Story Archives 2009

by RAM / Ruyata A. McGlothin

People speaking up, seemed not to matter
People speaking, I seen no one scatter
People was speaking up, when I thought we had her
I was nervous with my heart hella beating
When I said my speech, I thought were they even looking at me?
They just sat and stared
Passed back and fourth, some funny looking glares
While Alameda residents spoke about their fears
"You want our money going where?
You want our money going there?
My whole families share?"
So many of us unaware
This aint enough even for us to live
At least what is ours should be given
And what about my kids
And now you cutting off
General Assistance is all I got
That is how I must pay the rents month
And the food to cook in the kettle pots
Something left for the people~
The system is seeming not

I am a father of two children and am receiving General Assistance (GA). On June
8th and 9th, 2009, I attended a hearing on the cuts to G.A. proposed by the
Alameda County Board of Supervisors. They are planning to cut General
Assistance to only three months every year, a whooping 75% decrease
affecting thousands of unemployed workers living in poverty.

In addition to leaving recipients without aid for nine months in a year, the proposal also includes reducing all G.A. grants
by $40.00 every month for people without MediCal and further reducing grants
by up to 25% for people who share housing. These severe cuts would affect
over 7,000 Alameda County community members who are currently facing
unemployment in one of the nation's worst recessions.

In 1997, Alameda County imposed a time limit on General Assistance. The county saw an increase in hunger, crime, homelessness and housing
instability. According to a study prepared for the Alameda County Social
Services Agency on the impact of time limits on G.A., 29% of recipients
surveyed were forced to move after losing aid and 20% became homeless. 53%
reported that they went hungry for at least one day a week and only 8%
reported finding full-time employment after losing their benefits.

During the hearing on Tuesday, June 9, 2009, the council members took a
vote. Nate Miley and Keith Carson voted against; Alice Bitker, Gail Steele
and Steve Haggerty voted for this catastrophe to be placed in our system.

"In the biggest recession since World War II, it doesn't make sense to cut
people off without a dime for nine months of the year," said Ed Barnes,
attorney at the East Bay Community Law Center. "These cuts are going to cost
us a lot more in the long run, in public protection, health care, and safety
net services."

"What does employable mean when there is no employment?" said Lisa
Gray-Garcia, former Alameda County welfare recipient, executive director of
POOR Magazine, and author of Criminal of Poverty: Growing Up Homeless in
America. "In light of economic downturn when there are no jobs, the idea of employable can only mean one thing: starve-able."

How can we protect children we cannot feed
Insure a future if our youth are starving
How are we going to.......

by Mari Villaluna Coordinator Indigenous Peoples Media Project of POOR Magazine/POOR News Network

“I’m from California, She’s from Oklahoma…”

“They found him Mari,” my Auntie Patti told me. Right away I knew what had happened, Uncle Willie was gone from this world. The month before, my Auntie Patti asked if Uncle Willie was here for the Ute Bear dance. I told her I hadn’t seen him. Right then we both knew something was up.

I first met Willie LoneWolf in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was a drummer in the All Nations drum group. I would see him at the Intertribal Friendship House, or different Pow-wows. It wasn’t until I made a decision to go on the Longest Walk 2 (to learn more about the walk go to… http://www.poormagazine.org/index.cfm?L1=news&category=35&story=2061) that Willie Lonewolf became my Uncle Willie.

Uncle Willie probably knew a million songs and sang many of them on the Longest Walk 2. He would drum late into the night, around the fire, or while we were walking and praying. Many people and I would sing backup when Willie sang. Everyone always gathered around him, and always wanted to learn from him. He built sweat lodges, and ran some sweats while we were on the walk. He also was our bus driver on the Northern Route.

When we got to Colorado, Willie and I both fell in love, with different people of course. He fell in love with my Auntie Patty, who always watched over me and took care of me on that walk. I fell in love with my husband. Uncle Willie taught me many songs and always encouraged me to sing, and would teach my husband Adriano different songs. I think they both had a common bond of being both Utes and with being on that walk.

I told a fellow walker that Uncle Willie was gone, and to pray for him. That walker just simply responded, “He was still supposed to teach me so many more things. I wish this didn’t happen.” Uncle Willie taught all the youth of that walk so many things about being Native. He even got called Willie Wonka, and we were his Oompa Loompas.

I remember him talking about his A.I.M. (American Indian Movement) stories, or just singing different songs he knew or would try to remember. The funniest memory I have of him was when we were going into a state park in Colorado. He was driving the bus and saw the police. He pretended that they were the calvary and we where all on horses. Every minute he would give a play by play of what was going on. I laughed every time I thought about it.

My dearest Uncle Willie, I am sending you a digital smoke signal to let you know I hope you have a safe journey crossing into the other world. I don’t understand why you left, and if it was even your choice. You taught the youth so much about being Indigenous on that walk. Every time I sing the Warrior song I will be thinking of you. Please watch over your Oompa Loompas as we will be singing the songs you taught us.

by Staff Writer

On July 9th 1867 the San Francisco City Council approved the first known ugly law: "Any person who is diseased, maimed, mutilated, or in any way deformed so as to be an unsightly or disgusting object... shall not...expose himself to public view." These ordinances spread throughout the United States. The last known arrest was in 1974. In _The Ugly Laws_ English professor Susan Schweik, co-director of UC Berkeley's disabilities studies program, discusses the origins and consequences of these nineteenth century unsightly beggar ordinances, showing how their dynamics--harsh policing, systematized suspicion, and structural and institutional repulsion of poor disabled people-persist into the present.

