In conjunction with WDKX Radio and City Newspaper — On April 1, 2010 WXXI T.V. (Channel 11) and WXXI Radio(1370 AM) aired a live debate concerning proposed mayoral take-over of the Rochester City School District (RCSD), in which Rochester Board of Education president Malik Evans squared off with Rochester’s Mayor Robert Duffy.

Considering that upward of 85% of the stake-holders with the greatest vested interests (RCSD parents and students), and over 50% of Rochester’s general population are people of color — from our perspective — the first thing wrong with the debate is that it was too white: (moderator: Julie Philipp, debater: Robert Duffy, imported expert: Dr. Joseph Viteritti, media panelists Bob Smith and Tim Macaluso; audience participant and Irondequoit resident: Leo Pedix). On the other hand, black participants included: (debater Malik Evans, media panelist Liz Medhin, audience participants Dawn Smith and Helen Thomas). Not only were there more white participants, but they also dominated and/or controlled the major roles in the debate. With the exception of president Evans, the lack of: 1) black male participation and 2) student participation was glaring. It was also clear that (since there was no opportunity for them to participate) most audience members had been invited only for purposes of window dressing. Hopefully readers are beginning to understand why we refer to the event as the “April-Fools-Day debate.”

Let’s be clear — this issue is absolutely related to race in a number of ways, and since no one else seems willing to consistently raise this vital point — we (AARM) will take responsibility for doing so. As it relates to race — lets not forget that for the first time in the history of the Rochester Board of Education — every single Board member (with the exception of one) is a person of color. That’s 6 out of 7. Also, many, if not the majority of those who compose 1/3 of the City’s population, which (as Duffy keeps pointing out) — survive at or below the poverty line — are RCSD students and families of color. While on the other hand, Duffy’s Administration is overwhelmingly composed of upper and middle class white people, which is possibly a strong indicator regarding the types of board-appointments he would likely make if he was able to pull of his intended political coup to take control of the RCSD. The Mayor claims “this is not about politics.” What a ludicrous and insulting statement. This is definitely about politics (if for no other reason — certainly because those who are trying to wrestle away control, and those in Albany who will ultimately make the final decision are definitely politicians, not to even mention the thoroughly political nature of public education in general). So, not only is the latter-referenced quote ludicrous and insulting — in a sense, it is stupid. Once again, we must also emphasize that this issue involves individual and institutionalized racism. We hope that viewers and listeners were paying close attention — because the slick-talking Mayor even had the audacity at one point during the debate to use potentially, coded, racist language. The incident occurred at one point when president Evans stressed the importance (as he did numerous times) of preserving democracy, especially as it relates to protecting citizens’ Constitutional rights to vote for and elect their local representatives to the Board of Education. The know-nothing Mayor responded as follows: “I think we have to be balanced and fair on all sides when we talk about the involvement of people, not only parents and families, but tax payers.” Is the implication that RCSD “parents and families” don’t pay taxes? You better believe that it is. This quote represents a conscious effort on the Mayor’s part to set up a clear dichotomy (between those who pay taxes, and supposedly those who don’t). Of course in many people’s minds the latter group would include those who are not property owners, and who, for example, might be on social services. When he talks about being “fair on all sides” — that’s a reference to those who may not have children, or who choose and can afford to send their children to private or parochial schools (like the Mayor did with his children). Yet, they still have to pay taxes, which help fund Rochester’s schools. There is absolutely no doubt about the fact that these two divergent groups tend to break down largely along racial lines.

Dr. Viteritti mentioned it is good that we (as a community) are having a conversation about the issue. However, president Evans quickly pointed out that the so-called conversation has been very limited — as opposed to maximum citizen participation relative to robust, widespread, inclusive dialogue, which Evans said he views as being “essential” in this process. The April Fools Day debate is another example that epitomizes the narrowness (relative to participants) of the conversation thus far.

