2speaknoevil

[2speaknoevil]

Game Graduate : Degree [Real]

Anybody can "get it..." as in the level of insulation and respect once afforded a man or woman years removed from the "street life" no longer exists. In 2016, its beginning to look like you can't just be cool while maintaining ties to family and friends who remain loyal to the game. The current climate of reckless violence is making it easy to walk away, although doing so supposedly makes you [less real] by hood standards, it may very well keep you alive. If losing our ability to maintain a presence among the people, culture and community that made us great, because the rules, laws and policies once woven into the fabric of our understanding... have been erased by the breakdowns in the organizational structure on the streets, what just happened?

We're continuously demanding accountability from members of the community without protecting those willing to risk their lives to function within a society that refuses to provide alternatives to the only lifestyles that many individuals know. There used to be rules...

The call to [Stop The Violence] has formerly been applied only in retrospect, as ongoing situations were rarely added into the equation. But if the community is to survive, every system that is working against the people must be sought out and destroyed. Violent crime takes on many forms, and there have been numerous studies and excuses given by experts and local officials as to why violence is more acceptable in certain communities and zones than others. But it's past time that we begin to rely upon ourselves for the protection afforded to those living in the more favorable areas of town. Crime is supposed to be unacceptable period, even when the stealing of cars by juveniles was thought to have been a joke, how can a city of one hundred and fifty thousand people completely rely upon an on duty police presence of roughly twenty officers? And Rockford doesn't need more cops, it needs it's citizens to stop ignoring that "there's a war going on outside no man is safe from..."

If you live in or frequent certain neighborhoods that require the 'possession of protection" by default for self defense, but you aren't legally allowed to own one, what exactly is suggested that you do to protect yourself and your family? Because that's a very real question with so many men and woman living in impoverished areas of the city but aren't allowed to own weapons. In Kennesaw, Ga the City Council unanimously passed a law in 1982 requiring heads of households to own at least one firearm with ammunition. The ordinance states the gun law is needed to "protect the safety, security and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants." Kennesaw Historical Society president Robert Jones said following the law's passage, the crime rate dropped 89 percent in the city, compared to the modest 10 percent drop statewide.

I'm saying that if you live in certain cities or certain areas in cities, violent crime is eventually going to touch you or someone that you know. So do we become vigilantes? Host around the clock prayer vigils, hope that newly elected politicians will keep us safe...? Why can't you have nice things without being targeted for violent crime in Rockford? Because it's starting to make the argument to the uninitiated that minorities are the problem, we have to have the same outrage during all manner of crime locally as we due nationally. Waiting for the media and local government to "reassure" us of public safety removes the responsibility from the citizens.

Graduating from the game with honors used to mean something...

[2speaknoevil]

Your Front Door Responsibilty. Rockford

There used to exist a universal set of laws and polices throughout the "United Streets of America", with one of the most recognized being that women and children were "off limits"... Well recently in Rockford, Illinois a young woman was struck and killed by a stray bullet while at home with her four children, with last year almost to the day an entire family including the children were murdered... and just last night a young teenager's life was taken.

Seemingly "outta control" crime is what happens when rules and regulations no longer exist on the streets, not only are innocent bystanders caught in crossfires but intended victims that should have never been targets. The hierarchy of street structure and gang [culture] was effectively dismantled in the 90's mostly due to the "war on drugs" and the void is still being felt today. If you were "in" the streets you had to obtain permission to strike first or in retaliation to a perceived injustice, and the streets knew everything... we didn't talk, but we knew.

But this isn't about the "good ol' days" because in all honesty they weren't all that good, instead I'd like to explain an aspect of the climate of fear in our community.

In many hoods, most events and actions are permissible unless they happen to you or someone you love. That's why for the most part the City of Rockford has become desensitized by the increase in violent crime. Because if it isn't around your front door, it's more of an issue of "them". And that's where I'm going with this. If it's been made acceptable to continuously commit violent crimes, that means everyone is a potential target [including you]. Let that sink in for a moment, because in Rockford or almost anywhere you don't necessarily have to be doing anything "wrong" to become an intended victim within a culture of violence and fear.

