Mehdi Shahbazi

Mehdi Shahbazi's story is a story that should provide courage and inspiration to all of those who seek to oppose the methods of big business's.  He stood up for what he believed was right, against almost all odds and fought to best of his ability.  I must commend him for his unquestionable bravery. 

 I misspoke when I said in class that his death was in vain.  It's not.  It can, however, become in vain if his story doesn't become a tool we can use, and do in fact use, to expand and to continue his fight (something I expect his sons will surely be doing for the duration of their life).  That being said I must ask if all brave acts are wise ones? Are there not many stories of foolish bravery?  How can we use Shahbazi's story to grow from if we can't look at it with a critical eye?  I feel that asking where he made mistakes in his methods, and how he could have been more powerful in what can only be described as an up hill battle (and that's probably an understatement) is more than appropriate, it is necessary.  

My comments in class were probably, again, not articulated as best they could have been, but I was simply trying to point out why I think he wasn't as successful as he would have liked, and saddened by the fact that his path directly lead to his death and that his path was the main aspect of his fight I believe should have been different.  He would have accomplished little to nothing if we are unable to learn from his experience (strengths & weaknesses) and draw on his courage and unrelenting opposition to what may, including myself, would call forces of evil (not to be to dramatic...).  

A pause in the classroom

I fear I may have off-put a number of persons in our last class on Wednesday during out debates on "embedded journalists" and the influence of government over media coverage over the past 20 sum-odd years (and as it evolved the issue of education & media literacy in the same regard).  I think that I didn't express my ideas as clearly as could have been, and I also may have distracted and put-off some folks by the tone and use of "foul" language in my statement.  There was a silence  followed by an awkward tension that filled the class after my statements that I can only assume was felt by the majority of the class.  I cannot say for certain if what I said was the cause or if there was something else that caused  it-an end to the current track of the discussion that didn't transition well perhaps.  

After having a day or so to reflect I worry that my message was not received properly.  If so the credit probably can go to two things - the language and that I simply failed to articulate precisely what I was seeking to.  What I was trying to do was connect the dots between the disparity of education that works to expand a young persons understanding of how to critically engage the various aspects of life (I.E. being able to be media literate and take in their news with the proper filters), and the system of government.  I did not mean to make it sound so conspiratorial and make a case for a certain evil group of people.  I believe that is how the system of government - school boards being elected officials same as  governors same as presidents (those high enough then can appoint other "deciders" for various branches with approval by vote from other government officials) - acts that is the issue.  

In its design it can produce only such vile marriages of interest.  There is to much capital at stake; so many bars on the ladder to climb; to much control to be won.  In the current system of capitalism of this country people become a single type, "they are all fools, intellectual non-persons, emotional half-wits.  Status symbols, supervisory positions, [false comfort via the dollar], and petty power motivates their every act.  Personal, individual, and financial success at any price is their social ethic, the only real standard upon which their conduct is built," (the late, great, revolutionary George Jackson, from his collection of jail letters Soledad Brother). The issue that was brought up in class about media literacy and the lack-there-of in early development education and government tampering or potential tampering (filtering) of the news is just one of the many manifestations of what mr. Jackson was talking about and the point I seeking to articulate.  

I could continue to speak on this issue, but maybe i'll save that for a later post.  I just wanted to clarify it all.  And if it was just that my use of language caused the awkwardness that followed my comments, I apologize because that did us all injustice.  If that is the case it is interesting, however, that in a free speech class my language was still able to throw people off the way it did.  Of all the classes I would except more open communication  and a range of words, in fact all words to be acceptable for use; if not acceptable at least discussed.  

The Murder of Fred Hampton pt. 4 of 4

Here is the final section of the film.

The Murder of Fred Hampton pt. 3 of 4

I know these videos can be long, but I hope people take the time to watch them, and pay particular attention (feel free to fast foward...) to the speeches that are shown and the words of Chairman Fred as well as the other Panthers who are speak during these film.

The Murder of Fred Hampton pt. 2 of 4

The Murder of Fred Hampton pt. 1 of 4

Here is part 1 of "The Murder of Fred Hampton"

Chairman Fred Hampton

For my next four blog entries I wanted to show the four parts of a Film compiled completely of old footage (no narration, etc.) that documents the life and murder of Chairman Fred Hampton, the Chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party.  Chairman Fred was a Revolutionary in every sense of the word whose message and ideals have been forgotten by many today (or simply are unknown).  Hampton was murdered (assassinated) by chicago police and FBI agents.  After forcing their way into the BPP headquarters in Chicago he was shot in the back of the head after being shot in the arm while he was sleeping with his pregnant wife (the video will go over the differing accounts of how it went down).  I would be curious to hear peoples reaction on a personal level, political level, and as viewing these videos & speeches through a free speech lens.  Chairman Fred is someone who should get more press during this month, but wont, so this is my attempt at helping to get his story and message out to the public.  Respect & Revolution.  

Boom-Dizzle gets the snub!!???

Are you fucking kidding me!!! This is an absolute outrage. Baron Davis, the dynamic point guard of my beloved Golden State Warriors was denied, this afternoon, from playing in the upcoming all star game. Davis would have been the warriors first All-Star in 10 years (we've been the victim of similar snubs, though none on the same level, during that duration). If you're unfamiliar with the way all-stars get picked let me give you the run down real quick. There are 12 players total for each team, the West all-star's and the East all-stars. The starting five get voted in by the fans, a process that is always questioned and debated. After the starting five for each conference is selected the coaches vote for the remaining players by position: 1 center, 2 forwards, 2 guards, and 2 "wild cards" (coaches cannot vote for their own players). Usually the "wild card" slots are reserved for one big man and one guard.

This year in the western conference the amount of All-Star worthy guards were plenty. A good case could be for a good 3 or 4 players along side Davis, and if Davis had got selected the player whose place he took would be making one too. The player that most likely was chosen for Davis was Portland's 2nd year star, Brandon Roy. Roy is a deserving player. It is not that he is undeserving it is that Davis is MORE deserving.
Brandon Roy is a classic NBA feel good selection. The Portland Trail Blazer were supposed to suck, be the bottom feeders of a superior conference. They had the first pick in the draft and with that pick they selection Greg Oden, who is projected by many to be an elite big man in the league. Unfortunately for the Blazers (the leagues best surname) Oden suffered a season ending injury and subsequently catapulted them to the projected status that I just mentioned. However, lead by Roy and a number of young talented players, the Blazers took the basketball world by complete surprise. The went an amazing win streak of 13 in a row, and have firmly planted themselves in the unyielding playoff race in the Western conference. Because of this feel good, unpredictable, performance Roy was selected to the All-star team, despite the fact that Davis leads him in almost every important statistical category and is playing on a better team (the achievement of the team is a major factor in these selections).
Its tragic really. But maybe in the end it simply serve as motivation for not only Baron, but his team as well since it was just as much a snub to them as it was Davis himself (the league likes to use this awards as symbols and like I alluded to earlier Roy being selected was really rewarding his team for their success thus far). I know though, that when the season is over Davis and the Warriors will get the respect they deserve.

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