Obasi Davis: Young, Gifted, Black and Oakland's Youth Poet Laureate

Earlier this summer, this blog introduced many of you to an aspiring young spoken word artist named Obasi Davis.  Obasi continues to share his passion for the spoken word with others in the community as evidenced in this interview conducted by the Oakland Public Library.


Oakland Poetry Finalist 2013 - Obasi Davis from Oakland Public Library on Vimeo.
The Post News Group recently shared some new and exciting news about young squire Davis!

Obasi Davis

The Oakland Public Library has selected 17-year-old Obasi Davis as the new Youth Poet Laureate for the City of Oakland.

Davis emerged as the best of eight talented finalists in a competition that began in April with a highly competitive process juried by accomplished authors, educators and community leaders.

Born and raised in Oakland, Davis is a founding member of the heralded poetry ensemble Young, Gifted and Black. A t student of prose and poetry since age 12, he has dedicated himself to his craft in workshops, at open mics and on stage at some of the nation’s largest performance venues.

Davis has shown leadership as a member of Spokes, Youth Speaks’ teen advisory board and production training program. Earlier this year, he represented the Bay Area as a member of its delegation to the Brave New Voices international Teen Poetry Slam and Festival.

California Poet Laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, a judge in the competition, calls Davis “a rare master of the out-breath, “born into consciousness, singing. With the humanity-voice of Gwendolyn Brooks, the long-jeweled line of Ginsberg and his own Obasi magic, here stands a giant poet in the making – for the people of Oakland and the world.”

Judge Raphael Cohen, a poet and local publisher, immediately recognized Davis as a frontrunner. “He bravely engages the painful puzzles of young adulthood in an era that alternately derides or dismisses young people’s experiences, turning inward to explore his, and our, capacity for truth-telling and change-making. Expertly balancing a focused rage with an irrepressible tenderness, Davis is certain to inspire and activate a new generation of leaders through both the written and spoken word.”

Now in its second year, the Youth Poet Laureate competition was staged by Oakland Public Library’s Teen Services Department, in partnership with Youth Speaks, ProArts Gallery, Oakland School for the Arts and more than a dozen community partners.

As the winner, Davis will receive a $5,000 scholarship and the opportunity to officially represent the Oakland community through poetry, media, and public appearances.

Too often we are bombarded with negative news about young Black men in our community. Today we are proud of a young Black man who is developing his craft in a positive and future-oriented manner. Please share some Village-love with Obasi Davis!

Obama's Address: 'A Better Bargain for Responsible, Middle Class Homeowners'

In this week’s address, President Obama says that the housing market is starting to heal, and now it’s time to build on that progress by creating a better bargain for responsible, middle class homeowners. The President announced steps he will take to strengthen the housing market, and now Congress must act to help make home ownership a source of pride and middle class security for generations to come.



Do you ... or anyone you know ... plan to take advantage of these programs to encourage home ownership?

Who Murdered Bijan Shoushtari?

18-year old Bijan Shoushtari was a young man with a future.  I guess that all families feel that way about their children, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews or cousins.  But, you could sense something just a little special ... a little blessed ... a little hopeful ... if you ever spent time with Bijan. From church elders, to his kindergarten teacher, to former teammates at Hamilton High; all paint a picture of a young man who had promise and deep ties to the community.

He died this week.  18-years old.  And he went out with some friends less than a week ago ... and now he no longer walks the earth.  The police have no idea who did this evil deed.  Maybe you can help?!?

I write this blog from the greater Cincinnati area. I don't live in Los Angeles any longer. However, I know that many who read this blog do live in Los Angeles ... so it is on that infinitesimal chance that those who read my blog may know something that I post this video report from a local newscast in the area.

Bijan Shoushtari deserved better than this. Anyone with information is urged to call the Los Angeles Police Department.  If you don't have information or if you don't live in Southern California ... maybe the thing you can do is hug your child ... or call your parents ... or write your nephew ... or visit that relative who lives nearby.  Yesterday is gone.  Tomorrow is not promised to any of us.  Do something about your love and your family Today.

Wordless Wednesday: Rest In Peace, Bijan Shoushtari (1994-2013)

Pray First, Aim High and Stay Focused

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old shotgun and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out and kill something for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit and he shot at the rabbit and missed it. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.

As he went further, he saw a wild turkey in the tree and he had only one bullet, but a voice came to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him. He naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, aim high and stay focused."

So, the man decided to listen to the voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and turkey to eat. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Bottom line: Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God.

Obama's Weekly Address: 'Securing a Better Bargain for the Middle Class'

In this week's address, President Obama tells the American people that his plan for creating a better bargain for the middle class builds on the progress we've made, fighting our way back from the worst economic recession of our lifetimes.

Black Unemployment Drops to 12.6% in July 2013

The United States added 162,000 jobs in July 2013 - making it 41 consecutive months of private sector job growth - and unemployment rate dropped to 7.4 percent.  You can click here to check out the unemployment rate in your state.