A very important issue is response and timing, in reference to the recent tragedy in Fairgrounds, buying children Christmas gifts to help make them feel better during the mourning of their mother is a beautiful gesture, but if we're honest it's mostly superficial in it's approach and being used as a way to absolve our city as a whole of doing the real work of [community policing] and developing communal responsibility. If all we're going to do in Rockford is buy gifts and pray, we might as well just stay in the check out and prayer lines... because another tragedy and violent act is on the way. While this observation doesn't mean that the children don't deserve to have a joyful holiday, the best gift would include efforts that her killer is brought to justice.

A solution is that we have to make the violence against our citizens the most expensive act on earth, not zero tolerance in a court of law but absolute awareness and increased responsibility on our streets. There are roughly anywhere between 15-20 police officers on patrol during peak hours, protecting over 150,000 people. And we're expecting our new police chief to magically make all of the crime disappear. But if we knew that the safety in the city was our responsibility as well, we'd stop looking outside of ourselves for the savior within ourselves. I know many of us who would like to become actively involved have been made to feel powerless and inadequate, based mostly upon our individual levels of experience, education and socioeconomic positioning. But I'm here to tell you that while Rockford isn't Castle Greyskull "We Have The Power".

There's an unwritten code that's often used to justify the ineffectiveness of policing in the hood, and it's the one of silence and [no snitching]. But silence in regards to an act of violence against a woman or child is cowardice, while on the other side snitching means you were apart of the crime and are now willing to divulge information in hopes of reduced punishment. The thing is, we can handle much of the business ourselves [proactively] by becoming more involved in our neighborhoods and communicating with elected officials-community leaders throughout the city.  When we handle our own business we need less police, which is better for everyone. And to be clear, I'm in no means suggesting comic book style vigilantism, but we can't hope to "take our city back" without placing everyone who would be against that progress on high alert.

The West Side of Rockford, Illinois as it stands is under siege, while big businesses and even bigger buildings are going up, the quality of life for many local residents is going down. What we should understand is that if the City of Rockford were a publicly traded corporation posting [consistently] record losses in profit, the CEO/Mayor would have been removed by the Board/City Council by demand of the Shareholders/Constituents a long time ago. A particularly relevant analogy since we've been asked to use the "business approach" to Transform Rockford...

It's time that we look at the City of Rockford as a [Chain] that's only as strong as it's weakest link. We've gotta get out of our churches, boardrooms and basements and into our streets.

Be fearless,

The Civil Collective of TSNE.

[2speaknoevil]

This Is A Test:

Ferguson was a test. Charleston was a test. Brooklyn was a test. Baltimore was a test. And now, Chicago is "bracing" for war against it's citizens on the bloodiest urban battleground in America.

We are being closely monitored, our actions and responses are being carefully cataloged. The main stream media has been baiting the region for over a week, sending subliminal suggestions of anger, frustration and now fear over the release of the video containing the Officer Jason Van Dyke involved murder of 17 year old Laquan McDonald.

The shootings of the five unarmed Black Lives Matter activists in Minneapolis, the beating of the unarmed black man during the Donald Trump rally. The prison industrial complex along with many other state government systems benefit from war, but this latest controlled series of militarized mass confrontations will be like no other.

The City of Chicago has unique access to resources that with the exception of NYC or Los Angeles not many other cities can call upon. A State of Emergency will be announced, The National Guard will be called to duty and all around the country citizens will choose sides.

The events of unrest over the past year have provided a blueprint of governmental control. Many now are speaking of end times and the beginning of The New World Order, possibly even the reality of World War III. The civil unrest was initially sold racially as white versus black, recently and with the introduction of the refugees religion against culture, and now law over lawlessness. People are going to hurt, some are going to die. But a revolution in some form will take place, it has been made almost inevitable. As it was written in text thousands of years ago.

 Just remember that this is a test.

[2speaknoevil]

History books always seem to leave this out.

