Story Archives 2008

by DQ University Student Body

Dear California Nations Indian Gaming Association:

We are writing as representatives from the only Tribal College in California to offer our powerful endorsement of your attempt to garner votes for Propositions 94-97. We know that your intention is to support tribal educational opportunities for native residents of California but as of yet you have ignored our requests for funding and support.

DQ-University, California's only Tribal University was founded in 1971 after the federal government gave 640 acres of land to a group of Native Americans and Chicanos whose goal was to start the nation's first indigenous controlled university outside of a reservation. When DQ-U opened its doors it represented the first time diverse groups of native people of the continent of North America successfully worked together on a project, despite language and cultural difference.

In 1978 DQU became Indian-controlled and set down its path of not only becoming a university for all indigenous and native people, but also an important gathering place for Indian cultural days, spiritual unity conferences, youth and elder gatherings, Powwows, ceremonies, festivals, concerts, and other events. In addition to graduating many Native American and Chicano students who have gone on to work in public, private, and tribal sectors. DQU has been a viable source of higher education for individuals who would otherwise have no access to the brighter future that indigenous education can provide..

In 2004, DQU lost accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In the midst of a financial crisis and $270,000 in debt, the school was forced to close. DQU students arriving at the campus for the new term were unaware of the crisis. Armed with the determination of attaining their education and loyalty to DQU, the students formed an occupation of the campus and here they wait for the re-accreditation and opening of their university.

The gaming industry brings in approximately $7 billion a year in revenue. The students and allies of DQU challenge CNIGA and the gaming tribes of California to follow through on promises to use gaming revenue to fund educational programs and support DQU. CNIGA's website claims, "Indian tribes are using gaming revenue to build house, schools...to fund the health care and education for their people," however, CNIGA has consistently ignored DQU's pleas for financial support.

If education is indeed a priority for gaming tribes than surely higher education is part of that equation. DQU offers higher education at an accessible location and reasonable tuition for all native peoples. DQU's curriculum is centered around empowering indigenous people and educating a generation of youth to look at, analyze, and solve the problems facing native peoples today.

DQ-University asks that CNIGA agree to honor their commitment to education with a minimum budget of $3-5 million per semester to ensure that DQ has sufficient funding for the reconstruction of the existing dorms and buildings, general operating expenses, purchase of new computers, educational supplies and equipment for specialized programs and the employment of qualified educators and staff. In addition to financial support, we request one or more individuals from the staff or board of the gaming tribes assist DQU with rebuilding the infrastructure and restoration of the integrity of the school. DQU’s goal is to reopen as a 4-year accredited university and become eligible once again to receive federal financial aid. It is our intent to be known as the ‘Haskell of the West’.

Propositions 94, 95, 96, and 97 promise to add an additional 17,000 slot machines to California's casinos and generate approximately $1.5 billion a year more in revenue. DQU and its allies will not endorse these propositions unless CNIGA and the top four gaming tribes of California, agree to support DQU and the education of native people throughout California. If CNIGA does agree to support DQU then DQU and it's allies will officially endorse Props 94-97.

In addition to the requests above, DQ-University asks for your financial support as we strive to set a precedent to transform DQU into a ‘green’ campus. As the only Tribal college in the state of California, we can be the model for self-sustaining campuses by utilizing alternative energy through solar and wind power. We also request funding for our Indigenous Permaculture Program, including organic gardens where we will grow and reap the benefits of healthy foods as we learn techniques of sustainable living; techniques and practical skills that we will take back to our communities and tribes. It is also essential for us to revitalize Indigenous culture and tradition, and to study at a tribal college where our diversity is celebrated.

Please join United Native American's Inc, members of the Lucy Moore Foundation and POOR Magazine staff at a press conference and rally at the Capitol Steps in Sacramento on Friday, February1st at 1:00 p.m.

www.myspace.com/dquniversity.com

by Gloria Esteva/Prensa Pobre

For English, scroll down.

La casa era hermosa. a pesar del aspecto de abandono que proyectaban una fachada vieja y desgastada.“Esta muy sucia pero voy a ayudar un poco” dijo la dueña de la casa. Ella era una anciana de aproximadamente 65 años que de repente empezó a toser, llevándose las manos a la boca. Trate de apoyarla.

Despues de algún tiempo, reaccionó su semblante se veia palido como la cera y con mucha frustracion: me dijo que primero limpiara todos los adornos de los muebles que estaban acomodados alrededor del cuarto de su sala. ¡Eran demasiados! Pero dije, “manos a la obra” porque no quería que se me fuera el tiempo en solo limpiar sus adornos. La casa estaba demasiado sucia y yo quería avanzar lo mas que pudiera.

Una vez que acabe de limpiar los adornos, ella mostró una lista de cosas que su hija quería que yo hiciera. ¡La lista era larga!

Lavar perfectamente los baños

Limpiar la cocina

Lavar los platos

Lavar la ropa

Pasar la aspiradora

Limpiar los cuartos

Limpiar los vidrios
y al final, limpiar los adornos de la casa, que era bastante grande.

Empecé por limpiar la sala. Estaba demasiado sucia, en casi todo el lugar habia mucho polvo y cosas amontonadas en el piso. Ella me dijo que limpiara todos los muebles con un aerosol para muebles y que tratara de frotarlas mucho para que se pusieron brillosos. Despues pidió que yo siguiera con la cocina por que estaba muy cochambrosa. Habia trastes sucios por todos lados. La estufa parecia como si cada intento de usarla terminaba en una quemazon. EL horno parecia el taller de un mecanico, Obviamente el lugar no se había limpiado en muchísimo tiempo. Segui limpiando hasta que termine con la mayoria de la lista.

Cuando miré la hora ya habían transcurridos 6 horas. La señora me dijo que estaba bien, que ya podría irme pero solamente me pagó por 4 horas. Le dije que eran 6 horas pero ella me dijo que “solo quedamos con cuatro y es lo que te pago.”

Salí muy agotada de la casa, con mucha hambre pero sin un centavo disponible para comprar comida aunque sea unas galletas. Lo que me pagaron era para completar la renta.

El sueño y cansancio invadían mi cuerpo pero trate de mantenerme despierta porque quería pasar por el hospital donde estaba hospitalizado mi nieto hace muchos días. Me tocó cuidarlo por las noches despues del trabajo.-Mis pies se negaban a desplazarse como si les hubiera atado un par de plomos. Mis intestinos rugían en mi estomago.