As pointed out in a recent Democrat and Chronicle Editorial, the Mayor demonstrated again on April-Fools-Day that he needs to really deepen his knowledge about how the system that he wants to take control of works. Almost from the very start of the debate — he spewed forth one of his talking points, which is designed to avoid offending teachers and other RCSD workers, but is so illogical that it seems almost silly. The talking point, which he really ought to consider abandoning is as follows: This whole issue “is not about people — it is about a system.” It seems that his advisers, Dr. Wong, Deputy Mayor Wolcott or someone would pull the Mayor’s coattail regarding the fact that you can’t just neatly compartmentalize and/or separate people from the “system.” Systems don’t establish, develop, maintain and perpetuate themselves — people do. More importantly than this however, with regard to Duffy really revealing how little he actually knows about the “system” that he keeps spewing rhetoric about — was the manner in which he answered audience member Dawn Smith’s question. She had asked the Mayor, if he gets control of the RCSD, would the Superintendent be allowed to keep adding new employees to his Cabinet? Duffy’s answer was: “I think the Superintendent (in his defense) has very few people in his Cabinet that are outside of one of the 4 unions in the City, and I think that certainly presents conflicts and a tough situation for him, but there would be a clear line of accountability for those positions, and it would be something that would have to certainly be approved by me, and I think the City Council would weigh in as well.” In response, president Evans leaped on the fundamentally flawed answer with the speed of a gazelle, and pointed out the following: “First of all, there’s not a single person in the Superintendent’s Cabinet that is a part of a bargaining unit. They leave their bargaining unit when they come into the Superintendent’s Cabinet. It is a very interesting question that you asked — because do you know how the Superintendent has that authority? State law. Article IV gives the Superintendent authority to appoint members to the Superintendent’s Employee Group. So even if the Board wanted to do something about that — we would have to go to our Legislators, and they would have to repeal that State Law, as it currently exists. So that’s another mandate, which we get a lot of from the State. Article IV gives the Superintendent authority to appoint whomever he wants without Board approval. So if you could change that — the Superintendent would not have that authority.” It seems like Duffy’s legislative henchmen Gantt and Morelle would have made him aware of this, but then if he was really paying attention, which obviously he was not — he would recall that Gantt pushed for this Legislation to be enacted during the Janey/Johnson Administrations. Where was Bob? Also, we couldn’t help but wonder whether or not Superintendent Brizzard was viewing or listening to the April-Fools-Day debate. If so, we wondered what he thought about Duffy speaking in his “defense”? And then we thought — Superintendent Brizzard is smart enough to realize that the would-be education-czar was just being political — trying to sound stern and project the image of having commitment to reigning-in the bloated bureaucracy.

Lastly, we must say that, in addition to general disrespect — at the end of the debate — Julie Philipp made it absolutely crystal-clear how much she, and we believe mass-media in general, really care about parents, students and community members participating in ongoing dialogue regarding this critically important issue. Indeed she made it clear when she thanked president Evans, Mayor Duffy, Dr. Viteritti and other media participants, but never mention the audience of (presumably RCSD parents, students and community members) whom they (the media operatives) had assembled in the studio — probably to serve mainly as window dressing.

The struggle to stop mayoral control in it’s misguided footsteps continues. AARM is a proud participant in the Community Education Task Force, which meets every Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM at 630 N. Goodman Street. We urge the entire community to come out and join us.

Activists Against Racism Movement ——- (AARM)
Howard J. Eagle, Education Committee Chairperson

Hosted by the Activists Against Racism Movement in conjunction with Freedom School, Brizard said his presence was part of a renewed effort to engage district parents.

Full Article

By: Howard J Eagle

October 22, 2009 – I thought the community would be interested in knowing that on Monday afternoon, October 19, 2009 — I joined the list of U.S. citizens who have received uninvited, unexplainable and unwelcomed visits to their homes by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

When the door bell rang, I opened the door, and before agent Rick Rooney from the Buffalo,NY Office (cell phone:716-481-9998 and desk phone: 716-551-3925) could flip his wallet open — to show me his official identification (the way they do on t.v.) — I said “FBI, right?” I had been expecting them — because less than an hour earlier — I had received a phone call from someone at an address where I haven’t lived for over ten (10) years, informing me that “the FBI is looking for you.” My half-joking response was — “they are not looking for me as hard as I am looking for them.” Since they had left their names at my former address, my plan was to go to the State Street Federal Building and ask for them by name, but as I stated previously, before I could do so, the door bell rang.

