Nameless and Faceless…

by Ace Tafoya/PoorNewsNetwork Community Journalist

I was a child in the 1960's. Vietnam, the British Invasion, Martin Luther King, the hippies, race riots, Cronkite, Malcolm and the Kennedy's blared through the black and white television set my father purchased for us. My father always told us that violence never solved anything.

On Thursday, August 14, 2003, I along with scores of concerned citizens from all over the bay area and all walks of life took part of the "Heal the Tenderloin March!". A vigil organized by Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, St. Boniface, St. Anthony's Foundation and The Islamic Society of San Francisco.

With the spirited Reverend Cecil Williams leading the way, we took our spots on Ellis Street and proceeded to take over the Tenderloin. "Peace, love and happiness," Classy Martin, 17, a resident of the east bay said to me before the march began.. "We need to stop all the violence while we're still young. Classy works in the Tenderloin and is tired of all the violence happening this summer in the TL.

Louis "Lu-Lu" Williams was a resident of the TL. He lived in the Dalt Hotel. He was murdered there on June 28, 2003. "Lu-Lu" worked in the kitchen at Glide. "Louis Williams can be remembered! He didn't die in vain," reflected Brigardo Groves from Diamond Heights. He thinks this march is an important event in the community. "Homeless people are dying all the time in the street, they're nameless and faceless. A lot of people with disabilities are living in the Tenderloin."

I was proud to see the members of the kitchen staff and the guys who hand out the meal tickets for people waiting to receive something to eat out on the march too. They do a hell of a job. From my window I've seen may fights break out for any reason. They take control of the situation easily. I take my SF Giants beanie off to them!

Singing songs like 'Lay My Burdens Down', 'We Shall Overcome' and one of my favorites, 'Amazing Grace', Robin from "Tranny Talk"(which airs the 1st Sunday of the month at 11.30 a.m. on Cable 29), whose lived in the TL since 1995 exclaims, "(This event) is a healing of the community." As her dark frock ruffled through the San Francisco breeze, we eddied around Ellis to Leavenworth towards our destination, she continued, "This violence doesn't have to happen,"

"Guns are not part of the neighborhood," reveals Calvin Gipson, Director of Human Services at Glide. "This neighborhood is about recovery. We're not going to stand for violence!" Some of the employees of Glide stared to feel insecure about the neighborhood. This march was dedicated to Louis Williams, Paul Howard, Carlin Satterwhite, Joseph Garcia, James "Dirty South" Evans, James Bravard (who was the culprit of the crime) and all who have lost their lives or have been effected by violence.

When we reached the Dalt Hotel on Turk Street, the vibrant Rev. Williams took to the stage and he went off! "My brothers and sisters- we have come here for a purpose." "Amen," I and others yelled. "We want love in the Tenderloin." The crowds excitement grew louder. "We want to get along with everybody." And to the many youth in attendance he rallied, "You've got a voice in the Tenderloin, you've got a prescience in the Tenderloin." Everyone at the march were all shouting out and witnessing now, "Violence shall be overcome! Love is taking over the Tenderloin." His words brought cheers and yells from the people who gathered at the site of the murders.

Now, as I, along with Killa B, Flatfoot and many others who struggle with our recovery, I watch the Northeastern Blackout, the wacky race for Governor, that bullshit of a initiative Prop N being dragged out by the SF Board of Supervisors and the mayors race on my 27" Magnavox that Johnny, my best friend gave to me, I know that love can make a difference. . As one resident in the Tenderloin said to me, "Love is alive in the Tenderloin!" At least it was here tonight - if only for a minute.