[2speaknoevil]

#F R E E B R E E

We've had the pleasure of attending several actions over the past few months in and around the Carolinas with members of The Tribe, and with each encounter we've found them to be knowledgeable, gracious, passionate and determined to get free. There was a charter bus ride a few weeks ago to Shaw University in Raleigh that really stands out because it was cold and pouring down rain; the interesting aspect is that the morale never wavered and our message stayed it's course. The Fight For 15 was that message and it was delivered in splendid fashion.

Fast forward to the sunrise of June 27th and Bree Newsome, a member of the activist and civil rights group The Tribe, decided that enough was enough and climbed atop the flag pole at the State Capitol in Columbia, South Carolina. The action didn't damage the flag or the property of which the flag was held in anyway, and the protest was well planned with a support system and legal team already in place. The civil action was not done to claim an offered reward from anyone, but to physically stand up against systemic racism and for the people in this country that have no voice. This was done as an act of non violent resistance, and nothing else.

Black women have been doing the work for years, and we salute you. @BreeNewsome

Bree, you are brave sister and the efforts of The Tribe will be made apart of history. #FreeBree

Get Free,

The Civil Collective of TSNE.

[2speaknoevil]

[2speaknoevil]

Sickening. “Stay calm” “mentally ill” “hate crime”. Please be safe, if you’re black. #CharlestonShooting #PrayForCharleston

[2speaknoevil]

New York City: Black Lives Matter in the Dominican Republic protest, June 15, 2015.

Photos by Tony Savino

[2speaknoevil]

Divide and Conquer.

With widespread violence and fear comes confusion, that's why we must pay extra attention to how those within our communities are responding. There will be groups of people that seem to have the resources and support of local politicians/dignitaries to market solutions, while some groups may appear to have great ideas but lack the financial sustainability to expand their plans into actions. We've been taught over the years that the truth doesn't require resources, the mass delivery of the right message does.

What we must know is this... Local government can and will use the police to disrupt peaceful protests (Ferguson), which is a right codified into our constitution. Outside agitators will be sponsored to infiltrate even the most well run organizations. Which will mean the basic right of the people to organize, protest, and occupy public space will then be denied. One day we will come to regret that cowardice, but by then it will be too late. By many definitions we already live in the beginning of a police state. The government can snatch you off the street, claim you are a terrorist, and at the very least dump you into a dungeon where you will be forgotten. That is the reality we now live with. Denial is normal, but it wont change reality. Uniting as a people will be the only real way to "fight" poverty and crime, because a united front demands political, social judicial and religious accountability for all, not just from those in leadership. This work requires us all. Organized to stand against tyranny may sound like a mantra from an apocalyptic film set far into the future, but with rise of crime, poverty and fear coupled with the racism sponsored by our handlers, it's counterproductive continuing to fight against people just as poor and afraid as we are. To survive as a community there can no longer be an Eastside vs Westside-Northside vs Southside mentality when confronting the socioeconomic issues that have divided us. Especially since part of the political end game is to remove the middle class in it's entirety, ensuring that the poor remain dependent upon the rich for survival. In reality it isn't a Black vs White thing either.

 The Hood Is Closer Than You Think,

The Civil Collective of TSNE

[2speaknoevil]

PLEASE READ!!!!!!!!!

I usually wouldn’t share something so vulgar but she asked to spread the story so I am informing you guys just to take precaution and be safe. Here’s the story of Kristina and Marcus Fox. The others are mentioned in the story:

