I thought I died a desert
rolled inside
lava beds
paralyzed by the eight legged
photophobic sun
I thought I died a desert
until the coyote laughed
heaps of boulders
into rear view mirror [Read more…]
‘We Real Cool’ – an Animated Imagining of Gwendolyn Brooks’ Poem | Video Worth Watching
Using simple, illuminative paper-cut puppetry, this enchanting video imagines the moment of witness that inspired Gwendolyn Brooks to write her landmark poem, “We Real Cool.” Created by Manual Cinema in association with Crescendo Literary, with story by Eve Ewing and Nate Marshall and music by Jamila Woods and Ayanna Woods. [Read more…]
County Sheriff, District Attorney Races Heating Up
Gore Tells Reporters He Wants to Fire Opponent; Stephan’s Supporters Under Fire
There are developments in the crucial June 5th contests for County Sheriff and District Attorney. Incumbent Sheriff Bill Gore’s management abilities are under the microscope. And appointed District Attorney Summer Stephan’s campaign has its own problems.
I’ll start with the San Diego Sheriff Department, which is turning out to be a real little shop of horrors. Top dog Bill Gore apparently still feels entitled to his job, even as claims against the department mount.
What the Department did or didn’t do after warnings about the San Bruno shooter continues to be a mystery. Los Angeles Times crime reporter Richard Winton posted a Tweet saying, “@SDSheriff remains silent on what the Dept knew about Nasim Agdam and Youtube after father says he warned them about her YouTube issues.” [Read more…]
Rev. Al Sharpton On MLK: He Had A Vision Beyond His Time | Video Worth Watching
Reverend Al Sharpton joins Hardball to reflect on the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and his mountaintop speech. [Read more…]
Assemblywoman Shirley Weber’s Police Accountability Bill Couldn’t Come at a Better Time
On the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination, it seems appropriate to write about gun violence and the haters who enable it. Three local events relate to this topic, and there is some news of national interest I’ll add along the way:
- Two bills introduced in the State Legislature, aim to bring California’s police use-of-force law into the 21st century and open a gap in the Blue Wall of silence surrounding investigations into police misconduct.
- High school students from Carlsbad and San Clemente joined the weekly protests outside Congressman Darrell Issa’s Vista office to present a petition asking him to hold a town hall to address gun violence and school shootings.
- San Diego resident Nasim Aghdam was named as the shooter following an afternoon of terror at YouTube’s San Bruno headquarters. Three people suffered gunshot wounds and police found Aghdam dead of apparently self-inflicted wounds.
‘They Feed They Lion’ by Philip Levine | National Poetry Month
The Poet as Witness
During the 1950’s Philip Levine was working in Detroit auto plants and writing poetry. In an interview at that time in Detroit Magazine he described how he found his compelling subject material. “I saw that the people that I was working with…were voiceless in a way. In terms of the literature of the United States they weren’t being heard. Nobody was speaking for them. And as young people will, you know, I took this foolish vow that I would speak for them and that’s what my life would be. …I just hope that I have the strength to carry it all the way through.”
They Feed They Lion was written in 1968, when Levine returned to Detroit following the race riots of 1967. It is one of his finest poems, reflecting the degree to which he found “the strength to carry it all the way through.” The poem is merciless in its judgements and propelled by the rhythmic insistence of the language itself. [Read more…]
Oklahoma Teacher Vents About Classroom Conditions to Reporter | Video Worth Watching
During MSNBC’s coverage of the Oklahoma teachers’ walkout, reporter Mariana Atencio interviewed teacher Ray Sanders. He gave an impassioned recounting of some of the classroom deficiencies that he is forced to contend with.
And in recognition of Poetry Month, here’s a bonus. This little gem from poet Taylor Mali —”What Teachers Make”— was presented in the 2000 National Poetry Slam in Providence, RI. [Read more…]
Immigration Advocates Say Yes to California Values in Escondido As Trump Pumps Up His Base
On Wednesday, the Escondido City Council is expected to vote on joining the Justice Department’s lawsuit to block the California Values Act and other state laws protecting immigrants.
The ACLU and immigration rights activists will hold a 3pm press conference, followed by an Indivisible-supported rally supporting the state law and the region’s immigrant community, which was recently targeted by ICE raids that arrested more than 100 residents.
The San Diego County Supervisors will meet in closed session on April 17 to join the lawsuit. The only event at the County building related to this vote at this point is in support of the Trump administration’s stance, organized by the Border Patriots, the same group of we’re-not-racists who’ve been targeting Chicano Park in recent months. [Read more…]
When is Local TV Not Really Local? Sinclair Broadcast Group’s ‘Must Run’ Content | Video Worth Watching
When is local TV not really local? According to reporting by ThinkProgress, Sinclair Broadcast Group provides its stations with content that each station is required to run as part of its local news programming. The content is referred to as ‘must run’ material. The stations do not identify the programming as having been provided by their corporate owner and thus this material appears to be from the local station itself. Deadspin recently posted a video that dramatically showcased this practice. How does this shady policy shape public perception? Here’s John Oliver in a segment from late last year after Sinclair had announced its plan to acquire Tribune Media. He expertly and hilariously points out the deceptive nature and pernicious consequences of this practice. [Read more…]
Meet the 16 Candidates Racing to Replace Darrell Issa | 49th Congressional District Election Snapshot
Not long ago the Big Fear was no Democrats would make it past the primary to the general election. There was some serious infighting going on, and only late-entrant Christina Prejean was willing to take one for the team in the 49th Congressional District, leaving four candidates ready to go the distance.
A disaster was in the making; a general election amid a Blue Wave and two Republicans to chose from. Certainly, things couldn’t get much worse.
Then the Republicans stepped up and said, “Hold my beer.” [Read more…]
Back to the Spring Rituals of Baseball
Baseball is back, and, as I do every year—no matter how bad the Padres are—I enjoy re-immersing myself in the game. And, as opposed to our president who argues in this ridiculous interview that talent comes strictly from innate ability and is made manifest on the Social Darwinist proving ground of sport, I know that it’s all about focus and work. Perhaps the most important thing of all is failure that leads to more focus and work and honing one’s craft.
You alone with the thing itself.
On the diamond this cliché holds true: even the best players fail most of the time, sometimes quite badly. You strike out, commit an error, miss a sign, fail to hit the right spot with your pitch. [Read more…]
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