungry drivers trying to get back on their way. I will not eat a burger again for a long time. The only good thing about eating fast food was I knew I would not get left. I never walked far from the station. The bus would leave without you. In some places there was only restaurants. Some people on my bus were left in the rain in Alabama. Every seat was taken on the bus. Extra buses were ordered.

In Jacksonville we stopped for a moment. I stepped out into the shade. I saw a disabled man ordered off Greyhound property they said for loitering. It was the heat of the day. He was looking for bit of shade, but he was on greyhound property. He told me he lost his legs in the Vietnam war. He said he can barely get by on his veteran benefits. H told me he has nowhere to live he cannot afford a house. I met one young man who was returning to Oklahoma to his father's house. He left about two months ago to escape the beatings from his father. He was forced to return because the landlord threatened to raise the rent because of him. I met one woman traveling with her ninety year old mother. They were coming from Vegas returning home to Atlanta. They befriended me.

After we crossed the border from New Mexico into Texas the driver pulled over. I thought maybe it was a weigh station. I heard the men's boots before I saw them. They wore green suits, I immediately knew they were border patrol. They walked up and down the aisles, asking each person, "are you an American citizen. If not get out your papers." Fortunately we were allowed to keep driving without further problems.

This trip has taught me humility. This trip has taught me to be ever more understanding of the hard work and dedication of the early Black Americans who traveled to California in an effort to escape the unjust and brutal treatment of the South.

by Joseph Bolden

Live A Life

My birthday passed last week,about to travel to Atlanta for the U.S. Forum learning/training how to set up a blog/web site, report while simultaneously being part of the news,lot of things are unknown to me at the moment.

A given challenge to myself is more travel and doing more which includes finding better low to higher tech ways to live longer,slowing my aging, enjoy its benefits.

Already have a head start because of good genes,not drinking, smoking,drugs,and protected sex.

The latter more difficult still not wearing,using prophylactics,dental dams, creams,jells,or electronic skin stimulation devices.\

I like skin to skin minus all the extra crap there are times to go that extra mile sometimes.

About life in general barring accidents,homicide.

I’d really like to change,improve,have better genes especially melanin for darker,silkier African Ancestor skin along with automatic vitamins, minerals,trace minerals, virus,and microorganisms in symbiotic not parasitic ways helping improve the overall health of brain and body.

If I had the money, time,and people needed for this creative endeavor that would be the best ongoing present to myself.

Yes,it helps me could help many folks.

Not a greedy guy its better to have more people living longer like me than being hogged by myself along so I don’t mind sharing whatever life extended science that emerges.

I this government stopped using its vast resources for killing and began healing everyone would be better off instead of being hated,seen as an obscene joke as Amerikkka now is the full blossoming of life extending technologies would make Americans envied,once again bringing the best and the brightest to her shores.

This is what we ought to be doing besides a return to the moon which to me seems a stand still if not heading backward.

This President will soon be part of an awful history of misery and death for oil and lost lives.

I’ll never be president at least in this life time but given a few centuries who knows what an ordinary man like me may accomplish but me,we,cannot wait for wars end.

I’m going my own way and if that means being a guinea pig for a super secret multicorp dedicated to having humans live longer in better health or renegade research scientists,students, professors who’ve found out some way to ward reversing of death by rejuvenation, regeneration,science.

Marriage probably isn’t on my dance card so I thought of Polyamory = Single or Multipartner friendships not sexually exclusive monogamous relationships.

I think why not have more friends who are married or not and lover’s without awkward sneaky, icky, betrayal factor.

My capacity to love more than one person is a given I want people sharing with me also.