Me dirigí al cuartito de enfermeras para ver si había café o galletas. Me daba mucha pena pero era mas fuerte el hambre. Recuerdo mucho esta etapa de mi vida. Parecia que no podria soportar tanta hambre, explotación, cansancio y la tristeza por el dolor que mi nieto tenia que vivir por su condicion de nino con leucemia. Pero el hecho de que el sintiera que yo estaba alli, por lo menos acompanandolo, me fortalecia. El mejor premio era ver su carita y sus brazos tendidos hacia mi al verme llegar. Esta imagen siempre me acompanara y sera parte de mi fortaleza.

A nosotros los pobres se nos complica todo. Alguien en un entrenamiento de ventas dijo que mientras más pobres somos más complicaciones tendremos y que más nos vamos alejando de las oportunidades. Ésta persona tiene razón, solo que no dijo quienes nos arrebatan estas oportunidades. Que abismo tan grande existe entre los trabajadores y los acaparadores. Nosotros no tenemos más que nuestro trabajo. Un esfuerzo tan grande que produce las riquezas en el mundo, que es tan mal pagado.

Nosotras las mujeres que hacemos trabajo doméstico estamos aisladas y dispersas; esto hace que sea más difícil organizarnos. Porque cuando somos abusadas por el patron ya sea que paguen poco o nos den mal trato, nos encontramos solas frente a estos empleadores. Aunado a esto estamos en desventaja porque no sabemos nuestros derechos.

Ahora yo sé cuales son nuestros derechos en este país. Aunque los conozco estoy en desventaja. Se nos aplica el salario mínimo como si el trabajo requiriera el esfuerzo mínimo. Ademas hay otras desventajas: Por ejemplo si se vives en la casa del patron nuestro tiempo nunca es respetado. Para cualquier otro empleado el tiempo extra comienza alas 8 horas, para nosotras comienza a las 9 horas seguidas o 45 a la semana, esto da mas cabida a la explotacion.

Platicando con otras personas que encuentro en el autobús o en BART me comentaban que les pasa lo mismo. Una de ellas me recomendó que no trabajara más de las horas que me contrataban y que no hiciera el trabajo tan a prisa. Con tiempo me di cuenta que el trabajo doméstico no se debe cobrar por hora sino por lo sucio que este el lugar.

Una compañera me contó que ella fue contratada para cuidar un niño. A la semana le designaron la limpieza de la casa. Despues de un tiempo compraron un cachorro y también le toco cuidarlo, darle de comer y banarlo. Hasta querian que les sirviera de peluquera para el perro. Por si esto fuera poco, con el tiempo nació otro bebe, y también tuvo que cuidarlo sin que se le aumentara un centavo el sueldo.

Entreviste a Luz Maria, de México. Ella menciona que una patrona con la que vivio, la mantenia a su dispocision las 24 horas del dia. No importando si fuese de dia o de noche. Ella tenia que atender al bebe y hacer los quehaceres de la casa, por solo $30.00 al dia. Cada vez que Luz quería dejar el trabajo, su patrona la amenazaba con llamar a inmigración. Esto la retuvo por mucho tiempo en esa esclavitud.

Es difícil saber exactamente cuanto debemos cobrar. Hay lugares donde pagan $10 otros donde pagan $30 por hora. No hay un estándar fijo de precios. Uno acepta el trabajo por necesidad y no porque el precio sea justo por nuestro trabajo.

Afortunadamente por mi carácter comunicativo conocí a muchas personas y organizaciones que me han ayudado a saber mejor como funciona las leyes, los derechos y las reformas que tiene el trabajador en este país. Sobre todo, que esta vigente porque las leyes aquí cambian en cada periodo presidencial.

Durante mi estancia en este pais he percibido que el no nos toman en cuenta como trabajadores, no existe ningún derecho para nosotros. Nos encontramos indefensas antes los abusos de los empleadores. Algunos intuyen la situación migratoria de las trabajadoras y deciden abusar de esta situación, otros simplemente se roban su esfuerzos y las amenazan con reportarlas con la migración.

Yo creo que estos hechos no ocurren solo ahorita; vienen ocurriendo desde que los colonizadores blancos decidieron atacar a los indígenas que eran dueños de estas tierras. Despues le siguio el trafico de esclavos y posteriormente la explotación de tantas razas de inmigrantes. Todos ellos se han visto obligados a desempenar los trabajos pesados que los explotadores nunca han hecho. La immigracion y la explotacion a la que somos enfrentados es solo el resultado de las invaciones y el saqueo de nuestros paises.

Love for Our Family Makes Us Very Strong

The house was beautiful, in spite of the aspect of abandonment that projected from an old and worn away facade. "Is very dirty but I am going to help a little" said the owner of the house. She was an elderly woman around 65 years of age that suddenly began to cough, bringing her hands to mouth.

I tried to help her. After some time, she reacted, her appearance seemed pallid like the wax and with much frustration she said to me that first I needed to clean all the decorations of the furniture that placed around the living room. There were too many things to be done!

But I said, "Hands to work" because I didn’t want to spend too much time cleaning the decorations. The house was too dirty and I wanted get ahead as much as I could. Once I finished cleaning the decorations, she showed me a list of things that her daughter wanted me to do. The list was long!

Clean the bathrooms perfectly

Clean the kitchen

Wash the clothes

Vacuum

Clean bedrooms

Wash windows and finally, to clean the rest of the decorations of the house, which was quite large.

I began to clean the living room. It was too dirty. In almost every place there was a lot of dust and things piled on the floor. She told me to clean all the furniture with an aerosol and that try to rub them so much so that they shine.

Later she told me to clean the kitchen next because it was very filthy. There were dirty dishes all over the place. The stove looked as if each attempt to use it ended in a fiery blaze. The oven looked like a mechanics workshop. The place had obviously not been cleaned in a very long time.

I continued cleaning until I finished with most of the list. When I looked at the clock, 6 hours had already passed. The lady told me it was O.K., that I could leave but she only paid me for 4 hours. I told her that I worked for 6 hours but she said I that "we only agreed to four hours and that is what I am paying you."

I left the house completely exhausted and very hungry, but I couldn’t spend a cent to buy food, not even a cookie. The money I have just earned was to complete the money for the month’s rent.
.

Sleep and exhaustion invaded my body but I tried to keep awake because I wanted to pass by the hospital where my grandson had been hospitalized many days ago. I needed to care for him at night, after work. My feet refused to move, as if they had a hunk of lead tied to each. My intestines roared in my stomach.

I directed myself to the nurses’ station to see if there was any coffee or crackers. I was a bit embarrassed but my hunger was stronger. I remember very well this stage in my life. It seems as if I could not handle so much hunger, exploitation, fatigue and sadness from the pain that my grandson had to live with his condition as a child with leukemia. But the fact that he felt that I was at least there, accompanying him, gave me strength. The best prize was to see his little face and his arms reaching for me every time he saw me arrive. This image always stays with me and gives me strength.

