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April 5, 2005 I became aware of it in the early 80’s. It was after 10pm and I had just gotten off work. The bus that was supposed to be in the layover zone was nowhere in sight and I knew it would be an hour before the next one rolled by. So I started walking. The most direct route from Century City was straight down Olympic Blvd through Beverly Hills. That was probably my first mistake. But there was no other way to go. As soon as I crossed Robertson Blvd I heard a car pull up in the gas station driveway behind me and honk the horn. I turned to see a squad car angled across the driveway. The officer motioned me toward him. It was late, I was tired, I had another two or so miles to walk, and now I’m being pulled over for being a young Black man in a rich neighborhood. That must be it, right? I hadn’t broken any traffic laws or committed any crimes. Driving home from church, I get pulled over - with my entire family in the car. Driving home from the supermarket, I get pulled over and frisked – in front of my 11-year-old son. Driving home from a nice restaurant in Beverly Hills - in a business suit - I get pulled over. (I’ve been pulled over in Beverly Hills so many times, now I just avoid the area. Whether that is the intended result of their police force’s activities or not, I do not know. But the fact I even bring that up speaks volumes. Unfortunately, two restaurants I enjoy there no longer get my business.) That’s just three of the countless times I’ve been pulled over. That does not include the endless number of times I’ve been painted (had my plates run by the officer in the police cruiser following me) or ‘escorted’ out of the city limits. I drive an old car - which I commonly refer to as a cop magnet - but I did not know that it was a crime to do so. One day a colleague from India, another Black man and I were talking. Soon a third brother walked up. In the space of less than three minutes, the three of us shared at least three personal experiences each, rapid-fire, about being pulled over for DWB. (During the time this story was being written, another colleague was pulled over and falsely accused of driving alone in the carpool lane.) As the last story was being told, it struck me that we shared these experiences like it was part of an everyday occurrence. In reality, it is. Then I thought about all the people who doubt there is such a phenomenon as DWB. What those people are really saying is that Blacks must have done something to get pulled over because no one gets pulled over for no apparent reason. I take great offense to that. This is not a problem faced solely by criminals. Almost every Black male I know had been stopped for DWB. If I were a gambling man, I’d bet 95% of you brothers reading this, at least once in your life, have been pulled over, or worse, for DWB. Miles Davis used to get pulled over regularly in his yellow Ferrari. Care to guess where the inspiration for his 1985 album “You’re Under Arrest” came from? Then-assemblyman Kevin Murray was pulled over - on his way to a victory rally celebrating his election to the California state senate. As a direct result, Murray sponsored AB 1264, the Traffic Stops Statistics Act, better known as the “DWB Bill.” (It was vetoed by then-governor Davis.) The list of Black celebrities who’ve experienced DWB goes on and on. This does not even begin to address the other injustices Black males have been subjected to at the hands of the police. Friends of mine have been pulled out of their vehicles, made to lie face down on the ground spread-eagle, thrown against walls and had guns drawn on them – oftentimes pointed at their heads. No, these were not street thugs committing these acts. These incidents occurred at the hands of the police, the very people we trust to protect us. And what about the recourse available to these victims? It goes without saying that the Rodney King incident would never have come to light had the beatdown not been caught on tape. Stanley Miller gets hammered with a heavy metal flashlight but the DA says he will not hear the case. Donovan Jackson is body slammed on a car but it is the man who threw him that gets to sue for $2 million for reverse discrimination. Of course, this is nothing compared to the shootings of unarmed Blacks by law enforcement. When justifying these acts, the first thing reported by the media is that the victim was a suspected gang member. Later, the story changes and says that the officer(s) involved felt their lives were in jeopardy. Deadly force is being used as the option of first choice. We see it over and over. A homeless woman charges an officer with a screwdriver and is killed. Put aside for a moment the fact that this was obviously a grossly disproportionate use of force. What does that say about the officer himself? He was unable to engage and disarm a homeless woman in hand-to-hand combat? A homeless woman charging him caused him to fear for his life? I wasn’t there, but surely there were a whole host of other options available to him other than discharging his weapon. 13-year-old Devin Brown would tell you if a kid in a stolen car gets boxed in and backs into your police cruiser, he’s scared and is trying to get away. If someone aims a car at you and floors it while you’re outside your vehicle, he’s trying to kill you. But that young man isn’t around anymore. If Tiesha Miller were still alive, she would probably tell you that someone sleeping in a car with a gun in his or her lap is scared and is trying to protect themselves from someone who has been trying to harm them. They will be easily startled when you wake them. If they are awake and waving the gun around, possibly pointing it at you, they may try to shoot you. I wasn’t at either of these incidents, but it doesn’t take a high-level committee to figure this out. What I really want to know is what happened to the procedure of shooting to wound? All these incidents can’t be cases of a ‘lucky shot’. I can’t believe that highly trained officers have aim that ‘bad’. If their marksmanship is that good, it follows then that their intent is to kill. It would be an understatement to say that if police had followed a ‘shoot-to-wound unless fired upon’ policy, they would not be in the dire situation they find themselves in within the Black community. Or the Latino community. It’s a sad time when the first thoughts a law-abiding Black man has when he is stopped by law enforcement is “Lord, please don’t let them mistake me for a criminal.” Amadou Diallo would testify to that - if he were still alive. It’s even sadder when a Black man instinctively fears for his life when he gets pulled over. How many more of us have to die before this stops? How many more committees will be formed, studies funded, reports submitted before common sense and respect for human life become standard operating procedure? What can we do to stop this wholesale disregard for human life? How can we revoke the carte blanche the police have been enjoying while we pick up the tab with our very lives? I don’t have the answers. But there are people and groups out there trying to do something about this needless violence. Surprisingly, one of those organizations is a group of Black law enforcement officials called Black Cops against Police Brutality or B-CAP. They readily admit there is a nationwide, systemic problem and are as anxious to end this type of cruelty as the rest of the Black community is. Stan can be reached for comment at: kanale90@aol.com All highlighted text leads to more information on the subject Writer’s note: The B-CAP website has a page that offers tips on what to do when you are stopped by law enforcement. Here are some additional ones:
The
Metrolink Crash: A Survivor’s Story Willa Robinson Story by: Stan Thomas March 10, 2005
Ms. Robinson was in the second car in the southbound train, which is pointing off toward the left in this photo. (Click here for an overview of the entire scene). Her car was the one that struck the northbound train, derailing two of its cars. Though it is understandably still difficult to talk about the ordeal, Ms. Robinson shared her experience with the Expo Update. She rides train #100 on Metrolink’s Ventura County line to work three or four days a week. Her custom is to ride in the 2nd car because the first and last cars seem noisier. This has been her commuting routine since 2000 - until Wednesday January 26th. That day her commute started out as it normally does. She had just begun writing in her journal around 5:55am when, “we heard a familiar sound like rocks were on the track, but the difference was that the sound got louder and louder. It seemed that everyone on my level started looking at each other as if asking what should we do. I immediately started praying.” Being in the second car, there is no view forward so she could not see what was happening to her train as it barreled down the tracks. Seconds later, the events Juan Alvarez set in motion would become shockingly, painfully, and tragically apparent to her and her fellow commuters. Says Robinson, “The next thing I knew we had crashed. However, at this point, I didn't know what we had crashed into.” The car Robinson was riding in did derail but stayed upright, although it was listing. “When I came to my senses, people were all over the train, on top of one another. I knew instantly that this was serious. Blood was everywhere.” After taking personal inventory, Robinson says she “could not put any pressure on my right leg. I thought my leg and my left jaw was broken.” Several of the other passengers in the train began helping those who were injured. “A very nice lady named Barbara, whom I had never seen before,” along with another passenger helped Robinson off the train and placed her on the ground. Barbara recited Psalm 23 with her. Willa continues, “I heard sounds of moaning and groaning, sounds of people crying, screaming for help, ‘please get me out of here!’ Some of the passengers looked as if they were not going to make it. As I was on the ground, we noticed the fire was blazing on one of the trains that had derailed. Lord have mercy. Barbara was able to get our conductor, Reggie, an African American, to help me move out of the way of the burning train, because they thought the train might explode. I remember hearing Reggie telling passengers as they were trying to get me out of the way of the fire, ‘Help is on the way, help is on the way.’ Reggie was a real trooper. You could tell he was so nervous as with all of us, his voice was shaking as he tried to talk.” By this time Costco employees had come out to see what all the commotion was about. Fire personnel arrived on scene soon afterward. They “cut the fence to get passengers over to the Costco lot where they were setting up triages.” The effort of the Costco employees was well publicized in the media. In Robinson’s opinion, “Barbara, the Costco employees and the Fire Department were all angels.” From just outside of the train, “One of Costco employees and Barbara helped me into a Costco grocery cart and rolled me around to the triage that was set up for passengers that were not critically injured. You probably have already heard that Costco employees were so efficient in providing ice packs, water, coffee, muffins, etc. The Costco employees were transformed into emergency room nursing staffers. I can't say enough about them.” After being in triage for what seemed like “hours and hours”, she was taken by ambulance to the hospital and treated. It turns out that she and four of her fellow commuters were taken to California Medical Center, a different hospital than most of the other injured passengers were taken to. That decision most likely lead to faster treatment since by then the Glendale hospitals had their hands full. In the accident, Willa sustained “a sprained and bruised right leg, neck, shoulder and back and my left jaw is out of alignment.” Her recovery includes weekly visits to a physical therapist and other medical professionals. “I still have many sleepless nights and see and hear the sounds and can't seem to get the accident out of my head.” She went on to say, “I don't believe my life will ever be the same as it was before January 26, 2005.” Willa returned to work this week. She drove there. She’s glad to be back because she loves her work. Ironically, the last sentence she wrote in her journal just seconds before the crash was “Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I am now ready to do what God has purposed me to do.” When asked if she would ever ride the Metrolink again, she replied, “I will ride Metrolink trains again when Metrolink decides to put the locomotive in the front at all times.” Writer’s note: Since the crash, Metrolink has responded by closing off the first 11 rows of seats in the cab cars when the train is being pushed (from behind by the locomotive). It seems to be an effort to show that Metrolink is taking proactive steps in the name of passenger safety. But it has not succeeded in comforting riders. What it has succeeded in doing is unnecessarily worrying passengers, making already crowded trains even more crowded due to the loss of those 11 rows of seats, and avoiding the real issue of the safety of the pull/pull system on Southern California’s railways. Now investigators say that Alvarez left his Jeep on the tracks with the intent to cause a train wreck in order to impress his estranged wife. This is the first step on the way to losing the case. There’s more than enough evidence to convict Alvarez on lesser charges, such as involuntary manslaughter, that will send him to prison for life. All this does is provide ample opportunity for a good lawyer to pick apart these charges, possibly ending in a hung jury or an acquittal. The rush to exact revenge upon Mr. Alvarez may result in prosecutors losing the case altogether. Highlighted text links to more information on the subject Stan can be reached at: kanale90@aol.com Metrolink Rocked, But Rolls Again Photo: Metrolink Connections Spring 2004 issue Story by: Stan Thomas February 8, 2005 Wednesday morning January 26th, as I left my home, I turned on the news. The very first words I heard were about the Metrolink crash in Atwater Village near Glendale. The report shocked me. I had ridden Metrolink on that very same stretch of track the day before, so I was obviously very concerned.
