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YOU CAN’T BUILD A WALL WITH BAYONETS

BY: ERIC HAMELL

So, President Trump has now (not for the first time) made a mockery of his Constitutional oath of office, by declaring a totally phony emergency in order to get his border wall built without having to deal with all that checks-and-balances nonsense. This is an attack on America’s working-class majority in two different ways. First, notwithstanding its imperfections, the US Constitution embodies major democratic conquests of the Revolution of 1776, made possible by the laborers, artisans, and farmers who fought for a republic. At the same time, this move is part of an ongoing effort to undermine any possibility of solidarity between US workers and our class brothers and sisters abroad. By demonizing and dehumanizing those divided from us by imaginary lines drawn by political representatives of the capitalists, the aim is to keep us from making common cause against them. It’s the old strategy of divide and rule. But we don’t have to passively accept it. Workers’ unions still have millions of members and play key roles in the economy. It will be difficult for Trump to build a wall without our cooperation, and we shouldn’t give it to him. Organized labor should proclaim that, in the name of our Constitution and of international working-class solidarity, it will boycott Trump’s vanity project and will not assist in any way with its construction. You can’t build a wall with bayonets! STAR TAINTED BANNER

BY: BRYANT E. CULPEPPER SR.

Oh, say can you see, by the dawns early light…Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave? What a streaming popular question that has been now rendered. Is America truly the great? Does power reign over morals? Humanitarian respect has been stuffed in the back pockets of millions and millions of the so called patriotic American citizens. Please do not get me wrong or take these comments with a one-track mind. How can a bond-servant that has been physically, and morally whipped, raped, and rated as an animal remain respectful to one’s master or authority figures? Like a prisoner awaiting judgment for his negative acts, I truly believe that the United States of America will be the first in line for sentencing. But one thing I do agree with regarding America. And that’s the monitoring of our, or should I say, their borders to illegal immigrants that slither into the U.S. only to kill and destroy. But at the same time, America needs to clean its own backyards of discrimination against its own citizens. Such as immoral unions, stereotypes, racisms, oppressions, and many, many more of the monstrosities citizens have to endure here in this country. Although this may not be a popular topic for most Americans, but truth will prevail. Even through hallways of long sufferings. As a young lad in my elementary days of public school, we always had to take pledges of allegiance to that star-spangled banner (the American flag). It was taught to us in history class, or as I should say, American history class, that this country we live in is one of pride, integrity, honor, and all the other accolades that as a learned adult I truly have to beg the differ. They left out the true details of how an overseas culture was unfairly stolen and taken against its own will by American patriarchs. They left out the fact that their actions that was deemed legal back then, planted seeds of oppression in the spirits of minorities today. In this next statement of immorality, I’m not at all stating that I look down on any human being. However, I truly indeed love the person.

As I watched the NBA finals. The triumphant team celebrated by pouring champagne on each other, and according to the sports analyst, it cost over four million dollars, not to mention the very expensive cigars that were wasted due to the ruins from the wetness from the poured champagne. And America claim to be plundering financially? America wastes so much of the vitalities that truly could be used to feed hungry families, give proper medical care, housing, and many more humanitarian aids to deprived families here as well as beyond onto third world countries. And they still chant, “America the great?” I can go on and on of the monstrosities of immoralities that’s openly displayed here in America. Of course, I’d love to be proud to be an American. But after witnessing the degeneration of this country, I’m just about to the point of total embarrassment of this country we live in. When my mother was working for the public-school system as a lunchroom aid, she would tell me that they had to according to the law, throw away just about as much food that actually was eaten by the students. And I turn on my television only to see the bloated stomachs of sickly hungry babies and adults around the world. These are only just a few of the inhumane and immoral deeds of our government now as well as then. I pray in tears for America. A modern version of Sodom and Gomorrah. You know that region that was divinely destroyed for its vast immoralities. “Make America Great Again”. That’s the slogan our current president has uttered since his seat in office. But as little does he knows. To make America great again, it will have to indeed start with love without question. Because love will protect, love will heal, love will feed, love won’t steal, love is fair, love is kind, love is moral, love will respect, love is sharing, and love is just. But until then, love will indeed judge! So, in closing. To all those athletes that kneeled during the allegiance to that tainted banner; until this country turn and repent, I’d have to strongly agree with them. America, please do not hate me for this editorial. Ponder the facts. And if you really have a heart in your body, true love will surely surface. And then, and only then, will the healing begin. May God bless you all.

As an artist myself, I am committed to support the evolution and work of other artists. I recently met Eugene Carrington at a Business Building Workshop. I interviewed him to learn more about his work. Here is some of his story and some examples of his work Eugene (Gene) grew up in Queens, NY. He’s held many jobs including temp jobs, security guard, cab driver, NYC bike messenger, and yes, street vendor, until he began to approach his life as an artist.

In the 1980’s he went around the city of New with his 35mm Minolta to develop his “conservationist style”. He says that he found the art community for photographers at the time not very inclusive but didn’t let that stop him. He says that photography taught him to see things more deeply. These observational skills led him to writing where he joined the NY Writers Coalition. He writes short stories and poetry. I asked him how he sees the difference between the two forms. He said that poetry is a compressed brief statement of reality: of familiar emotions about our environment and society. However, a short story is more expansive: focused on characters, a struggle, a dramatic high point and a conclusion.

When asked what brought him to Philly, he said he was finding that life in NYC was becoming more difficult. A very difficult place to stand out as an artist with so much talent, so much competition, and a rising cost of living. Gene became homeless for a time —couch surfing. A friend described Philly to him as more helpful and respectful of artists. Having come here and settled in Gene says he finds Philly to be “a very livable place”. He says he finds it to be very “live and let live” here. And an easier place for artistic talent to be recognized. Most recently Gene has become as member of The Philly Tenants Union. He wants to do a short film asking, “Why did the Tenant’s Union form?”, “What are the challenges facing tenants and small property owners?” And “How is the city addressing the issues?” Let’s stayed tuned to see what Mr. Carrington will be doing next.

BY: EUGENE CARRINGTON

Now that fall has passed A frosty tree still stands there bare Its boughs stretching past power-lines Patios, benches, and fences too While flowers dance, sing, cry, then die Under frigid stormy skies As Eve’s garden floats away slowly, Oh, so, so, slowly And now those songbirds are long, long gone Since hostile winter winds strike again And a frosty tree still stands there bare Its boughs jutting out past power-lines Benches and fences too While flowers dance sing, cry, then die Under frigid stormy skies Now that fall has passed.

To learn more about the artist and order his book, Messenger Blues, go to: https://bit.ly/2HGPJDw. To find out about upcoming exhibits, or purchase his framed photos, you may contact him here: Eugenetheartist@gmail. com.

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