For us, the poor, everything is complicated. Somebody in a sales training class said that the poorer we are, the more complications we will have and that we are that much farther away from getting opportunities. This person is right, only that she did not say who was snatching these opportunities from us.

What a great gap exists between the workers and the affluent ones. The only thing we possess is our ability to work. With great effort the riches of the world are produced; effort that is poorly recompensed. We women who do domestic work are isolated and dispersed; that is why it is so difficult for us to organize ourselves. Because when the bosses who already pay us very little, treat us badly and abuse us, we face these bosses alone. Additionally, we are at a disadvantage because we do not know our rights.

Now I know our rights in this country. Although I know them, I am at a disadvantage. The minimum wage is applied to us as if the work required the minimum of our effort. There are other disadvantages as well: For example, if we live in the bosses house is, our hours are never honored. For any other employee the over time begins after 8 hours, for us it begins after 9 hours per day or 45 hours per week, allowing our bosses to completely exploit us.

When I discuss this with other people I encounter on the bus or BART they tell me the same happens to them. One of them recommended to me that I not work more than the hours than they hired me to do and to not hurry through the work. With time I realized that the domestic work should not be charged by the hour but by how dirty the place is.

A friend told me that she was hired to take care of a boy. Within a week they assigned the cleaning of the house to her. After a while, they bought a puppy and also called upon her to take care of it, to feed and bathe it. They even wanted her to serve as the dog’s groomer! And in case this wasn’t enough, with time, another baby was born and she also had to take care of the baby, all without having a cent of her paycheck increased.

I interviewed Luz Maria, of Mexico. She told me that with a boss she lived with, she had to be available 24 hours a day. It didn’t matter if it was day or night. She had to take care of the baby and all the household chores, all only for$30.00 a day. Whenever Luz wanted to leave the job, her boss threatened to call immigration. This kept her for a long time in that slavery.

It is difficult to know exactly what we should charge. There are places that pay $10 per hour and others that where $30 per hour is paid. There is no a fixed standard of prices. One accepts the job because of necessity and not because the price is right for our work. Luckily, my communicative character has enabled to get to know many people and organizations that have helped me to understand better how the laws function and the rights that each worker in this country has. This is extremely important here because the laws change with every president.

During my stay in this country I have noticed that one does not take to us into account like workers, rights do not exist for us. We are defenseless before the abuses of the employers. Some intuit the migratory situation of the workers and decide to abuse this situation, others simply rob of them of their efforts and they threaten to report them to immigration.

I believe that these acts are not just happening now; they have been happening since the white colonizers decided to attack the natives who were sovereigns of these lands. Then followed the later trafficking of slaves and the subsequent exploitation of so many races of immigrants. All of them have been forced to perform the backbreaking work that the oppressors have never done. The immigration and exploitation that we are face today is the result of the invasions and the looting of our countries.

by Ingrid De Leon/PNN

For Spanish scroll down.

I am a poor woman and mother of four children. God gave them to me healthy, but due to domestic violence my children and I were physically mistreated by my ex husband. I thought about separating from him, but it was too late because he had already twisted my daughter's foot, but what he did to my son hurts so much more. And, I'm angry for not having prevented it. I cry and ask, "why not me."

My son Walter he is barely eight years old and his heart is broken, sometimes it works well but other times it’s working too fast or too slow. It's painful to even think about the day when it stops working because, well, I would die without him. My children are my life. The medic that is attending him in San Marcos said that it would be best that my mother take him to the capital within a month, but I need $1,000.00 for the trip to the capital, the medic, and some exams and the medicine.

I do not have that money. I am only a seamstress and it is very difficult for me to live in the city. This is why I need your help. The life of my son depends on you. I don't know how I would live without him. Because of my poverty, I cannot leave here to support my family in Guatemala, and they depend on my mother to take care of them. A desperate mother needs and appreciates your help.

It is very difficult but by sharing my story, I hope to tell all women who suffer domestic abuse. Don’t stay quiet. Fight for your children. Look for help. Before they harm your children like my son was hurt. I hope that my words in some way are helpful. May God bless you and give you abundance. With my heart in hand I am a migrant reporter for POOR Magazine (Prensa Pobre) Thanks, many thanks.

Un Corazon Necessita Ayauda Para Vivir

Soy una mujer pobe y madre de cuatro ninos dios melos dio sanos pero por violensia domestica mis hijos y yo eramos maltratados con golpes por mi ex esposo. Pense separarme de el pero demasiado tarde porque a mi hija le torsio el pie pero a mi hijo lo que le iso me duele mucho y a la ves me da coraje de no aberlo evtado y lloro idigo por que no a mi.

Mi hijo Walter tiene apenas ocho anos y tiene roto su corason. A veces trabaja bien pero a veces demasiado rapido ho lento y no quiero ni pensar que un dilla deje de trabajar . Me moriria sin el pues mis hijos son mi vida. El medico que lo esta atendiendo en San Marcos dijo que es mejor que mi mama lo lleve a la capital dentro de un mes pero nesesito $1000.00 para el viaje a la capital, el medico y algunos examenes y la medicina.

Y yo no tengo ese dinero porque no gano bastante dinero porque soy simple custuera y es muy dificil para mi vivir en la ciudad. Es por eso que necessito su ayuada. La vida de mi hijo depende de usteds. Porque mi es muy dificil no podar estar con el. Por la pobreza no pudeo irme de aqui para mantener a los otros. Ellos depende de me y de mi mama poque ella los cuida.

Es muy dificil pero por medio de esta historia quiero decirles a todas las mujeres que sufren abuso domestico. No se queden calladas. Lunchan por sus hijos. Buscan ayuda. Antes de que les danen a sus hijos como danen a mi hijo. Espero de algo les sirvan mis palabras espero su alluda Dios los bendiga y les de en abundancia se los agradese una madre desesperada. Con el corazon en la mano soy una migrante reportera de prensa pobre gracias muchas gracias.

by Amanda Smiles/For Indigenous Peoples Media Project at POOR Magazine

"Education is the key to sovereignty." Quanah Brightman's words echo in my ear as I pass by a white and blue campaign sign urging me to vote yes on Propositions 94-97, which would allow four of California's largest gaming tribes to add 17,000 new slot machines to their casinos and generate approximately $1.5 billion in new revenue a year. The sign promises that a yes vote would help to protect California's budget and economy, but I wonder who's promising to protect California's native people, especially when DQ University, California's only tribal college, has been closed for the past 3 years due to lack of funding.