On the morning of Saturday, May 30, 2015, my little brother, Marcus Fox, my daughter’s father, Darrius Walton, and myself were sitting in Taylor Lauridsen Parkconversing with 3 Caucasian people we had just met (Courtney, Kevin, and Jodie). Everyone was having a nice time. Approximately 7-9 more Caucasian people arrived in the park. My little brother being the social butterfly he is introduced himself and began chatting with the new arrivals. After about 30 minutes, one of the guys out of the group we initially met and another from the group that arrived later got into a verbal altercation with each other. My little brother tried to calm things down but this soon escalated as everyone began jumping on him. It was at this point things turned for the worse as he and I fought this massive group of Caucasians consisting of both men and women. They were throwing glass bottles, crutches, bricks, and anything else they could find at us. As we continued to fight through this crowd of assailants to get away, more Caucasians came from out of nowhere and joined in brutally attacking us delivering closed fist blows and kicks to our bodies and head. We began the fight of our lives. This MOB of around 20 Caucasians beat us until we were unable to move and left us laying in the park. My brother & I sustained multiple injuries. I was stabbed eleven times, eight times in the back & right shoulder, twice in the face & once in the head (which the knife was left lodged by one of the perpetrators). My brother was stabbed nine times, along his back, right side with one of the wounds causing him to have a punctured lung. NO ARRESTS have been made and the only publicity this received was an irresponsibly written 97 word article in the Chicago Sun-Times riddled with incorrect information. If the roles were reversed and had this been a mob of African Americans attacking two Caucasians this would have garnered immediate attention and been plastered EVERYWHERE. We have contacted news stations & have not heard back from anyone. This further proves that America believes- BLACK LIVES DON’T MATTER. Please HELP US GET JUSTICE for this hate crime! Please help us show that OUR BLACK LIVES MATTER! ‪#‎BlackLivesMatter‬ Please help us share our story.

[2speaknoevil]

Race Against The R.H.A : Rockford

The Rockford Housing Authority didn't invent poverty in the City of Rockford, Illinois. It also doesn't command a physical army to distribute the drugs and weapons throughout its properties that so many law abiding citizens fear will spread throughout the city by default. But instead of strongly advocating for the eradication of poverty and substandard housing for every resident of Rockford, many have taken to town hall meetings, social media news outlets and neighborhood committees to protest in favor of "poor people" remaining in their exact housing conditions and locations. Why not attack the root issues of poverty and crime? Because that's too much like right... it seems appears easier to attack the organization charged with ensuring that the programs work for the people they are responsible for helping, than it is to attack the system responsible for ensuring that people remain dependent upon the system.

We aren't hearing a collective "Why don't we try to clean up the entire city?!" Instead the idea of anyone that isn't already in a certain tax bracket or currently live in a "better" part of town, is somehow a social outcast that should be imprisoned within a specific area of a controlled environment.  

What's surprising is that the many of the same organizations that are trying to sell the idea of transforming the city into something greater for everyone, have been eerily silent in comparison to the hundreds if not thousands of citizens opposing the RHA's upcoming proposal being re-submitted to the city. While we're not saying that the plan will be a good or a bad thing because right now it's just a plan, most of the people against the proposal are attempting to use statistics to disguise racism and classism as their collective motivation for opposition, and that's what the organizations campaigning for community support should absolutely be against.

It's becoming increasingly clear that the problems in Rockford today didn't originate from the loss of jobs, but instead as issues of race and class. Who do you people think you are? Because a great many of those openly spewing racial hatred are active in their churches weekly and claim not so see color, so that means that those with the yard signs and using racial epithets via social media, are either liars or they're fake and no different from their recent ancestors that also claimed to be such God Fearin' Christians. Just know that a city so deeply rooted in racism won't "transform" or move forward into anything regardless of it's PowerPoint campaigns, instead it will regress.

Get your sh*t together Rockford.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place,

The Civil Collective of TSNE

[2speaknoevil]

The Great Divide : Rockford

I don't know if a city that doesn't actively cultivate the abilities, ideas and interests of it's citizens, is a city that can call itself transforming. Rockford is a town right now with a bad rep, kind of like you've heard a few things but still seems cool enough to find out for yourself. And that's when the local establishments and events geared towards everyone but the people that look like you, begin to make you question the city's commitment to becoming a great place to live and work for everyone not just those it feels worthy enough to accommodate.

