The Divide b/w the Hood & the Police in Oakland, CA

Oakland, California March 27th, 2009. As I sit staring at my computer, I can’t help but be rattled by the fact that right down the freeway a massive 18,000 person memorial is being held for the four police officers murdered last week. I understand the grief and I understand the pain. What I don’t understand is why this amount of people don’t show up when “regular” folk get put down in the streets. Are the lives of police officers more valued than ours? It would seem from this celebration, that yes they are.
The lives of the police represent the life-blood of the system. This blood protects the interest of the wealthy, and those that govern the city, the state, and the country. Thus, they are held in high regard. At the memorial were high-level officials from across the state, the attorney general, the governor, our mayor. It is a grandiose affair to say the least.
The level of importance is even noticeable as you drive down 880 away from Oakland towards San Francisco. On the side of the freeway, a huge billboard celebrates the lives of the four officers slain on duty. The contrast comes when I think back to Oscar Grant. I have yet to see a billboard celebrating his life. The only representation I see for him is the rebellious graffiti scrawled on walls throughout West, East, and North Oakland.
Are the lives of these officers more important than Oscar Grant, and the 150+ people murdered in our fair city every year? In reality, no, each life is equally important. So, why do the powers that be celebrate the lives of police officers and regular people so differently? For the life of me, I do not understand.
At this point in time, Oakland, California is a powder keg waiting to explode. The youth here have nothing to look forward to with the deepening recession, rising unemployment rates, and youth programs being cut.
To throw salt in the wound, now the powers that be refuse to acknowledge the very communities that they are paid to protect. Why hasn’t Mayor Dellums offered a public forum for residents to vent frustrations, and discuss the difficulties being experienced? Why is our city falling in line with standard “governmental” policy when we are in an exceptional situation?
These are all questions that many of us have. To the youth, I implore you to seek greater understanding in these difficult times. “Fuck the Police” is an easy reaction to what’s going on. I feel that way sometimes too. But, every police officer is not bad, just like every person from the hood is not good. People are people, some are just messed up in the head. The system is what needs to be held accountable. Do not allow yourselves to be manipulated into becoming another statistic about murder rates in Oakland. If you’re going to fight, lets fight with our minds as a collective to change this rotting system. With love and respect…R.I.P. Oscar Grant and the countless other lives lost to senseless killings.

-ZUMBI

March 21 Pac Div, B.O.B., Janelle Monae, Micky Factz

So, on Friday I was on a mission to see Janelle Monae because of all the hype
I was seeing on twitter. Everybody was making comments about how ill she was. First thing I did was head down to the Fader Fort as soon as I got downtown. As I entered the fray, I immediately saw what everyone was talking about. Just the intensity of her eyes alone was compelling. She moved around the stage with a choreographed drama that is rare these days. Her band was laced in a black and white theme, and the afro puff on the front of her head bounced to the grooves. She danced and mimed around stage with a fury. Nice up. I liked it. Now, I’m waiting to hear a really dope song that I can sing along with.

She was my favorite performer of SXSW. But, coming up a close second was Pac Div. I caught them at a show rocking beside the Cool Kids, U-God, and Asher Roth. Upon walking in on their set, I immediately noticed the natural camaraderie between cats. The reminded me of the glory days of the Pharcyde dancing together and moving onstage in sync, nix the inner turmoil. It’s good to see the west coast have dope representers. Dope..nuff said.
Moving forward, B.O.B. ripped with a live band at the nahright show. The brother was passionate, and the guitars hung heavy in the medium sized hall. I was digging the energy of his band too. Micky Factz came thru with his whole clique and repped for NY. He was cool, on some real lyrical bizness. Rap shit. I love this game!!!

What’s good party people? Its been a hot minute and I apologize for being out of the loop. With the release of the Takeover a month ago, things have been quite hectic. Better believe that the excitement won’t cease for a moment, as we leave for SXSW tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to flexing the new album, and our new band onstage. We’ve added a keyboardist (soon to be legend Kev Choice) and a drummer (Jetman). Rehearsals have been going well, and I can’t wait to get back out on the road with the band when our tour starts April 1st!
But, back to SXSW…our two main shows are Wed. & Thurs. but we’ll have several jump offs as I’ll be hosting with Amp while he DJ’s, and there’s still the possibility that I get down with Bassnectar on one of his nights.

