“Another … brotha … dead … dead …” – Ice Cube

Rest in peace to East Tacoma’s Alrick Hendricks

I did not know this young man, Alrick Hendricks, but I do know and am quite familiar with the problem of youth of color (and youth in general) committing cowardly and ignorant violence.  This plague can be attributed to many things from conditions created by economic poverty to poverty of thought.  Still, the results leave lasting scars on our communities.  Hendricks was apparently killed by an unfriendly acquaintance wherein the two had been involved in physical conflicts before. The gunman, Xavier Magana, reportedly challenged Hendricks to a fight and as Hendricks apparently declined and was walking away, Magana shot him.  Then as Hendricks lie on the ground, Magana shot him some more. 

Friends and associates of Hendricks described him as someone who was using his art and music to escape the streets of East Tacoma, an area ravaged by gangs and drugs since the mid-‘80s. 

“He was going to get up out of here and he was not in a gang,” said one female friend of Hendricks. 

We bid farewell to both of these young men. One will rest in the ground and the other has lost the right of freedom. 

I can’t help but look at the plague of cowardice and violence intermixed so masterfully in our communities.  I find it difficult to place all the blame on our young people, when their parents and elders have done such a questionable job in role-modeling and teaching them how to communicate and conduct themselves against the temptations of our world.  Even beyond the family – our educational system is failing our youth in terms of teaching them “how to think” rather than “what to think.” 

And furthermore, as it relates to violence, how can we expect our youth to avoid fighting and “turn the other cheek” instead when the former commander-in-chief – the ultimate example of modeling “what to do” in our country has convinced our nation that is justifiable to engage in “pre-mediated” war based on allegations alone.  This type of modeling and bravado applauded so well within the borders of the United States of America should be a clear indicator of why so much senseless, purposeless and cowardly violence occurs in our country and beyond it — tearing up individuals, families and communities in its wake. 

RIP to Alrick Hendricks and the many others who will share his fate this week and beyond it.

Party for a Peaceful Summer

Tonight the Showbox SODO is hosting an all-city dance for youth in the Seattle area.  All youth are welcome, but the dance was especially geared to Seattle area high school students who saw multiple end-of-the-year school dances cancelled based on the ‘possibility of violence’ occurring.

One of the Northwest’s finest DJs and promoters DJ Kun Luv is standing up to the violence and issues facing our youth by throwing the party. 

“We want the kids to have fun and be able to go out with peace and a good time in mind,” said the CEO of Seaspot Media Group and Seaspot.com. 

Kun Luv has run the Seattle-based urban media company since the late-‘90s and was already well-respected and known throughout the northwest as a respected DJ.  He recently responded to the death of a friend and party promoter, Tyrone Love, who was gunned down in Seattle’s Central District by creating a campaign and fund to bring awareness to Love’s situation. 

The All-City dance dubbed “The Party for A Peaceful Summer” is tonight at the Showbox SODO and it is FREE on the condition that students are NOT incoming freshmen and are sponsored by a non-parent adult over the age of 26 who is a teacher, community member or coach.

Big shout out to Hilary Hacker of the Cielo Project

With all of the budget shortfalls affecting government agencies, private industry and non-profits, money is a major issue — as Pitbull coins it.  The CIELO Project is one such organization that has been affected by a shortfall of funds, but CIELO team member, volunteer and event promoter, Hilary Hacker has organized one of Olympia’s “Secret Cafes” this Sunday to help raise money so that CIELO can continue providing literacy, life skills support and general support to immigrant families and those who speak languages other than English. 

CIELO organizes tutoring sessions and assists people in need who would otherwise be without or at best would be caught in the maze that our social service system can be. 

If you want to be a part of the party to raise funds it is this Sunday in East Olympia from 4-9 p.m. and there will be traditional Mexican and Latino food with music and games.  For directions to the Secret Café — e-mail Hilary at:
hilhack4paz@gmail.com or log on to: facebook.com/ccbla

New and upcoming releases

Slo Poke aka SP: Hometown Hero Part 2
Smoov-E: Untitled
The Alchemist: Chemical Warfare (July 2009)
Andre Nickatina: Cake (Fall 2009)
Maxwell: BLACKsummernight (July 2009)

Winners Train, Losers Complain… Do Yo’ Thang!!!

Peace & Love
 
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since ’89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM (www.kaosradio.org) in Olympia.