People have asked why is local art primarily a "white thing" in Rockford? The creativity of the poor and disenfranchised is all but nonexistent in an area with so much cultural diversity, the City of Rockford claims to support the growth of community but if the entire community isn't welcome, how and when are we ever going to remove the stigma and fear of those who look and act differently than us? Where is everyone's music, food and culture being celebrated together in Rockford? With so much segregation, it's no wonder why people are apprehensive when venturing "too far" across either side of the bridge.

Our city doesn't have to be separate to be safe, there are literally tens of thousands of citizens of all ages, colors and creeds that would support a unified effort for the city to begin loving itself again. When our children have ran out of resources, programs and events on "our" sides of town, they begin growing with a subconscious feeling of inferiority and the illusion of inclusion is set in place of knowing they are welcome and can thrive anywhere.

If Rockford truly wishes to rid itself of it's ever increasing socioeconomic and race related rhetoric, it will begin to include everyone in everything. Not just the groups of rich people that have had the ability to invest in downtown and outer corridor building projects, and definitely not just the politicians. But imagine that you've been driving an old beat up car, keeping it clean and taking care of the way it looks might not be a priority as long as it runs... well Rockford is getting beat up and isn't running very well. But we've been too busy trying to convince everyone else that it isn't rusty, smelling funny and making weird noises instead of actually making our city run better from within.

How can we expect our neighbors to care about where we live and work if those elected and in charge of making it run well are only in it for themselves? I'm sure you've asked yourself why are so many bad decisions being made by the city that are obviously not in the best interest of those that live and work here, but if you ask that question too loud you'll be asked "But what are you doing to help Rockford...?" We've all loved things that weren't good for us, sometimes that's even included people, but for many of us Rockford is still home. When will it begin to love us as much as we love it? Because that's where a lot of the frustration and pain is coming from. The good people of this city want to live in a great city, can we begin to build an entire community of Rockfordian's that want the same thing?

Our city can not become great with one side of town living in fear of the other, and the increase of crime can not be allowed to spread "everywhere". Our local leaders have to begin looking out for what's best for the entire town, not just for their friends and those with political clout. If a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, Rockford can't be allowed to break.

Do The Right Thing,

The Civil Collective of TSNE

[2speaknoevil]

May 20

On Mike Brown’s 19th birthday, his parents decided to remove his memorials from Canfield Drive to replace them with more permanent ones, a plaque and a dove that will be installed in the concrete.

Urban League volunteered to store the items from his memorials until a safer and more permanent location could be found for them.

Mayor Knowles says that it was his understanding that Urban League would be storing the items. He also said that the city “didn’t remove the items and we never took possession”.

Hours after the memorials were removed, search4swag headed over to the Urban League building because he had a feeling Urban League wasn’t going to do what they promised.

Over the past 9 months, Mike Brown’s memorials have been peed on, set on fire, run over, and have survived all kinds of weather. It’s obvious that some of the items were probably not in the best condition to be stored, however, Urban League never made it clear that some of the items might be thrown away due to their condition. According to search4swag, some of the items he found in the dumpster were not moldy or dirty.

(Video 1) (Video 2)

Sometime after the memorials were removed, Canfield residents rebuilt the memorials for Mike.

On the morning of May 21, Canfield Drive was resurfaced and the permanent memorials were installed in the concrete.

[2speaknoevil]

Retaliation Revenge and Get Back : Rockford

Retaliation Revenge and Get Back is an album title from former Death Row Records artist Daz released in 1998, it has increased relevancy today because most of the most recent gun violence stems from exactly that, revenge. Back in the day a fist fight or at worst a "jump" was the extent of things that could happen, but now even the slightest infraction can erupt into gun play. I've heard many people mistake those responsible for the recent shootings as wannabes, but in my opinion if they're putting in the "work" the crimes are real. That means the shooters have to be given the "attention" afforded to any other perpetrators of violence, but let me be clear there is nothing admirable in street gang warfare in terms of romanticism, but when dealing with potential causalities we must be cautious as not to underestimate adversaries.

