Instead of giving you some long, drawn out explanation as to where I've been hiding for the past eight months (sheesh, it's been that long?!?) I've decided to let this post speak for me.
I've been a fan of Jam Donaldson's blog "Conversate is NOT a Word" for a good minute, and if you can't tell, a bit of my writing in this blog reflects that. Her topics, her candid and witty expeditions of our culture and generation, and her HONESTY, something that a lot of us "cyber-journalists" (as I've grown accustomed to calling myself) or "bloggers" (a term I despise) have gotten further and further away from. Today, I vow a rededication to Honest, truthful (at the expense of hurting felings, though not intentionally) "cyber-journalism" or in this case "virtual editorial", much like that promised, decades ago, by recently passed on news anchor Walter Kronkite. I apologize now for those that may feel attacked, offended, or confused by some of the terminology that you will read within this post. For those with weak constitutions, or simply have too much "nigga" in your system to understand the dire nature of our condition, then I believe Spongebob is still on. Maybe you should watch that while you stroke your memorial tattoos of 2Pac, Eazy E, & Biggie Smalls all holding hands and praying around an AK-47 above the phrase that begs that eternal question "Is There a Heaven for a Gangsta?"
Recently, my hometown hosted the 39th annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Thirty-nine years of Minority Health fairs, symposiums, job fairs, and other positive things to help uplift, what started as, the Black community (in recent years, it has expanded to include ALL races and nationalities, yet remains the biggest fundraiser for the not-for-profit entity known as Indiana Black Expo). Every year, Expo attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, vendors, athletes, movie stars, et cetera, to big 'ol little downtown Indianapolis for nine days of "blackness." It should be positive. It should be uplifting. We have even incorporated corporate worship during Expo, every year with a Gospel Explosion on the final Sunday, including a word from Pastor Jeffrey Johnson of Eastern Star Church! But when have you ever known anything to go exactly as it should in America? 
Expo has had its fair share of black eyes over the years. "Soulfest" was an outdoor concert/fair that was hosted by IBE in Washington Park years ago. I watched many up and coming groups perform on the free stage as a child including rap group BMW, my uncle's band N.A.P (not to be confused with the legendary Indianapolis rap group of the same name) performed there, as well as enjoyed the vendors that littered the park selling everything from t-shirts and hats, to lemon icees and barbeque... We don't have "Soulfest" anymore as a part of Expo (or otherwise), due to escalating violence perpetrated in the park, as well as accusations of police brutality. "Soulfest", as positive as it was and could have been, lasted a mere 8 years in IBE's history. The last "Soulfest" was in 1995, and like many, I'm left wondering why? As recently as 1997, during a very tumultuous period of life in Indianapolis, characterized by threats of protests and eventual rallies by factions such as the Ku Klux Klan, Black Panthers, and Nation of Islam, cries of racial discrimination began permeating what should've been a joyous time during the annual event known as Black Expo's Summer Celebration. In a city whose racial make-up is reported to be 35 percent Black, 50 percent White, and 15 percent "Other", boasting a "diverse" police force of 70 percent white, 25 percent black, and 5 percent "Other", black youth were accusing the white officials of brutality, harassment, and other discriminatory acts.
"So, what's you're point, Double Ii?"I'm getting there. Throughout history, Black people have been treated unfairly based solely on the color of their skin, fears instilled by the majority, and ignorance. In Indianapolis, Dr. Charles Willaims decided, at great risk to his own memory and legacy, to usher in and help create a NEW understanding of black people in his city. Expo could have failed, nearly forty years ago, but it didn't, thanks to other upstanding individuals and citizens, both private and public, who stood on the same basic principles that Dr. Williams did concerning the objective view Black people portrayed in the public perspective. They helped change the perspective of a backwoods, hillbilly city, more infatuated with fast cars driving around a big circle, who cared less about the "darkies" slowly populating their city, working for pennies, doing the menial work they themselves thought of as "beneath" them...
And this is how we repay them...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvOoPOOJPVY or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvOoPOOJPVY or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukhqjY_HpnA (hey, Tupac showed up... Weird, huh?)