When I opened the door and saw two clean-cut, white men dressed in white shirts and ties (with concealed side-arms) — I figured who else could this possibly be — except the FBI. Agent Rooney was accompanied by Agent Leonard Opanashuk from the Rochester, NY Office (phone: 546-2220, ext. 127). Oh, with regard to the concealed side-arms, at one point, agent Opanashuk’s jacket slipped open, and I was able to get a peek. It appeared that his weapon was hanging from a shoulder holster (like on t.v.). In hind sight, I had wondered if he intentionally displayed the weapon as some sort of intimidation tactic, but that’s probably not the case. I was probably just paranoid. If it is the case, it didn’t work. I also didn’t think about the fact (until later) that as we (me and the FBI Agents) stood in the doorway to my dining room, chit-chatting (as a backdrop) — a nicely-framed painting of Malcolm X (one of Malcolm’s most radical images), hung on the dining room wall. I wondered later, what they thought of the painting. Also, as I continued to reflect on the situation — I was reminded of information in Malcolm’s autobiography, in which he discussed being visited by the FBI numerous times. I just smiled to myself, and said wow — I’m in good company.

Before Agent Rooney even opened his mouth, I knew that their uninvited, unexplainable and unwelcomed visit was connected to the fact that three days earlier, on October 16, 2009 (along with six other members and/or supporters of Activists Against Racism Movement, AARM) I had, as explained in the news article below, delivered a Petition to the plush, Penfield, NY neighborhood and home of Federal Prosecuting Attorney Douglas E. Gregory. There is no other possible reason why the FBI would just drop by my home unexpectedly. Agent Rooney said they “felt bad” about just dropping by, but he explained that they were concerned about Gregory, and that they wanted to make sure that his safety was not in jeopardy — because of him doing his job. So, I asked, “exactly what are you saying or implying”? His response was that our organization has the right to protest, but going to Gregory’s home “might be stepping over the line.” Then, he went on to say that he can’t tell us not to go there, but he explained that he was concerned because our visit intimidated Gregory’s wife and children, and that he didn’t think they should be drawn into this. After assuring him of the fact that AARM members and supporters have no desire or intent to intimidate women, children or anyone else — I informed the Agents that we are more concerned about the women, children and others who live on Garson, Parsells, Webster Avenues, etc… being intimidated by the FBI, RPD, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and New York State Police — swooping down on their communities — like storm troopers. Of course the latter comment drew dead silence.

Agent Opanashuk asserted that one concern is the possibility that others will see Gregory’s address and home publicized on websites, and might want to do harm to him. My response to him was and is that, first, Mr. Gregory’s address is public information, which he acknowledged, and secondly AARM obviously will not take responsibility for any actions taken by persons who are not affiliated with our organization.

My wife (whom I had been smart enough to call into the room — before I even opened the door — to witness the conversation, and who had been just standing there listening, up to this point) asked a couple of very critical questions. She wanted to know whether or not the Agents had visited any other participating-activist(s) home(s). Their answer was “no.” Then, of course, the next logical question was — how did you pick Howard? Their response to the latter question was libelous and illogical. They claimed that they looked at AARM’s website, and apparently clicked on the “About Us” section — and, according to them, my photo was the first one that popped up. Go do the website-experiment for yourself, and see what happens: About Us.

At this point I gave the Agents my cell number (752-1426), as if — if they had really wanted to — the FBI couldn’t have gotten my cell number, home number, and any other number that might be assigned to me, but my point was, and I told them as much, if they ever need to contact me in the future — call first (before coming to my home). The sanctity of my home is as precious to me — as Douglas Gregory’s is to him, or Agents Rooney and Opanashuk’s are to them.