I listened attentively as details poured in. The first reports said that two Metrolink trains had sideswiped each other. “Impossible”, I thought. Though they pass within a few feet of each other, the tracks are far enough apart for them to safely pass each other, even at high speed. No, something else must have happened. Hungry for more detail, I continued to listen.
Coincidently, my route that morning took me through Glendale. Newscasters on the scene mentioned the smell of burning diesel fuel. Sure enough as I neared the scene, the pungent odor of burning diesel fuel hung thick in the air, even from a couple of miles downwind. Traffic in the area is normally heavy at that time of day, but the closure of San Fernando Road (which parallels the crash site) coupled with the light rain brutally snarled traffic. My commute that morning ended up taking close to four hours.
By mid morning experts had figured out what really happened. Someone had tried to commit suicide by driving his vehicle onto the railroad tracks to await impending death by the approaching train. But apparently he had a change of heart. He supposedly tried to move the vehicle but it was too late. What followed was the nation’s worst train ‘accident’ in six years, and Metrolink’s worst disaster in their 12-year history. That someone was 25-year-old Juan Manuel Alvarez, who after abandoning his Jeep watched the entire deadly scene unfold in front of him.
The media interviewed a number of the officials who arrived on scene including Glendale Mayor Bob Yusefian and L. A. County Sheriff Lee Baca. Baca was obviously upset when he spoke, especially since one of his deputies, 23-year veteran James Tutino, was killed in the wreck.
The actual crash and ensuing derailments resembled something out of an action movie. Picture a southbound passenger train with dozens of commuters on board, many of which are sleeping. A Jeep sits across the tracks. The engineer sees this and hits the emergency brakes. Simple laws of nature dictate that because trains are heavy they cannot stop as rapidly as cars. The train rams the Jeep, drags it alongside and derails. Veering off to the right, the train smashes into a fully fuelled Union Pacific locomotive parked on a siding. The force of the crash knocks over the 134-ton locomotive like a toy. A fire breaks out. After hitting the locomotive, the cab car jackknifes, turning almost 180 degrees around. As it jackknifes, the back of the cab car strikes the last car of a northbound commuter train as it approaches from the opposite direction, knocking it and the car in front of it off the tracks. When the northbound train comes to a stop, an overhead signal falls down on top of it. The last car of the northbound train ends up on its side, looking like it was swatted off the track. The result? Six rail cars and two engines damaged, eleven people killed, 180 persons injured.
Amtrak conductor (Metrolink uses Amtrak engineers on their trains) Thomas M. Ormiston was among the 11 killed in the crash. He never had a chance. He would have seen the entire accident unfold right in front of him. The only thing he could do was throw the emergency brakes, which he did. He would have been the first killed since it was the cab area where he was seated that struck the Union Pacific locomotive. Approximately 1/3 of that cab car was destroyed.
The conditions in this fatal accident came together in what some are calling a perfect storm. Just a slight change in any one of the conditions and the outcome could have been different. Had the engine been in front, it is likely the southbound train would have just demolished the Jeep and not derailed at all. Had Alvarez been further south down the track, the derailing southbound train would have missed the locomotive. Had the northbound train been just five seconds earlier, it would have missed – barely - the jackknifing cab. Had Alvarez pulled this stunt 22 hours earlier, this article would have been written from a victim’s point of view. Speculation continues.
The San Francisco Chronicle ran a piece detailing opposing arguments over the push-pull system used by commuter trains. The article’s accompanying diagram explains how the push-pull system works. As a Metrolink rider, I know first hand the security of having a 270,000-pound hunk of steel up front pulling the train. In the Expo Update article I wrote after the 2003 Burbank derailment, I described how when we hit a truck sitting on the tracks, the engine was leading. All the passengers heard was a loud bang. We stayed upright and on the tracks, but, in the conductor’s words, we “creamed a truck.” The engine looked none the worse for wear. In fact, it was hard to tell it had even hit anything.
Talk of lawsuits is already in high gear. The Los Angeles Times probed the possibility of Metrolink being sued, and the probability of the plantiffs’ success. Not surprisingly the ambulance chasers were on scene illegally trying to solicit clients from among the dazed victims.
In the matter of how Mr. Alvarez should be charged, attorney Andrew Cohen gave his view for CBSNews.com. While his arguments are sound, he goes a little too far. The state could save even more money by seeking a lesser charge of 11 counts of homicide. That would be much easier to prove. There would be less change of a mistrial or a hung jury. And there would almost certainly be no series of lengthy and costly appeals. Alvarez should get life in prison without the possibility of parole. The goal of the justice system is to make the punishment fit the crime. In this case the death penalty would be like granting Alvarez’s wish. Let him live to consider the effects of his actions. The San Francisco Chronicle has a discussion about the actual charges being leveled against Mr. Alvarez.
Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn has asked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to intensify its efforts to seek funding for more safety measures. But all the safety measures in the world will not stop someone who is determined to get onto the tracks to commit suicide, just as having all the imaginable safety equipment on an automobile will not stop someone determined to step in front of a moving one.
The day after normal service was resumed, trains were full. It would not appear the crash deterred Metrolink customers. Listening to commuters talk after the wreck, it is obvious most share Sheriff Baca’s anger and loss. They, too, lost friends and loved ones. The common feeling among them was that the selfish actions of one person caused this tragedy. Some on and off-the-record comments from train riders included “if he (Alvarez) wanted to kill himself, he should’ve just got a gun,” and “if you want to take your own life, fine. Just don’t jeopardize mine when you do it.”
Metrolink should be congratulated for the manner in which they enacted their emergency plan. Passengers heading south toward Union Station on the Ventura and Antelope Valley lines – lines disrupted by the crash – were taken off the trains at Burbank. They were put on waiting busses and driven to the Glendale station. Then shuttle trains carried them on to Union Station. Plenty of Metrolink staff were available both at Glendale and Union Station to direct passengers and to provide necessary information. For northbound service, the process was reversed. Metrolink even pressed Amtrak trains into service to shuttle commuters between Union Station and Glendale. Even with the detour, it added only about 20 minutes or less to each trip. The only day service was halted completely was Saturday.
As of Monday January 31st, service has been fully restored. The Union Pacific tracks were repaired that Friday night with Metrolink tracks and the signal up and functional Saturday night. Metrolink decided to delay return to service until after the weekend to allow the backlog of Union Pacific freight traffic to go through first. Visit Metrolink’s news page to get the latest information about Metrolink’s train service.