Schweik will read from the book and participate on a panel with Lisa “Tiny” Garcia of Poor Magazine and Bob Offer Westort from the Civil Rights Dept. of the Coalition On Homelessness to discuss current city policies toward people who are houseless. In addition, The Po Poets will share their scholarship through political poetry around the issue of criminalizing the poor today.

"Schweik draws on a deep index of resources, from legal proceedings to out-of-print books, to tell the story of individuals long lost to history." (Publisher's Weekly)

“Schweik delivers a compelling and insightful examination of disability norms, municipal law, and American culture . . .. She gives voice to the fascinating stories of the unsightly, the alienated, and the excluded. A valuable contribution for anyone interested in disability theory, poverty law and policy, and social history." Paul Steven Miller

Susan Schweik is Associate Dean of Arts and Humanities and a recent recipient of the Chancellor's Award for Advancing Institutional Excellence. A former Presidential Chair in Undergraduate Education for Disability Studies at U.C. Berkeley, she has been involved with the development of disability studies at Berkeley for nine years. She was co-coordinator of the Ed Roberts Fellowships in Disability Studies post-doctoral program at Berkeley (coordinated by the Institute for Urban and Regional Development).

by John X ( aka The Indigent Litigant) PoorNewsNetwork

While arguing politics with a friend of mine at a local homeless drop-in. we got to the part about aggressive panhandling, proposition N and the police department and how they normally "deal" with our fellow brothers and sisters trying to scrounge up a buck or two. At this point one of the men in our discussion group, Andre, began his story…..

Being a budding entrepreneur for several years, Andre Rucker washes cars as his main source of lively hood and like myself stays in whatever shelter has the shortest line that evening. Andre has had a business license for over 12 years and has always had some sort of business enterprise going. He like many others attempted to apply for General Assistance only get into arguments with the workers about something or other in the "application process" needing to be corrected or failure to provide documentation not previously asked for but resulting in your immediate denial of assistance for the next 60/90 days till we clear it up or you starve and die on the streets of San Francisco whichever comes first.

Andre had decided to set-up shop across the street from one of the local area shelters to do his car wash business. He had the permission of the property owner to use the water and the space so his customers could meet him at a specific spot regularly. Apparently since some of the shelter staff specifically the Director knew Andre as a "client" and as Andre himself put it " they did not feel I should be allowed to work at least not in this capacity". You see Andre is self-employed and can charge what the market will bear which is about $100 per hour for his services. Andre is not just a car washer but a car detail specialist and it is his signature service that draws customers to him. Now, if Andre were out their busting his ass for minimum wage nobody would have ever bothered him because he was "in his place". I don’t make that statement so much as Andre is a black man as I do he is a poor man at least by all appearances. And as it were this shelter contacted the police to have Andre removed from the property as he was not to be in the vicinity of a shelter after leaving in the morning hours. Here again another "policy" of a shelter attempting to dictate peoples behavior as if it were law and using the police to enforce illegal practices.

So when the police were called Andre immediately got on his cell phone ( The essential tool for the efficient 21st century homeless person) to the Board of Equalization and of all people Willie Brown.Da Mayor. Ironically enough Mr. Brown is also a client of Andre. Andre advised the police officers that his conduct was constitutionally protected and he was allowed to do any type of business he wanted to as he had permit from city hall of which he showed to the police officers. After the exchange of a few words between the officers and Andre the Willie asked to speak to one of the officers and they were soon to depart. In the course of their exit their was some snickering that apparently Da Mayor overheard since he was still on the phone as was the Board of Equalization and had Andre ask the officers why they had not left the area and to dispense with their commentaries.

The point to this story is this, there are more people claiming to want to help us that have done and continuously do more harm regarding our plight than actually help us. My friend Andre as I stated earlier in this story stepped out of his place. He was using his own intelligence and resources to better his financial situation and because of that resourcefulness and independence was singled out by someone who in my view was better of financially but not emotionally. This shelter employee took a position of authority and manipulated and abused it for their own means by invoking some bizarre sense of authority and means to control this person's financial future. Had my friend groveled for every morsel whether food, shelter or general respect and dignity he would be accepted by the community based organizations system but because he continuously strives and struggles and uses his intelligence he is routinely outcaste and pointed out in the homeless community as a trouble maker or someone with an attitude or issues.

I wish to commend Andre on his fortitude and perseverance in the face of continuous obstacles. I wish him luck in his pursuits and ask if any of you have a story such as this you wish for me to highlight contact me here at POOR Magazine.

The Indigent Litigant column (aka JohnX) on PoorNewsNetwork welcomes your questions, comments and letters on the legal and constitutional issues regarding police harassment, race and class based profiling and assorted other crimes of poverty. You can email him at johnX@poormagazine.org or mail him your letters JohnX/ POOR Magazine 1448 Pine Street #205 SF, Ca 94109

by Teresa Molina/PNN Voces de Inmigrantes en Resistencia

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Yo soy una mujer inmigrante trabajadora, madre de cinco hijos, luchando dia a dia viviendo la discriminación por ser pobre y inmigrante en Amérikkka.

En Mayo muchos de nosotros, l@s trabajadoras domesticas, sabios de la pobreza y migración viajamos por una semana a Nueva York, con el propósito de hacer cambios.