The bottom line is that the FBI came calling, but should not again (at least not prior to phoning), and the Struggle continues…

Some also argue that African Americans want, and receive, but do not deserve, special privileges — based on past deprivation and discrimination. People who support this argument, tend to believe that African Americans have been compensated for past abuses, and that somehow conditions have been created that established real equality. Now (the argument goes), we should just forget the past, and move on. I sincerely hope that we can move on, but African people must never forget the African Holocaust, never! Those who put forth this particular argument concerning so-called undeserved privilege, often label it as being representative of some abstract thing, which they call “reverse” discrimination. Perpetuation of the concept of “reverse” discrimination is nothing more or less than an underhanded, unethical, immoral, bankrupt strategy that is designed and utilized to support entrenched denial, evasiveness, and avoidance on the part of millions of Americans, particularly white Americans, regarding the widespread, devastatingly negative psychological, social, emotional, and economic impact that institutionalized slavery and racism has had (historically), and is having on African American people currently. Perpetuating and attempting to legitimize concepts such as “reverse” discrimination allows white people, especially those in power, to continue avoiding a critical issue that they dread having to deal with. Namely, it is the issue of reparations for African peoples, including African Americans.

Many white people, including many educators, become visibly upset if a black person dares to raise the issue or idea that present overall socioeconomic and political conditions within the African American Community, vis-a-vis the white or Euro-American Community, are greatly influenced by past social, economic, political policies and practices. In some cases, such white people actually have the audacity to ask black people: ‘Why do you keep focusing on the past?’ At the same time (conversely), I have never in my entire lifetime (55 years) heard a person (white or otherwise) ask a Jewish person for example, why their people keep talking about and / or reaping socioeconomic benefits — based on the atrocities of the Jewish Holocaust. The fact that this represents a blatant double standard is a gross understatement. In fact, it speaks to the reality that many non-Jewish people are absolutely, without a doubt, more respectful, and have more empathy for the historic Jewish Holocaust than they do for the Holocaust experienced by Africans — the latter of which was much worst in some ways. It is truly baffling that this is even seemingly true for many black people, i.e., many black people tend to have more respect and empathy for the Jewish Holocaust than they do for their own. This ranks among the most amazing of all human phenomena.

With regard to the issues outlined above, in the final analysis, millions of people in the U.S., especially, but not exclusively white people, do not want to, or cannot find it within themselves to come to grips with some very important basic, historical facts, which educators, if no one else, should understand, or at least attempt to understand (as opposed to wallowing in unnecessary guilt, fear, and acute denial). Those basic facts are as follows:

First, there is a continued, real, negative, and in many cases profound, social, emotional, psychological, economic, political, and cultural impact on every single African American person born and raised within U.S. society, which results from: 1) The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, and all of the atrocities that came along with it; 2) following dejure outlawing of slavery as a centuries-old institution, another one-hundred (100) years of de facto, systemic oppression under the Jim Crow “justice” system; and 3) the current, overall socioeconomic and political reality, under which most major U.S. institutions continue to harbor and perpetuate racism. Secondly, the impact of historic socioeconomic, cultural, political oppression; psychological, emotional, physical brutalization, and destruction of African people en masse, was not, and could not possibly have been eradicated via so-called Civil Rights Legislation, and / or so-called Affirmative Action policies. Within the United States of America, it has not been, and probably never will be possible to produce, and certainly not enforce, a form of legislation that can eliminate the cumulative (throughout many generations), degradation and dehumanization, which African American people have experienced, and are continuing to experience in many ways.

Since the achievement “gap” was systemically created and maintained over a long period of time (centuries), if the problem is ever to be resolved, it is likely that the solution will come only as a result of people working consciously, consistently, diligently, and systematically to reverse the conditions that have caused, and are causing the problem. In other words, the solution will come only as a result of people, particularly those who are most negatively affected, working consciously, consistently, diligently and systematically to solve the problem.

Where African American people are concerned, it is not likely that a solution will be forthcoming anytime soon, unless a way is found to reverse the serious and definite trend, in which massive numbers within each new generation of African American youth, are becoming less and less educated, equipped and / or committed to working for collective, socioeconomic, political, cultural change and improvement.

To be Continued….

