Meet Mr. Monte Smith. Revolutionary soldier. Street Poet. Activist. I first met Monte Smith at the end of 2004 in North Carolina. I was there to attend the Red-Bull Word Clash founded by Monte Smith.
The atmosphere at the venue for the Red-Bull Word Clash was REVOLUTION. I smelt it, I could taste it. I watched Monte running around like a general getting his troops ready for combat. The production of the event was incredible. The poets, every one of them hand picked by Monte were fierce. Monte himself opened up the event with some hell fire that had me ready to take up arms. I knew right there I wanted work with this brotha.
We were formally introduced by a mutual friend that night and we kicked it as best we could under the circumstances. We exchanged information and vowed to keep in contact. We have done just that for the past three and a half years.
Crazy thing about Monte and I meeting up the way we did, was that about ten years before I first met him in person and was formally introduced I had met Monte via a phone conversation. I had an article I took from The Source Magazine about 1994. It was a column speaking about the hip hop scene in North Carolina. It was a dope piece with a lot of information and contacts. I was on my way to North Carolina to visit family that had just moved there. When I arrived I called the contact which I just recently realized was Monte Smith because I actually still have the same photo copy of the article I had 14 years ago. Monte had told me what was going on in North Carolina. He told me Afrika Bambaataa was in town. I knew Bam from the Bronx back in the day. We wasn't close or anything but he knew me well enough to let me on stage and rock for 1000 college students. One of the best shows I ever did completely improvised.
I feel it was meant to be for me and this brotha to join forces in anyway possible for the good of the struggle. On 2-22-008 once again I got to meet up with Monte face to face after the countless e-mails and messages on myspace. All the phone conversations. It was dope. We talked for a bit outside the Arts Garage in Philly just sharing about our journeys to arrive in during the biggest snow storm of the year. With that we still managed to pull in near 100 people at peek thanks to Therapist and his vicious hustle. These is true soldiers fighting on the Frontlines, getting things done.
It was decided that I would open up for Monte, an unusual twist seeing most would have the poet open for the MC. I pumped up the crowd and then Monte came and took their breath as they were trying to catch it. The combination was crazy. Sandwiched in by Therapist just added to the verbal assaults.
The event was a success, the performances were tight. Everything could have been cleaner but for just coming together the way we did it was historical, the beginning of a true movement, a real revolution.
Monte and I will continue to work together. We share a common goal to break into the college circuit. We look to serenade the future of America with Revolution. It's happening. Monte just performed at a university in California, and I am set to speak at the university of Maryland next month. We are planning our attacks world wide in the months to come. Lyrical assaults that smell of the 60's revolts. "I smell a riot going on".
We have already been tagged the Che' and Fidel of the underground. George L Jackson incarnate and Satan himself. It's Capital-"X" and Mr. Smith mutha fucka's repping every sister and brotha, that knows what it is to suffer, knows hunger, but don't know they father or motha, running from the feds like we're terrorist or common muggers, striking like lighting louder than thunder, make mutha fuckas wonder, what would possess us to be willing to die for a cause, well we rather die fighting for the truth, than to live our lives lost. I refuse to die a slave, so I crave REVOLT!
Monte solidified all of what every MC spoke on at the Philly Arts Garage show. See an MC is only going to get so much reaction until the people start to really look into what they are saying. Spitting 1000 words a minute at times people don't get the entire message. Now here comes the judge. Monte started out just speaking, softly with the charisma of a scholared professor. His experience on the stage shined though without question. He lured the crowd into his first piece and he unleashed the beast.
His intensity feels like the impact of a bomb. The crowd was not going anywhere, I think the bar tenders stopped working while Monte was on stage for real. This man is a true soldier, a lion who's roar needs to be heard. I think it's the responsibility of every person that sees Monte perform to spread the word. Book this brotha for your events, hell book him for your house party he is worth supporting. This brotha is of the people, for the people. The struggle in the flesh. He needs to be heard.
Monte did about 4 or 5 pieces and talked with great intelligence. He shared some battle stories. True battles where blood was shed. He was the bond. He bonded every performer, activist, revolutionist in the building together. He bonded us all together in 30 minutes. We were family from that moment on.
I didn't get to build much with Monte after our sets because we were tending to the people, recruiting new soldiers for the struggle that are desperately needed but it's all good. Actions are being planned, moves are being made. New York and New Jersey may be the next to come under attack states Project Revolution President "Action" who has just picked us up on a promotion deal. Project Revolution is a multimedia data based promotion company based in Philadelphia. They are doing big things for the struggle.
So I bid you, Mr. Monte Smith aka Castro. Keep an eye out for Mr. Smith and Capital-"X" at a spot near you. The Revolution will not be televised, but can be found on "The Frontlines" www.onloq.com In solidarity. "X"

What can I say; I fucking love Philly. And I have mad love for my comrade Therapist, that's MC Therapist. An MC he is too. Master of ceremony, moving crowds, microphone controller and a Major Commander in the struggle.