All highlighted text links to more information on the subject Stan can be reached at: kanale90@aol.com It Never Rains In California? Story and photo by: Stan Thomas February 6, 2005 Whoever believes it never rains in California either has not heard the rest of the song or was not here last month. Record-breaking rains hit our state. Floods, mudslides, landslides, road closures, roof collapses, entire home collapses, and spectacular rescues dominated the news. Had Noah come sailing by on his ark, no one would have been surprised. Many native Southern Californians have never seen rain like this in their entire lives. Imagine a tornado ripping the roof off a house in Inglewood! Imagine watching a home fall into a rushing river that is normally dry during the rest of the year! Imagine not being able to get to and from your home in Southern California because the roads have been flooded or washed out! One common occurrence during times of heavy rainfall is the numbers of individuals who ignore repeated warnings from officials about the dangers of fast-moving water. People continue to venture too close to rivers and get swept in. They continue to drive around posted road closures and get stranded. This year law enforcement officials announced they would start citing those who drove around such closures. If rescue personnel are called in, victims would have to pay for that as well. The owner of the car in the photos ignored the signs and found out the hard way why the road was closed. Even though the rains have stopped and things appear to be drying out, all is not clear yet. A drive around Echo Park, Angeles Forest, Pacific Coast Highway or dozens of other areas will reveal that. Hillsides are still sliding. Caltrans has opened some roads but has a lot more to repair. In fact some roads are still closed indefinitely. Home and business owners are scrambling to make repairs. If you have been affected by the storms and need assistance, please visit our Expo Exhibitor’s list. There you can find someone to help with construction, roofing, plumbing, contracting, loans or whatever your need may be. Remember that the Expo community is available 365 days a year, not just at Expo time. To those who were affected by the storms, we send our thoughts and prayers. Write in and let us know how you got through all of this.
Stan can be reached at: kanale90@aol.com
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Story by: Stan Thomas American Idol may have just voted itself out of the competition. In the most unbelievable turn of events since Amy Adams was voted off March 31st, Jennifer Hudson fell victim to the voters' whims April 21st. Meanwhile, the cute "nice guy" John Stevens, with his one-dimensional, fifty-years-behind-his-time singing style, remained in the hunt. How this could have happened has been the subject of many outraged phone calls, discussions, chats, and e-mails. America has taken what was designed to be the country's greatest talent competition - one in which the best, most gifted singer is supposed to emerge victorious - and turned it into a popularity contest. That said, it's a wonder why the geeky but wildly popular William Hung isn't still in the running. That may explain why Stevens is still a finalist. (Note: John Stevens was voted off on April 28th.) All sorts of explanations for this shocking development have been floated. Charges of racism - which unfortunately always accompany high-profile events like this - have been leveled. Allegations of a corporate fix have been surmised. A splitting of the Black vote scenario has been proffered. (However, George Huff is still in and consistently garners a large number of votes). A power outage in the Midwest, where Jennifer hails from, has been blamed for Hudson's low vote count. But the real culprit may be that America assumed that Hudson, along with Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London would be ‘safe’ and advance anyway, so they neglected to vote. In LaToya London's case, her fan base may be a factor. LaToya's fan base knows sister can sing, but has gotten bored with the show itself and have not lit up the phone lines like Stevens' fans. At this rate, LaToya will end up being eliminated within the next two weeks. And that would be a crime. Apparently fans in Oakland, London's own hometown, could be partly to blame. Hudson, along with Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London, have become known as the Three Divas. They consistently dominate the competition with their vocal abilities. Praise and compliments from the judges abound after their performances. Yet they constantly finish in or near the bottom in the voting. It's obvious something is wrong when the show's judges and host Ryan Seacrest not only agree that Hudson should not have been eliminated, but voice their displeasure at her dismissal. The press has weighed in along the same lines. Even mega-star Elton John, whose music the contestants performed the previous week, said in a news conference that he found the results to be "incredibly racist." (For those who missed that show, John Stevens attempted to sing Elton John's hit "Crocodile Rock", failed miserably, and yet fared better in the voting than 'the divas'.) AI's voting system is flawed. The current system allows repeated voting in what amounts to stuffing the ballot box. What appears to be happening is that groupies with text-enabled cell phones have taken over the voting. In retrospect, something like this was bound to take place. Once the fate of the contestants transfers from the judges to the viewers (which happens after the final 12 contestants are selected), anything can happen. And something certainly happened April 21st. AI may have had a brilliant idea when it encouraged viewers to participate and decide the outcome of the show, resulting, hopefully, in the most talented singer winning the competition. But their plans have been circumvented. The current system needs to be revamped if the show is to survive. AI’s paradoxical situation is very similar to the 1936 presidential race where the magazine The Literary Digest predicted Alf Landon would win. In one of history’s most infamous wrong predictions, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was re-elected by a landslide with 62% of the vote. The Digest made the mistake of surveying only those with telephones and cars; in Depression-era 1936, not many could afford such luxuries. Idol is the top-rated show in its time slot. Watched by some 25 million viewers each week, rising to nearly 40 millions during the show's finale, it records about 20 million votes. Although American Idol is seen by millions of viewers across a wide demographic, it appears that only cell-phone-addicted kids with the time and inclination to vote repeatedly for two hours are controlling the outcome. These kids wouldn't know talent if it hit them in the face. Actually, talent is already hitting them in the face every Tuesday night at 8:00pm. But that doesn’t matter to them. What matters is that John Stevens is cute. Suppose John Stevens does win. Would you pay to see him in concert? How many CDs would he sell? Do you think he could fill a concert hall or arena? Do you think the promoters and producers would ever recoup their investment in Stevens? Would American Idol live to see its fourth season? This is not to dis Stevens; he's only sixteen years young, and as judge Simon Cowell said last week, he has "taken every bullet" thrown at him "like a man." Stevens does have a decent voice, but he would be more at home crooning away in a small, smoky nightclub than on stage representing the best amateur singers in the country. If the AI competition continues down its present path where talent takes a back seat to popularity, the judges ought to resign in protest and start their own company. Their first artists should be London, Hudson, and Barrino. Let AI become a popularity contest. Jackson, Abdul, and Cowell will get the real talent. (Randy, Paula, Simon, if you're reading this, remember where you got the idea.) Above: Jennifer Hudson photo from American Idol web site |
Story
by: Stan Thomas
Tired
of all the commercials about the California propositions this November?
There are 16 of them on the current ballot. (Click the link for a
Lawry’s Foods. Not only were guests
treated to some of the best cuisine in L.A., it was proudly served by
the individual restaurant owners themselves. Derrick Angus, Don Coley,
Muriel Shabazz, and Greg Dulan proudly served up samples of what can be
found on the menus of their eating places. For some exhibitors, this may
be the best chance they’ll have to sample foods from the restaurants;
during the Expo, they’ll be too busy talking to the expected 70,000
attendees.
Host Greg Dulan
spoke next. Dulan’s has been here on Crenshaw for 14 years. He explained
why they are only open on Sundays and gave a little history of the
restaurant. He shared a small revelation he experienced moments earlier;
until this evening he did not realize how well collard greens and
black-eyed peas went with jerk chicken. 
Before the
reception came to a close, Hambrick introduced L.A. Technology
Connection. Representing L.A. Tech was Peggy Edwards, Gail Parker, and
Kathy Edwards. They put together a CD with a listing of Black
businesses. Then L.A. Technology Connection presented Harold and the
LABBETS staff with an impressive award in recognition of the
contribution of technology to the Los Angeles community. The award was
designed by Larry Square of Square Deal Trophies.
One of the most
rewarding aspects of the Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show
is the networking. Contacts established at the Expo can develop into
friendships, business partnerships, and more. Sometimes these
associations prove their value when you least expect it.
Every
Saturday morning from 10am to 11am, Earl Ofari Hutchinson hosts the
Urban Policy Roundtable at the Lucy Florence Coffeehouse in Leimert
Park, sponsored by the
Fallen
Idol
Rwanda:
Lest We Forget... A Third Time
Massacre photo from Gendercide Watch
Story by: Stan Thomas
April 7, 2004 marked the 10-year anniversary of the slaughter of 800,000 lives in Rwanda. Incredibly, the genocide took only 100 days. Just as incredible was the seeming indifference displayed by the rest of the world while the massacre was going on. That many people randomly asked say they never heard of the bloodbath underscores the point.
On April 6, 1994, then-president Juvenal Habyarimana and neighboring Burundi's President Cyprien Ntaryamira were killed in a rocket attack on their plane just after it took off. The fallout over the downing of their plane over Kigali swiftly erupted into "a frenzy of ethnic butchery." During the three months after Habyarimana's death, an orgy of violence between his fellow Hutu tribesmen and the Tutsis ensued, resulting in the deaths of around 800,000 people, mostly Tutsi.
During the 100-day bloodletting, an average of 8,000 people were slaughtered per day, almost 6 killed every minute, one every 11 seconds. If this article were written during the time of the killings, 20 people would have been butchered in the time it took you to read this article. 800,000 people is just over 1/10th of the entire population of Rwanda. Tutsis comprise only 15% of population. Had the bloodbath continued unabated for two more months, the Tutsis would have been completely exterminated. Fortunately, they were able to finally fight off the rebels.