DQ University (DQU) was founded in 1971 after a group of Native American's formed an occupation on the land, demanding the federal government hand over the land to be used as a place for higher learning. The government eventually conceded and in 1978 DQU opened the campus as the first and only indigenous-controlled institution of higher learning located outside a reservation. DQU's opening was a landmark event in Native American history, not only because it was indigenous controlled, but also because it opened as a university for all indigenous people, including Chicanos.

I sink back to my childhood, remembering my father, who is half-Lakota, and the words he would speak to me about Native Americans throughout the country. As a child, as I am sure it is for many adults in this country with no connection to indigenous people, the idea of Indian and reservation was an abstract concept. The only way I could grasp the poverty accompanying native people was when my father and I would go yard saleing. There he would urge me to find sweaters and stuffed animals, that we would then pack into boxes which were stored until late fall, when my father would ship them off to "the reservations."

It wasn't until I was 19 and I took a road trip via Greyhound to visit my dad that I witnessed my first reservation. While driving through New Mexico I became alert as we passed by devastated homes, not large enough for whole families, juxtaposed against glittering souvenir shops, selling "authentic" Native American handicrafts, not unlike the ones I remember from my childhood. Once I realized what I was seeing, I grasped that there was a whole other part of America, which is ignored and treated like the Third World. The rest of the trip was a wash of sadness and questioning for me, until I arrived at my father's house and told him what I saw, asked him what could be done, and he replied, "Education."

For more than 25 years, DQ-U operated as an education center accessible to Native people in California and beyond due to it’s affordable tuition and Native-oriented curriculum. Beside graduating many native people who have gone on to work in public, private, and tribal sectors, DQ-U has also served as an important gathering place and meeting ground for cultural and political events, spirituality conferences, ceremonies, concerts, and festivals.

In 2004 DQ-U lost its accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) because it was not a four-year university. This sent the school into financial turmoil, which, combined with the Boards mismanagement of the school, forced DQ-U to close its doors. Unaware of the school's closure, student returned to the school in January of 2004 to begin spring semester. When students became aware of the school's closure they, in the tradition of going full circle, formed an occupation of the school and have occupied the land ever since, demanding the school's reopening.

In the state of California, gaming is the primary financial livelihood for Native American tribes. The gaming industry brings in close to $7 billion a year in revenue for gaming tribes and these tribes are allowed to use the money according to their discretion. Although gaming tribes and the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), the organization that represents and monitors them, claim that money goes into funding education for Native people, many poorer non-gaming tribes disagree. In the case of DQ-U, CNIGA has refused to support the school, leaving the college to fend for itself.

However, gaming tribes have been willing to support California's public universities, where the population of Native students is less than one percent. In 2004 gaming tribe San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which operates a casino in San Bernardino, gave $4 million to UCLA to support tribal education. Similarly, in the fall of 2004 the tribe gave $3 million to San Bernardino State, which was one of the largest donations by any Native American tribe to a California State campus.

"The question we have as students and former students is why? For my people, the Lakota people, if someone is at your house you offer them a glass of water or something to eat. No one goes hungry in our tribe," says Quanah Brightman, vice president of the United Native Americans (U.N.A.) and former DQU student. "The only way for indigenous people to become sovereign in this nation is for gaming commissions abroad to start giving money to other communities. To become one nation."

Quanah's words remind me, again, of my father. Clippings of my childhood creep back to me, as I recall the period in my life when my dad began to take a leadership role in the Native community in Hawai'i. The house we lived in slowly became occupied by families from various tribes from different parts of the country, who came to stay with us, some for only a few days and others for months.

The adults cooked together and we had our meals as a home, all of us kids played together and people took turns watching us, often our parents would leave without us even noticing, but it always was shifting. When I asked me father about this he simply told me that they needed a place to stay and, "We always take care of our own people, Amanda."

by Brother Y?/PNN

I have long held the belief and verbalized on many occasions that the war on drugs, the war on terror and the war on the poor[not to be confused with the war on poverty] are all one and the same. I believe that the United States has a very hypocritical drug culture, and the recent threat of closing down the city's medical cannabis clubs is a perfect example of this country's blatant hypocrisy.

Another example is the treatment of Barry Bonds for his alleged steroid use. On Friday, December 7, 2007 Barry Bonds was arraigned in the San Francisco federal courthouse, on charges that he lied to federal prosecute about using steroids. I arrived to take photos and possibly interview him at 10:30. I was in a hurry to make an appointment and didn't have much time.

When I attempted to take a photo of the courtroom composite sketch a young man who I believe was somehow connected to the case, the artist rudely and abruptly placed a folded newspaper in front of my camera lens and asked me who I was. When I presented him with my POOR Magazine business card he then told me it would cost me $250.00 the same feeling of embarrassment came over me that a poor kid gets when a snooty security Guard snatches something out of his hand in one of those upscale mall stores. Not that I don't think artist should be compensated, but let's face it I'm on welfare. If I had $250.00 on me to spare I would probably spend it on groceries, not a sketch of a wealthy black man being racistly attacked by the system.

There is no forensic evidence connecting Barry to alleged steroid use but after all he is not the great white hope that many were vying would break the home run record of Hank Aaron. Steroid use is very prominent in baseball more so than any other major sport. If all of the pitchers who ever pitched to Barry aren't being probed than neither should he. I firmly believe in " my body my rules."

In college sports and in the minor leagues athletes make little or no money and so there is no incentive to use performance enhancers. If authorities truly wanted to stop steroid use in sports they would end multi- million dollar contracts. Of course this will never happen because the wealthy team owners who make far more than any of the athletes who fill the stadiums would lose income. The second best way to deal with this problem, I feel would be to make steroids illegal in college and minor league sports, adopt a don't ask don't tell policy for major league sports. For those who wish to remain drug free they could stay in the minor leagues and get higher pay for better performance, or just prove themselves in the majors. Of course, this will never happen either because although so called "American freedom" is based on individual freedom the truth is politicians embrace families and families embrace the politicians who tell them the things they want to hear.

Many parents have used drugs but they don't want their children to, so they pressure politicians to make harsher drug laws. Barry Bonds hold your head high black man, and keep you eyes on the prize, After all no one said it would be easy to be a black man in Amerikkka even if you are the home run king, and especially if you're wealthy.

On the very same day of Barry Bond’s hearing, Axis of Love hosted a press conference at noon, mere yards away from the same spot where I was rudely interrupted from taking a photo. The focus of the press conference was the Drug Enforcement Agency’s latest scare tactic to shut down medical cannabis dispensaries. That tactic is sending the landlords of these various facilities property forfeiture letters. It took the DEA 11 years to come up with this plan.