Last night was Revolutionary history in the making. First off there was a snow storm but it didn't stop not one soldier from showing up at this event traveling from New York, Dirty Jerz and as far as North Carolina. The Arts Garage wasn't packed to the rafters but the energy level was. The small crowd of I don't know maybe 100 pretty much stayed posted through every act, that's love and support.

There were a few special guests that most def held it down and the bill just came up and smashed it. Enki payed homage to his fallen comrade and called for all prisoners to keep their heads up. He then launched verbal attacks at the structure.

Enki set the tone. He left the stage ablaze, I just stepped up and poured gasoline on that. My illness was acting up, but it's hard to tell because the energy was crazy. Every cat on the bill was building with cats, yea it looked like a hip hop "Move" meeting. I dug deep and launched a couple new high tech weapons of mass destruction. I also announced my "Walk 4 Life". I will write about that.

I was about to call up my confidant when Therapist jumped on stage and took over the mic introducing first the head of the Arts Garage I believe. He proceeded to give the guest of honor a formal introduction worthy enough for a king. It was peace,,,"Please welcome to the stage, Monte Smith".

I am going to write another blog just on my conidant comrade Monte because I have to. This brother here and I have been struggling to meet on such an occasion for some time now and it couldn't have happened in a better place, Philly, with a revolutionary history I need not recount. The capital of the state that holds Mumia captive, like Monte had the crowd.

Monte stepped on the stage and waisted no time. He spoke to the crowd with high caliber intelligence which acted as lit fuses to the verbal bombs he released. He had every eye in the place locked on his every move like inferred beams. Though a street poet Monte was right at home sharing the stage with MC's and rappers. His delivery and lyrical contact actually put the Billboard Top 40 rappers to shame. All of them. Monte's passion for the struggle stirs up more emotions than any award winning film. When he speaks with the heart of real revolution, you can feel and smell fear in the room. this brotha is the real deal.

Bringing it home. I got the honor of calling my comrade Therapist to the stage, an honor for real. I brought him up the only way I felt it worthy to such a soldier. I called for raised fists from the whole house. Therapist took to the stage like a suicide bomber. He left the stage in splinters. He commanded the stage like a battle field and delivered some deadly blows.

This event was tight. I could only imagine what it could grow into if the same line up was to tour. I have been to a lot of events. I just haven't been to one with such a revolutionary over tone not since attending Monte Smiths Red Bull Poetry Slam in North Carolina a few years back. It was a dope vibe. A group of enlightened people building together seeking change. I raise my fist once again to Therapist and all the soldiers that came together to raise money for children. That's peace. "X"

Coming to you, straight from the mutha fucking FRONTLINES!

StarBucks and Prison Labor:

I have learned that many familiar companies have unknown to the public used prison labor at one time or another in the past years. Throughout my research I learned companies such as Honda, TWA and even Microsoft have used prison labor.

I was preparing for an upcoming lecture I am doing on the 13th Amendment and the Prison Industrial Complex at the University of Maryland. Going over some facts on prison labor I came across StarBucks on a list of companies using prison labor. I go to StarBucks almost everyday. I like the coffee, and I was feeling what the company was doing for people. I double checked and sure enough, I found them on another list.

I wanted to know why they would use prison labor, if it was in fact true. And if it was true, I was ready to try and get them to change their minds. Anyway it was easy enough to find an e-mail address to the corporate office. I am just going to paste our e-mail conversation then of course I am going to voice my opinion. The e-mail communication went as follows:

From Capital-X: Good day. I am a regular customer at Starbucks no matter where I travel even abroad. As a consumer I would hope that I receive an honest answer to the question I have for you. I recently read in a book that your company uses prison labor to manufacture products, I would like to know if this is indeed true? As I said I hope to receive an honest reply to my question. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely. Capital-X

Response from Starbucks Coffee Company - Case # 5161151:
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:56:33 -0800

Hello Capital-X,

Thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.