800,00 people is more then the population of the entire state of Delaware. It is more people than the entire country of Qatar. Contrast the killing of 800,000 people in 100 days to the Holocaust where 6 million Jews were killed over the 12 years between 1933 and 1945. At the rate of the butchery in Rwanda they would have reached this figure in only two years. Over 12 years, if the population of Rwanda were large enough, this would have amounted to 35,040,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus massacred. Scholars have come to the conclusion that "the killers - mostly civilians armed with machetes, garden hoes and spiked clubs and spurred on by hate propaganda -- did their work five times faster than the gas chambers used by the Nazis in World War II." Aside from the perpetrators of the carnage being brought to trial, surprisingly, two nuns are also being tried for war crimes for their actions during the killings.
The movie Tears of the Sun, though supposedly a fictionalization of events in Nigeria, seems to have drawn upon the Rwandan massacre for the story line. To get an idea of what it may have been like to be in Rwanda 10 years ago, it is highly recommended that you go rent or buy this movie.
This was not the first slaughter of Batutsi. 1959 began what would become almost constant massacres in Rwanda. In every decade since, there have been regular, mass killings of Batutsi. (Under Belgian colonial rule, which ended in 1962, the definition of who was Batutsi and who was Bahutu was changed from ethnicity to a system based on property ownership; people who owned 10 cows or more were classified as Batutsi, less than 10 cows, Bahutu. They also shortened the name from Batutsi and Bahutu to Tutsi and Hutu)
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has repeatedly criticized the outside world for failing to step in and stop the 100-day massacre. Ironically, some blame Kagame himself for the bloodbath.
Rwandans, resentful that many Western countries deliberately did nothing to stop the genocide in 1994, say they were once again snubbing Rwanda by sending officials other than top-ranking representatives to the commemoration. The only Western leader to attend the burial ceremony was Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt. Only junior officers from other major Western powers are being dispatched to Rwanda; Pierre Richard Prosper, the US roving ambassador for war crimes, and Junior Foreign Minister Renaud Muselier from France are going. EUpolitix.com says Rwandan leaders have been angered by the absence of prominent Western leaders at the memorial service. Kagame lit an eternal flame during the observance while 15 coffins were buried in a nearby mass grave. Other than the ceremonies scheduled to occur at UN offices in major UN centers like Geneva and Nairobi, and at Rwandan embassies, the observation did not appear to be recognized in other parts of the world.
April 7 has been designated by the United Nations as an "International Day of Reflection" for Rwanda. It has asked other nations to observe memorial silences in support and sympathy. A few newspapers have mentioned the anniversary. One of the networks did a special on it. The Wave Newspaper has been running a series of articles, complete with photos from Rwanda, by a writer who is in Rwanda.
Since the horrible atrocities committed 10 years ago, Rwanda has made progress. Some 3 million refugees who fled the country during and immediately after the bloodbath have been repatriated. Systems are in place where communities are involved in decision making. All Rwandans will have the opportunity to have input for the new constitution being drafted. And progress continues to be made.
Our indifference is appalling. Judging by the quick US response to the situation in Haiti, it begs the question as to why we sat idly by and watched almost 1 million lives butchered. It is unconscionable how we could stand by and allow atrocities like this to happen. The message written in English and French on the purple banners (in Rwanda, purple is the color of mourning) that were hung over the memorial declared it best: "Never again".
Editor's Note: Many may take offense to our publication of the photo above but we gladly published it to be a reminder that these were human beings, just like us, caught up in a political situation and manipulated to the point of death. We felt the photo was necessary to underscore Stan's story.
(Back to ExpoUpdate.com)
Story by Stan Thomas
Photo
from
American Idol web site
They may as well can the rest of the 2004 season of American Idol. It's over. Done. Stick a fork in it. It's in the refrigerator, the door is closed, and the Jell-O’s jigglin'. The next American Idol will be LaToya London.
The 25-year-old Oakland, California, resident turned the contest upside-down in February when she sang for her audition. LaToya delivered ('belted out' is a better description) her version of "All By Myself" with power, confidence, and control. She tore it up! Unfortunately (or fortunately), in the process, she raised the bar a couple of notches for future contestants. After watching her performance, I was silent for a couple of seconds. Then I remarked to my wife, "they may as well stop the whole show right now." Judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul both gave her a standing ovation. "That's what I'm talkin' about," Jackson said emphatically. "Unbelievable," said Abdul. Even tough customer Simon Cowell called her performance "outstanding." Jackson went on to tell America that this is the caliber of artist the show is looking for. His praise didn't end there. According to the American Idol web site, he then told Ms. London, "You were the best that I've heard since we started this thing." And this was just during the auditions! It’s safe to say Jackson’s comments apply to previous AI winners Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard, too.
Simon, Randy, and Paula know a good performance when they see one. Between them, they have been responsible for the sales of over 250 million records, close to one hundred top 30 hits, and the successful careers of many artists. So accolades such as those that were lavished upon LaToya by these judges are not to be taken lightly.
Being old school to my heart, I have no doubt that the majority of the best music came out back in the day. Most of today's artists cannot hold a candle to the likes of Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Gladys Knight, or Chaka Khan. But LaToya sure can. Those ladies have - in addition to their obvious talent - staying power. That bodes well for LaToya. Good singing is good singing this year, next year, last year, next decade, or 20 years ago. That kind of talent never goes out of style. I only hope when LaToya gets her recording contract that her handlers recognize her abilities as such, not as a quick payday. I hope they don't create a one-hit wonder, a flash-in-the-pan that fizzles out and fades away into obscurity. That would be an incredible and inexcusable waste of a wonderful gift. If Ms. London’s future company takes the time to develop and cultivate her skills, we will be graced with her music for decades to come. Oh, did I mention LaToya plays piano?
Ms. London's performance in the recent Country competition was another strong one. All but two of the other contestants had trouble with the Country style, but London excelled. Her selection, Garth Brooks' "Ain't Goin' Down 'Til the Sun Comes Up" was an upbeat number with rapid-fire lyrics - a difficult song to sing. Not only did she effortlessly knock it down, but she connected with the audience immediately. They ate it up. Host Ryan Seacrest noted that he saw Simon do something he'd never seen him do before; clap along with a performance. When LaToya finished, the audience showed its appreciation by giving her a standing ovation. Ms. London certainly makes one hard act to follow. I half expected LaToya to turn her head, let the mike fall from her hand, and stride offstage. If this had been a baseball game, LaToya would be in a slow trot rounding first, heading for second, watching the curveball ball she just knocked out of the ballpark clear the center field bleachers. Motown Night happens Tuesday March 30th. I can't wait to see what LaToya will do with this part of the competition!
Judge Simon Cowell seems to be making a lot of comparisons of the other contestants to LaToya. In a way, he's telling the other contestants, "this is what we are expecting from an American Idol." It's almost as if Cowell made up his mind who the next American Idol will be back when Ms. London first auditioned. Now he appears to be just going through the formalities until winner is crowned. But he and the other judges don't get to make the final decision; the show's viewers do. Let's hope America agrees with the judges.
Commentary
by
Stan Thomas
Photo copyright 2003 Icon Distribution, Inc.
Mel Gibson has gone out on a limb with his movie “The Passion of the Christ”, infuriating colleagues while earning the respect of others. Several movie review sites have quotes posted by some who say they will never work with Mr. Gibson again simply because he has made "Passion." Indeed, Gibson knew this movie could end his career. In Hollywood terms, he may never work in this town again. Taking all this into account, one can only conclude that Gibson's own career was not a priority when he decided to make this film. Obviously the story he wanted to tell was more important. And he used his own money to do it.
Criticism of the film is widespread and rampant. The Anti-Defamation League has concerns that the movie may fuel anti-Semitism. They say that it unfairly portrays the Jews as a bloodthirsty mob bent on killing Jesus. Other critics say it dwells too much on the violence. One went so far as to call the film “a 126-minute bloodbath.” Another mentioned that Gibson used the movie as a vehicle to quell his personal demons. Critics also say there is not a lot of substance. They say there are no scenes about the teachings of Jesus. Nothing about the life of Jesus or his interaction with and influence on those around him. Theology is absent from “Passion”. Nor is there anything in the film that shows what incensed the Jews so much that they wanted to crucify Jesus.
Claims of media manipulation have circulated throughout the television and newspaper review sections. The following is a quote which best describes this accusation:
Although he has been insistent that he works with and socializes with Jews, and that there is nothing anti-Semitic about the film, he declined to show the film to any but the most ideologically friendly Jews - people like Rabbi Daniel Lapin and movie critic Michael Medved. Perhaps in this whole story nothing has been more intentionally manipulative than the agreements put before the early viewers. As ADL national director Abraham Foxman, who recently snuck into a showing for evangelical ministers in Orlando, reported to the New York Times January 23, viewers were asked to sign a pledge agreeing to keep confidential their "exposure, knowledge and opinions of the film" while at the same time adding that "pastors and church leaders are free to speak out in support of the movie and your opinions resulting from today’s exposure to this project and its producer."
A well-known local minister articulated another frequent criticism of the movie when he stated that there was nothing in the film to make you bond to the main character. True, the movie assumes you already know the story. But for those who don’t, there is no character development. Therefore Gibson lost an opportunity to make a more personal impact on those viewers.
