Story Archives 2004

by Dee

Born: August 22, 2003

6am

5 lbs 2 ounces

Description: scrawny legged, diaper poopin, baseball headed, pant saggin, big knee havin, no backbone havin, baby boy

Actor look-alike: Mr Magoo (cartoon guy)



Best observed characteristic: calmness

I Ching horoscope for future:


- born in the year of the sheep

- shy

- gets along really well with people

- will only want to marry
an older woman

Ethnicity: Chinese, Mexican, Boricua(Puerta Rican), Irish,

Favorite Song: Betty Davis Eyes

by tiny

"We are the people you don’t see.. the ones who clean your rooms, drive your cabs and suck your (cocks)" the actors steady gaze crawls up each syllable and in that one moment 10 years of low paid/no paid jobs and demeaning hustles were wiped from my working poor brow.

This line was brilliantly proclaimed by protagonist, Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as a Nigerian Doctor forced to flee his country to live as a low-wage worker in England in Stephen Frears new movie DirtyPrettyThings. His experience and that of the other main characters in his world is one of desperate poverty specific to the experience of an undocumented immigrant of color attempting to eke out some form of financial success in a Euro-centric pseudo-capitalist reality.

We watch with trepidation as he moves solemnly, sleeplessly, (due to a survival based addiction on a native root which he chews on throughout the film), through a multitude of low paying jobs (cab driver, hotel desk clerk), gaining a reputation for honesty, advocacy and nobility. At the hotel job he encounters a Turkish Muslim maid named Sinay (Audrey Tatou, in an excellent portrayal, notwithstanding a somewhat stilted accent) who seems to scurry through her struggles as if moving fast will make all her broken dreams and unrequited realities go away. From her first entrance on-screen you worry with Okwe that something very terrible is about to happen to her and he might be the only reason that it doesn’t. His quiet heroism builds with each scene

At the hotel, filled with other poor immigrants caught in a hamster’s wheel of not-fortune he meets his Spanish boss, nicknamed Sneaky (Sergei Lopez playing the ultimate in Latin sleaze). As Sneaky enters the tableau, you watch him nervously, knowing that his hustle is somehow much more dangerous than the usual on-screen pimp/bad-guy, another testament to Frears directing and a very delicate script by newcomer Steven Knight, (with the odd resume credit of Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?)

Sneaky introduces us to a 21st century underground economy, in which the product is body parts and the trade is citizenship/documents gladly traded for by terrified immigrants, and local poor folks so desperate to attain passports and/or cash that they engage in a new level of psychic denial "its just like having a tooth extracted" a man proclaims on his death bed after having a kidney ripped brutally from his body with no medication and obviously no skill.

It is with the revelation that this is happening that Okwe begins his conflict. The stakes get higher, Sneaky, offers a sweet deal; he can be his surgeon in exchange for a passport and a large portion of the profit.

My own proximity to this kind of desperate poverty made me take on this moral dilemma with Okwe. He was miserable, would he be better off taking the cash and in so doing be able to save poor Sinay and as well, himself? You watch his resolute goodness and you know he won’t. And then the plot point, the final conflict, which places even his goodness in jeopardy leading to the film’s unclean yet perfect ending where all things in life are not absolutes, neither pretty nor dirty, where the privilege of nobility is not one of the poor man but must often be sacrificed for one’s survival.

by Joseph Bolden

The Worse That Can Happen

You know how one wears an article of clothing, like shoes, favorite shirt or hat how after a while even when its not worn still feels like its on?

I have a backpack its my Grandmother’s last gift along with Gensing Tea when she visited France. My usual way is wake, pray, shower, shave or not, brush teeth, gargle, use deodorant then pick up backpack heading out of my place. I did everything as usual or so I thought.

Got on the 19 bus at the corner 7th street,on the bus and ride. It’s then I feel odd then realize no backpack!

I was so use to its feel on my shoulder and back that I may have left it at the bus stop, you don’t leave anything for a second on Market Street it could be sold, broken into, or destroyed on the spot.

Frantic I got off the bus fast walking down the block as fast as possible but when I get to the transit stop not a sign of my familiar beat up brown leather backpack.

I feel drained, how could I leave my grandmother’s gift to me out there to be taken? Inside was a day planner, a short story call Abomination, pens and condoms when leaving the city.

