COMMENTARY

A WORD OF SOME OF THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURES OF AMERICA.

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CRITICAL ESSAY: AMERICAN DIVERSIFICATION

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CRITICAL ESSAY: DETROIT: MOTOR CITY BLUES

Insights from recently published statistics. Another face of the American urban plight. (Click link)

GRINDTIME: URBAN ECONOMIST (CRITICAL ESSAY )

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SPIRITUALITY IN URBAN AMERICA(Critical Essay)

Upon return, the first in a series of essay's brought by The Urban Cry LLC covering socio-political issues. (Click Link)

THE URBAN CRY LLC 2011

UPDATES 4/11

THE A.L.I.H.S.T BLOG SERIES WILL BE TAKING A HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. WHILE THE URBAN PLIGHT SHOW WILL CONTINUE TO BE AIRED, ANY FURTHER PUBLISHINGS, UPDATES, CORRESPONDENCE, WILL BE AT THE URBANCRYBLOG.WORDPRESS.COM, OR URBANLIBERATION78@YAHOO.COM.

MUSIC IS LIFE P.XXIII :AYITI:THE DIASPORA

"HEARTBEAT" -

NNEKA

"New York City has the largest concentration of Haitians in the United States as well as the oldest established Haitian communities of the country. The conservative estimate of the legal Haitian population in the New York City Metropolitan Area, as recorded by INS is approximately 156,000. However, community leaders and directors of community centers, who come in constant contact with the illegal population, strongly believe that the actual number is closer to 400,000." -

Wikipedia

Z.A-Post Haiti's earthquake the world still wacthes as the poorest country in the western hemisphere rebuilds and restores the ediface of society and life. Today's A.L.I.H.S.T feature briefly looks at haitian diaspora through the beat of survival, and culture as expressed in examples as the dispersal in America:


"The largest communities are found in Brooklyn where the legal population is placed at approximately 88,763, and in Queens where the number of Haitians is believed to be around 40,000. Members of the community who are of working-class background tend to establish their residence in Brooklyn, primarily in the neighborhoods of Flatbush, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, and Canarsie; many are apartment dwellers many homes in the area are duplexes and triplexes. Middle-class Haitians who choose to stay in Brooklyn own brownstone homes in the Park Slope area and single family homes in the Midwood section."

Wikipedia

A description of one of the tri-state area haitian communities. Between refugee camps, U.N control, and government centers, the people of haiti, one are strengthening the ties that bind:


"The country needs to go from the uncertainty of the moment, to some normalcy. We have waited too long after January 12, 2010 to build and rebuild the new Haiti, which must be decentralized."-

Wyclef Jean


Words from Recording artist/Politician Wyclef Jean. Among the diaspora, in places as the Domenican Republic and france, the struggle of this people has encountered everything from poverty to discrimination; to political strength to a thriving culture. One voice to close this brief outlook is the international entity of "Negusworld Enterprises"(Clothing line/Multimedia). My brother/associate Johwell Baptiste(co-founder), also of haitian descent expounds on J.E.M.B.H.A; A movement/train of thought launched last year that communicates to diaspora's within urban communities, and nations.



THE URBAN CRY LLC 2011

MUSIC IS LIFE P.XXII: THE BREADBASKET II

"An American Dream" -
Norman Mailer
(Late American Author)









The term "popular culture" itself is of 19th century coinage, in original usage referring to the education and "culturedness" of the lower classes, as was delivered in an address at the Birmingham Town Hall, England.[1] The term began to assume the meaning of a culture of the lower classes separate from and opposed to "true education" towards the end of the century,[2] a usage that became established by the interbellum period.[3] The current meaning of the term, culture for mass consumption, especially originating in the United States, is established by the end of World War II.[4] The abbreviated form "pop culture" dates to the 1960s-

Wikipedia


2011.I easily thought to use the late norman mailer as a feature to today's A.L.I.H.S.T blog, as in his lifetime a s a writer/author he inked some of the greatest insights to pop culture during the late 20th and 21st cenuries. Post 21st century, pop culture is a breathing mass of film, entertainment, musical cult followings, political iconizations and agenda's; that influences the entire globe. As a sequel to the first, the breadbasket II looks briefly at american pop culture and its many relationships; another one being with faith and politics.

"F&R incorporates my original Idea Club blog (a weekly question on an issue in the news) and allows me to jump quickly on ideas and news in the public conversation about religion, spirituality and ethics"-

Cathy lynn Grossman (USA TODAY Faith and religion column)

- An active blog on the staff of the publication USA Today, its clear to see how the voice of movements, both political and faith-based from conservative christainity to the controversies of Islamic agenda is well into the fabric of pop culture.

"I don't want to sound presumptuous, but I've made it my goal to revolutionise pop music. The last revolution was launched by Madonna 25 years ago.

When you’re in the public eye, you’re a role model whether you want to be or not, and I want to be. I’m not one of those self-obsessed artists who don’t care about their fans. It’s not just about the music. I look out into the O2 and there are 18,000 screaming young people and I have a responsibility to them — and you’re an idiot if you don’t know that." -
Lady Gaga

April 12, 2010.