Fuimos apoyar la carta de derechos de trabajadoras de casa o domesticas. Éramos como cuatro organizaciones de San Francisco en ellas estuvieron, Mujeres Unidas y Activas, POWER, Filipinos Por Acción Afirmativas y la Prensa Pobre; todos con el mismo propósito—de ganar los derechos que no tenemos las trabajadoras del hogar y los trabajadores del campo. Todas estas organizaciones somos parte de la Coalición de Trabajadoras del Hogar, y muchas otras organizaciones vinieron por todas partes de los Estados Unidos. Ya ahí, como 600 personas marchamos, por las calles de Nueva York. El sol estaba muy caliente, y nuestras caras estaban bien sudadas como si nos estuviéramos bañando, pero no nos importo. El primer día que llegamos a Nueva York fuimos a una marcha caminamos como por 2 horas, el calor era terrible pero la sed por la justicia y ser escuchados nos hace sentirnos fuertes.

Por dos días estuvimos tomando talleres. En el tercer día hicimos visitas a los legisladores en Asbery, como a tres horas afuera de la cuidad de Nueva York. Tuvimos que levantarnos alas cinco de la mañana para tomar el tren y llegar al la parada del bus, que salía a las siete de la mañana para Asbery. La mayoría de legisladores eran Republicanos y no sentimos mucho apoyo porque ell@s no apoyan mucho a la gente pobre trabajadora. Yo pienso que actúan como rasistas y no nos ven con buenos ojos.

Después de las visitas, tuvimos una pequeña ceremonia en frente de una iglesia con el propósito de hacer nuestra lucha mas visible. Los cantos y la unidad nos emocionaban de la emoción, tanto que ni sentíamos el cansancio. Pero la verdad estábamos bien cansados habíamos dormido muy poco y caminado demasiado, pero la sed por la justicia nos motivaba.

Nosotros aquí en La Prensa Pobre pensamos que luchando juntos tendremos victorias y seremos escuchados porque nadie va a luchar por nosotros sino nosotros mismos.

****************

Ingles Sigue

I am a hard working immigrant woman, mother of five children, struggling with day to day living and discrimination for being poor and an immigrant in Amerikkka

In May, many of us-- domestic workers, migrant and poverty scholars-- traveled to New York for a week with the purpose of creating change. We made the journey to support The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (A1470/S2311). The bill would provide comprehensive workers rights: paid vacation and sick time, annual cost of living adjustments, one day's rest per week, notices of termination and severance as well as health insurance coverage. The contigent from San Francisco included representatives from Mujeres Unidas y Activas, POWER, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, and POOR Magazine; all with a common goal—to win workplace rights for domestic workers. These organizations are part of the Coalition of Domestic Workers, and many others came from across the country. Once there, we took to the streets and about 600 of us Marched through the busy streets of New York. The sun was really hot, our faces were sweating, as if we were taking a shower, but this did not hold us back. This was the first day we were in New York and we marched for two hours, the heat was intense, but the thirst for justice and the need to be heard made us feel strong.

For two days we participated in workshops. On the third day we visited different state legislators in Asbery, located three hours outside of New York City. We woke at five in the morning to take the train to the bus station, which departed for Asbery at seven in morning. Many of the legislators were Republicans and we did not feel supported; many Republicans are known to not support working class people and are racist, because they do not see us with good eyes.

After the lobbying we had a small ceremony in front of a church with the purpose of making our struggle more visible. Our chants and unity brought us emotions, so much that we did not feel how tired we were feeling. We had slept very little and walked a lot, but our thirst of Justice motivated us.

Here at POOR Magazine, we believe that if we fight in unity we will have victories and will be heard; no one else but ourselves are going to fight for our own struggle.

by Ingrid Deleon/PNN Voces de inmigrantes en resistencia

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Muchas veces en el trabajo y en otros lugares, gente pobre y inmigrantes somos tratados mal y lo peor del caso es por nuestra misma raza. Esta es mi experiencia en mi trabajo, me tratan mal y me hablan con coraje. Llevo 5 años trabajando allí antes me daban 5 o 6 días a la semana, pero cuando yo tuve a mi bebe todo cambio. Me decían, ”Tu eres pendeja y estupida, por eso tuviste a tu hijo”.

Cuando supieron que yo estaba embarazada me dijeron que lo abortara y que ellos me acompañaban al hospital, pero yo no quise y entonces ellos cambiaron conmigo y me empezaron a tratar mal.

Los domingos yo dejaba a mi hijo en la iglesia desde las 10:30am y lo recogía a las 6 de la tarde. Dejaba a mi hijo allí porque la señora es Evangélica, pensando que me lo iba a cuidar mejor, pero ella no le cambiaba el pañal todo el día y se escaldaba y asta le sangraban las nalguitas. Yo le dije a mi patrón que me cambiaran el día, para poder cuidar a mi hijo, les dije que me mandaran a su otra pues ellos tienen otra locación en el centro de San Francisco. Me lo negaron diciendo que allí solo profesionales trabajan y si no puedes venir los domingos mejor me daban tres días envés de los cuatro. Yo trate de razonar con ellos, diciendo que no era por mi si no por mi bebe, pero ellos dijeron que no les importaba.

Han metido a mas gente, hasta recibieron a una señora que no sabe nada sobre el trabajo. La tienen trabajando en el centro. Yo me doy cuenta que ellos le dieron mis horas y a mi solo me dejaron con 3 o 2 días.

Yo pedí un aumento de salario un día, y me dijeron, “si quieres mas esta bien pero solo te vamos a dar un día porque tu no haces nada”.

