July 24—August 14, 2014
Chicago Street Journal
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July 24—August 13, 2014
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Volume 20 No. 2
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By Frank Ottman Staff Writer According to the Department of Defense and FBI data, 2,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. During that same period, more than 5,000 Chicagoans were killed. Chicago has thus been nicknamed “Chiraq” by many locals. The violence most often occurs on the city’s South and West sides where, according to Chicago police, gangs are mostly concenDirk ‘ Don Dirk’ Acklin, trated. A 2011 Chicago police analysis found who grew up in the '60s, that 90 percent of murder victims are men, 76 a founder of Black Dispercent of victims have prior arrest records, ciples Nation, now also and the most common ages of killers are 17 a founder of Developers and 18 years old. of Dreams, is out to “There were always gangs, but now the curve the violence among gangs and in the violence concern is greater. In our days we
had control,” said Dirk “Don” Acklin, who grew up in the '60s and founder the Black Disciples Nation. He suggests that we might “examine whether these conditions parallel the movie, ‘World War Z’, where experimental drugs are planted,” also asking, “Is racism now so organized that the violence results from a kind of ‘Willie Lynch Letter’ of today?” Aaron Wright, an ex-gang enforcer with the Mickey Cobra Stones in “Da Hole” (the Robert Taylor Homes), now a youth intervention specialist, agrees, saying “There’s a total lack of accountability on the streets now, in comparison to the 70’s and 80’s.” Dirk and Aaron appear to have a lot in Aaron Wright, Ex Gang Chief common. Both are former gang members. Enforcer for The Mickey C o(Continued on page 7) bras—now a Youth Interven-
streets.
tion Specialist
The Chicago Mayor Game
The November 4, 2014 state elections as well as the 2015 Municipal Elections are approaching quickly, with more atten(Continued on page 44))
Clear Channel Releases V103’s
Ramonski Luv
Yet another Chicago radio veteran was released in July. WVAZFM/V103 top-rated host Ramonski Luv was let go by Clear Channel Media + Entertainment Chicago. No reason has been given for the host’s abrupt exit. Ramonski Luv was part of the (Continued on page 20)
By Real Deep, Associate Publisher Two local groups, the Clear the Airwaves Project, and Chicago Coalition on Black Civic Participation, are campaigning to stop media from airing popular Gangsta Rap songs that they believe induce listeners (mostly who are impressionable minors) to engage in violence, degrade women and participate in criminal behavior. “Radio has to change,” says Chicago resident and Clear the Airwaves Project representative B. Creamer Jr. “If you control the media, you control the masses. Propaganda as entertainment is inspiring our c h i l d r e n t o l o s e . ” Dwight Taylor, Gary, Indiana coordinator for the Chicago Coalition on Black Civic Participation (CCBC), shares this view, and urges concerned citizens to participate in campaigning, not only against the music industry, but also against the radio advertisers that fund stations that play degrading and disrespectful lyrics. Since 2012 Taylor has been part of a series of pickets against advertisers on Power 92 and WGCI 107.5 radio, actively charging: “This music is harmful to the impressionable minds of our young people”. Taylor’s group met with WPXW Power 92.3 Crawford Broadcasters, and Clear Channel 107.5. “At one point they listened and apparently understood—but then upon our wanting the understanding in writing, we were lead out the door,” reported Taylor. CCBC visits the McDonalds in Chicago on 66th & Stony Island on Saturdays at 10 .a.m. “We are going to continue our pickets against advertisers.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, homicide is the leading cause of death for Black males between the ages of 15 and 34. Some ask, “Has rap gotten an undeserved rap? "Yes, there are rap videos that are particularly violent
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CCBC coordinators Aaron Robert Ireland, Dwight Taylor, Thomas Willis and Teri Reese Delk protest radio stations WPWX and WGCI, charging the media of contributing to the violence from the lyrics in the music played by many rap artists. Clear the Airwaves Project representative C. Creamer agrees: "If you control the media, you control the masses. Propaganda as entertainment is inspiring our children to lose .“
or sexual, but let's look at what is more important in whether or not these kids act out of behaviors." says Cheryl Keyes, PhD, associate professor of ethnomusicology at UCLA and author of Rap Music and Street Consciousness. “Youth do have a very social conscience,” she points out, and considers, “Hip hop, in reflecting society, is picking up on norms across the country.” “My concern,” Keyes says, “is that African American youth are more vulnerable, due to social status, due to not having the political opportunities in expression, the educational opportunities.” Grammy-winning rap artist Che "Rhymefest" Smith, a Chicago resident who once ran for the 20th ward (Continued on page 22)
While President Barack Obama has not publicly commented on his plans for his Presidential Library location and the project is unlikely to reach fruition before the end of the decade, contenders from Chicago and Hawaii are vying for the prestige and economic vitality that the tourism site could bring. Chicago could receive 1,900 new jobs and a $220 million jolt (Continued on page 6)
By Donnell Robinson Staff Writer Three groups have submitted economic development proposals to Alderman Rod Sawyer for the old Kennedy King site at 69th and Wentworth, one of which will not be publically revealed until mid August. Rev. Robert Moore, President/CEO, United for Better For Communities, Inc., working with developer Mack Glover, submitted their proposal to Chicago Street Journal last week; their projects focuses on a multi-level commercial development with the long term goal of replicating the initiative throughout Chicago’s south side. “The purpose,” they stated, “is to retain and attract community entrepreneur investment for the West 69th Black Wall Street District.” The plan develops outlines for building and retaining talent, supporting the innovation economy, empow(Continued on page 16)
An artist rendering developers are proposing a multi– use project at the former Kennedy—King College location at 66th to 69th and Wentworth for the
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