Starbucks Coffee Company has contracted with Signature Packaging Solutions, a company that has occasionally supplemented its workforce in the past with domestic inmate labor from Twin Rivers Prison in Washington State. We believe a program like this reflects good business and social practices consistent with our Mission Statement, which guides us to treat each other with respect and dignity, embrace diversity as a key component of the way we do business and contribute positively to our communities.

To us, the prison labor program had the potential to benefit society as a whole by addressing a variety of social concerns because:

Prison laborers were paid the prevailing minimum wage for the job-enabling them to contribute toward incarceration costs, support their families, and pay taxes and victim restitution.
Participation was completely voluntary and earned through good behavior. There were waiting lists of inmates who wanted to work.
Inmates received on-the-job training that could help them prepare for civilian life, ultimately helping to reduce recidivism rates.
Working could help rehabilitate inmates by providing a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, and improving self-esteem.

Signature Packaging Solutions ended its use of prison labor in May 2004. Starbucks reviews its contract with Signature Packaging Solutions on a yearly basis.

For more information on the history of prison labor use in Washington State, please contact the Washington State Department of Corrections at www.doc.wa.gov.

I hope that this addresses your concerns. Again, thank you for contacting Starbucks Coffee Company.

Sincerely,

Sheena L.
Starbucks Customer Relations


If you would like to share your thoughts about your experience with Starbucks Customer Contact Center, please click on the link below to participate in a short survey. Your comments will be used to ensure that any future experiences with Starbucks Customer Contact Center meet your highest expectations.

http://www.starbuckscontactcenter.com/star_ccc_index.asp?group=CR&template=CR119

Capital-X Re: Good day; I first want to thank you for your response and then again for your honesty. I admit I only know a little about the history of your company but I do want to say what I have heard I appreciated and supported by not only being a loyal customer but also speaking in behalf of the work Starbucks does in defense really to misinformed individuals that ended seemingly appreciative of being enlightened on some of what Starbucks stands for. But now, the intentions stated here in your e-mail though very well worded read like a marketing tool to solicit companies such as yours to participate in such programs as the prison labor program. The prison labor programs are much like the prisoner leasing programs from the 1800's which were considered a failure. I understand at the present moment you are not engaged in this practice, but I am seeking to enlighten your company on the truths about these programs so that maybe in the future your great intentions are not misplaced.
The prison leasing program was identified by many experts as a form of slavery. In all actuality the right that you have chosen to practice (using prison labor) is indeed protected by the constitution of the United States, The 13th Amendment, which clearly uses the term 'Slavery'. Without going further into detail, I have knowledge of the entire under-structure of prison labor. It all adds up to dollars and cents.
Prisoners need work upon entering back into society, they need guaranteed work. Working in prison is not going to better a prisoners chances at all, I speak from experience. They need education, and alternative education for those that can't adjust to formal education. Prisoners are forced to work in all prisons. If prisoners refuse to work they are disciplined. You can choose jobs at times, but you have to work.
I am asking your company to look into this further. At face value yes it seems to have the best intentions, but when you really look into it, it is appalling. I am in hopes that your company as I said would further look into this and publicly denounce such a practice. No matter how you paint the picture forced labor in any fashion has no room in a civilized society.

Sincerely,

Capital-X

President: 305375 The Voice Of The Voiceless

Response From Starbucks Coffee Company - Case # 5161151: Hello Capital-X,

Thanks so much for contacting us.

Your feedback is very important to us, so we appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I want to assure you that I've passed on your comments to the appropriate people in our company for their attention.

If you have any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call our Customer Relations department at (800) 23-LATTE. Or, email us via www.starbucks.com/customer/contact.asp.

Thank you again for contacting Starbucks, we really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Sheena L.
Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee Company

If you would like to share your thoughts about your experience with Starbucks Customer Contact Center, please click on the link below to participate in a short survey. Your comments will be used to ensure that any future experiences with Starbucks Customer Contact Center meet your highest expectations.

http://www.starbuckscontactcenter.com/star_ccc_index.asp?group=CR&template=CR105

I give them mad respect for being honest. Not long after I received their replies I found stories on them using prison labor through Signature Packaging Solutions which seems to be a very large corporation. Let me just say this real quick. An associate of mine in the past has asked me straight up, how do they profit from having people in prison. It's not an easy question to just answer, see the structure though simple is very complex because those benefiting from the prison industrial complex have free run to make it into anything they want. I am sure that if I had access to the records of investors in Signature Packaging Solutions stocks I would find a gene pool of politicians and corrections personal. See the billions of dollars spent on the prison industrial complex is funneled to where ever they choose. Just as our now President owning large shares of a private prison industrial complex, many others with close ties to the industry also have large investments.