-Along with figures as Kanye west, Artist lady gaga's voice is influential in the entertainment aspect of pop culture. Above she stated her role of responsibility. Music has power over generations. For example the messages inflected in Hip Hop music is manifold. In all facets of pop culture, what is understood as negative messages usaully serve as exploitations of the consumers for the capitalism for the elite in these industries. One brief documentry shows the balance of faith, politics and pop culture:


"This is for the day trippers and the hipsters, wars and the fashionista's, spiritual leaders practicing all the laws of attraction and teachers who read the passages from the Bhagavad gita" -Talib kweli (Cold rain)

-In conclusion one easily rule out that faith-based fundamentals or ethical standards challenge the influence of pop culture (as the view of conservative groups) or in some cases it balances it. American pop culture, from then till now, will generally have influence. Media is its main conduit, in its grand scheme, from fads, televison to issues of demoralization, its up to the person, or persons to be the judge how much influence it will have.

THE URBAN CRY LLC 2011

UPDATES 3/11

Formally known as the urbanpriesthood group, it is now revised as The Urban Cry LLC as of march 2011. The next blog feature will be published 3/10/11(Reflections of culture feature essay).

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XXIII : REFLECTIONS OF CULTURE(CULTURAL ESSAY)

"ALL ALONG THE WACTHOWER"-

JIMI HENDRIX
(Johnny allen hendrix)

Bogata, La paz, Sao paulo, Compton, Philadelphia, East new york, Baltimore Fth ward, Camden, Ciudad Juarez. This random array of cities and regions blends in a melting pot of cultural reflection in today's A.L.I.H.S.T feature. An insight into the "culture of poverty"; At times considerd as a sub-culture i coined this term due to observation of its its global relation and the fruits produced from the culture, in any city or regions demographics. One outlook among many provided,the african-american perspective:

-For an in Depth Global view, The "Reflections of culture" essay.

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THE URBAN CRY LLC 2011

STREETS CONSCIOUSNESS:P.XXI :THE VOICE

"MAKES
ME
WANNA
HOLLER"

Marvin Pentz Gaye

cru·ci·ble noun \ˈkrü-sə-bəl\

2: a severe test
3: a place or situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development

Z.A Another look into America's backyard. The testament of Dashaun Jiwe Morris life bore as the crucible for the Newark New Jersey native to independently release his literary effort. As post 21st century reveals the high times of world politics, and the defining issues we confront on america's landscape from a left-wing view we become more familiar with voices of media, entertainment, and politics. The A.L.I.H.S.T series visits the "voices" of the wilderness of the inner city:

"At age 25, Jiwe, worn weary of gang culture, saw a way to reclaim his life and potentially save others through the power of the written word. At times painfully sad, "WAR OF THE BLOODS IN MY VEINS" is ultimately an inspiring testimony of hope, about humanity in the midst of evil, and turning tragedy into triumph. The book is filled with lessons for the next generation of youngsters coming up about the choices so many of them face to survive the streets, and the maturity and courage required to choose a better life"-

mosiacbooks.com

"But during a news conference on Wednesday, the association made it clear that Newark still faces sobering challenges. Although juvenile arrests on all charges have been dropping in recent years, the number of youths apprehended on drug charges jumped 66 percent in 2006, while the number found with weapons did not drop, a signs, officials said, that gang activity had an increasingly pernicious grip on teenagers here. "-

nytimes.com

Many rise daily to a reality where in a melting pot of social ills life gradually becomes a race against time and misfortune. Some individuals, to grassroots initiatives understand this; do the alternative is sought, or created. Jiwe takes one building block from his own life to issue out a caveat to the youth, and confirmation to others relative to his struggle and experience. The voice in the wilderness takes the time to cry: for one less casualty among the masses.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP 2011

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XXII:IN REMEMBRANCE OF STRUGGLE P.II

"WAITING..WAITING ON THE WORLD TO CHANGE"


JOHN MAYER

مهورية مصر العربية (The Arab republic of Egypt)

re·gime 
–noun


1.
a mode or system of rule or government:
2.
a ruling or prevailing system.
3.
a government in power.


Wars and rumors of wars. For the most part in america through national and international media bases we see wildfires and conflicts breakout globally. Some with negotiating factors, some we see seem to have no end. In the midst of american hustle and bustle we wacthed one of the most signaficant countries in north africa, and its city transform to a societal protest in a split second; all in regards of its ruling party. Most struggles of any society/nation are based in its relationship with its governing body; the world science of politics. Russia today caught one of the scences of the last several days.