As it relates to timing, it is most interesting that (according to the July 14, 2009 edition of EDUCATION WEEK magazine), on the same date, i.e. July 14, 2009 — the National Center For Education Statistics (a federal government agency, which “is the main statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Education”) released the results of a recent study regarding the so-called black – white achievement gap (visit www.edweek.org). With regard to the possibility of closing the gap — the bottom line of the study is that (for the most part) — no real, substantial progress has occurred (surprise, surprise)!

Concerning this critical issue, and the EDUCATION WEEK article, I thought that it might be important to point out the following concrete example of “outright silly suggestions,”"which I referenced above: Mr. Patrick Gasper, “a spokesman for Wisconsin’s education department (reportedly, a state in which the “achievement gap is significantly larger than the national average”) — was quoted as having said: “it’s ertainly something we’ve known we need to work on, and it’s not going to change overnight.”

In my humble view, African Americans, and anyone else who has a sense of justice and urgency, should be nauseated by such lackadaisical statements. “Overnight”?! The spokesperson can’t possibly be serious. The humanly engineered, historic, so-called achievement “gap” within the U.S. is clearly and literally centuries old. Thus, in the final analysis, statements such as Mr. Gasper’s represent nothing more or less than a robotic, thoroughly political, gradualistic, rationalization, and feeble attempt to justify, if not dismiss, the acutely unreasonable lack of adequate progress. Close examination and critique of the above referenced article, reveals additional, clear examples of “simplistic, and / or outright silly suggestions and answers.” However, I won’t belabor the point. Let’s get back to discussion of vitally important, historical factors and explanations concerning development, maintenance and continued perpetuation of the current reality.

Typically, a critical, missing factor within simplistic analyses put forth by governmental agencies and others, who claim to be concerned about eliminating the academic achievement “gap”"between African American and white students, is the inclusion of historical “backdrop.”"In other words, as it relates to any objective analysis of this deep-seated, socioeconomic, political, cultural issue and problem, there are many very important historical factors which must be given serious consideration. This is especially true with regard to the real (as opposed to imagined or fabricated) impact that institutionalized racism, including four-hundred years of systemic, chattel slavery — has had, and is having relative to the continued existence and perpetuation of the problem. Like any other deep-seated socioeconomic and / or political issue or problem, unless the true nature of the achievement “gap” is fully and clearly understood, and acknowledged — it is not likely that realistic and effective solutions will be forthcoming anytime soon.

Relative to widespread change and improvement, it is my hope that this critical analysis will help bring about clarity regarding the true nature of the so-called achievement “gap,”"and therefore greater clarity regarding development of effective solutions. Hopefully, this work will contribute to debunking the continued big lies and implied allegations that 1) everything that can possibly be done to help close the “gap, “which really is more comparable to a ‘valley’ or ‘island,’ is being done; 2) this problem is so complex that an effective solutions might not exist; 3) in accordance with the nation’s undergirding philosophy of white supremacy — African Americans are intellectually inferior to whites. Most importantly, it is my sincere hope that this work will aid in inspiring African American people to take a serious stand on behalf of our children, and our collective future.

Many scholars pretend, and then there are those who probably actually believe, that all vestiges of institutionalized slavery within the U.S. were long ago eradicated. It is a thoroughly erroneous idea that current, overall socioeconomic, political, cultural conditions and realities, including despicable, educational conditions for huge numbers of African American students within the elementary and secondary public education system, are not to a large extent, the results of historical, systemic, structural discrimination, deprivation, brutalization, and dehumanization, which occurred during the period of more than four hundred (400) years of instutionalized slavery within this land that is today known as the United States of America. There is no denying the fact that the impact and real effects of the most wicked institution in the history of humanity, still exists today in numerous sophisticated ways. It is of utmost importance for African American people to never downplay, ignore, dismiss or gloss over the significance and importance of the real and serious impact that institutionalized slavery has had, and is having on their individual and collective lives. In no area of life is this impact more obvious and / or profound than in education.

(To be continued…)

From the outset, I would like to make it clear that I am not an apologists, nor an excuse-maker for African American or any other students. There are many African children who have no apparent, legitimate excuses for not performing well academically. However, at the same time, there is undoubtedly, a growing number who, not only have legitimate excuses, but are facing such terribly negative and devastating odds that, in order for them to do well academically (unless they receive consistent, intense, adequate and appropriate types of support), they will be either extremely lucky, extraordinary in terms of psychological and emotional strength, or a combination of both.