Bottom line, prison labor is the new face of slavery there is no question about it. Starbucks or Honda are promised quality service and product at let's say minimum wage. Take note that a prisoner being paid the state minimum wage is rare but it doesn't matter anyway because what Starbucks doesn't know is that prisoners see very little of that money if any at all. 50 to 60% of a prisoners income is taken for room and board, fines, victims of crimes and they take taxes out. After that they deduct for any medical you receive like for a headache I got 2 children's Tylenol, they cost $5.00 each plus the doctor visit was like $20.00. Believe me they get all that money from you one way or another. It won't leave the prison complex. Companies don't have to pay for health care, which was one of Starbucks strong points. They don't have to pay for retirement, no raises, no paid holidays or sick days. No worries about someone not coming to work. In the end, they save money. Sure it sounds good, you are trying to do good in society. Well there are plenty of other ways to do that. Just give an ex-prisoner a job, that will help.

Prison labor generates millions of dollars. This money is returned right back into the machine which puts it into pockets. Tax payers are already paying for each prison bed filled or empty that bill is coming just like the electric bill. Victims of crimes get their cut, this has all been budgeted. You think every time the state makessome money they are going to re-adjust the budget? No, any revenue is going to be pumped back into the pool where they all dip their hands at will.

These prison labor programs cause a lot of people to lose their jobs in the free world; it closes down entire companies. Some companies have actually shut down their factories in the free world to relocate behind prison walls. Relocation paid for by the state. These such companies will save on rent and assorted taxes. Hundreds become unemployed. I have read companies testimonies justifying their actions by saying they would have moved to another country if not for the states offer. And then there is the competition. Saving so much money on labor costs, companies can now under bid all competition literally driving some companies under. To sum it all up prison labor does more harm than good over all for society. It's slavery. They just gave it a face lift.

I was glad Starbucks isn't using prison labor at the moment. That's not saying the next bid won't be won by a prison labor based company. I don't plan on policing every place I go into, but if it does appear before me yea, I am going to speak up. There are so many people that want to speak out but can't, I can, so why remain silent to injustices? Coming to you From The Frontlines. "X"

A letter to Inga:
Yea I flew a kite as we say in the joint to Foxy Brown the other day. She is currently serving 12 months for what ever reason. I think this is ridicules really I don't see what purpose this is serving. At the moment Foxy has received 76 days in punitive segregation after she scuffled with another inmate at Rikers Island jail, authorities said. She was denied a temporary release to see her personal doctor for her hearing problem just recently as well I think it's a shame.
I don't believe anyone belongs in an environment such as on Rikers Island let alone an individual that has done so much with her life and for others. Granted you can't go around slapping nail salon workers but I think sending Foxy to Rikers is the real crime.
Let me say this has to be the only thing I miss about prison. You had to be on your game. When somebody came out the side of their neck with shit, it got handled right there. You owe money, you paying. The square life, people be thinking they can get away with anything for whatever the reason. I'm not saying Foxy is not guilty, I am saying regardless of what happen prison is way over board. How about anger management, or therapy? Instead a judge sends her to where you have to fight to survive, and you grow bitter and angry especially in lock up. Fortunate enough Foxy has a good life waiting for her when she gets out, I just pray she shakes the prisonization.
Prisonization is not just a term, this is a human programming system. Do your homework. I will be talking about this more later on but yea you have heard of it, the prison mentality. This mind set can be hard to break for real for anybody.
Anyway, Foxy must be getting loads of mail so I don't expect to hear back from her or anything, but this is part of what we do fighting in the struggle. We support prisoners, any and all prisoners. I can definitely relate to Foxy's situation. I been on the Rock, I been in lock up there, and right now as I have mentioned, I am going deaf. So I just sent homegirl some peace word up. Hebrews 13:3 In solidarity. "X"

If you wanna give Foxy a shout here's where they are holding her captive:

Inga Marchand#3470701776 Rose M. Singer's Women's Facility19-19 Hazen StreetEast Elmhurst,NY 11370