Yo veo que los que trabajan allí trabajan bien despacio y ellos están felices solo porque esta gente tienen papeles y pusieron a nombre de una señora sus carros.

Cuando yo llego 2 o 3 minutos tarde ellos me descuentan media hora y a los demás ellos los van a traer a sus casas y les pagan completa sus horas.

Por cualquier cosa ellos me dicen, “es que tu eres bien india, se te nota que eres de un nivel bajo.”

Si yo les digo, “ustedes también porque alguien que a estudiado jamás humilla a los demás”.

Luego me dicen, “cállate igualada! Si quieres tu trabajo bueno aguanta, si no vete. Total hay gente que si quiere trabajar y por menos dinero”.

Pero uno de los que trabaja allí me dijo que a todos les paga $15 la hora pero yo les dije, ”yo se que a todos les paga mas, págueme aunque sea 25 centavos mas” Y me dijeron, ”no se puede porque no hay trabajo”.

Yo me doy cuenta que en 5 minutos yo arreglo un pantalón del ruedo y ellos cobran $12 por cada uno, pero si yo digo algo luego me quieren correr. No tengo otro trabajo, so me las aguanto. Solo lloro y lloro, pero no puedo hacer nada. Me duele mas porque ellos son Latinos y si ello me tratan mal que puedo esperar de los demás.

*********Ingles Sigue..

Many times in the workplace and beyond, poor migrant peoples are treated badly and to make it worse, it comes from our own communities, our own race. This is my experience at my job, they treat me bad and talk to me with rage. I have five years working for them. Before, they used to employ me five to six days a week, but after I had my baby, everything changed.

They would tell me, “You're dumb and stupid, that’s why you had a child”.

When they found out I was pregnant they told me to abort the baby, that they would even go with me to the hospital. However, I did not want to, which is when they started treating me badly.

On Sundays, I would leave my child at church from 10:30am until 6pm when I would get off work. I left my child there because the woman was Evangelical. I thought that my son would be safe, but this woman never changed my son’s diaper; he got rashes that bled. I asked my boss to change my day, so that I would be able to care for my child. I asked them to send me to their other location in Downtown San Francisco. They denied me the request saying, "only professionals" work at that location, and if I could not come on Sundays they would keep me at three days instead of four. I tried reasoning with them, saying that it is not for me, but for my baby, but they said they did not care.

They hired more workers, even a woman who has no experience and knows nothing about the work. They have her working in the Downtown location. I realized that they gave her my hours and left me with three or two days.

I requested a raise one day. They told me, “okay if you want more money, we can give it to you, but I am just going to give you one day, because you do not do anything”.

However, those that work there do their tasks very slowly, but they do not complain because these people have documentation and have cars under the boss’ name.

When I come two or three minutes late, they take away half an hour of my pay, yet with the others, they pick them up at their doorsteps and pay them full time. For some reason they tell me, “It is because you look very indigenous, you can tell that you are from a lower class”.

I responded saying, “Yeah, well you too, because someone who is educated doesn’t humiliate someone else”.

Then they say, “Shut up! If you want a job then take it, if not then you can go, because there is always someone who needs a job and will work for less money”.

I learned that they were paying others $15/hr, so I tell them, “I know you pay others more, but at least pay me 25 cents more”.

They told me, “We can’t because there isn’t any work”

I realize that in five minutes, I hem a pair of pants, they charge $12 for the hem, and when I try to speak up, they just threaten to fire me. I have no other job, so I take it. I just cry and cry, but I cannot do anything. It hurts me more because they too are Latinos and if they are treating me wrong, what can I expect from others.

by Marlon Crump/PNN

"Jailhouse Lawyers, we are learning, are often people of extraordinary firmness who fight for a law that rarely fights for them."

" Unity is feared...........isolation is favored."

--Politically-condemned, death row prisoner, journalist, and former Black Panther, Mumia Abu-Jamal in his new book, "Jailhouse Lawyers."

"This landmark legislation (Prison Litigation Reform Act) will help bring relief to a civil justice system, overburdened by frivolous prisoner lawsuits. Jailhouse Lawyers, with nothing else to do are tying our courts in knots, with an endless flood of frivolous litigation."

--Senator Orrin Hatch, former chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee in his support of the Prison Litigation Reform Act, in his opposition against Jailhouse Lawyers.

On April 24th, 2009 I had the honor of attending an event in Oakland, California honoring an extraordinary revolutionary,writer/journalist, author and former Black Panther. Today was his birthday. This event honored a man, who soundly needed no introduction from his peers and supporters, locally and globally:

Mumia Abu-Jamal!

This event honored not only his birthday, but his latest book titled, "Jailhouse Lawyers." Me and my family of POOR Magazine/POOR News Network attended this event, alongside many Mumia supporters. My family of POOR also purchased a copy of his book for POOR's library, while I purchased a copy for myself.

POOR Magazine has launched the REvolutionary Legal Advocacy project that in many ways is a jailhouse lawyer project outside of jail, working to bring accessible justice to folks caught in the Prison Industrial Complex and the non-profit industrial complex.

After singing "Happy Birthday" to Mumia, a candle-sticked cake was brought out for him. Tragically, Mumia wouldn't be here to blow them out.

Since 1981, Mumia has been wrongfully incarcerated for his alleged killing of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania police Officer, Daniel Faulkner. Despite his innocence vs. a racist prosecution, jury, and judge; Mumia was sentenced to death. The only thing that has (and continues) to keep him alive on death row is his voice, the voice of the people, and Almighty God that refuses to let him die.