Well,it’s a great way to solve loneliness and with enough friends over the years it won’t be a lonely life which means I must be as giving,helpful, and fully engaged as most if not all of my new found poly-friends to be.

by Staff Writer

by Laure McElroy/PNN columnist, welfareQUEEN, race, poverty and disability scholar

This is how we do it at POOR; using the " I ", the first person, we centerpiece our own knowledge. We choose to use who we are and what we’ve personally experienced as both the keystone narrative for any story we write, as well as the lens through which we interpret it. We believe that doing this is the best way to be honest about where one’s point of view is coming from, and that the journalistic cult of the third person in this country is not objective at all, but rife with hidden, mostly privileged bias. We also insist that those who experience it must create the news, rather than any non-participant journo, however formally educated; those who live the stories both interpret the stories and claim the byline at POOR.

The Ida B. Wells Media Justice center at the US Social Forum was an original proposal authored by POOR. Our vision was to create a space for non-hierarchical story generation, print, radio or blog. The USSF seemed like the perfect place to model a setup for media creation that was not elitist and that did not reflect mainstream hegemonies (powerful interviewer/passive interviewee; writer-outsider who interprets event, " expert " -outsiders who provide " facts, " and actual event participants or those affected by event relegated to pictures to give the article " color, " unheard) with its power relationships.

The National Planning committee knew what we needed because we told them, appealing to them in countless emails and exhaustive conference calls for a space that was accessible to everyone, including houseless people and physically disabled people. We needed a room that was big enough to have our Community Newsroom (which is at the heart of our process of non-hierarchical news making) with the usual suspects of big indymedia, the conference-goers, and the actual community of Atlanta involved: people like the residents of the inner city housing project that is about to be destroyed to make way for privatized " mixed use " (read: not for the poor) housing; people like the houseless folk and workers from the Task Force Shelter in Midtown Atlanta, which the city is threatening to close despite the fact that a disabled houseless man recently died from what appears to be negligence in the only other shelter (which, incidentally, is city-run). We needed a space big enough for the houseless folk who, by city ordinance, can be arrested simply for being anywhere within a five block radius of the Civic Center, to tell their stories, working with a POOR trained writing facilitator only if they chose to do so. Sadly, our media revolution was not to be, despite the fact that the USSF organizers claimed to accept our proposal.

It is my opinion that what went wrong started long before any of us grassroots independent media arrived at the forum. What went wrong first went wrong in the minds of the main organizers, the people who told us (and this was actually said to us) that maybe we could get a space to make our " little " media if there was one left, but that the " real " media would take place elsewhere. These were the people who subsequently told us that it was ridiculous to expect Pacifica Radio to broadcast out of a homeless shelter (the Task Force having been one of our early alternatives to the basement hallway that they ended up trying to put us in months later, when the forum happened). What was wrong was the idea that powerful elites, be they government, family, capitalist or NGO, would willingly share power with anyone without a fight.

by Olivia Colt/Race, Poverty and Media Justice Intern

Soft-spoken and determined, Lisa Washington is a loving mother of two and a devout follower of her faith. Like almost all mothers, her eyes brighten with the mention of her two sons, Franshat and Daylan, but the light goes out quickly and a dark cloud covers her eyes. Her expressive face crumbles with grief when she talks about losing her children.

Lisa is a victim of Child Protective Services (C.P.S.). She is just one of so many whose families have been torn apart by the C.P.S. system. Lisa hasn’t seen her eldest child, Franshat, in four years and is only allowed bi-weekend visits with her younger son, Daylan.

“I lost my children and was refused legal council because of my religious beliefs,” Lisa stated clearly and unapologetically in POOR Magazine’s Community Newsroom, where she had come to share her five year struggle with C.P.S. Lisa is a Jehovah’s Witness and has experienced severe religious discrimination firsthand in a country that claims to give all people the freedom to practice and exercise their own religious beliefs, as well as denounces and makes illegal discrimination of any kind based on religious beliefs.

As I sat listening to her painful story, I thought about my three cousins, Shaleena, Joseph, and Diamond. They are my Uncle Jackie’s children and live near Tacoma, Washington with their mother Ingrid. I saw them this past Easter holiday when I went to visit family in San Diego. Unlike the rest of my very Catholic family, these three cousins are Jehovah Witnesses, and like Lisa have struggled with discrimination and persecution for their religious beliefs.