Shona Gochenar, Activities Director of Axis of Love [and as far as I’m concerned the forefront of the medical cannabis movement in San Francisco], coordinated the press conference. "Patient advocates are in a state of medical emergency to try to fend off attacks by the DEA in addition to preparing to care for the critically ill who will die if safe access is shut down. Our cry has never been louder to the judiciary committee of Congress to open congressional hearing and to protect the regulatory system that is already in place," she said to the crowd.

Supervisors Chris Daly and Ross Mirkarimi, as well as police commissioner David Campos, were in attendance of this event and spoke addressing this urgent matter. Also in attendance and speaking on their behalf were representatives from the offices of California State Senator Carole Migden, California State Assemblyman Mark Leno, and San Francisco Supervisor Tom Ammiano.

While I listened to the speakers at the press conference, I began to think about the basis for the government’s attempt to close down medical cannabis facilities, RICO laws. RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) laws are nothing new. They were started in the 1970s as a way "to eliminate organized crime by concentrating on illegal monies made from crime through the use of new criminal and civil forfeitures, rather than by the old means of attempting to dismantle the mob by imprisoning gang bosses." (For a more detailed explanation of RICO laws go to http://www.fsu.edu/~crimdo/rico.html)

It is quite interesting that the acronym RICO was chosen in the '70s because at that time the federal government blamed all organized crime on the so called Italian Mafia. Rico is the Italian word for rich and it is claimed that individuals within this crime syndicate were getting wealthy by breaking the law. Later the blame was shifted to so called Central and South American "drug lords," who the government claimed were responsible for all of the illegal drug trade in the U.S.; coincidently rico is also the Spanish word for rich.

Many of the people who will be impacted by this latest technique by the DEA are people of color who speak Spanish, some as a first language, some as an only language, and most are far from wealthy. If the DEA follows through with this action completely, they should also follow through by confiscating military vehicles (Many illegal drugs are smuggled into the country by way of military vessels. and police stations that house police evidence rooms where illegal drugs routinely "go missing."

I have often encouraged patients to try to be as self sufficient as possible and continue to do so especially at this most critical time in our history. This can and does include such measures as learning to make cannabis edibles, concentrates [hash, kief, goo, and tinctures.] and growing your own, provided that you stay within state and local limits and it does not jeopardize housing or other necessities. Proposition 215 only protects us from criminal prosecution at the state and local levels.

For further information on becoming more self-sufficient consult your local phone book for urban gardening centers as well as progressive and liberal bookstores. The following are copies of letters that I have sent to local, state and federal lawmakers and government officials. I encourage you to do not only the same, but to also expand on this modest list of individuals.
..............................................

Dear Mayor Gavin Newsom,

As I'm sure you are aware, the DEA has recently begun issuing forfeiture letters to landlords who rent facilities to medical cannabis dispensaries. This is an issue that will not only impact poor people of color but also many physically, and mentally disabled individuals, as well as, many terminally ill people. I have long held the belief that the war on drugs, the war on terror and the war on the poor [not to be confused with the war on poverty] are all one and the same but not at all for the reasons stated by the federal government In part of your inauguration you stated “ We all know that a job is the greatest weapon against poverty”

Actually wealth is the greatest weapon against poverty, but rather than split hairs with you, I would like to point out that you have also gone on record as stating that the war on drugs is a losing battle, or words to that effect. This latest technique by the DEA to battle in the war on drugs against medical cannabis dispensaries is worse than shooting fish in a barrel, and it is worse than fishing with dynamite, in fact it is like throwing dynamite into a barrel with fish in it. Not only does it destroy the barrel, but it also renders the fish useless. Axis of Love S.F. as well as several other medical cannabis advocacy organizations have urged you to make a statement regarding this matter, and now I do. Not only is America in dire need of leadership that walks it like they talk it, but so is local and state government. You are a good, charismatic speaker but actions speak louder than words, and sometimes speaking is an appropriate action. This is one of those times.

Sincerely

Brother Y?

POOR Magazine Staff Writer

Dear Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

As I’m sure you are aware recently the DEA has sent forfeiture letters to the landlords of facilities that are rented to medical Cannabis dispensaries located in the City of San Francisco. Not only will much needed revenue for the City and County of San Francisco and the state of California be lost, but also so will the lives of many terminally ill people. Although anabolic steroids were not illegal during your bodybuilding career, you were able to use them in safety, regardless to how many or how few you used. Marijuana was illegal on the local state and federal level yet you were able to use it in safety. How do I know these things? I was and am one of your greatest bodybuilding fans. As Abraham Lincoln the great emancipator once said “ You can fool some of the people some of the time, you can fool most of the people most of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” Now is the time to stand for the people no foolin.’

Sincerely,

Brother Y?

POOR Magazine Columnist

Dear Esteemed Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin,

Of course as of now you know of the DEA’s latest tactic of sending forfeiture letters to the landlords of properties rented to medical cannabis dispensaries. The closure of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries will have extremely detrimental effects on seriously ill cannabis patients. I urge you to correspond with the author and sender of these letters to convey that although the DEA and local government do not see eye to eye on this issue, the local government is still a government that must be structured, and have credibility. To this end it would stand to reason one way of demonstrating credibility would be to verify each of these letters individually as well as dismantling the permitting process by issuing rebates, as well as destroying documents that could potentially cause double jeopardy for dispensary owners who thought they were working within the perimeters of the law.

Sincerely,

Brother Y!

POOR Magazine Staff Writer and Medical Cannabis Advocate

by Bruce Allison/PNN

St. Lukes hospital opened its doors in 1870 as San Francisco's second hospital. Its founder, Reverend, Dr. Thomas Brotherton said, "St. Lukes is to be a charitable hospital for the reception of all colors, nationalities, and creeds. Its benefits, refused to none, will be limited only by its means."

Now Brotherton's words echo in our minds as Sutter Corporation announces more closures within the hospital. St. Lukes was taken over by Sutter in 2000, supposedly to save it from bankruptcy. This was not their real intention. From the beginning, they cut staff to the bare minimum. Sutter fought the state over staffing positions, as they sought to decrease the number of nurses per bed to fifteen patients per nurse—below the state minimum. (Four patients per nurse is the state minimum.) Nurse staffing levels at St. Lukes were up to as many as thirty patients per nurse. Sutter did not want to go 15. They had their lobbyists in Sacramento working to raise this.