This treatise was inspired by the fact that, in light of the ongoing, decades old, urban education crisis, which includes acute, dismal, massive, academic failure among huge numbers of African American children, and the so-called academic achievement “gap” between African Americans and whites, it has become an annual ritual for the U.S. Department of Education, states’ Education Departments, local boards of education, and various educational research groups to issue reports and frequently put forth unrealistic, shallow, suggestions for change and improvement. As part of that which resembles an annual sideshow, we can routinely count on simplistic, and sometimes outright silly suggestions and “answers” to the critical question: With regard to academic performance and achievement, why do African American students (in the main) continue to lag so far behind their white counterparts? Annual reporting of information regarding this most serious issue and problem, is usually framed and presented in such a manner that readers are expected to conclude that federal, state and local officials as well as educators are doing all that they possible can to address this supposedly mysterious, super-complex phenomenon.

This analysis is an attempt to place the issue and problem of a so-called academic achievement “gap” between African American and white students in proper historical context. Reference to the issue as a so-called “gap” is based on my unequivocal belief that usage of terms such as “gap” to describe the alarming differences in academic achievement between African American and white students (in the main) — amounts to attempts (probably consciously in some cases) to downplay the importance, significance and urgency of a timely and effective solution.

Not only is this particular analysis based on a historical perspective, but it is also Africancentered. That is to say, the perspective is being presented by one who is conscious of, and proud of his African ancestry; knowledgeable and keenly aware of the specific historical processes and conditions — by which millions of African peoples were kidnapped and geographically, socially, economically, politically, culturally displaced, and ultimately transformed (by force) into a new nationality of human beings — known today as African “Americans”. Since there is absolutely no doubt about the fact that many people of African ancestry will agree totally with this perspective, it can rightly and objectively be called Africancentered, i.e., information, as viewed through the eyes of large numbers of African peoples (based on collective life-experiences).

Introduction

In order to fully and clearly understand why such large percentages of African American students generally lag behind white children relative to academic achievement, it is necessary to seriously consider, study, critique, and analyze overall educational conditions (from a historical perspective). There is no other way to gain a full and clear understanding of what has caused, and what is causing the overall current educational conditions, under which the achievement “gap” is being tolerated — if not intentionally perpetuated.

First, it is very important to realize and accept the fact that overall educational conditions within the U.S. are not a product of coincidence — or of nature. The so-called achievement “gap” between African American and white students in the United States of America is not representative of a natural state of human existence or development. Instead, it is a historical condition that was intentionally created, developed, and maintained by white people, particularly wealthy white men, who established, and to a large degree, controlled the socioeconomic, political / governmental and dominant cultural systems of the U.S.A. — all of which, of course, were / are based on the concept of white, and especially male supremacy. The same group of people and/ or their friends, relatives and descendants, later established and initially bank-rolled the nation’s system of public education.

In attempting to understand the achievement “gap” — we can completely rule out simplistic analyses that posit as causes — the existence of certain conditions among large numbers of African American children, such as the lack of interest and motivation, low self esteem and participation in so-called “ghetto culture.” Those are symptoms, rather than causes of the problem. It is incumbent, especially upon educators to begin asking, and correctly (objectively) answering questions about why such large percentages of African American students are not, or at least do not appear to be interested in learning and / or motivated to learn. What do we (as individual practitioners, and collectively — as an educational system) need to know and do in order to help increase their interest and motivation? In this particular regard, are we (individually and collectively) doing all that we can? As it relates to the total student population, why do so many African American students suffer (disproportionately) from low self-esteem, and how can we help remedy this problem? These are critically important questions, and they also represent a very important part of the art and science of teaching or instruction, which many refer to almost faddishly as “pedagogy”.

(To be continued…)

WHAT: Protest-March & Rally

WHO: Activists Against Racism Movement, And The Community, Including Defendants In The So-Called RICO / ‘wolf pack’ Case

WHEN: Monday, July 20th @ 6:00 PM …………… Monday July 20th @ 6:00 PM

WHERE: Starting At The Federal Building On State Street & Ending At The Public Safety Building On Plymouth Ave.