There are about 11.5 million unemployed people in the country - and our nation's unemployment metrics.  There isn't a reason for ticker-tape parade with these numbers ... but, they do show that the economy is continuing to trend in a positive direction.

The numbers in the Black community are bad!

The unemployment rate in the Black community dropped in July 2013 to 12.6%. This compares to previous months:

• Jun 2013 - 13.7%
• May 2013 - 13.5%
• Apr 2013 - 13.2%
• Mar 2013 - 13.3%
• Jun 2012 - 14.4%

The unemployment rate for Black teenagers (age 16-19) is horrific - 41.6%. I guess I have more appreciation for my 16-year old daughter being able to find summer employment over the past few months!

The Labor Department said private companies accounted for virtually the entire 162,000 increase in jobs last month. Employment rose in retail trade, food services and drinking places, financial activities, and wholesale trade. The increase in jobs for July 2013 is below the 189,000 average sustained in the previous 12 months.

What is your opinion of the unemployment data that was released today?

Wordless Wednesday: Hey Barack ... Are You Ready for Some Football?

Taser Death: Deomain Hayman (Wilmington, DE)

It happened again! This time an unarmed and frightened 28-year old Deomain Hayman died shortly after being tased twice by unidentified Wilmington (DE) police officers.

Police said Hayman led police on a high-speed chase about 8:10 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, when they tried to pull over the minivan that he was driving for a registration violation. Police abandoned the chase, but officers were later flagged down by witnesses who saw the van about a mile away.

The police say that Hayman became combative and police deployed Tasers. Here is where the story gets a little cloudy. The police say that the taser guns both malfunctioned. They won't say what the malfunction was ... just that the 50,000 volts of electricity unleashed by the two unidentified police officers didn't do their jobs.

And yet this unarmed man ... guilty of avoiding a traffic stop ... is dead.

It took four officers and several sets of handcuffs to take Hayman into custody. Police say that he was placed in a seated position on the ground. Minutes later, he had trouble breathing and appeared to go into cardiac arrest.

Officers removed his handcuffs, started cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR, and applied a defibrillator, according to police spokesman, but could not revive Hayman, who was rushed to Wilmington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

We will see if the clouds can part and clarity be declared on this death. What we know for sure is than an unarmed man is dead ... and tasers were used. When will police stop reaching for their taser guns when a little commonsense and patience might do the trick?

Taser Death: John Wrana (Park Forest, IL)

It happened again! Unidentified Park Forest (IL) police officers couldn't handle the disrespect that they received from an angry 95-year old John Wrana at Victory Centre, a senior living community -- so they killed him.  

Yep, you read me right ... the guy was 95-years old! Older than your grandparents. Heck, he is probably older than your great-grandparents would be if they were still living. What was the punishment for disrespecting the police? They electrocuted him to death with their taser guns ... and then for good measure fired some bean bags into the elderly man.

John Wrana was ornery. Most 95-year old folks are ornery. He was being 'involuntarily' committed for medical treatment by the Victory Centre staff. The private ambulance firm that was onsite called 911 to get assistance from the police with a "combative" resident.

When police arrived, the man was threatening staff and paramedics with a metal cane and a 2-foot metal shoehorn, according to a police press release. Police demanded that he drop the cane and shoehorn, but he did not comply and then picked up a "12-inch butcher type kitchen knife." So, if the press release is to be believed, Wrana, had three (3) weapons in this two hands -- cane, shoehorn and a "butcher" kitchen knife (what the hell is a "butcher" kitchen knife)? Sound credible to you?

Unidentified police officers continued to command the man to surrender and follow their orders. They felt disrespected when he didn't comply immediately. Eventually the police pulled out their taser guns ... pointed the 50,000 volts of electricity at the 95-year old man ... and shot. That wasn't enough. The police then fired bean bag rounds at the man to get him to drop the knife and surrender. He did so and was taken into custody. Shortly, thereafter Wrana was declared dead by the local hospital staff.

What is the justification for electrocuting a 95-year old man? Are the Lake Forest police truly that inept that they can't subdue a man born in 1918 without killing him?

Obama's Weekly Address: 'A Better Bargain for the Middle Class'

In this week’s address, President Obama tells the American people about his speech at Knox College on Wednesday, where he discussed the cornerstones of what it means to be middle class, including having a good job, a home that is your own, quality education, a secure retirement, and affordable health care.

Watch this week's Weekly Address.

Taser Death: Dainell Simmons (Suffolk County, NY)

It happened again. This time an autistic 29-year old Dainell Simmons was in need of help. The folks at the group home where he lived called 911 to seek assistance. Three unidentified Suffolk County police officers arrived. The officers initially were able to calm Simmons after they were summoned to the Maryhaven Center of Hope facility, a tidy, two-story house with brown shingles and black and white trim in Middle Island. [SOURCE]

But when they told Simmons they were taking him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, he began kicking and punching them ... and within minutes one officer began to pepper spray the mentally-ill man, while the other two police officers unleashed their taser guns on Mr. Simmons. He was tased at least twice by the officers.