I go home feeling like a fool, unlock the door and inside on the floor safe and sound is the backpack almost saying "What’s up, forgot about me?"

Then it occurred to me what’s the worst that could happen it had happened for real? Nothing but regret and buying a new backpack, planner, my short story is on disk
at home if the hardcopies were tossed about.

I catch another bus thinking of another worst that Can happen reality. What I Never Find The Love Of My Life?
What’s The Worst That Can Happen To Me?
First I must leave a long term relationship with a woman I don’t love though respect but marriage was out an we both knew it.

I now know the meaning stud that’s what I’ve been to her when she’s not in other relationships she could always rely on me when called. We fit each other hand and glove the sex is always long because I want her pleased and so I’ve learned or natural aging has given me that gift.

But I must leave her or I’ll always be a substitute love, stand in, her personal living vibrator. I’ve done that for another woman but it was one time and there was no being caught or awkward moments.

This dear one that has shown me affection that I have been with for many years has not purposely done this but I know I’m her booty call and stud and I have to stop it.
When going to her its always "Take of them damn clothes" but said in a playful way.

And if I end us literally studding women young and old, floating around and not getting married because I’m seen as a pleasure machine instead of husband, father, material maybe that will have to be all men aren’t marriage material I just hope I find the one women who not only I can please in bed but also sees me as fully human.

I’m on sex sites now stopped short of cyber sex because the only cyber sex I’ll do is with woman or women as the camera’s roll.

Learning about chat rooms, email messaging is so new and I’m suppose to be in a media non profit organization!

I don't know whether some blessed woman won’t only chose me for bedding but also a marriage bed I’ll be praying to whatever deity Woman or Male that has delivered me into the arms of a mate.

But if life makes me only a very good stunt"D" in demand, a one man stud service for various women young or more mature then I’ll be that hiding whatever silent tears because guys are suppose love being called a stud and brag on it.

But for me it would mean my ultimate failure as a man to find a mate, marry, be a lovin husband, disciplined father.

The last time I heard STUD besides race horses it was about black men in slavery studding for master/mistress creating children to be sold to other plantations.

Its taken time to live what has happened to our women and men it still affects us for when I realized what I had become, was doing it hurts deep to be considered nothing more that a "F- machine made of flesh.

I look at myself and I cannot believe I've rejected the tag name but I just don’t want be a 1 or 2 dimensional being.

So that’s it and comments, questions, statements, stories to

tell(new title) just telljoe. Or

Donations C/0 Poor Magazine

1448 Pine Street #205

San Francisco, CA 94103

Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org

by Joseph Bolden

Conflicts, some a eternally compelling as in Saving your mother or wife in a sea encircled by sharks.

As Jane/John Law after a killer or assassins one your brother or sister the other your dearest friend who took a bullet or lost a limbs saving you from mortar rounds or hidden booby trapped mind.

Extremely difficult what to do between love, honor, an the reality of the job at hand people do make them cognizant of their actions, living with it inside their heads.

Mine is about the health of my teeth. Recently going to U. C.S.F.'s [University Of California, San Francisco]
later Periodontology [gum’s holding teeth together]

I’ve missed one appointment so far. Doing the pay-as-you-go rout solidifies my reputation as a poor non insured person on a low pay job that makes those pays soon as possible.

My conflict came last week for every once in a while the job assigns me to take pictures or do a story last week its only pictures in Oakland’s City Hall where a town hall meeting is to take place.

On Saturday, September 13, 2003 from 7 am to 12 noon or later is to be an all day event on the seriousness of youth being killed by either other youths or the police.

There is no conflict and besides doing this gets me a Monday half day to further my personal dental health.

The location: At 1 Frank Ogawa Plaza, City Council Chambers. It starts from 7 to 10 am KPOO 89.5 live broadcast begins. Bulldog Coffee Shop donated coffee and pastries.

The place on 1739 Broadway near bart served excellent deserts which kept me up and awake when I arrived by 9:45 as the panel were full sessions speaking a small audience of Oakland’s concerned citizen’s.

Suspiciously absent is mainstream much media except for
KPFA 94.1, KTOP-TV Channel10(recording for tv)

An ethnic, financially diverse community, Oakland, California, with approximately 400,000. Over 30% of the households in Oakland live on less that $25,000 per year and unemployment rates is over 10%. This some of the facts from Vice-Mayor Nancy Nadel’s Violence Prevention Working Group Fact Sheet.