Message boards such as the one on IMDB are alive with postings from people who enjoyed the movie as well as those who disliked it. Some, not surprisingly, are using the boards as their personal soapbox to either evangelize or criticize. Most interesting are the responses from atheists.
What the critics seem to miss is that this is one man's interpretation of what Jesus endured during his last 12 hours upon the earth. In that brief period of time there was not much Jesus could do. Only through flashbacks are viewers given a window into Jesus’ life before his arrest. The movie follows the Bible, owing much to the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John. Gibson did take some artistic license, but not very much. There was a quick cameo of Gibson himself driving the spike into Jesus' hand. This is similar to what other artists depicting the crucifixion commonly do- they put themselves in the scene, thus acknowledging their responsibility for the crucifixion. Rembrandt did it in his 1633 painting entitled “The Raising of the Cross.” The portrayal of Satan in the person of a brow-less woman was another liberty Gibson took.
Claims of the movie’s anti-Semitism are unfounded. Was there that kind of outrage at “Jesus Christ, Superstar”? If this movie were anti-Semitic, then could the Bible be considered anti-Semitic as well?
Gibson’s desire to make the film as authentic as possible led to his decision to use Aramaic and Latin, languages of the day, with English subtitles. The violence many have brought up is actually rather factual. The Gospels reference the treatment Jesus faced after his arrest. Jesus was mocked, spat upon, slapped and beaten by the crowd. He was hit repeatedly and tauntingly asked, “prophesy (tell us), who hit you?” This was before the guards began their beatings of him. Even the scourging the Romans subjected Jesus to after he was whipped with rods is accurate. Then, of course, there are the spikes driven through his hands and feet. Violent? Yes. Truthful? Absolutely. Difficult to watch? Positively. But this may have been Gibson’s intent.
Seeing this movie should put away some misconceptions about the Jesus the man. First of all, and most obvious, the story of crucifixion was not some sterile journey culminating in a painless attachment to a cross. Translations of the Bible through the years have ‘updated’ the word ‘scourged’ to become ‘punished’, making it sound as if Jesus was given a time-out instead of whipped with flesh-ripping implements of torture. Second, no skinny, scrawny individual could have survived the kind of punishment Jesus suffered during the hours between his arrest and his death. This is certainly not the wimp detractors make Jesus out to be when they mock his statement about turning the other cheek.
“The Passion of the Christ” is an extremely powerful movie. As mentioned earlier, it is admittedly very difficult to watch; it is not for the light-hearted. It is a thought-provoking piece and should lead to long discussions. In some people, the movie will inspire a change in their lives. In others it will force them to re-examine themselves and their commitment to their faith. Above all, “Passion” is a film no one will soon forget.
With all the discussion and criticism about "Passion", one thing has gone unmentioned: If Jesus did exist and he did die for the sins of the world, then today's Protestants and Catholics have seen graphically what their savior endured for them two thousand years ago. They have seen what was meant when Jesus said “Greater love hath no man than when he lays down his life for a friend.”
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by Stan Thomas The last 12 months have been rough on our family. My wife lost her grandmother. My dad lost both of his parents in a five month span. Just last week his uncle made the transition. Their love, their presence, and the sacrifices they made on our behalf while they were with us have richly blessed us. So we haven’t been mourning their loss so much as we have been celebrating their very long lives – our grandmothers were 90. My wife and I also realized that our parents and their siblings are now the elders of the family. No more Big Momma and Great-Granddaddy. No more Grandmomma and Granddaddy. The last 12 months have also been a cause for celebration in our family. Our third nephew, Kyree, was born in December. Our family continues to grow. Not only is the family growing through birth, it is growing by marriage. Two weeks ago, our own son got married at the young age of 21. I think I just aged 10 years.
My son Derrick and his new bride Januari were high school sweethearts so everyone knew a wedding was coming sooner or later. It just happened sooner rather than later. It wasn’t too long ago that my wife and I were driving them around to Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm, or wherever their next date was. Then came the dreaded question: “Can I borrow the car?” It wasn’t too long after that that Derrick got his own car and his own job. Where did the time go? During the reception, Derrick surprised us by publicly thanking us for being his “taxi”.
They did most of the wedding planning themselves. Family members helped with some of the details. From securing the church to booking the reception hall, Derrick and Januari made wise decisions and saved quite a bit of money. Even their choice of photographers saved them a ton of money. (OK, I confess: The photographer was yours truly). From my point of view as Johnny-on-the-spot-with-a-camera, they did a good job planning and carrying out the wedding. I must admit, though, I’ve shot a few weddings in my career but I was more nervous about shooting this one than any of the others. In a way it felt kind of strange sitting on the sidelines while my son and his fiancée made plans for their wedding. “This is a life-long commitment you’re making here, son. Shouldn’t we be planning this for you? Don’t you need our help?” Realizing that they didn’t need very much of our help was difficult to accept while at the same time it was a proud moment realizing that they didn’t need much of our help. If they could accomplish this together… The prayer that was said for Derrick and his new wife Januari was that they would grow old - together. My father-in-law echoed that prayer when he shared it with us during the rehearsal dinner. They have good role models in that area – Derrick’s maternal grandparents have been married 42 years, his paternal grandparents have been married 49 years. During the wedding reception speech, Derrick pledged his love for Januari. We pray that Derrick’s pledge will see them to their 50th, 60th, maybe even 75th anniversary. We, as diligent parents, are always conscious of how we raise our kids. Time goes by so fast and before you know it, they’re leaving the nest. We can only hope that we trained them up in the way they should go. Derrick and Januari have spread their wings, flown the coop, and are beginning a new life together. And they go with our family’s blessing. The love Derrick and Januari have shown will remind us as their parents and grandparents what it’s really all about. And I think that this time it is us who will learn from the example they have set.
Stan Thomas is a writer, a photographer, a musician, a husband and father living in the Lancaster area. Story and photos copyright © Stan Thomas 2004. Comments, questions, suggestions? Contact him at: kanale90@aol.com A Neighborhood Memorial Evokes Memories of Dr. King’s Legacy
A memorial is being built. A picture is placed on the ground, propped up by a makeshift cross. Candles, flowers, balloons, and sometimes stuffed animals are carefully placed around the site - usually on a sidewalk or side of the road. Friends and relatives gather to pay their respects at the place where a loved one was killed. Scenes like this are sadly becoming more and more common.
The memorial at the intersection of Stocker and Degnan in Leimert Park also honored one whose life was tragically cut short. The picture consisted of a huge black-and-white photo against a ‘matte’ of black plastic, ‘framed’ in a tall, strong, pine tree. No cross, but there were flowers, candles, and fruit. The memorial sat on the median strip. The difference is that this one honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"Why not," I thought to myself when I first saw it. His life touched so many. It seemed proper that we take the memory of what Dr. King stood for, and bring it home to make a personal statement of what he meant to us. It impressed me that someone had taken the time to honor Dr. King in this way. It seemed to tell the world that Martin Luther King is about more than "I Have a Dream" and a day off work. I walked up to the memorial to photograph it and pay my respects, but was unprepared for the thoughts and feelings that would soon envelop me.
As I left, driving in my own little world, those feelings hit as I came over the hill at Stocker and La Brea. I suddenly became aware of the many ways Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy have touched my life.
My family on both my mother’s and father’s side is from Montgomery, and some of them were at ground zero when Dr. King organized and led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in December of 1955. Mom used to tell stories about the busses and how oftentimes the drivers would make you pay at the front door and get on at the back door. But sometimes they'd take off before you could get on. Fortunately, that never happened to her, but it did happen to many Blacks in Montgomery. Her descriptions were delivered with a hint of nostalgic humor - kind of like how we reminisce about the whippings we got as kids; funny now, but nary a smile was cracked then. She also told about how she walked over 5 miles to Alabama State University where she was a student at the time. Sometimes she and her classmates would get a ride. Back then it was common to accept rides from strangers. It was a time when Blacks stuck together and everyone looked out for each other. They did whatever they had to to get where they had to go and avoid taking the bus. Mom also attended mass meetings at different churches to discuss what was happening with the boycott and to discuss strategies. My mom and her younger sister boycotted. The rest of her siblings were out of state at the time so they were not involved. My father was overseas serving our country so he was not personally involved with the boycott, either. But his mother was. Dad told me that he used to watch the news on the television and listen to the news from back home. His older brothers were out of state at the time, but his two younger brothers were there.
During the recent strike by the MTA mechanics, I often wondered why the ridership did not respond with a strike of their own. If Dr. King were alive today, would he choose to boycott, or employ some other means of resolving the situation? Would he support the mechanics’ union, the MTA, or the bus riders? Would he even have considered it a cause worthy of his involvement? Our grocery store workers are still on strike after four months. Given Dr. King’s support of labor during his life, what would his response be today?