Lisa’s personal struggle with discrimination and C.P.S. began on March 11, 2002 when Alameda County took custody of Franshat, placing him in foster care, due to a disciplinary action by Lisa: she pulled his ear. My parents have disciplined me very similarly while growing up—spanking, ear pulling, wooden spoons, and one of the most memorable: my mom took off her shoe and threw it at my head. I look back on these instances in my life and cannot imagine being separated from my mother for these occurrences; I misbehaved, therefore I was punished. Lisa acted in a way no different than most parents do. This does not make her a bad parent, an ill-fit parent, or any of the other labels widely overused by C.P.S. to rope in more children, more money, and break more homes.

Ripping a family apart detracts from the mission and stated goals of C.P.S., which are to “provide specialized welfare services that seek to prevent dependency, abuse and neglect of children.” They also seek to provide services that will stabilize families in crisis and preserve the family unit. Inherently, the original purpose of C.P.S. was respectable, pulling children out of homes where there is extensive physical, emotional, and mental abuse. However, as C.P.S. has grown, greedy and self-serving people have found a very lucrative and easy way to access a tremendous amount of money. FightCPS.com stated that in 2003 alone, bounty payments for adoption in 44 states and territories amounted to $17,896,000.00.

Lisa is not an unfit parent. She is a hard working woman who loves her children. He ex-husband even testified to that extent during a custody hearing in 2003 regarding the fate of her younger son’s custody. In fact Claiborne Sibley defended his ex-wife, until the council representing their children shushed him. Lisa has also willing undergone psychological and psychiatric evaluations and examinations to prove her sound mental and emotional health.

Over the last 4 years of her case, Lisa has had turn over in her legal council several times by her court appointed public defenders. Many of which had been advised to not take her case because of faith base—because she is a Jehovah Witness. In fact, one of her attorneys, Ernest Anderson, a long time friend of the family, was asked by Commissioner Sue Alexander if he was comfortable representing Lisa. In open court, he said yes. Several months later, Mr. Anderson removed himself from the case due to extensive harassment from associates and colleagues for representing Ms. Washington.

“My trails of injustice have driven me to this conclusion—that my defeat is solely based on a religious prejudice that resides in our judicial system within Alameda County,” Lisa stated adamantly. The C.P.S. has once again employed blatant intimidation tactics and persecution of mothers for something as simple as a tugging of the ear.

Eventually the case was settled. The court granted Claiborne Sibley full custody of their youngest child Daylan. Franshat is still in the clutches of the system moving from foster home to foster home, as Lisa desperately tries to piece her family back together. Living without her two children, Lisa’s life is filled with pain and sadness.

I couldn’t imagine not living with my mother because she tugged on my ear when I was bad or my cousins being torn away from their parents- caught somewhere in the claws of the system- just because of their family’s doctrine of faith. Religion and discipline are both personal choices and have nothing to do with how we love our families.

On Easter I sat with my cousins, we broke bread together and shared a meal. It didn’t matter that they didn’t celebrate this holiday the same way we did because we are a family that loves and cares for each other in spite of everything else. The same way Lisa loves and wants to care for her two children, but can’t because of a system that wants to separate, not support families.

For more information about COURTWATCH – you can call POOR at (415) 863-6306. or go on-line to www.poormagazine.org. To get in contact with Lisa Washington you can call her at 510- 300 7014

by Staff Writer

There are a lot of people here at the US Social Forum claiming solidarity, claiming alliance, claiming other people’s struggles for their own personal gains. At POOR, we are poor. We’ve fought through fire, illness, disease. Gunshots, poverty – you name it – to get here. To get to the US Social Forum. To this place that’s supposed to be filled wall to wall with people in “solidarity” with folks like us. And how were we treated by our privileged brothers and sisters? We were separated from the forum and relegated to a bathroom where it was impossible to share our skolarship. We were treated like an annoyance when we asked for an acceptable space. We were told we were fire hazards when we tried to actually work with what we were given. Our signs were torn off the wall because “tape is not allowed” when other organizations were allowed to keep THEIR signs on the walls.