My notes are sketchy as best. Diverse organizations converged in the hall The first few hours before I am there is discussion about Mr. Ward Connelly and Proposition 54
he endorses.

It makes counting minority (non white) groups saying America’s has achieved its color blind goal when in reality all Prop. 54 has the potential of returning to days gone by of not being included, counted, and less monies for inner city neighborhoods.

Davy D said "He wants to put the sheets back on."
Organizations and individuals endorsing Prop. 54 are David Horowitz, Log Cabin Republican’s, George Will, and Ward Williams. From what I hear about Mr. Ward Connelly is he’s mouth piece, front man for this legislation earning his $700,000 or more yearly some.

This backward, reversal or legal rights gained literally by the blood of millions by known and anonymous people
should not be disgraced by this so called forward approach to discrimination.

We as black, brown, (pick rainbow) folks remain singled out for "lawful-under-suspicion or suspicious character(s).

Break-ins by police on black-while-home, on the street, to driving-while-brown or black it has become a normalized pathological systematic stigma that all young black males and women are targets to be stopped, harassed, molested, and in worst cases murdered-by-accident and now a initiative stealthily about to voted on with nearly no fanfare harking back to days when us colored folks supposedly knew or places.

Those days are long gone never to return no matter how much a few behind-the-times organizations and people wish to turn the clock back.

Our youth’s, assaulted, molested, dying at so alarming a rate that the word "Genocide" comes to mind.
Mr. Joshua Hanes, Ms. Angela Davenport of (Lovelife Foundation) spoke of their fears as youth going to friend’s funerals, hearing gunshots in their neighborhoods.

Mrs. Lorain Taylor, angrily explains the loss of her twin son’s on February, 8, 2000.

One man on the panel said aloud "92 homicides.
1) Police are real dumb, 2) The Killer’s are real smart.

The Hearings of 1979 and C.I.A’s dumping of guns, drugs in inner city neighborhoods to weaken, cause dissention, breaking up stable families as a systematic destruction of political units to.

I could be paranoid but here is what Insane logic that comes to my mind.

Destroy families by tracking (black, brown-rainbow)
children in schools, jail children at younger ages, kill ‘em (smartest ones) young before they reproduce, try as adults or have ‘em kill each other in drive-by’s drug wars.

Reducing educated population.

Tried as adults for longer jail time and upon return to communities they cannot vote for life. Once the cycle begins running "The Powers That Be tweak it so often so the cycle continues until people within the cycle able to see beyond and brake from it individually and as organized groups to continuously brake and reverse the cycle.

The Chicken’s Have Come Home To Roost Again.

It may be a racist thought but here goes: if the exact same problems were in white communities and their children were being shot and killed, jailed for lengths of times, and more children and young men in jails than in college and making the military the one option for educational opportunities I dare say the hue and cry would be felt all over the country!

Like in the so called war on drugs when its in the rainbow communities its normal but in white suburbia it becomes a panic as parent’s demand treatment on demand doing anything to save their loved ones or abandoning them to their fates.

Guess what? Suburbia is going through it now, soon their son’s, daughter’s will be in jails at younger and younger ages if not now. Looks like The Chicken’s Have Come Home To Roost Again.

Like I said sketchy notes, I didn’t get too many people’s names, or organizations but hope readers have got most of what I was writing.

Donations C/0 Poor Magazine

1448 Pine Street #205

San Francisco, CA 94103

Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org

by Joe B.

Its been a long week but everything’s fine.

President Al Gore’s former Senator Joseph Liberman is VP,a student writes a best selling autobiography while still in college but being so young must revise it again in 15 to 20 years.

My plane trip to Cuba, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Palestine is a quiet business vacation where interviews with Mary Cary, Angelyne Cali's new Governor and Lieutenant Governor respectively.

Senator Larry Flint, has just signed into law lowering the voting age to 14 to 16 years.

Racism, sexism, Xenophobia,all the other negative ism’s are dead and gone by 2010.

Mars and the moon now populated, the aging process has been reversed, slowed, and stopped by combing nanotechnology, cybernetics and genetic engineering.

Anyone can be beautiful because of deep re-engin eered tissue/bone regeneration technologies; odd looking(ugly)people now seen as more real are the new faces to on tv and movies.

All the above is real. IN AN ALTERNATE UNIVERSE!