Its going to be a wild weekend either way. Hold on tight..and stay tuned!
twitter.com/zumbi808

Ah…the joys of life!  I love the fact that Michael Phelps was caught smoking a bong!  Yes.  (more…)

    With gruesome pictures of the the Israeli bombardment of Gaza circulating widely on the net, it is no wonder why this age old conflict has resurrected itself yet again.  In fact, it never really left.  This region is home to sacred religious sites of 3 of the world’s most prominent religions Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  Could this be the very reason why  this conflict continues to persists?  Is there something that we as a world community can do to quell the senseless killing of man, woman, and child?  I pray that there is an answer.  I’m interested to see what line Obama will take on this conflict, seeing as though the US sternly backs Israel with military technology and funding.  Strange days indeed…

   We’ve started another year, but it seems like the corruption of our law enforcement is still on the same BS!  This past New Years Day, 22 year old Oscar Grant was shot in the back while he lay face down already under control by two police officers.  You can see for yourself in the following video that the officer uses lethal force without just cause.

When I saw this clip I became nauseated.  I’m sick and tired of the police being able to use Black folks as targets.  Its time that we stand up and hold these murderers accountable.  In Greece, they just finished having riots because a 15 year old boy was shot without justification by police.  What will we do to redeem the spirit of Oscar Grant?  Below the clip is a listing of people you can contact in order to bring about some justice.  Please spread the word if the blood is still warm in your veins.

by Dave Cook 5 Things You Can Do Right Now About the Oscar Grant Shooting

Share w/ your peeps

1. Digg the story so that the national media can pick up on it (Thanks, Jabari For this link): http://digg. com/world_news/Oakland_Police_Officer_Shoots_Unarmed_Man_Handcuffed_Man<br><br>or<br>http://digg. com/world_news/Oakland_Police_Officer_Shoots_Unarmed_Man_Handcuffed_Man?OTC-em-st1

2. Contact BART Director Carole Ward Allen and demand that 1) the officers involved be taken off duty without pay and charged and fully prosecuted; 2) there be an independent investigation of the shooting that includes a review of training and hiring practices; and

3) BART establish an independent residents’ review board for the police Call her at 510-464-6095 or email the BART Directors at BoardofDirectors@bart.gov

3. Call the BART police to complain about the officers’ conduct and demand immediate action:  Internal Affairs: Sergeant David Chlebowski 510.464.7029,dchlebo@bart.gov Chief of Police: Gary Gee 510.464.7022, ggee@bart.gov<br><br>Call them toll free at 877.679.7000 and press the last four digits of the phone number you wish to reach.

4. Talk it up on your blogs, networks and talk radio shows (call Michael Baisden 877-6BADBOY or Rev. Al, etc. to get this on the national radar)

5. Stay tuned for other actions, protests, etc., especially if you are in the Bay.

   I just found this randomly whilst checkin out some of the new flicks comin out.  This clip is pretty bugged out.  It definitely feels like an Apocalypse Now vibe.  I don’t know if I agree with this type of propaganda…but it still looks pretty interesting.  It seems like a style over substance kinda deal.  I hope the acting isn’t terrible.  It already reminds me of “The Day After Tomorrow” mixed with “V”, with a dash of “BattleStar Galactica”.  Think about it.

Obviously this film will only spurn the rising infatuation with this phenomena.  Either way its a subject that people are going to be talking about.  Many believe that the end of the Mayan Calender is the stuff of fairy tale and superstition.  Some say that it is the end of the world.  While still others believe that it is the awakening of humanity to a higher consciousness.  Only time will tell.  But in the meantime…I’m open to the possibility of the collective upgrading of our species.  Peep game..and get back wit commentary..

So…we pull into the quiet mountain town of Flagstaff, AZ on the 3rd night of the Droppin Science Tour. We finally run into the club after the promoter finally answers his phone. I can’t blame him though, our GPS wouldn’t work, so I figure it had something to do with the cutty nature of the locale itself. Boom. We get to the club, and I’m hungry so I ask promoter dude where we can get some food. He instructs us to check out this Thai spot. Cool. (more…)

In the aftermath of one of the most auspicious days of my life..I am humbled by the fact that the United States has elected an African American. As I roamed the streets of the Bay, I witnessed unparalleled revelry in people of all races. Yet, for Africans in America it was obviously a day of great historical significance. (more…)

Zion I @ UC Davis w/ San Quinn