The honorable judge George Korpita. I stood in front of this man many many times. I once lived in his town as he liked to call it, one of many towns where he was the municipal court judge. He never sent me to prison but that's only because he doesn't have the authority. He can only give you a maximum of 354 days. One day shy of a prison sentence. Yea anything under a year is considered county time served at the counties jail where you were arrested. Anyway yea Mr. Korpita I remember always handled DWI cases first. I swear it seemed like he took joy in doing his job, always with that same smile like in the picture above. I was a regular in his court room as well as a few others. See I used to hustle in New York, and New Jersey, in Dover New Jersey. I had family lived near by there and I lived there once as I said. I stayed in near by towns as well through out years but had my block in Dover. I introduced Dover to curb side hustling, serving cars and we kept runners and look outs. A New York structure in a small urbanized suburban town. It was a gold mine but that's a whole other story.Korpita sent me to jail every chance he got. He also put me on every fucked up program they had. He always included a hefty as fine he knew you weren't ever going to pay, but it was a guarantee that you would be back again and again he was a thorn in my ass let me tell you. And he always had something to say. He hated if you called him man, or bro I remember him chewing people out if they called him anything other than your honor.The last time I saw this man he had me transported from Garden State Prison in Bordentown, NJ. I was serving 3 years for possession of weed, yea fucking weed. But I was also waiting to get extradited to New York. I was facing 10 years there for a trunk full of charges ranging from drug possessions, to theft and attempted arm robbery. Anyway I am led into Korpita's court room in prison uniform shackled, handcuffed and chained up. He say's you owe me $6000.00, when am I going to get my money? I laughed and said in about 10 to 15 years. He said he didn't think so. He said he wanted his money so he was going to sentence me to serve $20.00 per day, meaning everyday I served was $20.00 towards what I owe. I was hell, no problem thinking the states, any sentence lower than a current sentence already imposed will be served concurrently, meaning I don't do one extra day over what I was already serving. I said you're telling me, if I take this deal I won't owe you shit? I won't have to look at your face ever again? Ring me up I said and get me the fuck out of here. My grand total was 330 days. 300 for the $6,000.00 and 30 days contempt of court for my mouth.Well here I thought I got over on Korpita, but he got the last laugh that time. Seeing the sentence was for payment of fine due, the state stopped my prison sentence for 330 days after which my prison sentence of 3 years would resume, it was a nightmare.Here we are over a decade later, who do you think is laughing now? And people say there is no God, come on. Like I said in my blog about Arnold Schwarzenegger, God hands out the toughest sentences. When I roll in to grab a morning coffee the other day, I couldn't believe it, I was in shock. I ain't laugh for real, I did and do feel for the guy. It's tough waking up, rock bottom, realizing you been a total asshole all your life. That's saying he realizes it, he may just keep on thinking all these towns he presided over are his for real. The best part of this story is, he was quoted as saying to the arresting officer, "I'm a judge bro, think you can cut me a break?". I thought of all the times people said that to him, "bro, please cut me a break". He would say first off, you are not my bro, well there you go. I'm going to pray for this man for real. From the Frontlines yo. Peace. "X"

Broken juvenile justice system wastes millions
Sunday, February 10th 2008, 4:00 AM