Though many continue to fight to have him freed on the OUTSIDE, we at least got to hear him on a speaker. On the speaker, Mumia expressed his love for everyone in attendance to this event.........................FROM THE INSIDE!

"As Mumia has repeatedly pointed out, those of us who live in the 'free world' are not unaffected by the system of state violence, that relies on imprisonment, and capital punishment as pivotal strategies for ordering society. While those behind bars suffer the most direct effects of this system, its raced, gendered, and sexualized modes of violence bolster the institutions and ideologies that inform our lives on the outside."

Former Black Panther, Angela Davis in her foreword review of Jailhouse Lawyers.

"The law, as we have seen, is an elusive thing. Yet how can we say what the law is without looking at the people who wear the title "judge"? Whether one wins or loses in the wheel of fortune that is law, a definitive factor is often the judge on the case." Mumia says in Jailhouse Lawyers.

Jailhouse Lawyers reference those sentiments from above. It details how prisoners seldom receive competent, effective, or even adequate representation from lawyers in criminal trials.

Alternatively, they have to seek aid from inmates of self-acquired legal skills via jailhouse lawyer(or their own selves) who boldly challenge the U.S "Legal System" in spite of their incarceration, or retaliation from prison officials for their efforts.

The court system is allegedly aimed for the "equal rights and justice for all." However, the only voices often heard in courtrooms are the beneficiary-to-the judiciary.

Translation: The wealthy class.

"It is the will of one class made into a rule for all"
Karl Marx, quoted in Jailhouse Lawyers.

Many jailhouse lawyers, (many of whom do not have a high school diploma), are able to articulate facts relating to their own cases to combat the corrupt activities within court system.

Mumia chronicles numerous stories surrounding the experiences of those who faced incarceration, but narrowly escaped with the power of the pen, and the tongue of one (or more) like-minded individuals possessing self-invented legal minds. Like-minded individuals who were immensely unafraid, to divinely deter the injustices they faced in prison.

"Saving someone's life via pen and paper is a rewarding and unforgettable experience." stated jailhouse lawyer, nicknamed "Running Bear."

Mumia deconstructs the entire corruptive constructs rooted in the contradictive, confusing force that is historically known as American Law. Its callous vulture-culture continues to clash its claws upon the working poor, and the poor in general.

Mumia exposes the origins of these constructs from three men, who the U.S monumentalizes as its proud "Founding Fathers." One was wealthy, the other was a lawyer who despised the "common people" (the poor) and last but not least, was another man who was wealthy, yet complex.

Their names: George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, the nation's first three U.S Presidents, who stood in the forefront of America's revolt against the British.

He defines and explains the true goal of the "Prison Litigation Reform Act". "Like a thief in the night, the Prison Reform Litigation Act was attached as a rider (a usually minor clause attached to a bill) to an omnibus appropriations bill, and signed into a law................without a committee markup (a report from the Senate Judiciary Committee explaining its provisions) drastically changing the law and legal procedure."

This "act" was "snuck in" by former President, Bill Clinton in 1996. Because of this "law" it led to a destructive effect on the lives and liberties of millions of people.

Mumia provides a link regarding the "Welfare Reform Act" that severely impacted poor people (also enacted by Bill Clinton) and thus far beforehand, the U.S enactment of the "Slave Codes" during the slave era. Today, those very same "codes" are now "Prison Codes." Its true mission, in its fatiguely-facist form is quite apparent, given today's slavery/incarceration-industrial profitable complex.

Ironically, the roots of self-representation occurred during the American Revolution, where most English colonists despised lawyers.

In 1776, over a decade before the introduction of the "U.S Constitution, the State of Pennsylvania's "freemen"adopted a "Declaration of Rights" alongside of the U.S Constitution. In the words of the Ninth Article, 'In all prosecutions for criminal offenses, a man hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel."

But the extreme crucial question from Mumia, as he said it best was, "What does it mean when you hath a right to be heard, when no one wants to hear you?"

John Africa, founder of revolutionary organization based out of Philadelphia called MOVE, rejects the system, and representation of lawyers. On May 13th, 1981 Africa and other Move members were arrested on May 13th, 1981 for allegedly implementing terrorist acts, by the means of bombs and explosives.

Over a month later during the trial, Africa had this to say to the court:

"Bombs backfire on the people that create them and all those that believe in them, because bombs are explosive, destructive, and corruptive. But wisdom is informing, and when you put what is right to a person, you ain't in danger of getting wrong back! That is the difference between what I use as my defense (my bomb) and what the government use as their so-called defense......their bomb."

This, among his many arguments led to the freedom of John Africa, and a few others of MOVE that were facing trumped up charges that would've led to a decade conviction of federal prison time.

In a tragically-ironic, twisted chain of events, Africa and eleven other MOVE members were brutally murdered, by the very terroristic means that he was charged with........... four years earlier: May 13th, 1985! Philadelphia Police illegally obtained explosives (including C-4) from federal law enforcement that killed the eleven members, which included women and children.

"Jailhouse Lawyers" talks about the overcrowding of incarcerated women. Central California Women's Facility (C.C.W.F) in Chowchilla, alongside Valley State Prison for Women (V.S.P.W) is the largest prison complex in the world. "And it is overcrowded." Mumia explains.