The folks at the social forum, people claiming to be at the forefront of social change treated us no different than the folks they claim to be fighting against. We are put in basements everyday so we are not seen, not heard, not felt. Access is granted only to those with the pass of a certain color, respect is given only to those with resources and connections. If we can’t be treated like human beings at the US Social Forum, what hope do we have that these people are even capable of creating social change? What’s worse, if these people and organizations are working against us, what does that say about out chances – poor, abused, people with disabilities, people of color – what does that say about our chances of finding TRUE solidarity?

by Sam Drew/Poverty and Race Scholar/PNN community journalist

Let me get this straight. San Francisco has an unexpected surplus of $130 million in its budget. The Board of Supervisors voted $28 million for affordable housing in one of the most unaffordable cities on the planet and the Mayor vetoes the appropriation and refuses to spend the money! But wait, the story gets even stranger. This is the same city that wonders why working class families are leaving in droves and openly asks what it can do to maintain it diverse population. Doesn't make a damn bit of sense does it?

To fight against the senselessness and injustice in the mayor's decision, representatives from The Coalition on Homelessness, as well as POOR Magazine poverty scholars, Supervisor Chris Daly, State Senator Carole Migden and several other community organizations stood on the steps in front of San Francisco's ornate City Hall. These groups had merged together as one to collectively slap some sense into the mayor and to demand that the money that was earmarked for public housing repairs and services and affordable housing be restored.

John Avalos, aide to Supervisor Daly wasted little time getting to the
heart of the matter, as he said to the crowd, "We asked the Mayor for support" for the $28 million budget supplemental but all "we got was a back door veto."

The need for this money is painfully obvious in a city whose housing market has become increasingly unaffordable. The reason this money is needed, as Avalos simply stated, is "to keep San Francisco working people living in the city."

Housing in San Francisco is three times as expensive as the national average. In the Bay Area affluent housing markets are getting stronger, while the housing market in poorer areas is softening and hardly any lower income families can afford to purchase housing. The median price for an existing single family dwelling in the Bay Area hit a record high of $720,000 in April.

Jazzie Collins addressed one of the most vexing issues about affordable housing, which is the problem with the definition of affordability itself. "Let us take the lead in [making] affordable
housing under$100,000 a year...what we have [now] is only affordable to those that can buy a condo." The message was directed to the Mayor to let him know this is strictly business not personal, "To the Mayor we are attacking your positions not your character," Jazzie added.

This tug of war over appropriations and budget supplements goes to the heart of what this city stands for. Can San Francisco become a "family
city" or will we become a big museum with exhibits on 21st century working families? Do we try to decrease the number of people forced to live on the streets or do we do a Manhattan shuffle like Mayor Rudy Giuliani of New York and play hide and seek with the problem?

Skyrocketing housing costs make middle and low-income families more vulnerable to homelessness if they lose their jobs. One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population is children

Poverty scholar and POOR Magazine representative Jewnbug gave arousing speech focusing on her housing difficulties. "I was homeless at the age of 8. I'm still struggling to live in San Francisco. The
only way I can live in San Francisco is on Section 8". Jewnbug put a humorous touch on the dire need for housing when she said, "Housing is a right. It shouldn't have to be like buying a diamond necklace!" As she left the podium she was visibly shaken after her deeply felt oration. While she put her hands over her face the crowd and I clapped heartily at her emotional outpouring.

The percentage of San Francisco Bay Area households who could afford a median price house fell from a paltry 20% in July 2003 to under 10 per cent in 2006.

The question arises if the city doesn't assist those in need of housing. Then who does it benefit with its surplus?

"Who is getting housed in this city? - its huge corporations like Lennar," exclaimed tiny aka Lisa Gray-Garcia editor of POOR Magazine and poverty scholar. Lennar Corporation is the Miami based company in charge of the asbestos laden redevelopment project at the Hunters Point Shipyard. This billion-dollar company has had the red carpet rolled out for it while doors are being closed on the homeless, poor and working families.