Many people think that arresting and incarcerating every criminal makes for the safest streets, but they often fail to realize what happens to the community once those inmates unable to be rehabilitated due to a lack of either willpower or resources are released back into society. That's why we're such advocates of keeping the kids on the right track so they won't become criminals in the first place. Anyone can call for zero tolerance but what if we all called for the proper programs to be funded and a community that took care of itself? That doesn't mean Rockford would be become soft on crime by any means, but instead demanding an increase in accountability for the entire city. Because it isn't the cops job to ensure that we all know our neighbors, it can't be left up to the police chief to make sure that we have the tools to properly defend ourselves, and it can not be left up to the mayor to make us feel good about the city that we all live and work in. 

To address the title of this piece let me explain how the gangs in the streets view revenge, if you say or do something deemed worthy of punishment, someone is going to "come see you". It doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing there's going to be a problem. That's why we must equip and protect every citizen regardless of where they reside in the city, because everyone can go just about everywhere in Rockford, and that's when the local shootings in movie theaters and ice cream parlors are brought into a broader concern. The latest bank robbery attempt was on Mulford, which by he way is the east side of town. That means that even as described as an isolated incident the trend is spreading.

A strong message must be sent to those who feel that the City of Rockford is a safe haven for violent crime, organized or otherwise and that actions of gun violence will not be tolerated. The stand from the people will ensure that law enforcement and the prosecutors office can more effectively do their jobs in the event of arrests, and by stand I mean increasing our community presence within our communities. Preventing isn't "snitching" for those concerned about the code of silence. Every man or woman you don't know isn't an enemy, do you remember when we used to politely speak to everyone? Before you misconstrue this message I don't think that common courtesy will prevent multiple shootings and homicides, but it may help us all to get to know the people in our neighborhoods and throughout the city that may eventually become friends, because everyone started out a stranger to someone else.

There are hundreds of men and women that used to subscribe to the exact same way of life that is overrunning our city,  but are now willing to stand in solidarity against it because they have families they wish to see grow. Please do not assume the citizens that live in certain areas on the south and west side don't care about their community, if a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, Rockford we must begin to strengthen not only ourselves but also each other.

Turn To Your Neighbor And Say Neighbor,

The Civil Collective of TSNE

[2speaknoevil]

Tamir Rice’s Family Receives Our Love And Support

Just a couple of weeks ago, I posted information on supporting Tamir Rice’s family in this difficult time. As you know, Tamir was extrajudicially executed by the police last November, at only 12 years old, and his sister (14 year old Tajai) was assaulted as well, though she lived. His mother Samaria was facing homelessness and only recently was even able to cremate her child; State tie ups. However, @FeministaJones contacted his representatives and shared information about fundraising (which I posted in Fundraiser For Tamir Rice’s Family) via direct funds to his attorney (total undisclosed) and via online (which as of this post date is at $53,478; was only a few hundred a few weeks ago; originally created by Adner Marcelin, a family rep). She has done incredible work with so many other people. With you. Us together. Many of you shared my post, her post and similar posts and have shown this family love and support. @FeministaJones also started an Amazon Wish List to get the family much needed things, and the photographs above are of the delivery of the Amazon Wish List after so many of you supported that as well. While things never bring a child back, families need resources to survive, regardless. Continue to consider them in your positive thoughts and support.❤ 

(Click here to donate; I understand how most of us feel about GoFundMe as a company; however this is where the fund was set up, outside of our choice.)

[2speaknoevil]

The Wild Wild West : Rockford

I'm sure we've all heard by now that crime is supposedly everywhere, but as of late it seems to be centered in very close proximity to specific areas of town. There's usually a higher concentration of police officers in those areas but crime as reported by Rockford's Mayor Morrissey is down. The problem many people seem to be having is what appears to be the increase of crime, directly contradicting the mayor's recent claims. It's not even Summer yet as told by various local residents when violent crime usually increases, but shootings seems to be taking place almost systematically as documented.