To bad Mr. Ward Connelly dosen't live there but here on this tired sexist, homophobic, racist, and ism scarred world.

Maybe he visited the place and for a time before being yanked back into this one.

Problem is this world is the one with bad attitudes, people who’d rather discriminate than help solve these problems.

Proposition 54 blinds all kinds of organizations, employment, medical,you name it and 54 for will make those still suffering racism, sexism, homophobic to religious zealots continue by saying "everything is fine,we don’t need to know about race for scientific studies because were all the same.

I’m still trying to figure out how Asian or Pacific Islander women increased their bust size.

Is it foods eaten in America, sexual relations producing this outward physicallity, or artificial enhancements?

I don’t know wich but banning information even as frivolous as this is one thing but for health and genetic markers for race, sex, natural origins are still needed.

We cannot go back to being hidden, ignored, having our rights trampled until a pol is up for re election.

America for non whites has always been a non discriminating, equal opportunity killing field, it still is.

As long as rainbow folks die from birth, homicide, or police "assisted accidents" jails, we should also be counted in job creation, education,and all that we do both positive and negative.

A last thought. Infant Deaths Black babies die at more than twice the rate of all babies in San Francisco.
[What Did I Say About The Killing Fields?]

I Forgot to say, It Starts Early… Source S.F.P.H. Vital Records 2000.

Its Learn how to stop Black Babies From Dying #Phone number is one of 1-800-300-9550. many Organizations.
The Seven Principles Project For African American Infant Survival And Community–Unity.

This I read on a 19th Polk street bus on my way to work in.

That’s one of many reasons to stop this "Hear no evil,See no evil,Speak,Think no evil.

We’ll all be treated with the respect due us."

Yeah right, and all young girls and women are sweet, kind, desperate for male companionship.

Tell us all another fairy tale Mr. Connelly, we might believe them too.

Mr. Connelly is either living in an isolated bubble or his mind is in one?

But if Ward Connelly’s mind bubble becomes real it could be a return to Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.

An early 1950’s(’53) novel of a Black man’s harrowing, psychological journey in America.

Let’s not return to those days when most rainbow folks were literally invisible in the eyes of White America.

Donations C/0 Poor Magazine

1448 Pine Street #205

San Francisco, CA 94103

Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org

by Tiny/PoorNewsNetwork

“No justice No Peace”, voices tumbled out of the non-descript tenderloin office-voices belonging to houseless folks – poor people –economic justice advocates – low and no-wage workers…..

“No Justice No Peace” , dark corners of empty concrete filling with human struggle,
as a coalition seeking justice, members of The SF Day Laborers, The Coalition on Homelessness, POOR Magazine/PNN, and many more – marched from the POWER office to City Hall…on Tuesday September 16th . It had been months – months which tasted like years – time dripping by like a million leaking faucets time spent fighting very wealthy corporate interests with million dollar media campaigns. who used poor and houseless folks for political gains – Today was the day – the jig was up! The gloves were off – we would play their game no longer – by any means necessary – the people would be heard – Proposotion N – the Gavin Newsome lie to the voters of San Francisco which pretended to “solve the homeless” problem – but in fact did nothing but make the lives of poor people poorer by reducing their workfare wage from almost nothing ($345.00 per month) to really nothing ($59.00 per month)- “No!!” we shouted- today we would fight til we were heard –even if it meant shutting down the San Francisco board of supervisors meeting-with all we had left-our voices!

“We’re going to shut down City Hall until they listen to the truth” one of the Community Journalists at POOR/PNN said to me as we stood in the doorway of the POWER offices in the tenderloin (People Organized to Win Employment Rights) preparing for the battle.We, the poor folk who would be directly affected by this racist, classist legislation were, In the tradition of Martin Luther King and |Gandhi planning a peaceful act of civil disobedience if the board didn’t do the right thing and kill the legislation.

“I am a new mother of a little girl, I am participating in this civil disobedience because I want to be proud that I am a San Francisco resident, I want her to be proud that she is a resident of San Francisco….”Anonymous freedom fighter

“ We are only asking for the Board to do the right thing – stop messing with the poor”
Willie X/POOR/PNN

“Proposition N separates the poor and gives them no choice to live…”
Lafeyette Ricks/POWER

“My name is Donna Gates, I have written every candidate for mayor in San Francisco- to give them ideas on how to solve homelessness in San Francisco – none of them have written me back….