SRO Collaborative Families with children living in SRO Hotels are
considered homeless in San Francisco. The Mayor's Budget includes a 25% cut to families living in Single Room Occupancy Hotels (SRO Families United). This will dramatically reduce peer-based services to the 527 families residing in SRO hotels in San Francisco. In addition, the SRO FU is in need of a $100,000 in funding from DPH to make up for budget cuts from Human Service Agency.

Homeless families are severely neglected by the Mayor's budget. Whiles there are over 2,000 homeless families in San Francisco, there is nothing in the budget to address this crisis. $5,000,000 is needed in operating subsidies to ensure the poorest families can move into City and redevelopment funded affordable housing units going on line next year.

All one has to do is look at Mayor Newsom's donation chart to see where the deep pockets are in San Francisco. The largest per person donation came from the Financial District at $388.57 per person on a population of 374. Next highest was Embarcadero/Gateway at$75.32 on a population of 3,335.

One way I can try to make sense of the whole mess is try to define it
in terms of the politics of glass and steel versus the politics of
flesh and blood. In city after city politicians toss money at developers, building owners and huge corporations in the hope of
increased revenues.

Sometimes cities hit the jackpot and revenues flow. But more often the
citizens have to clean up after the mess the politicians have made. But there always seems to be money left over for the next slick talking developer with promises of jobs and revenues. But flesh and blood politics deals with human needs like housing, food and education. There is always a shortage of funds.

When it comes to housing the poor, there always seems to be an excuse, whether deficit or surplus. If there is a surplus we have to save for a rainy day. If it's a deficit we have to slash funds starting with you!

Weighing in on the side of flesh and blood was Valerie Tulier District Representative for State Senator Carole Migden, who said, "Senator Migden absolutely supports the community and their demands for affordable housing in San Francisco... she also wants to ensure affordable means affordable. We have to understand the strategy to address different levels."

What makes this 5o'clock veto particularly galling is that last year's affordable housing supplemental passed without the political intrigue
and controversy. Last year's appropriation delivered on 170 units of affordable family housing, 184 units for seniors and people living with disabilities and 270 units of supportive housing for formerly homeless people.

San Francisco is missing out on a golden opportunity to follow
through on last years positive steps. I hope to return for future actions to report and sup-port on the struggle for affordable housing.
But we better hurry because average people who can afford to live in San Francisco are becoming extinct

Speak out against the mayor's new budget Wednesday June 20 at noon at City Hall.

by Staff Writer

Undress the media

Get POOR Magazine out of the dressing room
to yo stage

Reality combined wit art

We are castaways

To play restricted parts

We are fire hazards

trouble breathing, unfair air

Airtime to
5 minute commercials

To one hour away

4 public service announcements

We are news, accomplishments & blues

Nothing but the truth

So we help God

I crossed the border early Thursday morning

Without my US Social Forum Passport

I felt I made it to the stage

On the down low tip

Undocumented

Still chanted & sang

Story quickly told

And then put out
tha back door

Cuz I'm fire hazard

And I breath unfair air

So I took over the airwaves

For public service announcements

Security at every post

Decided what pieces of bread become toast

Youth in the media

On a positive note

Wut a joke?

We are in the attic

Thru static 2 fix antenna

So the perception is clear

U marginalized me

U made no room for

JUST US

U disrespected Ida B Wells no center

U can't find us

U can't have justice

Po folks struggling to obtain

Technologies that document

Stories to educate

Only a few found

Security doesn ´ t make me feel safe

They make my heart pound

We are sound beings

Beings of sound

we create safe events

When we can build

A circle to build a community

People ´ s news

Workshops, panels, resource tables

In this for everyone-

Not just a few

We are many

Struggling to be heard

So let me kick

People had to really search

We are here

We are there

Yet even amongst

These gatherings making differences

They had no space to spare

So we had to rise up and challenge

2 get a bigger hallway

2 have our story flow through the airwaves

Painful and precious

Learning goes beyond four walls

We are media

Dispite displacement

We didn ´ t fall