Freedom of speech in open demonstration. 1/25/11 was the commencement of egypt's "Day of anger" against the mubarak regime:

"The demonstrations and riots started in the weeks after the Tunisian Revolution, with many protesters carrying Tunisian flags as a symbol of their influence,[15] It is part of the 2010–2011 Arab world protests that have included and followed Tunisia's revolution. Grievances for Egyptian protesters have focused on legal and political issues[16] including police brutality,[12] state of emergency laws,[12] lack of free elections and free speech,[17] and corruption,[17] as well as economic issues including high unemployment,[18] food price inflation,[18] and low minimum wages." =



Wikipedia



-The latest announcement from Egypt's president is the springboard to today's current events up to date. The conflict is revolutionary in nature, complete with grassroots organizations, casualties, leading journalists(publishers, bloggers), government supporters, non-government activists and social unrest. If your tuned in major networks as BBC, down to the controversial Al-jezeera provide updates daily via internet and other communications. The in remembrance of struggle sequel of the A.L.I.H.S.T series briefly focuses on the struggle of the nation who brought some the world's most influential idealogies, sciences, and accomplishments. In the raging conflict, the common thread of political analysts, and opposing parties is that the conflict ultimately calls for peace. Its left to time, effort and action to answer it.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2011

THE ARCHIVE P.IX: IN REMEMBRANCE OF STRUGGLE

"ITS BEEN A LONG..A LONG

TIME COMIN'" -


SAMUEL COOK

The African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights in Southern states. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1954 and 1968, particularly in the South. - Wikipedia

Wikipedia asists thursday's A.L.I.H.S.T series, published in the wake of MLK Jr's birthday/day of acknowledgement:

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere"-MLK Jr.

-The civil rights movement is one facet of social struggle. The archive focuses on the inspiration and drive of an against the grain perspective; words from MLK Jr with an early 60's journalist about american solidarity, and the seeds of his own legacy in his own words:

"Gandhi’s salt march in 1930, the US civil rights struggle in the 1960s, the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1977–79, the ‘people power’ revolt in the Philippines in the 1980s, the campaigns against apartheid in South Africa, the various movements contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Bloc in 1989–91, and, in this century, the revolutions in Serbia, Georgia and Ukraine – all have involved the use of civil resistance. So too have certain movements that have been repressed, including China in 1989 and Burma in 2007"-

Wikipedia

The above wikipedia quote lists examples/reflections of the term "civil resistance". By personal accounts the social unrest of the times propelled controversial leaders as Stokley Charmicheal(Kwame Ture), by the hungers of wanting social justice, and seeing oppression, took a militant stance through grassroots political groups, coining the term "Black Power".

Though leaders like Ture's views were radical; moving with a collective of ideals challenging capitalism to imperialism, his last years of pan-african struggle were spent on reflection's of spirituality, restoration and a sense of equality for people of any nation. In conclusion we can draw the elements of struggle of a people from history, or current events. Today's A.L.I.H.S.T.'s feature viewed as a Black history month pre-cursor; or as in the late MLK Jr's views the struggle of any people devoid of color consciousness. In any case, In remembrance of struggle was witnessed in the past, and the world stage of the present. Peace.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2011

LANGUAGE OF ONE P.XXI: CITY OF GOD P.1

"MANY RIVERS TO CROSS"-


THE HON. JIMMY CLIFF OM

"Favelas are complex and vibrant communities. To illustrate, Rio's legendary samba schools were almost all born and raised in favelas. The problems are equally very complex. Most favelas have some drug lord that runs a boca de fumo where they openly sell drugs. When they battle for territory stray bullets always make victims. The police is also sometimes part of the problem, and reports of brutality are not uncommon."-

impanema.com

Brazil: Portuguese: Brasil, IPA: [bɾaˈziw]), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil. A country in the contintent of south america a world apart from the states; but a high percentage share the same cup of poverty as those who do in the global community.

Ricardo (not his real name) lives in Rocinha, one of the biggest favelas in Rio de Janeiro, situated near the well-know tourist area of Copacabana.
We're all hostages of violence and the criminals who rule the favelas.

"Violence is a topic of conversation everywhere, in bars and on the streets. It's impossible not to talk about it or fear it.

-A term i like to use: "The culture of poverty". According to a recent 2007 article, and recent reports the share of the corruption doesnt only belong to the drug lords, but to law enforcement.

We see the news of violence in the Alemao favela and it makes people angry, because we know many of the people who die in the conflicts are reported as being criminals, but we know they are not. "

For decades Rio de Janeiro's favelas, or slums, have been lawless enclaves controlled by gangsters and corrupt police. In recent years, however, the government has begun implementing an innovative community-policing strategy to assert the state's power over them. -

Economist.com

-The culture of Rio's slums reflects the same of the poor, or slums in countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Africa, and worldwide. Some of the above examples are obvious casualties of war. In my studies of slums as San Paulo, and most slums, it struck me to understand that it is a crime to be poor; and birth's or death's arent recorded there. Part of the relief is many grassroots organizations in america that help many people in the favela's, and supply everything from food, clothing medicare and education to the children. One element thats is just as imperative to implement: culture, and the power of music.

In a world of hills and valley's of social ills and tragedy, hope streams in many forms. The face of the favela's reflect the struggle of many, a plight of survival to many degrees from within its inhabitants, a learning experience and eye opener to the rest of the world. In all regards, the face of a generation struggling for better resolve in any troubled community.

THEE URBANPRIESTHOOD GROUP LLC 2011