"With the growing imprisonment of women comes the need for more jailhouse lawyers to assist them." says jailhouse lawyer, David Resendez Ruiz. Ruiz helped reform the entire prison system that began in 1971, with a 30 pg. complaint and a courageous heart; despite prison official retaliation against him, as he exposed the plantation-equivalent corrupt prisons, within the State of Texas.

Mumia's book not only talks about self-representtion on the inside, but on the outside as well, In chapter four, titled "What about Street Lawyers?" He talks about a lawyer, by the name of Clarence Darrow, who in his 1902 speech, "Address to the Prisoners in Cook County Jail," sparked a wave of self-empowerment to the many in attenance of his address.

Darrow's colleagues, although in agreement with his speech, criticized him for saying his own words to "those people."(prisoners)

"Some of these so-called criminals are in jail for their first offense, but the nine-tenths of you are in jail because you did not have a good lawyer, because you did not have enough money to PAY a GOOD LAWYER." Darrow said in his address. "There is no greater danger of a rich man going to jail."

As I concluded reading Jailhouse Lawyers , I realized in some metaphorical way I personally identified with Mumia. As my mentor "Tiny" Lisa Gray-Garcia, and my family of POOR often refer to me as a "Revolutionary Legal Scholar" and a "Lawyer without a Degree; I often think back to terrible past events that earned me those titles.

Though I've never been incarcerated or arrested a day in my young life, a certain dozen members of the San Francisco Police Department nearly put an end to that accomplishment, as well as an end to my very life.

Exploring an alternate reality, when those police officers illegally stormed my hotel room, unannounced (in a "mistaken identity scenario") with their guns ready to open fire, many what if's come to my mind regarding the night that it occurred.

What if I had a gun (for protection purposes) and I mistook them as burglars? I could've shot and killed one or more of those officers, and they surely would've killed me. Even worse, what if by the grace of Almighty God's hand I survived those barrage of bullets? Who would've believed me innocent, that I was defending myself and my property?

Those of you who read this know the answer. I would surely be in the same political predicament as Mumia Abu-Jamal, himself. In the aftermath of my unsuccessful civil suit against the City and County of San Francisco (as a self-represented party) I became self-fulfilled with the knowledge of how the law, its "system" and the process "really works."

What was additionally-inspiring is at the end of the book in the appendix section; handwritten photo-copied petitions and documents, by the jailhouse lawyers themselves.

This shows the tenacity and willpower of one so driven to receive their justice so badly, they'll do things themselves. Skill vs will, and/or the incorporation of both. As a living testimony of crafting legal pleading papers, citing proper legal authorities, and complying with the paper filing processes, I can second those sentiments.

Reading Jailhouse Lawyers proved many things to me, and to the world of one's remarkable ability of self-representation, and self-empowerment for those that seek justice, un-misguided by fraudulent lawyer representation.

Whether people are incarcerated or not, the following empowering words could be heard:

.THERE IS ONE FORM OF ACTION, BUT WE ARE THE TRUE CIVIL ACTION!

.THEY DECREE THE LAW, BUT WE ARE THE TRUE MOTION TO THAT LAW!

.IN PRO PER POWER.....................TO ALL PEOPLE!

And at the end of the day, they can tell themselves that NO ONE is really a fool for their own lawyer....................NO ONE!

"Men and women, often self-taught, have developed a tradition of self-less service and in some cases excellence, to serve the needs of society's dispossessed. To be one of that number has been a challenge and an honor to this writer, who offers this reportage to illustrate what transpires in the depths of America, the Prison house of Nations."

Mumia Abu-Jamal
Death Row, January 2009.

by Queenandi and Thornton Kimes/PNN

Its hard to trust the sssystem. Its a doubled-edged sword. Me and my kids have reached out for help and we just get criminalized. It all started when I left the sperm donor and abuser of the relationship in October of 2007.

He thought he was Mister on The Color Purple.

He was perversely violent, promiscuous, and unfortunately not shy about having sex in front of the kids, with or without my consent.

Thinking about the girls, I had to go. I didnt want them thinking it was normal to be abused.

The sperm donor promised to make my life hell if I left, and that promise has been kept. Manipulating the system, especially the family court system, has been his M.O. (modus operandi, method of operation), and the judge has been more than willing to play his game.

My youngest daughter was in therapy and has been forced to visit him; she tolerates him, and it is plain to see her anger.

Her therapy has relapsed. I have to deal with her anger when taking her home after the visits, which used to be supervised. She gets dropped off and picked up from the Tenderloin Precinct Police Station because I wont go anywhere else to meet him.

Isis, my oldest daughter, gets into fights because other kids taunt her about being bi-racial. She had her unfair share of wounds to lick when she bumped her head on the juvenile injustice system.

Getting closer to completing the program, my daughter reported that one staff member in particular was acting like she wanted to keep her there longer, testing her limits and taking points and privileges away from her.

Isis called one day, upset, feeling like she would rather be in juvenile hall.

Why would she work so hard to get so close to freedom from these people only to screw up? No one on staff would admit that any of them were provoking her. Why do this? Their job is to be a support system, to help kids learn to cope with their reality, not to make it harder.

Every time I talk to a staff member on the phone, they are polite and everything is all right. But it isn't.

Im not the kind of parent who acts like the kid is out of sight, out of mind when she isn't home.

I am interested in her day-to-day life, I am interested in how she is being treated, Im interested in why the state wants more money from my poor family when I know that this institution already gets a check for her.

Im interested in getting her home and out of the sssystem.

by Staff Writer

"If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with."

Michael Jackson.