Now Sutter is planning to shut down their prenatal unit on February 15th. On February 13th, the Senior Action Network (SAN) is organizing a protest. SAN believes the closing of the prenatal unit is immoral and unprofessional. Why is Sutter targeting the ones who cannot fight back? Premature babies need constant attention, so where will these babies go now? SAN will hold a sit-in along with other organizations such as, Planning for Elders in the Central City, Grey Panthers and Health Care for All.

As a senior myself, I realize that the closing of the prenatal unit is the first indicator of future cuts in healthcare that the community cannot afford. It is the beginning of a series of events that will lead to the closing of the whole hospital and eventually for all of Sutter's hospitals in the city. Sutter is planning to close all San Francisco hospitals to open a central hospital on Van Ness between Geary and O'Farrell, which is presently a hotel.

Hospitals threatened with closures include: Presbyterian Hospital, Ralph K. Davies Hospital, Franklin Hospital and Children's Hospital. Sutter is planning to build a gigantic hospital. The Sutter Corporation pays its executives big money to save money, yet they consider themselves a non-profit. They call it 'future revenue.'

On the eve of Valentine's Day
Neo-Natal Intensive Care at St. Luke’s in closing!
This cut is part of a long term plan to close the hospital.

It's time to ask Sutter CPMC Where is the Love?
Community Candlelight Vigil
Wednesday, February 13th
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Outside St. Luke’s Hospital
Save St. Luke’s Hospital!

La noche antes de el dia de San Valentine
El tratamiento medico intensive para recien nacidos en St. Luke’s estara cerrando!
Esto es parte de el plan para cerrar el hospital.
Es tiempo de preguntar a Sutter CPMC
Donde esta el amor?
Vigilia Communitaria
Miércoles, 13 de Febrero
5:00 – 7:00 de la tarde
fuera de el hospital St. Luke’s
Salvemos a St. Luke’s!

For more information, www.senioractionnetwork.org

by Queennandi/PNN

Imagine. Just imagine your family having a nice, quiet Sunday dinner at home, peace being the element that brings upon happiness. Now, imagine your home being invaded by "white masked" men who for no valid reason came to kill and terrorize everyone inside the home, and at your feet lies the lifeless bodies of your spouse and children-for what? Skin color? Humanity insecurities?

In amerikkka, being a "hueman" could definitely cost you your life, whether you're a man, woman or child. This brand of hate is powerful, and it does not discriminate-Take a good look at its power. Hatred is a force so strong that a person who hates can, and did teach the person that is "under the wrath" to hate himself.

Instead of the KKK kickin' down doors, spreading the blanket of fear and helplessness amongst blacks, these "white masked" men have been wildfiredly replaced by "black masked" men. Someone who looks like me, but like the Klan, treacherously "lives for our doom." The "black masked" man was taught to turn against his God-given black skin, and his fellow slave. It's a very sad thought to know that we are becoming successful at black genocide than the original man wit the whip to the point where I find myself pondering: Is the whipholder black or white?

I don't have to question this fact- in every plantation (hood) in the united snakkkes; Blacks are the victims of other Blacks' violence at an unbelievably tragic rate. As far as our young'inz, they are as a widespread majority embracing the "blacks in mind" poisoning of the "Go stupid, go dumb" era. Is this a coincidence, or was this brilliantly implemented by "massas' and bootlickas?" Do the math on every level, people!!

The children living on these plantations can't even play in their yards or in front of their homes because of the "black klansmen" that's out shooting us, or mugging our mothers. Our families are forced into downtrodden confinement- eating, sleeping and playing on the floor, in fear that one of our colored oppressors' bullets might find its way to one of our hearts.

Black on black crime, Black on black grief is indeed "stupid and dumb." Wanna go that way...Ugh!! Why not contribute greatness for your nation? Why all this "niggahtivity?" Oh, I see, I see- your opposition tells you that you are ignorant, a criminal, a curse- A NIGGAH! You believed that wholeheartedly!

The same individual who be on tha block, hollin' that "Imma gangsta- imma thug- Imma killah" crap will allow for his enemy to come along and tell him, the so-called "gangsta" that he's less than human and won't amount to nothing, and Mr. hardcore gangsta would fall flat faced for the hype- such foolishness! A "gangsta" let's his foe teach him how to think, fetch, kill, act and anticipate his OWN demise so easily?!?! And when you succeed at your "black genocide agenda," what do you think massas’ gone do wit you?? He's gonna shake you hand (if he feels you're worth THAT much) and tell you: "Thank you for assisting me with the shedding of your folks' blood. However, I saw that you didn't ride with your own people, so what makes you think that I trust you to ride with me? I told you to use, abuse and misuse your woman. You did. I told you to leave your children for dead, you did. Even commanded you to kill off your "homies", some of em' you grew up with...And you did. I told you to hate yourself, that you did more than I thought you would... Now I'm telling you to cut your own throat, self-hating fool! Because we all know that a good fool is what?...A DEAD one!

Now that's a crime for which we are ALL grieving

We ALL gots to stop doing this to one another.

by Sam Drew/ReVieWsFoRtheREvoLuTion

Racism and violence are as American as apple pie. This was painfully evident as I viewed the moving and often disturbing film "Banished" at the San Francisco Public Library.

"Banished" documents how three different small Southern towns Foryseth County, Georgia, Pierce City, Missouri and Harrison, Arkansas ethnically cleansed their towns of African-American citizens in the early 1900s. By using violence in combination with the political and legal systems, these all American little towns lynched, killed and physically removed scores of African- American families from their land.

Filmmaker Marco Williams, who himself recalled being chased out of a Boston neighborhood by a mob of angry whites, deftly weaves archival photos in combination with interviews of the decedents of the banished citizens to keep the films narrative compelling and intriguing.

I was often jarred by the juxtaposition between current day Foryseth County, Georgia filled with small town peacefulness and American prosperity compared to the early photos of townspeople filled with violence, hatred and denial of human rights. But this is part of the hidden history that our textbooks have conveniently left out. History that has been banished from our collective minds.

All three of these towns were called sundown towns as in, "N*****, don't let the sun set on you in____" These towns are exclusively white to this date. Some of the films unintentionally funny moments appear when some of the townsfolk are confronted with the truth of their towns' racist past. "Yes, we heard about when the dark Negroes were run out of town!" reminisced one elderly lady with a sincere smile painted on her face like yesterday's makeup.

Another charming moment happens when a corrupt lawyer is confronted about his shameful part in the cheating of African Americans out of their deeds. His face exhibits concern as he disagrees about the harshness of the term ethnic cleansing. The crooked barrister thinks a more politically correct term should be used for the violent purge.