Now, I know that some of you may be screaming "Uncle Tom" at this point, or, readying your darts to refute any and all claims made here, but, hear me out first (oh... that's right! I'm typing and you're reading, so, you have to read all of this before you respond... tee-hee)! The number one claim of Expo goers (the many, many teens, pre-teens, and early adults [20-23]) is that they're not bothering anyone. Wrong! Though you, individually, may not be bothering anyone, the innumerous mass of humanity you can't take claim for is! Downtown Indianapolis is STILL a residential area, though, it's not labeled in that manner. There are, still, numerous businesses that thrive down there, such as, Ruth Chris Steakhouse, United Artists movie theater, and, the Steak n' Shake that sits on the corner of Illinois and Maryland (which will be discussed further, shortly), that can barely turn a profit during the "busiest days/nights of Expo". Why do these businesses and residents suffer, you ask? Because "Niggas" don't know how to act. Ooooooh... the minister-to-be used the N-word...! I did, and I meant it. Too often have we not taken responsibility for our actions, merely excusing the acts of ignorant brothers and sisters with a smile saying 'You know how they are!' I won't do it anymore! I won't let my children grow up believing that they will get a pass once or twice a year to "act out" because everybody else does! I won't let my daughter walk around, in crowds, with friends, dressed to entice a bunch of horned up jackasses barely able to keep their own clothes on! I won't let my sons waste gas driving up and down blocked streets in an attempt to go... NOWHERE! Nor will I let ANY of my children spend my OR their money on overpriced outfits they only plan on wearing once or twice, just because! There's a sermon in this, but that's not my goal at this point! We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this once proud, two week event to degrade itself into being known and recognized for THREE DAYS and TWO NIGHTS! It went from being a two week celebration to being a FREAKIN' WEEKEND!!! And then we, in the Black community, complain about the way that police do their job... SMH. Now, again, I know that police brutality is an issue in most major cities. Sometimes, the wrong people wear a badge and use that authorative power for the wrong reasons (White, Black, and "Other"). But, when a cop is trying to break-up a fight on a public street, and has to resort to pepper spraying an unruly crowd surrounding the fracas, or shooting bean bags at possibly armed combatants, WTF is the problem?!?
As for the businesses... wow... For the past three or four years (maybe longer), the Steak n' Shake on the corner of Illinois and Maryland has CLOSED for the final three nights of Expo. A twenty-four hour restaurant CLOSES to the greater public for three nights, why??? Is it racism? Do the managers of the establishement have a secret hatred for black people? Can't be that as 40+ percent of its staff is Black. Is it "routine maitenence" as the signs hanging indicated? Nah, because in the 10 years that I've patronized them, never even seen new tile in the joint. The answer may surprise you, readers. Let's say on an average Saturday night, between the hours of 8pm and 4 am, this business makes $700, not including tips. Paltry, but sufficient for the costs of labor and other overhead. Now, what if I told you that this same business, during "the busiest night(s) of Expo", barely made $100 dollars between 8pm and 4am, what would you say? We, meaning we racial pot-stirrers, we glass half full enthusiasts, look, search, pray, hope even, for the smallest hiccup to shine light on our cause. But it IS NOT in this story! Weekly, the White Castle on 38th and Keystone (and all adjacent corners within a half mile radius) is overrun with Black youth "cruising". Riding around, parking, hanging out (legally speaking "LOITERING"), blocking and preventing paying patrons from being serviced in a timely manner and fashion. They close twice a year (Thanksgiving and Christmas). The ownership and management got proactive and decided that every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, INSTEAD of losing money, police would be summoned to the lot to keep non-paying loitering people off the premises. Steak n' Shake doesn't have that option. What they do have, however, is the ability to cut their losses, and close (briefly), then reopen when foot and street traffic dies down to ensure the appropriate atmosphere is attained for their customers. Not the wisest decision, but a decision they felt worked best for their business.