“ We are here today to demand that the Board of Supervisors kill proposition N- San Francisco voters were fooled by the racist lies that Gavin Newsom told by spending millions of dollars… the board of Supervisors has to take a stand and do what’s right” Steve Williams,POWER

The day of resistance commenced in the board chambers. The people waited patiently as hours passed and then the political grandstanding by the board supervisors began- eventually the board voted to kill Proposition N- but in so doing they voted to table yet another form of prop N- ie Prop N lite a collaborative legislation between Supervisor Tony Hall and Gavin Newsom – at this point the people responded –our voices were heard - with an action of civil disobedience we created a “die-in” which effectively shut the meeting down for over 30 minutes.

“No Justice No Peace-We’re here because the blood is on your hands” while the people chanted we enacted the death of housless and poor people impacted by Prop N, Prop M and Prop N-lite in the board chambers…which would be and is the real result that would occur if any form of proposition N is passed

Outside the chambers of lies – justice hovered – protecting us – listening to us – after what seemed like a very long time, Board president Matt Gonzalez – agreed to meet with us and figure out what the next step would be – there were no arrests – the people were heard- and now the struggle continues….

by A. Faye Hicks, Po’ Poet Laureate/ POOR Magazine

The sign on the highway said “Welcome to San Rafael “
Anticipation danced through my veins, as the Golden Gate Transit Bus sped along.
The Comfortable velvet seats soothing my soul, I purr, such a class-act way to travel.
I compare this transportation to MUNI’s hard plastic seats built to cause pain.

My hot chocolate flavored skin is aglow, as I go on my mini-jaunt in Cali.
While tourists were jamming The City, The Wharf was packed, Golden Gate Park teeming, Animals overwhelmed at the zoo, People from around the world, bumping into each other to see the sights…. the money is flowing…., I needed some time out, some relief from my homeless existence in the City

By gosh, Me, the invisible homeless woman, stepped on, walked through if I don’t jump fast enough. I Decided to be a tourist for a Day, in famous Marin County! This is only my second Jaunt across the Golden Gate Bridge, although I have been residing in the Bay Area for over 40 years,…. Amazing! The opposite direction is my Normal route, To Oakland on the Bay Bridge, and of course the Bart.

My ebony eyes darken, the scenery was magnificent, quiet, peaceful, sublime.
And then I see the sign from the highway, “Welcome to San Rafael” small town U.S. A.
Mayberry R.F. D. a 3 “COP” town. No Crime or Grime in this manicured city.
I didn’t see any signs that read, ‘don’t be a litter bug’ or jay walking fined, or no open containers. No not even a gum wrapper was seen, as I covertly looked for a trashcan.
Yes, manicured streets, flowers galore, voices muted.

“Yipes” I whispered, a vehicle blasting Rap, sped across Main Street, America.
It momentarily stunned me at the noise, but peace resumed quickly.
A silent police cruiser drifted in the corner of my right eye, silently taking note that one of the Homeless has landed on their Sacred Turf. Talk about a welcoming committee!

I casually stroll down the Township streets, window shopping, probably the only person on the streets, 10 a.m. on a sultry August morning. I began to think I had entered the
Twi-Light Zone. Had I left California and entered Alabama, I need to be extra careful in this Neck of the Woods. How do the Police Cruiser move so quiet like. In the “City” all the lights be flashing, wheel squealing running into each other like “Key Stone Cops.
But in San Rafael, they are really the White Ghost, real spooky.

After looking in windows, reading menus, generally ignored, I paused for a break on a cold stone park-like bench, In the Civic Center. The heat was awesome.

The scenery was wonderful but I was bored shitless, and naturally there were no public, facilities. Removing my hot outer clothing, a city hat, I trek on back toward the bus terminal. I was on the look out for refreshments, liquid of course. I looked high and low but I couldn’t find a liquor store. And even though the sun was steaming, there were no water fountains, no little ladies room, and most importantly, no homeless people, yes, I realized, it was time to hit the road.

I lumbered back down the main street, remembering there was a store nearby. I saw numerous stores and restaurants, but with nothing to quench my thirst.
Suddenly I spot a familiar form from home, two white boys, The Haight/ Ashbury hippies, holes in jeans, scraggley hair and all. Even weed smoke drifting over their heads. I declined their offer., but asked where could I by a brew. Oh, what a relief it is Pop, pop, fizz, fizz. One block away right through the alley way, I trot on down, they drift on high.