Just before Christmas last year, my grandmother - my father's mother - passed away. The funeral was held at Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church, just a few blocks from the pastor's residence where Dr. King lived while he was pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. We stopped by there after the wake. To be able to make a physical connection between my grandmother's life and Dr. King was a humbling experience. She participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, too. As four of my grandmother’s five grandsons stood together on the lawn of the pastor’s residence, it became more evident that we do indeed stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. Dr. King sacrificed so my grandparents could be treated as human beings. My grandparents took that opportunity to make a better life for my parents and their siblings. My parents, aunts, and uncles sacrificed so that my sisters, cousins, and me could have a better life. Now I am responsible to make sure my children continue to have a better life. Yes, there is still work to be done; my kids have been exposed to some of the foolishness that still goes on today. But I believe Dr. King would be proud of how my offspring, the offspring of my parents and offspring of my parents’ parents have benefited from his involvement and dedication.
Our year 2000 family reunion was held in Rockville, Maryland. One of the events arranged for the weekend was a bus tour of nearby Washington, DC, with an emphasis on the Black history part of DC. The tour included time for walking around the monuments; which we did. My cousin and I walked up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and looked out over the pool toward the Washington Monument. I remember thinking that 38 years ago Dr. King stood on these very same steps after the March on Washington and delivered his immortal “I Have a Dream” speech.
There were close to 100 of us in attendance at the reunion. We were able to choose any hotel we wanted to host the event. None of us had to be sneaked in through the back door. We had the means to either drive or buy a plane ticket to get to the reunion. We could, every one of us, hold our heads up high, look anyone in the eye and have a conversation with that person as equals. Quite an accomplishment considering less than 40 years ago, my family couldn’t eat or sleep in certain places, and watched as other Blacks had fire hoses and dogs turned on them because they dared to stand up for their rights.
Sometime in the late 80's I got into an argument with a brother named Jimmy on the Friday before the King holiday. Amongst brothers and sisters, you will always hear, "are you coming to work on Monday (King's birthday holiday)?" Jimmy asked me that same question. Since I have a job, I told him I was going to work to show my appreciation for the sacrifice and work King did. After all, King gave his life so that I and millions of other people of color could be treated better by society, which includes getting and holding a good job. Jimmy’s response was that I had sold out, that I could be bought for the right price - in this case, a paycheck. I asked him what he was doing. He said he was going to the Kingdom Day Parade. OK, well at least he was going to do something to commemorate Dr. King. So many of us use the holiday as an excuse not to go to work or school. Dr. King did not give his life so we could avoid our responsibility to society – or ourselves.
Last year on King's birthday, my friend Wilbur told me about a program on the radio about Dr. King. I learned later the program was a Lee Bailey production titled King: From Atlanta to the Mountaintop. Listening to the program sent chills up my spine. It was very well researched and very well done. But it sent chills up my spine because I was hearing actual words spoken by Dr. King and those around him. I was hearing some of his most famous speeches, and it was his voice delivering them. I was hearing about all the hatred against my people. And all the while I'm thinking, "My parents were there. They probably experienced a lot of that madness first hand."
Of course, not everyone appreciates the advancements we as a people have made as a direct result of the efforts of Dr. King. Some in society still see people through colored glasses. While looking for the text of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech, I ran across http://www.martinlutherking.org/. At first glance, the URL, or web site address, appeared to be a relevant result of my search. But it is an intentional, deceptive effort to divert unsuspecting Internet users to the site. The group behind it is called Stormfront, a White Supremacist organization. On the site there is also a well-written, but very misguided tirade about why the King holiday should be repealed. It was written by the Creativity Movement. If time allows, perusing this site is recommended so you will know what ‘the other side’ is thinking. As the saying goes, “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.” (If you choose visit their site, be strongly advised that following the links to the sponsors of martinlutherking.org will lead to material that you may find, shall we politically correctly say, objectionable. Here’s a tip: do not follow any of the above links in this paragraph if you are at work. Wait until you get home. And then be sure to clear your browser cache and/or Temporary Internet Files afterward.)
Seeing how far we’ve come, I can’t help but wonder, “If Dr. King were alive today, what would he say?” What would he say about the state of our people? What would he say about our Black leadership? What would he say about the business leaders, clergy, teachers, college professors and students, doctors, lawyers, and bankers? What would he say about our garbage men, janitors, bricklayers, and cooks? What would he say about our athletes and artists? What would he say about our youth?
We still have
far to go to reach the Promised Land Dr. King spoke of from the
mountaintop. But we certainly have come a long way. We own establishments
in places where we once could not even be served a meal. We sit on the
boards of bus companies when not too long ago we had to ride in the back
of the bus. We are homeowners in neighborhoods where we used to be
nannies, chauffeurs, and gardeners. We run companies and corporations that
once would not even dream of hiring Blacks to do anything more than mop
the floor. We hold public office at city, state, and national levels where
not long ago it literally took an act of congress in the form of the
Voting Rights Act just so we
could be allowed to vote. After witnessing all the progress we as a people have made during my lifetime, I cannot take lightly what Dr. King has done. I am thankful that when I am on the job I am reviewed by my production, not by my pigmentation. I am thankful that my little Black children (well, they’re not so little anymore) have been able to play with other little white, and Asian, and Latino children, as well as kids from other nationalities, as though they were brothers and sisters. I am thankful that when dealing with people, for the most part I really am judged by the content of my character, not by the color of my skin. Back at the memorial on Stocker and Degnan, the candles, fittingly, were still burning brightly; just like Dr. King’s legacy.
Media Memories Forget Minorities Southlanders may never forget what happened at 4:31a.m.on January 17, 1994. That is when the Northridge Earthquake struck, registering a massive 6.8 on the Richter scale. Most of us remember exactly what we were doing at the time. It is said to be the costliest natural disaster ever to hit the US. Each of us has a story to tell about how we dealt with the disaster. Most have heard about Clarence Wayne Dean, the CHP officer who was on his way to work from Lancaster when he unknowingly drove his motorcycle off the collapsed freeway overpass in Newhall. We all saw the Northridge Meadows Apartments that pancaked on top of the lower level. Everyone saw the images from the campus of California State University at Northridge (CSUN) and the crumbled Northridge Fashion Center. Everyone heard about the 4 hour one-way commutes from the Antelope Valley into Los Angeles. A huge amount of media attention (and bonus money) was paid to the company CalTrans contracted to rebuild the 10 freeway around Fairfax and La Cienega. The media told dozens of stories like this, and featured interviews with victims of the quake; but they did not involve people of color. MSNBC ran an article last month titled “Northridge Quake Anniversary – Looking back: Future Plans.” Reading it brings back memories of that fateful morning. Inside the article are links to several other interesting stories. But reading them exposes one glaring omission: the media paid virtually no attention to the damage suffered by largely African American and Latino areas. Susan Place and Christine Rodrigues of Cal State Chico presented a report to the International Geographical Union in Prague Czechoslovakia. Its title, “Media Construction of the Northridge Earthquake in English and Spanish Print Media in Los Angeles,” was attention grabbing. In their report, they stated that though the Crenshaw District suffered widespread damage, the area “did not receive any media coverage.” They went on to say that their research found that the “Crenshaw District experienced the greatest loss of residential and commercial structures in any postal zip code area of Los Angeles, including any of the zip codes in Northridge itself.” That statement speaks volumes. Looking around Los Angeles today, you can hardly tell there ever was an earthquake, especially one of the size that hit 10 years ago. Freeways, businesses, schools, and homes have been repaired or rebuilt. And though the media has forgotten, the Crenshaw District remembers; and its residents, too, have rebuilt. A look back; story and photo by Stan Thomas The Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show is 15 years old! As one of the photography team, I have had the distinct pleasure of watching the Expo grow during all 13 of its years at the Los Angeles Convention Center. We have come a long way through all sorts of tribulations, financial headaches, a riot, deaths of Expo staff and immediate family, and Sept. 11, but we are still here. And as Antoine Fisher said we're "still standing." Before continuing with a retrospective like this, I would be most remiss if I did not acknowledge Expo founder Barbara Lindsey and what she has meant to us. It was her vision that conceived the idea of an exposition dedicated to showcasing Black entrepreneurs. It was her desire to see her dream fulfilled that gave birth to the Expo in 1989 at the Century Plaza Hotel. It was her kind heart and insight that provided me the chance to photograph the Expo way back in 1991 when it first moved to the Convention Center. Myself and many, many others owe their start and deep gratitude to Barbara Lindsey. One of the many things about the Expo that gives me great pleasure is seeing the 'Expo babies' grow up. Karlyn Webb now has her own promotion business. Two of Isidra Person-Lynn's sons started out as runners with the Expo. Jarim now has his own business, and So has been working the stage. (See the Expo Update archives for a story on other 'Expo babies' that have gone on to start their own businesses.) Ernestine Dixon's daughter Christy has graduated from University of the Pacific. Barbara Lindsey's own daughter does promotions. Each year I look forward to seeing some familiar