Simmons became unresponsive. He was transported to John T. Mather Memorial Hospital, where he died.

The police told reporters that Simmons was acting "violent and uncontrollably" and that the decision to use a Taser appeared appropriate under the circumstances. Of course, that is usually how the police try to justify the unjustifiable. There were multiple police officers at the scene. Mr. Simmons was unarmed and he was autistic. Perhaps there are better ways to handle the situation then to pump 50,000 volts of electricity into his body on multiple occasions?

Designed by Cross-Eyed Architect....

...or the results of a strong tornado! What say u?

Unique Building * Hang Nga Guesthouse or Crazy House (Vietnam)

I've never traveled to another continent. I'm not proud of it ... it just turned out that way. If I were to travel to Vietnam ... it is likely I would find my way to the city of Da Lat. Folks say that Da Lat is a very romantic city with mountains and pleasant weather.

One of the sights to see in Da Lat is the Hang Nga Guesthouse and Gallery ... or 'Crazy House' as it is known by the Vietnamese.


The base of the house is an actual tree. Apparently, the architect is a woman (Hang Nga) whose father (Truong Chinh) used to be president of Viet Nam. The house is unique with its 'Jungle Book' theme. For example, many of the steps are designed to look like tree stumps. There are also several rooms (like the one in the photo below) with animal themes.

I wonder if either of the Obama daughters will grow up to be architects?

Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship

The Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship Program is designed to help cultivate minority students for potential recruitment in the field of technology. The scholarship amount award depends on the student's tuition balance, academic excellence and classification.

Applicants must be academic high-achievers with a GPA average of 3.0 or better and must be US citizens or visa-holding Permanent Residents of African American, Asian, Pacific Island, Native American, Native Alaskan, or Hispanic descent. The scholarship is not available to spouses and children of Xerox employees.

Applicants must also be enrolled as a full time undergraduate or graduate student in any of the following technical fields: Chemistry, Computing & Software Systems, Information Management, Material Science, Printing Management Science, Laser Optics, Physics, Material Science, and all forms of Engineering - including Software Engineering.

The deadline for this scholarship is usually in SEPTEMBER of each year, and the award amount is usually $1,000 - $10,000.

For more details, visit www.xerox.com/jobs/minority-scholarships/enus.html

VIDEO: The People Want Mandela

Nic Hofmeyr dug this one out of the archives, and remastered it from two damaged tapes. `THE PEOPLE WANT MANDELA' was a song that came from an initiative by the South African Musicians Alliance to celebrate the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990.



Written by Jennifer Ferguson, Rashid Lanie, Victor Ntoni and Ray Phiri, the song was recorded by some of the top South African artistes and musicians of the time.

Republican Party Isn't Serious About Outreach to Women or Minorities

Following the 2012 election cycle, Republicans released an autopsy report chronicling their numerous failings. They promised to change their ways and reach out to groups who have been alienated by the GOP's extreme policies and rhetoric. Here's a look at what they've done instead.



It captures in dramatic fashion how Republicans have made no effort to change their ways to reach out to and be more tolerant towards women, African Americans, Latinos, young people and the LGBT community despite an autopsy report released 100 days ago today which said it must do so to be a viable national party. If anything, Republicans have gone the other way – using more extreme rhetoric and taking more extreme positions than ever. Truth is, the Grand Old Party is just the Same Old Party it has been.

Perhaps it's time for GOP chair Reince Priebus to give a call to Aaron Laramore. He's got some tips on how the Republican Party can better reach out to Black folks.

Young, Gifted and Black: Spoken Word by Obasi Davis

Obasi Davis

Family history is amazing. My great-grandfather, George W. Crockett (1883-1975) married my great-grandmother, Minnie Jenkins (1884-1983) in South Carolina back in November 1906. They both passed away before they met their great-great-grandson, Obasi Davis.

Obasi is my second cousin once removed. I'm sure that George and Minnie would be proud of this young man! He is carrying a 4.0 GPA as a high school junior in Oakland, CA. Obasi was featured in his local newspaper as a high school freshman back in 2011.

The past two years he has been sharing his inner thoughts and insights via his spoken word poetry at the annual Youth Speaks Grand Slam. He made the finals both years.

Please take a moment to check his messages in 2012 and 2013.





Much love to my young cousin! Keep letting your light shine ... and I look forward to meeting you in person one day!

Wordless Wednesday: Is Nelson Mandela the Most Beloved Person on the Planet?

SOURCE: Pinterest Board, 'Nelson Mandela'

The Balloon Story

A young Black child stood watching the balloon man at the County Fair. There were balloons in all colors. Suddenly, a red balloon broke loose and soared high up into the air.

So many people were attracted to the incident that the vendor thought that it might be good business to let another one go. So he let a bright yellow one slip free. Then a white one.

The little child stood looking at a Black balloon. Then, the child asked, "Mister if you sent the Black one up, would it go as high as the others?"

The balloon man, with an understanding smile said, "Sonny, it isn't the color. It's the stuff inside that makes it rise."