Some of the towns politicians and chamber of commerce types are trying to play slick public relations games and point to new attitudes among their citizens to limit the harm to business interest in the town. But in 1987 hundreds of Forsyth County residents hurled bottles and racial slurs at 75 NAACP marchers challenging the county's sundown status.
Sundown towns are by no means restricted to African-Americans. According to James W. Loewen in his book Lies Across America, "Sometimes Chinese Americans, Mexican Americans, Jews or American Indians have been the victims of sundown policies. Humboldt County, California expelled all its Chinese residents in 1885… Another type of sundown town is more recent. After World War II, new all-white suburbs sprang up around big cities, such as Dearborn, Michigan and Darien, Connecticut two towns notorious for their racial policies."

After the film's screening there was a panel discussion that brought ethnic cleansing up, to date by identifying today's methods to make cities color free. The methods of gentrification ,rents that are unaffordable for poor and working people, criminalization of poverty and youth, redlining, subprime loan thefts and toxic business practices by corporations like Lennar accomplish the same things that lynching and the burning of homes did. One difference is that the modern method you don't have to get your hands dirty.

Banished Will Air on PBS at 10 P.M. on February 19,2008

by Amanda Smiles & Alison Washington/PNN

In the year 2001, when Alison Washington, a single mother of two, moved into her new apartment in Northridge Homes, a housing cooperative located in Bayview Hunter’s Point, she was pointing her compass towards success. A year later she went into business for herself, opening a home based learning center in the downstairs of her apartment. The following year, after the passing of her mother, she transformed her grief into support by starting her own faith based family support service ministry S.O.U.R.C.E., Sisters of Unity Reaching Community Entities, which offered community support services such as toys, backpacks, clothing drives, hot feeding programs, and a local food share program which was operated out of St. James Missionary Baptist Church.

For the next three years Alison cultivated her organization into an essential community resource center, anticipating achieving her Non-profit status forming allies with other Bayview organizations as well as winning sponsorships from larger Bay Area organizations. Alison’s course towards success seemed uninterrupted until, in the fall of 2007, she found herself and her family illegally evicted and homeless - along with being told we have no investment moneies to be returned to us. Where did it go? Is her question!

In 2006 Alison’s home was broken into, with nearly everything stolen and leaving her and her children with close to nothing. Pooling together her resources, Alison managed to resume her life, until 2007, when her home was invaded a second time. Again, they were completely violated . Alison fought to regain the life she had before the break-ins, this time using her meager income to install a home security system, and purchased a dog. The damage was done, however, and Alison began to fall behind in her rent.

After finding herself three months behind in rent Alison was served with an eviction notice and sought help from RADCO Eviction Defense, a rental assistance agency. RADCO agreed to pay Alison’s back rent as well as provide her with a monthly stipend, which would guarantee Alison’s rent in the future. When Alison and RADCO attempted to contact (and pay) her landlord, Office Manager Penny Hall and Assistant Yolanda Newton, they received no response. It wasn’t until the day before Alison’s eviction that Hall and Newton responded to them and rejected Alison’s back rent payments, stating that the eviction would continue. The following day, the Sheriffs arrived at Alison’s house, also trying to advocate for their family, but there was no success. By then, she was given 20 minutes to pack her belongings before being forced out of her home and shuttled a hotel, the first of 15 that Alison has lived in for the next two months after that day.

Alison’s mistake wasn’t falling behind on her rent, however. Instead it was choosing to live in Bayview Hunter’s Point, an area that has been targeted as a high crime community, not to forget very expensive. She also tried to remain in her home thinking changes would come about for the better, but it didn't. They lived in an unsafe/unhealthy unit with many repair work orders, which were never fixed. Leaking windows from the rain resulted into sleeping with mold in the room, wet carpet dripping down through the kitchen ceiling onto the floor. Also broken doors off hinges. These work orders were never completed but we constantly received "Sorry we missed you notices from Maintenance, when they knew on Mondays, there was no one going to be home."

The displacement of poor communities of color does not occur only after housing is built, but is a slow deliberate process that begins years before development. This process, which has systematically wiped out black communities such as the Fillmore, West Oakland, and now New Orleans, occurs in areas where market values are high and land is scare.

“We call it ethnic cleansing, to push people out and not give them anything and no say,” say Willy Radcliff, publisher of the San Francisco Bayview newspaper, “The whole city is pushing people out so rich developers can come in and have wealthy people move in. They squeeze the poor and push them out. It’s happening all over the country.”

There are certain elements involved that are responsible for the assassination of gentrified communities. One of these elements is keeping communities poor, specifically by keeping jobs out of the community while rents increase. In Bayview Hunter’s Point the unemployment rate is at 30% and the city has offered a limited amount of direct services in this area, forcing residents to leave the city in order to survive.

“The jobs have never been up here,” says Radcliff, “There’s a conspiracy to keep jobs out of here so they can get the land. They keep jobs away from black people and if you don’t have a job you can’t live in San Francisco.”

Take the hotly debated T-line for example. Initially the project promised jobs to Bayview residents and was touted as a way to promote employment in the area. When ground broke, however, no neighborhood faces were seen working on the line. Instead, in an area that is primarily black, the majority of the construction workers were white.

Jobs weren’t the only sacrifice Bayview residents made for the line. In exchange for the T-line Bayview residents gave up the 15-bus line, which ran every 15 minutes in and out of the Bayview. The T-line runs chaotically and some residents have experienced waits up to three hours, leaving them stranded without a dependable way to get to work or school.

“I think cutting off the service to that area is a way to strangle the existing community,” says Laure McElroy, a former Bayview resident, “Once they get the people out of there they want then service will get better.”

Violence also plays a crucial role in the displacement of communities, where developers have residents trapped on all fronts. Violence feeds violence and whole communities are killing each other off in desperate and ill-fated attempts to negotiate the poverty in their area. For those families who do manage to survive the violence in the Bayview, moving out of the area is the only option to stay alive. Mass media plays a role in advertising sensationalized numbers about the killings and shootings in the Bayview, ensuring that, while families move out seeking sanctuary elsewhere, no one else moves in until the district is thoroughly “cleaned up”.

Alison and her family was a direct victim of this type of violence when her 22-year-old son was shot at late one night. There was no clear reason why, only that her son and his friend were not dealing drugs. After the shooting and eviction, the family was supported through Victim Services, which has bent over backwards to help Alison in her search for housing.

Alison’s eviction has taken its toll on her and her family, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Alison has been in and out of the hospital due to stress related illnesses and her 10-year-old daughter has undergone trauma that has caused her to miss quite a bit of school. The transitional housing shelter system has been very accommodating by placing her daughter, son, dog, and herself in doors with a one-bedroom apartment.