I thought Thursday June 25th, 2009, would be a typical day............or so I (and the rest of the world) thought.

I went to the San Francisco Main Public Library, at approximately 3:00p.m to check my email. Before my arrival, I noticed that wherever I went, a certain artist's songs were blasting on anything that had a radio broadcast. The stunning reason became apparent when I highlighted the internet site publication of Yahoo News.

Then I saw it, the headline that solar eclipsed the world:

MICHAEL JACKSON DEAD AT 50!

"Jackson was taken to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where doctors said he was non-responsive."

I quickly got up from the computer and walked around. That very headline would've put me in a great state of shock, had I known him personally. For the rest of the week, his music continued to blast everywhere. Everything, his life, success, music, controversies, and the legacy he would leave immediately came out, like an overstuffed closet.

Like the deaths of J.F.K, Dr. King, Bruce Lee, Elvis Presley, and Tupac Shakur, before him, Michael Jackson's death left a stampede of shockwaves that still have yet to be removed, from people's minds. Though death is an assured reality for all human beings, he was always viewed by millions across the globe as an angelic being, for inventing heart-grasping music, and presenting his dazzling performances, far beyond the human anatomy.

For everyone that followed his career since he was eight years old, Michael Joseph Jackson was just that!

"I was a veteran before I was a teenager, "he once said.

After Jackson pursued his own musical solo career away from his older brothers, the legendary "Jackson 5" he earned the non self-proclaimed title: "The King of Pop." His incomparable dancing, moves, singing, gimmicks, clothing, and world wide performances would forever earn him that uncontested title.

The King of Pop had weathered the entire music industry with a thunderstorm that continues to rage, even with his now dearly- departure from earth. During the 1980s, his greatest (and the greatest) album of all time, Thriller, along with many of his other past and present albums and songs had universally-transcended Jackson far above his very own success.

He single-handedly ruled the entire pop music industry during that era. "There's nothing that can't be done if we raise our voice as one." This was an infamous quote by him that was stated at his memorial tribute. My family of POOR Magazine/POOR News Network can identify with those words based on the work that we continue to do, with our own slogan:

"The Revolution begins with I and ends with WE!"

An icon's icon, a performer's performer, and a pop culture folk hero legend's legend earned him the spotlight among many, forever. I told everyone that came around me that he would possibly have the BIGGEST memorial tribute that anyone in the world has ever seen.

I was right.

July 7th, 2009, 18,000 plus fans attended Michael Jackson's memorial tribute, at the Los Angeles Staples Center. An un estimated thousands more fans paid tribute to him outside, while millions more watched the memorial (including myself) on T.V.

Wearing the crystal white glove, his red leather and black Thriller outfit, t-shirts bearing his face or name, posters, and everything associated with Jackson's gimmick were what his fans carried with them, in honor of him.

Myself, among many fans and loved ones knew that he had touched the world to such an unfathomable degree, that this memorial tribute could be held every single day, and no one would still believe that Michael Jackson was really gone.

Among the many speaking participants, celebrities, performers, and highly recognized activists were:

.Singer Lionel Richie

.Singer Mariah Carey

.Singer Stevie Wonder

.Singer Usher Raymond

.Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records

.Kobe Bryant, basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers

.Earvin Magic Johnson, former basketball player, and humanitarian

.Rev Al Sharpton, civil rights activist

.Singer Jennifer Hudson

.Actress Brooke Shields

.Actress Queen Latifah

.Rev Martin Luther King III

And as well Michael's entire family were there to say goodbye to him.

Queen Latifah recited a poem by famed poet, Maya Angelou, "We had him:"

He came to us from the creator, trailing creativity in abundance.

Despite the anguish, his life was sheathed in mother love, family love, and survived and did more than that.

He thrived with passion and compassion, humor and style. We had him whether we know who he was or did not know, he was ours and we were his.

We had him, beautiful, delighting our eyes.

His hat, aslant over his brow, and took a pose on his toes for all of us.

And we laughed and stomped our feet for him.

We were enchanted with his passion because he held nothing. He gave us all he had been given.

Guitarist John Mayer, performed one of Jackson's greatest hits, "Human Nature" by the means of his electric guitar. "I’ll be there" (One of Jackson’s hit songs) was sung by Mariah Carey, "Gone too Soon" was tearfully sung by Usher Raymond, " Will you be there" (One of Jackson’s other hit songs) was sung by Jennifer Hudson, "Never Dreamed you’d leave in Summer” and “They won’t go when I go” was sung by Stevie Wonder.

At the O2 Arena, in London, England the "Queen of Pop" Madonna paid tribute to the "King of Pop." Ironically, this is where he was scheduled to perform his next concert dates.

Smokey Robinson spoke the words of legendary singer, Diana Ross, and former South African president, Nelson Mandela, in their shared grief with the world on losing Michael Jackson.

Brooke Shields, a long time friend of Jackson seconded those statements, in her emotional address of Michael. "To the outside world, he had unchallenged ability."

While the "King of Pop" was beloved by millions, there were always the negatives that attacked his career. Being subjected to scandals, allegations, public ridicule for his numerous skin transformations, and being a constant survivor of childhood abuse; only motivated Jackson to work even harder towards penetrating negative public opinions about him.....................by the means of his very own voice and art.

"People write negative things cause they feel that's what sells." Jackson once said. "Good news to them doesn't sell."

"There was nothing strange about your daddy!" exclaimed Rev. Al Sharpton to Michael Jackson's children, as they sat in the audience "What was strange was what he had to deal with!"