exhibitor faces, and meeting new ones. I also enjoy seeing long-time exhibitors and seeing how they have evolved over the years like Billy Chase, now of Blinds 2000, and Craig Hart of Omega Group. Often I wonder what has happened to some of the earlier exhibitors. LeGrand Clegg won the Best Booth contest several years back. What is he doing now? He was and still is Compton City Attorney. Networking is one of the major components of the Expo, so doing business with exhibitors is the natural thing to do. Bill Doucette of Doucette Printing does my business cards. Though the seed was planted 10 years ago, I finally bought a computer from past exhibitor Jan Vanderpool of Raintree Computers early in 2002. Corey Chapman of IMOC will manage my finances once my portfolio reaches a high enough level. I’ve also bought a Djimbe drum, and a $600 steak and seafood package for $300, all from Expo exhibitors. I first learned about Clean-N-Cut greens at the Expo and now buy them regularly at my local supermarket. Though it is a fond childhood memory, I won’t be picking near as many greens as I used to. Darryl and Glenda Bryant of Totally Entertainment have been long-time exhibitors, too. They have been very involved in the Expo in many ways. I have worked with them on several occasions and learned quite a bit. They are both excellent and enthusiastic teachers. As far as networking, Darryl refers to the Expo as the Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Hook-Up. Just ask him why. Some exhibitors are a true source of inspiration. Their first business didn't make it but they didn’t give up. They know the Expo is the place to network and promote their business, so they come back with a different company. Exhibitors that come to mind are Valiant Robinson of Ooh Factor and Saundra Nelson, formerly of Labels Unlimited to You. The Expo has always presents seminars and conferences. I wish more people would attend them. Every one that I have been to has offered lots of useful information that you don't or can't get anywhere else. The seminars give you direct access to the movers and shakers in your field of interest. You can talk to the people who have been there and done that. And they are happy to give you advice. As you well know, there is plenty to see and do at the Expo. The Food court is a relatively new but extremely popular addition at the Expo. I finally got to eat at Shabazz last year. Couldn't get near it before because the long lines of eager customers. One of my favorite parts of the Expo is the West Coast Music Festival. Banks Epps and Snead are perennial favorites. I enjoy watching them and other local groups perform. To me, the West Coast Gospel festival is like 'going to church'. I enjoy the praise and seeing all the new groups. Last year, Varetta Heidelberg captivated me. She is the perfect example of what Gospel Jazz is. Of course the highlight of the weekend is the West Coast Fashion Show. Admittedly, I don't understand some of the fashions, but I love shooting it. And I’m glad we have Mikel Kilgore’s Cyberstyle to educate me. The Expo web site, now designed and maintained by James Rankin of Light, Space, and Time, didn't always look this good. Isidra and I had some ideas about a site we were going to build ourselves on AOL. Keep in mind that at that time web design was not one of our strong points. Then we met James at an Expo network reception. In December of 1997 the three of us got together for lunch at Numero Uno. The rest, as they say, is history. Another exciting thing about the Expo is seeing the birth and growth of the Expo Update. The Expo Update as you see it now has undergone several changes since its inception. Editor Isidra Person-Lynn, ever the tireless one, has told the story of how the Update came to be. Most of what you see here is put together single-handedly every week by Isidra, with contributions coming in from Expo executive director Harold Hambrick, exhibitors, sponsors, media partners, Expo photographers, and herself. Somehow she manages to do the Update and PR for the Expo, be a wife and mother, and run her own PR company. Another of the changes the Expo Update has undergone is the new monthly format starting with this issue. As a photographer, I get to experience the Expo twice; once while shooting, and again when editing the photos. Often times an exhibitor will ask me about a picture I took of them the day before and I will not remember taking it. But I will find it while editing. I enjoy finding that special candid moment when exhibitors and clients find something to laugh about, seeing children with their faces painted, families, new and interesting booth displays, and staking out a spot on the crowded Expo floor to wait for that perfect shot; and having it happen while the camera is up to my eye and ready to shoot. If you haven’t already, check out the photos from the 2003 Expo. After 13 years of shooting for the Expo, I have seen quite a bit. So it is through those experiences I offer these tips to exhibitors: 1) don’t put flyers on cars in the parking lot. If I met you already inside, I don't want to see your flyer on my car when I leave. It leaves a bad impression. 2) Always have business cards. If you run out, ok, but make sure you bring them. 3) Don't eat in your booth. Expo staff will tell you that in the pre-Expo workshops but you'd be surprised how many people still do it. 4) Always have your booth staffed, don't leave it unattended. Unattended booths, especially those without large, full displays tend to collect discarded flyers, cards, and trash in general. 5) Watch for squatters. 6) Have your company name displayed prominently in your booth. If I take a picture of your group in your booth, it could end up in the paper or on the Internet. Which would you rather hear: “that's a nice group of people” or “that's a great shot of the XYZ company folks”? 7) Be prepared to conduct business all the while at the Expo. If your company sells products, be ready to make cash and/or credit card transactions. 8) Promote your seminars. Some actually have a zero turnout while others have standing-room only. 9) Follow up on your leads. You could meet hundreds, maybe thousands of potential customers. Each one you follow up on increases your chance of turning a potential customer into a sold customer. On the flip side, not following up when you say you will leaves a bad impression on potential customers. At the risk of sounding sentimental, I have to say that your Expo staff is great. Every year it amazes me how so few people can put on such a large event. I love working with each and every one of them. Every year I look forward with great anticipation to the Expo. When the Expo is over, if we look tired, that's because we are. But I'd bet each one of us would be willing to get up and do it all over again if we ran four days instead of 3. The Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show is a true labor of love.
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Photo and story by Stan
Thomas
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Chasing the Cheesecake Factory Story and photos by: Stan Thomas
It all started in 1980 during my college days at USC with the Beverly Hills restaurant, the very first Cheesecake Factory. Some friends came back to the apartment raving about a place called The Cheesecake Factory and said we just HAD to try it. Since then, this obsession has mushroomed into a love for everything about this place, from the decor, to the enormous portions of excellent food, to the staggering array of choices on the menu. In the 23 years I have been eating at the various Cheesecake Factory restaurants, I have never, ever had a bad meal. And oh those cheesecakes! 50 varieties of cheesecakes and other desserts in just about any flavor you can imagine. Each one a rich, creamy, tantalizing treat for your tastebuds. Those delectable dishes of delightful decadence dance day and night in my head.
Once I learned that the Cheesecake
Factory was listed on the stock market, I thought about purchasing a few My quest to visit every California restaurant began one day almost three years ago while looking around the Cheesecake Factory's locations page on their web site. It was then that I realized that I had been to almost half of their restaurants, which at the time was only 10. (Since then, five more California restaurants have been opened.) It dawned on me that my travels and errands take me near many of the remaining locations. Last year, for example, after attending the Old Pasadena Jazz Festival, I walked a short 3 blocks to the Pasadena restaurant for dessert. Of the 15 California restaurants – 17 if you count the Grand Lux Cafe in the Beverly Center, and the bakery outlet in the Ontario Mills Mall - my favorite is the one in San Francisco. It sits on the 8th floor atop the Macys building in famous Union Square with an outdoor patio that overlooks the skyscrapers of the city. The view from there is breathtaking, especially at night. My ‘home’ Cheesecake Factory is the Marina Del Rey restaurant. This one has been the site for dates, after-work drinks, spontaneous gotta-have-cheesecake runs after dinner or a movie on the other side of town, and a spur-of-the-moment stop while giving out-of-state family members a tour of Los Angeles. But the Beverly Hills restaurant will always have a special spot in my heart. So it was with no surprise that I found myself on a flight to the Bay Area last weekend to dine at the last two locations I hadn't yet visited; the San Jose restaurant - actually located in Santa Clara - and the South San Jose restaurant. As I write this, I am finishing the leftovers from my meal of Chino-Latino steak; one of the newer offerings on their ever-evolving menu. They take slices of skirt steak - the kind used for fajitas - marinate it in Asian flavorings, grill it and serve it with rice, grilled red onions, and tomatoes. For dessert I had an item created especially for their 25th anniversary; the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, made with generous amounts of real Godiva chocolate. Of the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, Cheesecake Factory founder David Overton says, "[t]his just might be the finest cheesecake we've ever created." It was very good. Having the Godiva cheesecake for dessert was symbolic in other ways. As I said, it was created for their 25th anniversary. This autumn marks the 23rd anniversary of meeting my college friend, Rhonda (not her real name since I didn't ask her beforehand if I could use her name), fellow investor in and lover of the Cheesecake Factory. She joined me at the South San Jose restaurant. That was her Giant Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich in the photo. And as dessert signals the end of a meal, the visit to the South San Jose location, opened just last month, marked the accomplishment of my scrumptious mission. And so the latest chapter in my quintessential Cheesecake Factory quest comes to a delicious close. But I look forward to continuing the savory journey. They plan to open two more restaurants in northern California; one in Palo Alto and one in Sacramento. As this tasty tale endures, you can bet you'll eventually see me there, too. Hungry for cheesecake now? Here is a recipe from our Graphic Designer Rene Cross Washington Fantasia CheesecakeYield: 1 9-inch cakeGraham Cracker Crust 1-cup graham cracker crumbs 4 tablespoons butter or margarine 1-tablespoon sugar
Blend crumbs, sugar and butter well. Press into a deep 9-inch cake pan (or a 9-inch spring form pan) well coated with melted butter.