New York State's juvenile justice system is an expensive, dismal failure that does great harm to children and families without making our neighborhoods safer.
That indictment comes from Gladys Carrión, who as commissioner of the Office of Children & Family Services is in charge of 35 juvenile detention facilities that hold 2,000 or so kids under 16 who have committed what would be criminal acts if they were adults.
A staggering 80% of the youngsters who enter New York's juvenile facilities end up returning or graduating to adult prisons within three years - a recidivism rate higher than the 60% in the adult criminal justice system.
Taxpayers are shelling out top dollar for that 80% failure rate: In some facilities, it works out to a mind-boggling $200,000 a year per juvenile inmate.
"I don't say this proudly: We preside over a pipeline to prison," Carrión recently said at a panel sponsored by New York University's Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
In a world where government officials normally go to great lengths to shift blame and hide problems from the public, Carrión's candor is a breath of fresh air.
The damning statistics she recently published in a report titled "Empty Beds, Wasted Dollars" make the strongest argument for shutting down many of New York's juvenile jails and putting the money saved into safe, intelligent, proven alternatives to incarceration.
There's no question that some youth offenders are terribly dangerous and need to be behind bars. But most require care, not custody - a level of education, guidance and health treatment that's missing from many detention facilities.
"Over 80% of young people in my system have mental health issues of clinical significance," says Carrión. "I don't get to keep these young people forever. They are going to return to our communities."
Carrión is calling for more teachers, counselors and health professionals. And she has a perfect way to pay for it: Shut down the state's half-empty facilities.
"We continue to pay for empty beds at annual costs from $140,000 to $200,000 each. Nearly a dozen of the state's youth facilities are operating under 40% of capacity," Carrión's report says.
Shutting down six of the least-used juvenile jails would save an estimated $14 million, says Carrión, money better spent on beefed-up services provided by community organizations - a model used in states like Missouri, which cut recidivism to 30%.
Criminal justice experts say Carrión's approach holds great promise. "We need to find a way to reinvest this money and get it into communities where it belongs," says Ellen Schall, dean of the Wagner School, a former commissioner of the city's Department of Juvenile Justice.
"I've never seen a more politically opportune moment," says Meredith Wiley, the New York director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a national organization of police chiefs and other law enforcement agencies.
Calling for reform is easy. Making it happen is not.
By law, Carrión has to give a year's notice before shutting down a juvenile jail, creating absurdities like the Auburn Residential Center, which has 24 beds - and 25 full-time positions that can't be cut - but only three children.
Great Valley, a limited security home for boys, has 25 beds but only nine kids.
The state will continue wasting money on these and four other underused sites for at least one more year, in part because upstate lawmakers, who see jails as a source of local jobs, have a perverse incentive to keep facilities open - no matter how empty and inefficient they may be.
Real reform would be to change the law so that Carrión can shutter these jails immediately and spend the savings on programs for troubled kids that actually work.
elouis@nydailynews.com

First off let me raise my fist to Gladys Carrión. She is to be commended for her courage. I am surprised though that the criminal justice system left such a wide open view as to what our current system really stands for, the almighty dollar.I don't remember what prison I was in at the time, but I remember getting my hands on an officers newspaper one day. Keep in mind amongst ourselves we prisoners always knew we were there because the system was about making money. They are about making money more than fighting crime or what ever you want to call it. Anyway in this newspaper was an article about two towns in upstate New York that were engaged in a battle over what town was going to have the newest prison built in. They were looking at the revenue the prison would bring in for the city, the article made me sick for real. They never once referenced to the occupants of the future prison beds as human beings. Just as Wal-Mart rolls into these poverty stricken rural towns promising a resurrection in their economy so do prisons make these very same promises. Only thing is, they never mention how they plan on filling them beds, and maintaining them filled once the prison is opened. They spend billions of dollars a year fighting crime, one would think by now this war against crime and against drugs should be getting won by now. It's not making a difference at all it's not hard to tell. All you have to do is a little bit of research, then talk about it, speak up because you will find out what's going on is fucked up. There are no better words for me to use, things are fucked up. In my days coming up, they would have never let their guard down as they did here referring to the criminal justice system. In most situations such as this, empty prison space, they usually call for sweeps, or raids on the streets. Most police precincts or districts have yearly raids. this is to maintain the flow of prisoners, maintaining a healthy flow of income for a small portion of society. The proof is right here in this article. They don't mention what is best for the children, this is coming from those that preach "NOT ONE LEFT BEHIND!" yea my ass. And all in your face it say's your tax dollars are basically just being spent to maintain this small populations livelihood this is like up-town welfare at the expense of young lives. We have the balls to speak on third world countries running sweat shops when at least they pay the children something as they make a profit off of them. Here in America they just warehouse bodies and charge citizens millions while the streets are no more safer than they were 10 years ago. They are just training these kids to be recaptured. I encourage everyone to hit that link above and send a letter giving Gladys Carrión proper praise and to also call for the immediate closing of these empty facilities. Let's take the power that is rightfully the peoples. One love, one struggle. "X"

A Schwarzenegger backlash in Austria

BERLIN: Sometime over the Christmas holidays, the authorities of Graz, a classically pretty Austrian town, took down the sign that for the past seven years has identified the local 15,000-seat sports arena as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium, and as they did so, a rare combination of local hero worship, European indignation at the death penalty, and provincial Austrian politics came to a climax.
The stadium had been named after Schwarzenegger in 1997 as an act of a kind of fealty toward the poor farmer's son and international celebrity who, though born in a little village nearby, was educated in Graz and has always readily identified it as his native place.
But when Schwarzenegger, now governor of California, declined to commute the death sentence for Stanley Tookie Williams, the former Los Angeles gang leader who was executed in California, the reaction in Graz, where the death penalty is seen as a medieval atrocity, was swift and angry.
"I submitted a petition to the City Council to remove his name from the stadium, and to take away his status as an honorary citizen," Sigrid Binder, the leader of the Green Party said in an interview in Graz's stately City Hall, describing the first step in the chain of events that led to the renaming of the stadium. "The petition was accepted by a majority on the Council."

