HARRY BELAFONTE ON PITTSBURGH AND MINISTER JASIRI X AND PARADISE GRAY SPEAK

Minister Jasiri X:

As I was preparing for the press conference I thought about the type of statement I could make that not only would let my point across succinctly but that the media would highlight।I knew if I said definitively that two Pittsburgh's exist; one wealthy, white, and most livable and one poor, black, and disadvantaged the press would jump all over it। I was right। But I can't take the credit for it. The University of Pittsburgh study says that in Pittsburgh blacks live largely in segregated communities where they are disadvantaged by poor transportation and waning public safety and where 75 percent of the families are headed by black females. Even though many of us did not need a study to know this is our reality, why are so many of us afraid to state the obvious in plan language? Why are we so careful not to offend when a blind man can see that race matters? Ask the Duquesne High School students why West Mifflin and East Allegheny doesn't want them. They use code words like overcrowding, crime and security but we know the real reason is because they are Black. Sadly the reason that Pittsburgh's black leadership is so quiet is because activism has now become an occupation. You can make big bucks being a community activist nowadays. You can get a radio show, start a non-profit, or someday even run for office. So don't go messing up your chance to get money by doing something crazy like telling the truth! No matter how many children lack opportunities, become poorly educated, or are murdered on the street. Keep blaming rap music and protesting TV shows, but whatever you do, don't bring up race! Just keep cashing those checks.
Ezekiel 34
Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe yourselves with the wool, ye kill the ones that are fed; but ye feed not the flock.Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require My flock at their hand and cause them to cease from feeding the flock, neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more. For I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. - Minister Jasiri X

Paradise Gray:As the NAACP "symbolically" buried the "N" word in Detroit, in Pittsburgh, PA we were burying the bodies of 18 year old Jehru Donaldson and the body of 18 year old Trevor Greer।I quietly stood in the back of 2 different Churches in 2 weeks and listened as the lives of these young men were eloquently eulogized। As I wiped at the tears in my eyes, I took in the whole scene confused and amazed at how many people were stuffed into these churches to show love for Pittsburgh's slain sons। I couldn't help but think to myself "where are all of these people as we scream for help at the tops of our lungs that someone needs to step up and stand up, to help keep these same young people that we claim to love so much in death, alive"? In fact every Church in every "Hood" is always filled to capacity as we eulogize and pray for our dead young all across "Clipsburgh Pistolvania"। The question that continues to bang inside my head is when are we finally going to have enough of this carnage? Haven't we seen enough of our children in fresh new caskets as our leaders languish in symbolism?When are we going to get to the root causes of violence in our communities? Haven't we customized enough R।I।P. T-Shirts? Haven't we tattooed enough images and names of dead homies and loved one's on our bodies? Haven't we seen enough families torn with pain? Have we heard the cries of enough mothers yet? What of the ones who are still living? Do we care enough and love them enough to finally come outside of our homes, churches, synagogues and mosques to begin to formulate and implement a plan of action that would educate and employ a generation of young men and women who have no hope for the future? It is overtime for us to get off of our asses and ensure a future for our children and release our elders from the prisons that their homes have become. According to the New Pittsburgh Courier one of our Elders and true leaders who risked his life so that black Pittsburgh residents could receive gainful employment and inclusion in the labor unions (in the construction industry) Nate Smith was viciously attacked on July 13th in the Homewood section of Pittsburgh. Nate Smith is a civil rights legend who would lay down in front of bull dozer's to get jobs for our people. That he would be mugged not far from his home, in his own neighborhood is disgusting. Who have we become that we would harm our own elders who championed our causes? Who are we to watch in silence as our children murder our children? Do not wait for your child to be murdered or arrested for someone else's murder to get involved, do not wait until you mourn your loved ones. Consider this a personal invitation to join us at "The Pittsburgh Gathering" where we will gather as a community and come away with ACTION! What are WE going to do to effect change for our children, our elders and our families? We are the ones that we have been waiting for.Please join with us to organize and implement real answers and solutions to insure our future NOW!

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Email pittsburghgathering@gmail.com or call 412-853-2199. Friday, August 3, 2007 - 7:00pm -12:00amThe Pittsburgh Regional Gathering Kick Off ConcertFeaturing Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers, Minister Jasiri X, Cynik Lethal,Ya Lioness, Classic 1824, M-Team, Blessed music. Hosted by Paradise Gray (X-Clan)and Luqman Abdus-Salam.Shadow Lounge5972 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh, PA 15206Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 9:00am - 3:00pm"The Pittsburgh Gathering" Take Action to Save Our Youth ConferenceKeynote Speaker Fred Hampton JrPanels on Education, Economics, Politics, the Role of the Church, the Role of Media, and Criminal Justice Hosted By The Metro Urban InstitutePittsburgh Theological Seminary616 North Highland AvenuePittsburgh, Pa 15206Saturday August 4th, 2007 - 9:00 pmTribute to the life and times of the X-Clan's Lumumba "Professor X" Carson (August 4th 1959 - March 17th 2006) . Hosted by Paradise "The Arkitech" Gray featuring a special performance by NYOil and special guest Black Dot author of "De-coding The Hip-hop Matrix". The Undaground Lounge 607 East Ohio StreetPittsburgh, PA। 15212Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 3:00pm-5:00pm Service in the StreetsThe Pittsburgh Regional Gathering Encourages all Churches, Mosques, and Synagogues to have Service Outside in the Community। Interfaith Service and Community WalkBethesda Presbyterian Church7220 Bennett Street Pittsburgh, PA 15208--

Paradise GrayOne Hood

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