Filling 4 packages (8 ounces each) 1/8 teaspoon salt cream cheese, softened 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1/4-teaspoon vanilla extract Mix cheese, sugar, salt and lemon extract to blend well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until smooth. Do not over beat. Pour into crust-lined pan. Bake at 350 F for 55 minutes. Cool n a rack until cold. When cold, run a knife around the outside edge of the cake and tap cake in pan to loosen crust. Put a cutting board that covers the complete cake on top of the cake. Turn upside-down and carefully remove pan. Put serving plate over cake and reverse cake to plate. Cover with sour cream topping. NOTE: If spring form pan is used, follow those directions for removing cake from pan. Sour Cream Topping 1-cup dairy sour cream Fresh fruit or fruit pie filling, 2 tablespoons sugar if desired Whipped cream, if desired Mix sour cream and sugar and spoon over cake. If desired, decorate top with slices of fresh fruit such as kiwi, oranges or peaches. Or spoon cherry or pineapple pie filling over top. Add whipped cream, as desired. Refrigerate cake. Back to www.ExpoUpdate.com |
Earlier
this year in the Expo Update, I told you about the Chocolate Exhibit at
the Natural History Museum. I also admitted that I am a proud chocoholic
and have no plans to recover from it. Almost as strong as my weakness for
chocolate is my enchantment with The Cheesecake Factory, an obsession that
has launched a gastronomic quest to visit every Cheesecake Factory
location in California.
Story and photos by Stan Thomas
Click photos to enlarge
The
worst fires California has ever seen are finally out.
The last two weekends I had occasion to
drive down to Ontario and saw the effects of the Old Fire and Grand Prix Fire,
which ravaged the San Bernardino area. The smell of smoke still hung in the
air days after the fires had been put out. From Interstate 15 you could see
the charred mountains and hillsides. You could see where the Old Fire had
jumped the highway and several roads along the way.
You could see the homes,
businesses, and other structures the firefighters were able to save. The
fire burned right up to the walls of some places.
You could see the scorched earth that stretched for miles. You see could what
many residents described as desolate moonscapes (see photo).
As
authorities took stock
after the infernos, the numbers became mind-boggling: over 750,00 acres burned
- about the size of the entire state of Rhode Island, almost 3600 homes lost,
22 deaths directly related to the fire including one firefighter, and untold
numbers of wildlife perished. On top of that,
many family farms suffered
losses
from which they will not be able to recover. These family farms put produce on
our tables.
Twelve fires
raged through our state during the last month (the link here records ten of
them.) Not surprisingly, the
insurance industry will post a huge loss;
expect premiums to go up about 8% in 2004.
At one point five fires were burning in Southern California alone. Investigators say that most of them were caused by arson, the Cedar Fire by a lost hiker using a signal flare. To those keeping tracking the events on the news it seemed unreal, as though half of our state was on fire. To those who were in the path of those fires, it was an all-too-real nightmare.
Tom,
a friend of mine who lives in Orange County, said that his car and home were
under about a quarter of an inch of ash. Several friends of mine who live in
San Diego were told to stay home for two days because the office where they
worked was closed down due to the fires. Another friend who lives in
Hesperia
was actually evacuated. She had to leave work early and go get her son.
Her home was spared.
I saw the wall of flames from the Simi Valley fire as it crested a hillside. Heavily populated cities of Valencia and Santa Clarita lay in its path - until the weather changed. Driving north up the Antelope Valley Freeway that night, the ash from that fire fell like snow. It swirled around on the ground, driven by the wind of the passing cars. And the smell of burning wood was thick in the air.
For several days over most of the greater Los Angeles Basin the sky was gray with ash, the sun blocked out. It reminded me of the movie “Reign of Fire”. The sun – the times when you could see it - and surrounding sky ranged from an ugly shade of yellow to pink to a beautiful orange.
Many African-Americans lost homes or were displaced by the disaster. Our Native American brothers and sisters suffered. Our friends at Black Voice News were affected. Here in the Expo Update, we ran a first-hand account from Wendy Williams of Golden State Life Insurance, who was evacuated when the Simi Valley fire raged near her home.
The Ukiah Daily Journal offers some suggestions on how to prevent or at least minimize property loss in the next fire. Warnings about a conflagration of this magnitude were published a long time before these fires broke out. They were either ignored or fought viciously. And now a growing number of people are starting to blame environmentalists for their opposition to clearing the overgrowth and dead trees which, ironically, became an enormous source of fuel for the firestorms.
For those of you who did not see the images of the fires on television, here is a link to some spectacular photos of the Old Fire from the Crest Forest Fire District. Incredibly, four other fires like this one were burning simultaneously throughout Southern California. We owe the firefighters much gratitude for their efforts. Many times it must have seemed like an impossible task. And the timely rain was a true blessing.
I am thankful that we are still around and have the means to read this. Others were not so lucky.
California has been through several devastating disasters in its time. We have seen our state bounce back from floods, earthquakes, and other fires. We will get through this one, too. In some places, the re-growth has already started.
Back to www.ExpoUpdate.com
IHOP
Tripped UpPhoto and story by Stan Thomas
Last Wednesday morning, I was driving up Stocker St. from Crenshaw Blvd. While stopped at the light at Stocker and Victoria, I watched a couple walk from the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza parking lot around to the International House of Pancakes, presumably for breakfast. They tried to open the doors and were visibly surprised to find them locked and barred. It was then that they saw the placard that was taped to the door.
Turns out our neighborhood IHOP had been temporarily shut down by the Department of Health. I’m sure some of you reading this have eaten there many times. My barber eats there frequently. I’ve had breakfast there a few times myself, and, like with Fatburger (see the 10-28-03 Expo Update article), have a few lasting memories. Breakfast at the Stocker IHOP was a stop during one of the best weekends of my life, sandwiched between the high school prom, all-night after-prom, a trip to Disneyland, a house party, and a picnic in the park. Ah, youth. But I digress.
The
placard on IHOP’s door all but screamed that it was closed due to “cockroach
infestation”. I can just imagine the visual you have in your head right now.
It was embarrassing enough that the Department of Health shut them down. Now
everyone will know their business. According to the LA Public Health site, the
sign "must remain posted at the main entrance until it is removed by the
health inspector". In the majority of Public Health restaurant closures, the
owner has two days to correct the violation.
A list of restaurant closures called the Food Facility Closure List is published quarterly by LA Public Health department. It is not uncommon for an establishment to be on this list one quarter and to get a ‘B’ or even ‘A’ rating the next. Even so, it is still disheartening, to say the least, when you see one of your favorite places on that list. In the case of the Stocker IHOP, by Friday afternoon it was open again, business as usual for the diners inside, and an ‘A’ rating placard posted on the door.
So what do the ratings mean and how does Public Health come up with them? A simple breakdown goes like this: At inspection time, every establishment starts off with a score of 100. Then points are deducted points for each violation. 90-100 is superior or ‘A’, 80-89 is good or ‘B’, 70-79 is acceptable or ‘C’, below 70 is poor. Rating cards are only issued for grades of A, B, or C. According to the Public Health site, IHOP #003, our Stocker branch, has been rated 3 times this year. It earned a ‘B’ rating February 5th, an ‘A’ rating February 14th, and another ‘A’ rating May 6th. You can follow the Food Facility Closure List link to see the rating your favorite restaurant achieved.
If you want a little light reading tonight, there is a list of guidelines called the Retail Food Inspection Guide. It lists the possible grades and violation codes used by the inspectors use when they visit a restaurant. It also shows how to do self-inspections if you want to make sure you're in compliance before the formal inspection.
We know roaches have been around forever and will probably outlive the human race. We’ve seen them in our homes, and in the homes of friends and relatives. But it’s a whole ‘nother story when we see them in restaurants. To be fair, even some of the fancy, swanky, trendy, upscale eating places get shut down on occasion. Our Stocker IHOP will take care of the problem (in fact they handled their business by Friday afternoon). But I would like to know, dear Update reader, how do you feel about returning to restaurants that you know were closed by the health department? Tell us your stories at info@expoupdate.com
000
people from 55 different cultures call this island home. Curaçao’s Board of
Tourism promotes the island with the saying “Curaçao. Real. Different.”
It was getting dark so I
walked back across the bridge to the Otrobanda side. (Otrobanda means simply
“other side” in Papiamentu.) There were some benches in the plaza outside
HoJo's so I sat and watched the people go by for a while. Around 9 o’clock I
decided to have dinner at La Bahia restaurant, which I had seen several
times during my journey. I ordered my dinner in Spanish and one of the bar
patrons overheard me. His name was Winston and we talked for quite a while
about Curaçao. Winston gave me a history lesson about the island. He said
that the forts were built at the mouth of the bay for protection because
other nations kept stealing the slaves from the island. He also told me that
Curaçao was outside the hurricane belt therefore never suffered like the
other Caribbean islands. As he got up to leave, we shook hands, and as he
left he invited me back to the island. My dinner was goat stew, cooked in
the traditional Curaçao way, “just like granny used to make.” That was by
far the best goat stew I ever had! So much flavor! If I had some bread I
would have sopped the enamel off the plate. You go, Granny!
Stan
Thomas, Kanale Creations, 