"We are against the death penalty not only in word, but really against the death penalty," Wolfgang Benedek, a professor of international law at Graz university, said. Benedek is also directorof the European Training Center for Human Rights, created five years ago in Graz to further its ambition to be a human rights center. It is asort of human rights academy designed to promote respect for the rule oflaw especially among the new democracies of Southeastern Europe.
It was also the particular circumstances of this case that led to this reaction, Benedek continued, meaning the special circumstances surrounding Williams case, of a man who had written children's books aimed at steering young people away from violence, had already spent two decades in jail , and who seemed, to many Europeans at least, to have reformed himself.
"Many people around the world pleaded with Mr. Schwarzenegger to show mercy in this case, and when he didn't, the city had somehow to react," Benedek said.

It's crazy, I used to look up to Schwarzenegger in a big way. I'm talking since before Pumping Iron. My older brother was a professional body builder so Arnold was a household item when I was coming up. I read some things on him I agreed with back in day he was talking about determination. When he crossed over to the silver screens I followed from Conan, to Terminator right to Kindergarten cop. Right now writing this, thinking damn I looked up to this man leaves a bad taste in my mouth. He had me fooled. I really thought Arnold was an enlightened one. Maybe he was and he got blinded or pussy whipped maybe both.
I sure enough question the guilt of Tookie Williams. It's to picture perfect, it smells of conspiracy. I know all to well to what lengths police will go to remove someone from the equation when they don't want them there anymore. Tookie had power on the streets, he had soldiers under him why would he stoop to a low level robbery. As a high soldier I was never involved in such petty activity. They took a man that had mad power and respect, a black man with power and respect and not only murdered him but made him look like a heartless, ruthless monster with no value what so ever on life. I believe the opposite.
If indeed Tookie did commit the crimes he was accused of I can still relate having come up in the manner I have. I know what hunger pains are, I know hopelessness and I know what it is to be so desperate that all logical thinking is non-existent. This is when individuals make stupid mistakes. I believe an individual that falls into this trap can be saved, can be redeemed. For someone like Schwarzenegger I am not so sure.
To murder in the heat of a moment, to kill without having the clarity to think of the repercussions in that second is one thing; but to be sober, of good well being taking weeks, months to think it through all the while hearing the cries of a divided people, then moving ahead and ordering the death of another human being to me is cynical. All the while I am thinking, here is a man that thousands if not millions of people look up to and he is ordering the death of another human being. I am the low life, the menace to society, the ex-convict that can't get a job because of my past yet I was fighting to save not a convicted killer, but the life of human being. A human being that was making a big difference in this fucked up world. What's wrong with this picture?
I praise Austria for what they did. I wish more action like this would be taken in the world. I would like to see action like this taken right here on our soil that is drenched in the blood of our young. I raise my fist to them and honor them in song.
As for the Governor, his now appearance is satisfying to me. I always felt God dishes out the best punishments in life that well fit the crime. A man that has proved to me to be nothing more than selfish and vane I am sure is suffering silently as his luster fades away. I have no respect for Schwarzenegger. The man I thought was a leader ended up being a cowering follower willing to do what ever it takes to be excepted, even over seeing the murder of an innocent man. He chose to follow in the foot steps of the many other politicians who used crime and punishment to boost their political careers.
Though Arnold's political career is still in standing, I think his days are drawing to an end. As Tony Montana said in Scarface, "He finished, he not gonna last". Once he's gone, I guarantee "he won't be back". In Struggle. "X"

Nigeria: Appeal for a moratorium on executions

In Nigeria, no executions were carried out during 2004 and the first seven months of 2005, however death sentences continue to be imposed both by the high courts and by Sharia (Islamic law) courts in northern Nigeria. There are serious concerns that, in death penalty cases, the courts in Nigeria continue to fall below international standards for fair trials and due process.In October 2004, the National Study Group on the Death Penalty, established by President Obasanjo, published the recommendation that there be a moratorium on executions until the Nigerian justice system could guarantee fair trials and due process. The Nigerian Government has, instead, retreated from a moratorium and abolition. For example, in July 2005, the Committee on Judicial and Legal Reform of the National Political Reform Conference recommended that the death penalty be applied to juveniles sentenced for "heinous crimes". Furthermore, a report issued by the presidential committee regarding prisoners on death row, which was leaked to the media, reportedly recommended that all State governors who have such prisoners "should, as a matter of urgency, take necessary steps to execute the death sentences, or, alternatively, commute such sentences in order to decongest the prisons."In July 2005, President Obasanjo reshuffled the cabinet and named Chief Bayo Ojo, former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, to the position of Federal Minister of Justice.Amnesty International is urging the new Minister of Justice to ensure that legislation on a moratorium is enacted urgently as a first step towards complete abolition of the death penalty for all crimes in Nigeria .