“I’m reliving these incidents every single day as I press forward and support others through their times of grief and discomfort, even in my homelessness,” she says, her voice cracking under the weight of her story, “When is it going to come to the time of living like a normal family again? As a mom, going back to work, to school, and happy.” We stumble upon challenges daily, and everyone deserves a chance get back up. As I, a “Woman of Faith” have and will always continue to travel with the “Armour of God” my hope is to encourage you all that there is hope at the end of all storms!” So many families have lost their strength to go on.”

Alison’s search for housing has been much like her shelter experience. Alison, who refuses to separate her family, is constantly being faced with housing offers that are not adequate for a three-person family, and who's willing to accept a service animal. The shelter and housing system, which are grounded in the Western notion that adulthood equals independence, has been very accommodating to Alison’s family’s needs, but now as time is running out of this dwelling space, it’s leaving them virtually homeless, as they were in the beginning.

“We are temporarily housed at in a shelter and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts,” she concludes, “But we are due to exit in a couple of days and we have no where else to go.”
Unjust evictions and homelessness has to cease, especially when the individuals are trying to make a difference somehow!

Alison would like to thank the following organizations that have supported her through her struggle: S.O.U.R.C.E. Volunteers, City & County of San Francisco Daly City Krispy Kreme Donuts, Dept. of Human Services, City & County of San Francisco Neighborhood Services, City & County of San Francisco District Attorney's Office, City of San Bruno Marine Corps, Clear Channel Radio 98.1 KISS FM, Darlene's Fabrics, Homeless Prenatal Program, Poor Magazine, RADCO Eviction Defense, Safeway Stores, S.F. Sheriffs Office, S.F.P.D./Operation Dream, Shelter Network, St. James M.B. Church

Alison has recently learned that she and her family must move out of the shelter they are staying in this Thursday. They have nowhere to go, if you can help in any way please call 415.863.6306.

by Tony Robles/PNN

Who gets access to decent jobs and how are folks intentionally excluded from opportunity ? I am constantly asking myself these questions as I work in my capacity as employment counselor for a non-profit organization based in San Francisco. The organization prides itself on uplifting people from homelessness and ending joblessness. I have been working since the age of 16.

A few years ago, I worked at an insurance company. I sat in front of a computer taking calls and sneaking in an occasional poem. I quickly became disenchanted with the complacency of my coworkers. While others were outside fighting for housing rights and against gentrification, my coworkers were sitting at desks eating donuts, sending emails containing long-winded jokes and talking about whom they thought would be the winner of American Idol.

One day the owner of the insurance brokerage decided to walk through the office. I was, as usual, surfing the Internet, daydreaming and writing poetry. He would stop by and make small talk. He was a nice fellow—an Asian Indian man who wore an impressive array of turbans in a variety of colors. Those colors were turquoise and maroon and blue—the colors you’d see on a ’57 Chevy Belair.

As soon as I eyed that turban I adjusted my headset and mouthpiece and when he approached I pretended to engage in a conversation with a client—complete with the “yes sirs” and “No sirs” and “No…thank you so much for calling”. The owner walked by and I went back to my poems and daydreams.

Shortly after I learned that the owner had gotten free tickets for a trip to Africa. This was not uncommon. He received many complimentary items including tickets to the Super Bowl among other things. A major life insurance company that had a long relationship with the brokerage provided the tickets.

The brokerage had employed a number of African-Americans, mainly in clerical positions such as myself, as well as a small number in the capacity of selling policies. Most of the brothers and sisters who were employed at the brokerage were younger. I thought, what a great opportunity for them to visit Africa--should the owner make the offer.

Predictably, he never made that offer. I don’t know if it even crept into his consciousness radar. He extended the tickets to the general sales manager and his fiancée who were making big money. Missed opportunity. The owner and the general sales manager and a couple others from the brokerage spent a week in Africa. When they returned I overheard them comment that people were so poor in that part of the world and that they didn’t have this and didn’t have that. Did they not see anything else?

I thought about the young brothers and sisters working in that place who could have really gained something from a trip like that. .

I have moved on to work in the non-profit world. Same story—lots of brothers living in Single Room Occupancy ( SRO) Hotels and many of them are dependent on something—GA, Workfare—not to mention other things. It is my job to help train them for jobs and to reorient them to the world of work. But what we really do is keep the brothers and sisters in a subservient situation where they do not rise above their situation.

The brothers and sisters come to us for housing and jobs but then what? The non-profit organization is dependent upon the numbers of these brothers and sisters to maintain their funding. We get them jobs as janitors and maintenance people but when it comes to rising up within the organization, it’s hard to get the opportunity.

I tried assisting a 56 year old African-American man in applying for a job as a supportive services case manager in a residential hotel in the Tenderloin. The man lives on GA and I had worked with him when I worked as a tenant organizer for another supportive housing non-profit. He a mature, responsible individual who would be a great case manager. I forwarded his resume to the appropriate department. I followed up the following week on the status. I was told that while they were impressed with his resume, they were not going to interview him because he did not have 3 years case manager experience.

This man had been homeless and had lived in the shelters. He knew the resources and organizations that work with houseless people. He has been without and has survived as a poverty scholar, knowing the system but not letting it beat him into submission. Is this man not qualified to earn a fairly decent salary? Is he not worthy of obtaining a position that oftentimes seems reserved for white 20 somethings who come to San Francisco filled with agendas and a craving for burritos and Thai food? This man can be contributing something to his community…I repeat, his community. He is an African descendent man who is native to San Francisco with a wealth of knowledge. Again, his poverty scholarship and knowledge are a treasure but society just throws it away..

I intend to take up this issue of 3 years experience with the human resources department as soon as possible.

Just like the young brothers and sisters who weren’t even considered for a trip to see Africa, our people are not on the agenda. These non-profits put our people on the agenda as long as our people provide bodies that equate to numbers that justify their further funding. This is the justification for funneling people through the system but not allowing them to rise above it.

I want compensation for the lives that are going to waste. I want compensation for those youngsters that didn’t get a chance to go to Africa and compensation for those youngsters who didn’t get an opportunity to become adults. I want compensation for the brothers and sisters that are dying on our streets and compensation for the decimation of our black community in San Francisco.

I no longer work at that insurance company. In addition to my other non-profit job I am also working with POOR Magazine—an organization that stands for something. My father said that the problem with society is that nobody wants to give up anything. POOR Magazine gives its time and resources—but more importantly its heart and spirit to those without hope. It gives those things freely and constantly—the things that really count. I’ll never go back to insurance.

© 2008 Tony Robles