WHY: To Fight For A Fair, Non-Racist Criminal Justice System

Contact: Janice Snipes @ 285 – 7414

To learn more about this case, see information below.

RICO LAWS? PROVE IT!!

On April 27, 2009, a number of people were arrested in Rochester, New York and charged under the RICO statute for alleged crimes.

THE CHARGES:

Those arrested, including teens, were ALL charged under the RICO statute. The RICO law was established in 1970 to address organized crime activity perpetuated by the MAFIA. Convictions under the RICO law carries prison sentences of 10-20 years to life in prison.

THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY.

There is no such organization/enterprise as the ‘wolf pack’ gang, and no factual basis or foundation to support racketeering charges. As a result, the use of the RICO statute is unfounded and unconstitutional.

Let’s come together to fight for a fair criminal justice system.

WHAT THE POLICE AND NEWS MEDIA REPORTED:

• FALSE: Those arrested were members of a gang/enterprise called the ‘Wolf Pack’ gang.
• FALSE: 24 people were arrested
• FALSE: 20 firearms were confiscated when the police executed 7 search warrants

THE TRUTH

Distorted police and news media reporting was filled with misinformed, libelous and conflicting information. To set the record straight:

• TRUE: There is no such organization/enterprise as the ‘wolf pack’ gang, and no factual basis or foundation to support racketeering charges. As a result, the use of the RICO statute is unfounded and unconstitutional.
• TRUE: Some of the 24 people reported to be arrested on April 27, 2009 were NOT arrested on that date.
• TRUE: Many of the firearms reportedly confiscated as a result of warrants served on April 27, 2009, were already in police possession before that date.
• TRUE: Due to intimidation and threats of long prison sentences under the RICO law, including 10-20 years to LIFE, at least one person still in custody is reportedly suicidal; yet, reportedly, no precautions have been taken to protect him.
• TRUE: Despite charges of an organized, criminal enterprise, all defendants are dependent upon court-appointed lawyers or public defenders.

The first of the two-part event, known as the Community-Networking Extravaganza was, in the words of AARM, “an opportunity for individuals and groups to meet, exchange contact information, distribute literature, sign petitions, give speeches, and network however they see fit. i.e. build relationships.” The evening portion, a benefit performance put on by R.A.P.I.E.R and other performance arts coalitions, was named “Roc In the Community” and consisted of dancers, comedians, spoken word artists, singers, and oftentimes a fusion of all four.

An indymedia correspondent was able to catch up with some of the organizers and participants of the day’s event to discuss the importance of building strong communities.

Participants Discussing Community mp3 ogg

Robert Djed Snead, who is working to organize this years MAAFA Celebration, was quite excited to answer the question and gave a very nice, in-depth answer. mp3 ogg.

Finally, we talked with two of the candidates for office at the event and asked them to describe their platforms.

Howard Eagle mp3 ogg

Harry Davis mp3 ogg

Also, see article below:

A local anti-racism group and production company held a community networking event Sunday in an effort to inspire people to get involved in grassroots organizations in their city neighborhoods.

About 100 people walked through the Main Street Armory’s main room Sunday to chat with the 16 or so community organizations that had set up booths at the Community-Networking Extravaganza. The event was hosted by the Activists Against Racism Movement and Down in the Dirt Productions and Publications.

The booths at the event featured groups ranging from Action for a Better Community Inc. and Pathways to Peace to Rochester Indy Media and even some individuals hoping to run in upcoming political elections.

“We wanted to do something to involve the community … building local community strength,” said AARM educational committee chairman Howard Eagle.

