flyer for this Friday's show
that I'm helping to plan and perform in.
Didn't end up getting printed as the official flyer,
but I still think it was dope on my part,
so excuse me while I pat myself on the back real quick. word.

If it looks like a thug...

A common practice of youth is to rebel against their parents and other adults as part of the process of establishing their own identities. Sometimes this can lead to unfortunate results.

Police in Boston have begun rousting youths who have the appearance of being gang-bangers. This is part of a strategy to reduce the growing murder rate. Unfortunately, many law-abiding youths have been caught up in the drag net.

The problem is that the adolescent style is to dress like gangbangers. In a pathetic effort to remedy the situation, some youths at a recent meeting prepared a sign which read, "My baggy pants don’t make me a thug." However, the youth who dress like thugs will generally be viewed that way by the police as well as the general public.

Police have been indiscriminately arresting youths who are lawfully in public housing projects. The youths win the cases but they will then have a criminal record. In the future when they apply for a job their CORI will follow them. Although there will be no conviction, many employers believe that "where there is smoke there is fire." Or as some people believe, "Why would the police have arrested them if they are really innocent?"

It is outrageous that the police indiscriminately arrest black youngsters who have committed no crime. Adults must vehemently object to such a policy. On the other hand, it is difficult for adults to understand why the young would voluntarily wear clothes that would cause them to masquerade as thugs.

Perhaps the young do not understand that to a considerable extent their clothes are a uniform, which inform others who they are and what they do. Adults do not wear the hip-hop fashions unless they are athletes, musicians or super-animated adolescents. National Basketball Association officials have banned that attire for the players.

It is inexcusable for the police to persecute the youth because of their appearance. But it is also time for young African Americans to consider a style of dress that indicates that they are disciplined and serious about getting ahead.

Disinformation

Many citizens choose not to stand for public office because their right to privacy ends the moment that they announce their candidacy. Deval Patrick, a candidate for governor, learned that lesson last week when the Boston Globe published as extensive story on his residences in Milton and Richmond.

The problem with these "exposes" is that they often shed little light on the character or competence of the candidates. Now Globe readers know that Patrick has had a successful professional career, he owns luxurious dwellings and he pays his mortgages.

Patrick's democratic opponent, Tom Reilly, attempted to turn this situation to his advantage by proclaiming that he is the only candidate who has been unable to acquire a substantial net worth. Only the most naive voter would find financial ineptitude to be beneficial.

African American voters, as well as whites, should be encouraged that Patrick has been able to rise from modest circumstances to attain such professional and financial success. And even more important, he is now willing to devote his energies as governor to providing the conditions that will enable others to realize their dreams.


"Man, maybe we'd do a little better if we dressed a little preppy."

Every year, the Harvard Black Law Students Association hosts a Spring Conference featuring workshops and panels on current legal issues and their impact on minority communities. This year, for the first time, the conference will feature a Youth Summit. The Youth Summit will be held on the morning of Saturday, March 11th, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. on the campus of Harvard Law School.

For the summit, we are going to create an open forum where high school students can come and discuss critically the images and issues surrounding the current state of hip hop music and culture. The summit is entitled 'Should Hip Hop Be Illegal?' Our goal is to challenge the kids with a somewhat controversial topic so that we can get to the underlying beliefs that they hold. We are not looking to change their minds or opinions, but rather to help them come to their own understandings of why they believe what they believe. If we can get the participants to take another look at their opinions or view them from a different perspective, we will consider the Youth Summit a success.

The planning for this Youth Summit has been underway for quite some time and we are excited about this opportunity. At this point, all we need is the attendance of Boston area high school students. We understand that getting high school students to wake up early on a Saturday morning (the only morning to sleep in for some students) will be no small feat. To that end, we've secured DJ Chubby Chub, a popular DJ and radio personality from WILD 97.7 FM, to host the forum. We will also be giving away two iPod Nano mp3 players completely free. There is no cost of admission and this is going to be a great event for all who attend.

I have attached the flyer for the event which includes all of the pertinent details for the Youth Summit. I am seeking your help in disseminating this information to as many Boston high school students as possible. Feel free to print or email this flyer as widely as possible. [done]

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via email at afloyd AT law.harvard.edu.

Thank you.
-Antonia L. Floyd

tons o' guns everybody's getting strapped
tons o' guns got to watch the way you act
tons o' guns real easy to get
tons o' guns bringing nothing but death

tons o' guns are in the streets nowadays
it's big money and you know crime pays
check your nearest overpopulated ghetto
they greet you with a pistol not trying to say hello
-Gangstarr, "Tons O Guns"