Then I reach my destination, the “corner store” And then I see them. Guarding the “gate”, are two “peace” officers on either side of the door well. I saunter on pass.
I grab two brews, get in line with two customers. I notice as they leave that they have no problem going past the officers, but me and my brown paper bag are immediately accosted.

“Hello”, they proclaim loudly.

“Hi” I replied.

“Where you from”

“Out of town,” I replied, not naming the place.

“Well there will be no drinking on our public streets.”

I exploded! “I have no damn intentions of drinking on your streets, I am on my way out of this damn town right now,” I shocked myself shouting at this cop. Later I found he is named the gray wolf, by the homeless in San Rafael.

He screamed as I was one half a block away, “See that you are out of here…. before I…”

“What?”, I screamed back, turning the corner, but I was on my way , The Golden Gate Bus line was in my eyesight! Clutching my bag, climbing on the bus, I glanced back, I can feel the cops. Breathing down, behind my back, was a two wheel helmet gun toting police officer making sure I was on my way out of their town.

“Whoa”, I breathed easier to myself. What possessed me to holler at the cop, maybe it was the heat, or maybe I had entered the Twi-light Zone or maybe…. Jim Crow was still alive and well in San Rafael…..

For more of Ms. A. Fayes scholarship on racism click on the Po Poet Laureate button on PNN. To purchase a copy of her recent book; The POOR Nation click on the POOR Press button or call us at 415-863-6306

by Ace Tafoya/PoorNewsNetwork Community Journalist

Dawn was only hours away as my sister Toni lay on her soft mattress that early Saturday morning. 'Captain Cargo", 'Fat Albert' and 'The Wacky Races' would meet my eyes yet her eyes would only see red. "Pick up those tomatoes girl," the pale supervisor said in that hot summer San Joaquin valley heat. "Make sure you pick up everything! I'm watching you!" Toni was out in the fields along with other workers picking up tomatoes. She was in her early teens.

On Saturday, September 20, San Francisco in conjunction with other cities had a march for Immigrant Rights. I, the son of poor immigrant farmworkers who was expected to join my siblings in the fields just to help my family survive joined thousands of supporters and immigrants who chanted at Yerba Buena Gardens and proceeded down Market Street in a send-off event for the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a national movement to build support for reform of U.S. policy. Inspired by the Freedom Rides of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, Immigrant workers and friends will set out across the country for a series of rallies and educational forums. The buses will stop at 11 cities before arriving in Washington, DC on October 1st to meet with members of Congress. From there, the new Freedom Riders of 2003 will come to their destination of New York City for a massive rally on Saturday, October 4.

Jean Damu, a San Francisco Freedom Rider was all set for the march and the rally. "It's an important expression," he said to me before the march started. "As a Black worker, it's important to make this statement of expression and solidarity. It's an issue of color. We don't 'round up white immigrants whether legal or illegal and send them back to Europe, they (the I.N.S.) only 'round up the people of color who are immigrants." Damu was too young to participate in the first Freedom Ride, so I asked him why he wanted to make this ride. "Because my history as a worker in this country has shown that solidarity amongst workers is extremely important. All workers need to solidify. This is important in terms of globalization. Workers around the world have to express solidarity."

When the march started I asked Samantha Hynes, a local resident, what did the march mean to her. "I think this march will be a historic moment in (the) history of the U.S. I think that people will recognize this and identify with the 60's Freedom Rides." Samantha joined her friends and Tonya Miles of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist CBTU. "It's a great event and a great initial start to really get out the information about 'No on 54' (the classification by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin initiative), and the whole thing about working together and unity." The warm air swept through the garden. "Yes, considering the crunch we're in right now, it's not possible, but definitely something we could pull the state back up as well as the nation," she responded when I asked her if the minimum wage should be increased.

The Freedom Riders plan to highlight four major issues as they journey across the country: 1) establishing a clear road for immigrants to become citizens; 2) humane and timely procedures for reunifying immigrant workers with their families; 3) improving workplace conditions for immigrants; and 4) protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of all. The festival was sponsored by The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride, a collaborative effort between community organizations, interfaith groups, labor unions and elected officials.