I, personally, am tired, folks. I'm tired of the complaining. I'm tired of the false claims of racism. I'm tired of the backwards logic involved in most arguments involving relations of the public between IBE Summer Celebration & Circle City Classic to The Indianapolis 500 & Brickyard 400, every year. Unfortunately, people, it's not a black or white thing. It's a who can conduct themselves in a decent manner thing. If I leave my house with the sole intention of being a disruption anywhere in this or any other city (whether or not I think of it as "harmless"), I do so with every intent of assuming responsibility for my individual actions. When do we stop blaming establishments and others for out poor judgement? When do we decide to "grow up" out of this childish state of mind that believes that you're owed something JUST because you're here? IBE will have another Summer Celebration next year. 40 years of unity, knowledge, and growth. And for nine days, it may be that. But, like clockwork, come 8:30 or 9pm, that final Friday of Expo (or as the many ignorant folk in this city believe the "start" of Expo) niggas will patrol the streets of downtown. Overcrowding intersections, blocking traffic in monsterous cars and trucks blasting perverse and unintelligble music. Kids no older than 11 or 12 will be subjected to and a part of throngs of people, walking the streets with no aim, attempting to seduce and entice their peers clad in the latest trends and skimpiest outfits. Police will stand watch, as always, reduced to being mere hall monitors and traffic directors, afraid of the possible backlash they will face if they have to break up a fight, or spot someone performing sexual acts on public streets, or ticket some knucklehead unsafely operating his or her car in traffic. In a day and age when technology has made us more intelligent and freed from the grips of undocumented brutality, the "officers of law" have become spectators and referees to a spectacle deteriorating right before their eyes. IBE won't speak about it, because they provide this outlet. Magazine owners and editors, vloggers, and specialty documentary makers make money selling the exploits to those who want to relive the tomfoolery and shenanigans. And niggas themselves, don't see anything wrong with it. I love my people. I love my city. But I have never, and will never love the ignorance that the two bring out of one another. We have to do better than this. The last thing I want to see is a symbol for Black pride in my home state and city go from this...
I, personally, am tired, folks. I'm tired of the complaining. I'm tired of the false claims of racism. I'm tired of the backwards logic involved in most arguments involving relations of the public between IBE Summer Celebration & Circle City Classic to The Indianapolis 500 & Brickyard 400, every year. Unfortunately, people, it's not a black or white thing. It's a who can conduct themselves in a decent manner thing. If I leave my house with the sole intention of being a disruption anywhere in this or any other city (whether or not I think of it as "harmless"), I do so with every intent of assuming responsibility for my individual actions. When do we stop blaming establishments and others for out poor judgement? When do we decide to "grow up" out of this childish state of mind that believes that you're owed something JUST because you're here? IBE will have another Summer Celebration next year. 40 years of unity, knowledge, and growth. And for nine days, it may be that. But, like clockwork, come 8:30 or 9pm, that final Friday of Expo (or as the many ignorant folk in this city believe the "start" of Expo) niggas will patrol the streets of downtown. Overcrowding intersections, blocking traffic in monsterous cars and trucks blasting perverse and unintelligble music. Kids no older than 11 or 12 will be subjected to and a part of throngs of people, walking the streets with no aim, attempting to seduce and entice their peers clad in the latest trends and skimpiest outfits. Police will stand watch, as always, reduced to being mere hall monitors and traffic directors, afraid of the possible backlash they will face if they have to break up a fight, or spot someone performing sexual acts on public streets, or ticket some knucklehead unsafely operating his or her car in traffic. In a day and age when technology has made us more intelligent and freed from the grips of undocumented brutality, the "officers of law" have become spectators and referees to a spectacle deteriorating right before their eyes. IBE won't speak about it, because they provide this outlet. Magazine owners and editors, vloggers, and specialty documentary makers make money selling the exploits to those who want to relive the tomfoolery and shenanigans. And niggas themselves, don't see anything wrong with it. I love my people. I love my city. But I have never, and will never love the ignorance that the two bring out of one another. We have to do better than this. The last thing I want to see is a symbol for Black pride in my home state and city go from this...
and this...
to this...
or this...
Peace+Love, God Bless
Double Ii from Double I
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