As crazy as it sounds, simply talking about violence in Rockford is almost as bad as actually committing a crime (in some local circles). Whenever the subject is raised, the question of what are you doing to stop it is never far behind. One of our particular favorites is if you aren't apart of the solution you are a part of the problem, which is kind of odd because we didn't just walk up and shoot an unarmed man point blank range a few hours ago on Rockford's West Side. But I suppose the real question is what can the average and well meaning citizen do to to stop violent crime in Rockford?

Forbes Magazine reported that Rockford, with 760 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, is one of those towns where the crime rate stems from a complex series of factors. It switched last year to the National Incident-Based Reporting system, which as with Memphis, helps to keep more accurate records, but also can result in reported rates of crime that are higher than other cities that use different reporting mechanisms. “Unfortunately, not every city wants to use that system because it often results in higher rates of crime in the reports,” says Stults. Interstate 39, which is located on the eastern edge of the city and heads north to Wisconsin, could also be a factor, as again, larger interstate highways tend to be popular routes for drug couriers to use for distribution, and Rockford’s proximity to Chicago makes it attractive as a way point for drug couriers.

 Violent Crime Rate: 1,375/100,000 people | Murder Rate: 13/100,000 people

Population: 150,209 | Officer to Population Ratio: NA

Median Household Income: $38,157 | Pop. Below Poverty Line: 25.1%

If these statistics mean anything to you in terms of why people are hurting each other, I must have missed it because from what I understand, violent crime historically stems from the lack of opportunity. People tend to use unemployment against peaceful protestors of social injustice but rarely in justification of violent crime in impoverished areas of a community. I think we all know that opportunity varies and not everyone is going to get a shot (no pun intended) but if we all grew up in varies areas of town within some of the tougher neighborhoods, not many of us would have the success stories that we are grateful for today, fast forward to 2015. The home owners from the neighborhoods that we remember have mostly relocated and the neighborhoods have been replaced by renters from out of town.

The statistics tell a story but a humble opinion will explain another. Certain well known aspects have become almost normal in the hood, many local residents have become desensitized to violent crime while a great number of youth have adopted violence as apart of popular culture. That doesn't mean that all hope is lost, instead in our opinion an alternative means of understanding can now be reached. I think that we can all agree that an idle mind is the devils playground, while not every young adult without great parenting and a country club membership becomes a habitual criminal, those with greater access to opportunity have been shown to display increased measures of success.

One solution to the increased levels of violence would begin with calling for a "sit down", there are several members in rival organizational structures that have taken to gun play. While some might say who cares let them kill each other, the issue of general public safety remains even in the less than desirable areas of town. And by a "sit down" we're not calling for a round table discussion identifying those within the organizations, but instead a intermediary conversation that would benefit the interested parties in calling for a cease fire before tensions increase.

From our research this type of action isn't law enforcements traditional approach to combating gang violence, and years of documented studies would rightfully back up proper procedure. But the community is asking what are we supposed to do in the mean time? How do we protect our friends and families from this violence?

 May You Find Peace,

The Civil Collective of TSNE.

[2speaknoevil]

The War Zone : Rockghanistan

Rockford, Illinois is a war zone... the 164th most populous city in America is also by several nationally published polls the "2nd Most Dangerous Small City in America". There was an estimated 12 shootings last night in a town with a little over 150,000 residents, crime was reported as being down with statistics favoring the trend on paper but the reality for many citizens is the complete opposite.

While feelings can't be quantified fear can be made extremely profitable, many people would say there is a feeling of fear and danger that surrounds certain areas of the city. The police are being held accountable in many circles for not doing their jobs, while Mayor Morrissey says the Governor wants to cut $7.5 million from a fund that supports the city budget. He says if that happens, the city will have to cut 40 police officers, 16 public works employees, and about 15 other city workers... He said that would have a devastating effect on our safety. Really?

But let's talk about our feelings shall we? Especially since the feeling of safety or rather the "feeling of safe" is a relative term, some people living and working in certain areas of town feel differently than others but many agree that Rockford is becoming increasingly unsafe. The presence of police officers may give a particular family a feeling of security, while others one of fear. But I'm not sure the 12 shootings last night have anything to do with the ability of local police officers to effectively do their jobs, meaning I don't blame them.