When we reached Civic Center/City Hall Park we we're greeted by Mariachis, African drummers, Arabic singers, Filipino stick dancers and Gray Davis. "I'm so proud to join all my colleagues on stage today to honor the new Freedom Riders," said the Governor. Standing next to him was Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of the United Farm Workers and a national hero to me, yet he continued, "I'm proud of you taking the trip across America. I know, everywhere you go, you will spread good will, you will remind people that America's economy has been, is now, and always will be dependent on the important work immigrants do."

by Joe B.

Saw serious Gubernatorial candidates debate Wednesday, still want Gray Davis to finish his term.

As for Props 53,54 a no on both.

I’m not gonna go through the where,why or how its up to all of us as voters, those who have yet to be registered and especially young folks so fed up with the process/ system they see no point in it at all yet you are our future leaders.

Some of you are already leaders now and not in some dim future when your "the right age"screw that; y'all know that translates into wait also never.

Me,as middleaged black guy can only say read up, learn all the Rainbow World(s)her/history around the world,form groups, clubs,discuss,compare notes, keep learning.

Critical Brain Mass folks from low,mid,high tech programmers,web watcher’s, search engine creators and others in W3 can really help spread wirelessly the truth.

The same technology Att. Gen. Ashcroft and other law enforcement uses can rebound on them.

Tech isn’t good or bad it’s users that dictates what type of use they will be for.

As for little old middle aged me there’s an upcoming Periodontal appointment.

What makes me cringe is not sharp needles in my gums pushed down to nerves but that after a surgical procedure after reattachment of gums to teeth I have to keep them (teeth and gums) clean as possible which means a change in eating habits and food eaten.

I’ve been warning friends, acquaintances, relatives in person and by email that there might be a drastic change in my appearance.

That I may look like a person with HIV/AID’s.

I’m told to replace weight loss with muscle weight training,swimming.

Not a bad Idea,makes me feel much better going through this knowing the results after a month or two I may really look and feel better than just well but reshaped, rippling, or ripped physique.

Maybe being so focussed on personal health and fitness will wean me off my male gaze of women.

Strive at other pursuits like having new business cards written, saving money,buying insurance for that business,learn Message, redesign or improve something.

This year has been a bit rough for most people unless you had connections to Bush,Hali-Burton,law enforcement,or C.P.S. [Child Protective Services]

I’ve decide to keep quiet and surprise everyone when whatever plans made in my mind come to fruition I can say "Told you time again but you laughed, didn’t believe an so I shut my mouth and did my thing."

So,folks do look at my odd stuff on-web!

All I can say is thank you all Women,Girls,Men, Boys,S/O’s of all ages.

If you’ve laughed, thought,got mad,pondered, imagined,or what I’ve helped in anyway I'd like a few brave females to know how.

Oh yeah,if some of you (women only)sent racy poems,or eye popping digital images of yourselves.

I will not be offended but my employers will or a few interns here may be.

And to mainly to all the women on some of the adult chat sites;thanks awfully for being patient to the newbie,green guy in the chat rooms though I still think there was too much testosterone and less estrogen in the mix and yet I have a sneaky suspicion that women like it that way because it inverts the power structure giving them more power of control than if there more fems than men.

I could be wrong this perception.

So,ladies,guys, [mostly ladies,] sorry guys.

I’d like you to write me saying I’m wrong,right, or in between?

I can be contacted below.

Donations C/0 Poor Magazine

1448 Pine Street #205

San Francisco, CA 94103

Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org

by Joe B.

On a Friday night some few kind souls invited Poor Magazine folks to an off Broadway play at Venue 9 252 Ninth St. at 7 pm.

The Play:"This World Is Not My Home.")about the many faces, ideas, about people, societal, reactions to poverty.

(It has an after-play- discussion Q&A show complete with mayoral candidate).

Those two little things are important yes,but the play is riveting in the actors/actresses portrayal of our mercantile republic.

I have not been to many off Broadway creations that are raw, few props, and the audience using sheer imagination in place of the finished, expensive sort of full dress-in-your-best clothes outings.

It may be their last night playing there it seems the

landlord wants to make office buildings out of the space.
just what this neighborhood needs, more office space.

Not to worry, the place was too small, bathroom in front of the stage area, and they had to expand anyway so it could be at good omen.

Guess I’ll check out the off-B plays making time for it before they get the flash-glamour treatment.

Donations C/0 Poor Magazine

1448 Pine Street #205

San Francisco, CA 94103

Email: askjoe@poormagazine.org