The Heat part 1 of 4: "It's Hot"

The heatwave seems 2 B passing. My hometown of Chicago was hit pretty hard. I’ve heard word after word about how hot it was.  Complaints about sweating and choking and not being able 2 move or go out and this, after so many complaints about the long cold winter.  It’s laughable but par 4 the course.  Legitimately, it was hot; very hot. 

With the surge in temperature came also the surge in criminally-related deaths mainly from being shot. I will not say “by guns” because I 2 am a believer that guns don’t kill people. People with guns kill people. The big headline was that there were more people being killed in Chicago than there were in Afghanistan; sensationalized but largely true. The regular people, due 2 the transitory legalities in Illinois/Chicago have largely been disarmed which has given way 4 motivated individuals 2 procure guns in unlawful ways and at the same time opening up a huge industry on the blackmarket. Capitalism.

 According 2 the Chicago Tribune the latest number of people shot N this frenzy near the end of June 2012 was 319, an annual rise of nearly 22%. Comments by well-meaning racists on another site, trained like the sheeple they R, they, like a lot of America, believe that the shooters and those shot R all thugs & other assorted criminal scum negating that at least 24 of the victims were mere school children from 7 on up. They didn’t account 4 the innocents, elderly and uninvolved who were out walking or sitting on their porches and caught a stray. Nor the record numbers of people shot, largely of so-called “minority” heritage, by police under questionable circumstances. But this entry isn’t about that. There’s a level of ignorance N this country that I am, at this time, disinterested in addressing. This is geared at solutions.

and most of them are uninvolved in any criminal activity

 The hood isn’t the way it is because of some innate desire to harm one another or predilection toward self destruction.  It’s the lack of devoted resources and the poor educational system that gives the students no purpose on Y they’re there. It’s the poor, substanceless, nutrient-deficient foods dumped upon and made available 2 the people living there, the lack of jobs and the inability 2 provide one’s self and one’s family with basic needs and finally, the saturation of repetitive, irresponsible, mind-numbing entertainment that eggs on these conditions. These things build up 2 frustration, anger, hunger, lack of self-worth and other diseases whose symptoms become visible as the widely reported violence.

 The “West,” European colonized industrial lands, R treatment based societies. They don’t practice prevention. They treat symptoms. They move without regard 2 consequences then attempt to “treat” the damage done. There R those who think that’s what makes this country great, despite the staggering numbers in health and environmental issues, despite the substandard education of the masses; despite that many who think that R the same ones suffering from those afflictions inflicted upon them by the very few.  This country “treats” the symptoms of its cancer and AIDS victims despite the fact that many scientists & health practitioners have proven cures 4 those deadly ailments 4 decades. They’d rather spend millions on “research” 2 better circulate money 2 the privileged. This country “treats” symptomatic environmental issues, allowing a few hybrid vehicles on the street 2 reduce pollution while trucks and factories blow billows of harmful smoke N2 the air despite having access 2 yet denying effective, cleaner energy sources because of their financial commitment 2 oil. They’d rather damage the livability of our land 4 profits than change things 4 the better 4 the people.  Chicago hires more police while reducing effective social programs. Am I wrong? Is this just hippie-talk? I’m open 2 criticism.

I might have an answer. This is not an original idea. It’s rooted in offerings set forth by Garvey, Drew-Ali and Elijah Muhammad and it was inspired by a post from a wonderful sista that I saw the other day.  It’s an idea I contemplated years ago but wasn’t N a position 2 implement.  Its viability is local and global. It’s simple, realistic, long-term and not far-reaching. It’s directed 2 whoever can and will read this. 

Many candles can B lit from a single flame without diminishing its light

Part 2 of 4: "A Suggested Solution" in 2 days...