Anyone can observe and form an opinion, but if your observations include your version of the truth or rather the interpretation of that version, those with little to no power to change what everyone hates about the city become your greatest critics. The "But what are you doing to change Rockford?" questionnaire being passed around like cheap booze is mostly echoed by citizens who don't care enough to even vote. The failing infrastructure is blamed upon the citizens as is the high unemployment and poverty rate. The city has attempted to raise the collective moral by funding/marketing t-shirt and civic pride campaigns in an effort to either effectively shame or religiously convert those that have the audacity to voice that something is dangerously wrong in the city.

Locally, preachers have held hundreds of hands and concerned citizens marched countless miles, I'm certain dozens of meetings were scheduled addressing the shootings this morning alone. My point is that the increasing reality of fear in the city I once called home, can't be washed away by thinking positive or squandering meager resources to appease those who feel you just aren't doing enough to change what you didn't create. Anyone with half a brain knows why the city is doing so poorly, but those directly responsible for it's current state of affairs don't seem to even care. You may feel differently and that's your prerogative, but demanding that people ignore or to think themselves into an effective solution is dismissive, especially since violence doesn't require a vote. But those we've elected have the power to create jobs which would benefit the thousands of poor and disenfranchised workers, build infrastructure making the city look and better increasing overall esthetics and functionality; fund programs as an alternative to mass criminalizing the youth because there's "nothing to do".

I've read a few dozen "Pray 4 My City" posts via social media this morning, but prayer without action is apathy and without works is dead. In my opinion demanding a Cease Fire solely through spiritual channels is no different than praying away a terminal illness while ignoring your doctors "orders". I know, Jesus is a healer but bullets... I'm saying all of this to say the current state of affairs in the City of Rockford seems to be deliberate, but watch the tens of millions of dollars soon be appropriated into the municipality budget because the city needs more officers and heavier equipment to quell any further threats from local combatants. People will soon literally begin to beg for the restoration of order. In any state, certain areas are ‘securitized’ and by definition removed from the democratic political process. In an emergency situation – in short of war or terrorist attacks – the security sphere ‘invades’ the sphere of democratic politics. An autocratic security force or ‘security state’ appears to act in parallel to the regular democratic state, and this duality or ‘dual state’ was described by Hans Morgenthau in 1955. After September 11, domestic terrorism has become an instrument to 'securitize' what used to be public in an effort tilt the ‘dual state' balance in favor of the 'security state'.

Please understand that the crime in Rockford isn't out of control, it's being controlled. I won't go so far as to say by whom but if the millions of dollars that have already allocated hasn't made a dent in the statistics, what impact will a prayer vigil have? In closing, African Americans are the only citizens in this country that are held to a higher standard in terms of seeking justice and equality, "Black-on- Black" is used in the defense and justification of police brutality against African Americans because since Blacks kill each other they don't deserve the protection afforded to Americans that do not. The "Black-on-Black crime" moniker is racist rhetoric functioning under the guise of concern for the state of Black America. People of all races, Blacks included seemingly love to discuss how not killing your own and being more respectable will alleviate the effects of racism. The term, which originated in the 1980s, cites Black people as a problem as opposed to poverty, poor educational opportunities, proximity and other factors that lead to increased crime rates within all communities -- regardless of color.

You can love Rockford and hate what has been allowed in Rockford, if we can't openly discuss the problems plaguing the city... Gary happens, Detroit happens as well as Ferguson and countless other examples of ignoring the truth. We can't Transform 12 shootings in one night into anything but what it is, just as acting like they didn't happen won't bring anyone that lost their lives back from the dead.

Regular everyday citizens are being strapped with the burden of change in Rockford, but if you can't afford to donate a unicorn to the cause or a member in good standing of the circle jerk band, you'll be accused of being a complainer and not doing nearly enough to "save" Rockghanistan. The question you might want to ask is if Rockford actually wants be saved?

There's A War Going On Outside,

The Civil Collective of TSNE