Full Article

From the start — most of the mainstream media has painted a picture that the people arrested are “bad people”. They have tried to say that they are part of the so-called “chain gain” or so-called “wolf-pack,” and that the “gang” has been terrorizing the community. We have already established that there is no gang. There is no conspiracy, and there definitely is no racketeering. The media has been making misleading and false statements, but they are doing more than simply repeating false and misleading information from the police. What they are doing is spinning a story of what’s going on — that is, presenting a particular perspective or viewpoint. The perspective or viewpoint that they present is designed to help justify the years, including potentially life prison terms, which youth and others are being threatened with. In some ways the perspective or viewpoint that mainstream media presents is more dangerous than the lies and half-truths that the FBI is peddling — because it creates a frame of reference that people then use to analyze the things they hear. It’s definitely going to frame the way that many people respond when we go out and try to give them another side of things.

Many people have heard about this situation over and over again, in the D&C, on TV and radio. Let’s go over it quickly. The story goes: The people who were arrested are all part of the “chain gang,” which also calls itself the “wolf pack”. They were allegedly going around the Beech Wood neighborhood, terrorizing people and selling drugs — allegedly shooting people and allegedly committing other crimes — in an organized, coordinated fashion. Notice how insidious this is. They use words like “allegedly” when talking about specific crimes, but they don’t use it when they say that people are in a gang or when they say that the so-called gang was terrorizing the neighborhood. In other words, the story is: We can’t say exactly what they did because we have high journalistic standards, but we do know they are the bad guys, and that’s why the cops are going after them. The other part of the story that mainstream media helps to peddle is the backdrop that crime is rampant in the inner-city, and the way to fix it is by getting “tough on crime”, which is coded-language for locking up as many black and Latino, so-called “gangsters” as possible — for as long as possible, and that will fix the problem. Well, we (AARM) says that all so-called and definitely real gangsters are not black or brown. In fact, in the overwhelming majority of cases — the biggest, most authentic gangsters are as white as snow.

Clearly, crime is a huge issue for many people, and clearly many people don’t feel safe in their neighborhoods. However, is locking up predominantly poor people of color the answer? This question is rarely even raised by mainstream media. I think that for the most part — it’s just assumed that more prisons is the solution. We have to start challenging these things — in fact challenging the system and that
means putting forth our own stories. And we have some really powerful stories to tell. We need to tell Janice’s story — a woman who has had trouble with the law, but has been trying to work legally within the system, has a job and is trying to build a successful, peaceful life for herself and for her children — a woman whom the rotten-to-the-core, corrupt system wants to send to jail for 10-20-30 years or more — not for any crimes that she has committed, but basically because, according to the system — she is guilty by association. We need to tell Gwen’s story — a mother whose son was shot in broad daylight and the criminal justice system did nothing for her. Now that same criminal justice system wants to unjustly lock her daughter up. We can tell the story of those arrested who MAY be guilty of relatively low-level crimes like selling
relatively small amounts of drugs —- as opposed to bringing tons into the country, and into our communities — or carrying a weapon — as opposed to bringing tons into the country, and into our communities.

The former groups that I referenced are now being told that they were part of a major criminal “enterprise” — even though they are sitting in jail without the financial ability to make bail or hire their own attorneys, and being so-called represented by public defenders and court-appointed attorneys who are telling them to plead guilty to conspiracy and racketeering. What kind of kangaroo-style justice is that? And we really have to tell the story of 30 years or so of this so-called “tough on crime” approach, which is only tough on people who have the least amount of power and never tough on the actual major criminals. This approach has been aiding in tearing apart families and ruining communities. Has it made our neighborhoods safe?

When you see a story about this issue – or any issue – on TV or read it in the newspaper, or hear it on the radio — take a moment to think: What is the story that they are trying to tell and why are they telling it? What ideologies are they trying to promote? When you talk with others about this, keep that story in mind and think about ways that we can break free from it. The story being told right now frames those arrested as “bad people terrorizing the community,” and if people believe that, then it doesn’t matter what kind of evidence we give to them. So we have to fight it.

The D&C, the TV stations and the radio stations have a lot of money and that gives them a lot of power, but we have the truth on our side. Let’s use that truth to counter their story, and to (once and for all) organize our community — so that we can meet power with power — because as Frederick Douglass told us — when he was walking the streets of Rochester —- organizing way back in the 1800’s — power concedes nothing without a demand. In fact it concedes nothing but power. Fred told us, it never has, and it never will.