Two of Jackson's hit songs, "We are the World" and "Heal the World" were sung, which concluded the ceremony. Those two very songs by Jackson closed out the ceremonial memorial tribute; sung in unison by a community that quickly crowded the stage to be living testimonies, of what message these two songs by Jackson really meant.

"Ever since I was born, daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just want to say that I love him so much."

These were the words of his daughter, Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson. Millions, (including myself) that watched this tribute had tears in their eyes. Hearing this little girl speak about how much she missed her father, in front of the whole wide world, could've melted the hardest of hearts to trickle a tear.

A flowered, golden casket of Michael Jackson lie below the stage, as he was prepared to be driven out and be laid to rest after the memorial tribute. Days following his death, a picture of him was placed on POOR's memorial alter in honor of all our comrades, elders, and brethren struck down in their struggle for survival.

"Maybe now, Michael, they will leave you alone." Marlon Jackson said softly, as he stood alongside on the stage with Jermaine Jackson.

A summer's disregard

A broken bottle top

And a one man's soul

They follow each other

On the wind ya' know

Cause they got nowhere to go

That's why I want you to know

I'm starting with the man in the mirror

I'm asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make a change,

yey

Na na na, na na na, na na na na oh ho

Lyrics from Michael Jackson’s 1988 hit song, “Man in the Mirror” from his album, “Bad.”

by Leroy Moore/Illin n chillin

Krip-Hop Nation: When and where is the festival?

Anna Pötzsch: – The World Music Expo – takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark from Wednesday, 28 October – Sunday, 1 November.

Krip-Hop Nation: How old is the festival?

Anna Pötzsch: The first edition of WOMEX took place in Berlin in 1994 – this year's edition is our fifteenth!

Krip-Hop Nation: How many countries are represented?

Anna Pötzsch: Last year we had over 2800 delegates from around 90 countries.

Krip-Hop Nation: World music encompasses everything from traditional to avant-garde and from acoustic to electronic. What kinds of music are represented?

Anna Pötzsch: The term "world music" is not a musical definition. It was introduced in the late eighties to help market "music from 'outside' Western pop culture" (frootsmag.com).

Krip-Hop Nation: When and how do you look for artists?

Anna Pötzsch: We send out a call for proposals at the beginning of every year. This year we received over 760 proposals submitted online via Sonicbids. A jury of 7 people then works on the selection for the WOMEX Showcase Festival. More on www.womex.com/realwomex/how-to-propose#showcase
And on www.womex.com/realwomex/jury

Krip-Hop Nation: Describe the award ceremony and the award.

Anna Pötzsch of : Last year for the first time we decided to present not only one but two WOMEX Awards, one to an artist, and the other to honour an educational institution. The award ceremony on Sunday 1 Nov 12:00 will consist of honorific speeches, congratulating the winners on stage as well as presentations of their work either through a film (> institution) or through a 45-minute showcase (> artist). The WOMEX Award statuette was created at a time when there was no such thing as Asia or Europe, black or white, First World or Third. The Award figurine is an ancient mother goddess statue dating back about 6000 years to the Neolithic age. It was found in Haçilar in modern-day Turkey and bears witness to the existence of a matriarchal society. Such a female goddess appears in many ancient mythologies as an initial primal figure, representing fertility and procreation either as the earth itself or as a mother giving birth to the world and all the creatures in it.
Supporting musical creativity and fertility, it is only fitting that the mother of all and everything serves as the symbol for our tributes in the name of the WOMEX Award.

Krip-Hop Nation

Anna Pötzsch: WOMEX seeks to recognize those who set the highest standards in world culture, who articulate not only in their music, but in their very lives, the richest values of our community," says WOMEX General Director Gerald Seligman. "Our yearly Award is neither lifetime achievement nor, necessarily, recognition of popularity. It is our chance to try to echo the motivations, the dedication, the principles and priorities of the artists and professionals who dedicate their lives to world music. In every way, Staff Benda Bilili sets the standard for such an objective. And there is an added value to awarding them for, in many ways, it is also the resilience of the Congo itself that we honour in recognizing SBB. The Congo has always been a musical powerhouse of Africa, supplying us with so many of that vast continent's greatest artists. It's so good to see the Congo back. And it's so wonderful that it should be back in the form of Staff Benda Bilili."

Krip-Hop Nation: Is this your first time having disabled musicians at the festival?

Anna Pötzsch: It is the first time that WOMEX presents a group with several wheelchairs on stage.

Krip-Hop Nation: By awarding Staff Benda Bilili, did you have to work on accessibility issues?

Anna Pötzsch: We always do our best to give disabled delegates access to our event. We have never had a band on stage though whose majority is disabled and uses wheelchairs – this is a new challenge for us. We will certainly have to work on the backstage facilities, stage access, etc, but are optimistic to get that solved.

Krip-Hop Nation: Do you think that the music industry have a lot to learn from Staff Benda Bilili?

Anna Pötzsch: What strikes most about Staff Benda Bilili is their immense creativity and courage. Out of a very challenging situation, being homeless and disabled in Kinshasa in "one of the largest and most dysfunctional cities in Africa" (Andy Morgan in Songlines April/May 2009), they have managed to launch a promising international career in music. The music industry itself is and has been in a very difficult situation with the old business model breaking down and the new ones still being figured out and/or their affectivity tested. What many companies need to survive this crisis is exactly what Staff Benda Bilili is so brilliant at: being creative and courageous in all respects.