TAKE ACTION:

Write a polite letter. We suggest that you include the following information:ask that the Government of Nigeria impose a moratorium on all pending executions, as recommended by the National Study Group on the Death Penalty in its final report and recommendations of November 2004;point out that the death penalty violates the right to life and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment;state that the death penalty in Nigeria also violates the right to be free from discrimination, freedom of expression and association and the right to privacy as it penalizes consensual sexual behavior under the new Sharia penal legislation's introduced since 1999;urge that, pending abolition, the Federal Government and the appropriate judicial bodies should ensure all defendants in capital cases enjoy all the fair trial and due process safeguards as set out in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Safeguards Guaranteeing Protection of the Rights of Those Facing the Death Penalty;point out that a moratorium on the death penalty in Nigeria would be a welcome sign of the Government’s commitment to join the worldwide and African trend to put an end to this ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

WRITE TO:

Chief Bayo Ojo, Minister of Justice Attorney-Generals Chambers Federal Secretariat Complex, 10th Floor Shehu Shagari Way, P.M.B 192, Abuja, NIGERIA Fax: + 234 09 5235208

Sample Letter :

Honorable Minister,In connection with World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October, I am appealing to your government to impose a moratorium on all pending executions, as recommended by the National Study Group on the Death Penalty in its final report and recommendations of November 2004.I believe that the death penalty violates the right to life and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. In its application in Nigeria it also violates the right to be free from discrimination, freedom of expression and association and the right to privacy as it penalizes consensual sexual behavior under the new Sharia penal legislation's introduced since 1999.I also urge you that, pending abolition, the Federal Government and the appropriate judicial bodies should ensure all defendants in capital cases enjoy all the fair trial and due process safeguards as set out in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Safeguards Guaranteeing Protection of the Rights of Those Facing the Death Penalty.Africa is clearly on its way to universal abolition of the death penalty. Twelve of the 53 countries on the continent have permanently abolished the death penalty while another 20 countries have not carried out executions for more than 10 years. The imposition of a moratorium on the death penalty in Nigeria would be a welcome sign of your government’s commitment to join the worldwide and African trend to put an end to this ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.Sincerely,Over 38 organizations, including Amnesty International, have come together to form the World Coalition against the Death Penalty. Each year the Coalition organizes a day of action - World Day Against the Death Penalty - on 10 October. This year the action will be focusing on Africa. To find out more and get involved go to www.worldcoalition.org© AI

This is an older post but I am sure it still a much needed action. As times goes on more and more soldiers and armies fighting against the death penalty surface. It wasn't long ago I felt I stood alone on the front lines fighting for prisoners rights to live. If as much time, energy and money was put into rehabilitating people oppose to destroying them within the confines of modern concentration camps this country may not be in so much of a mess. The aftermath of the games politicians have been playing for the past 30 years using crime to win elections is seldom looked at. Think about it for a moment. We have over 2.3 million people in prison. How many people are in turn effected by such an enormous prison population. The parents, the siblings, the spouses, the children and extended family members as well as friends. We are talking about millions of people here, numbers that are larger than the populations of a hand full of European countries. The killing needs to stop. Mass incarceration needs to stop. We need unity.
This battle is well over 200 years old. I am sure I will find evidence that the fight against the death penalty is older, but I do possess a book by Marquis Beccaria "Dei delitti e delle pene". English: An essay on crimes and punishments. Originally published in Italian in 1764 Marquis Beccaria was from Milan. He wrote how in his point of view the death penalty served no purpose.

The momentum is picking up, but with lives at stake, over 3000 in the US alone, it just never seems to be moving fast enough. It's time for some real action. In Struggle. "X"

"Redemption"

Main Entry: re·demp·tion Pronunciation: \ri-ˈdem(p)-shən\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English redempcioun, from Anglo-French redempcion, from Latin redemption-, redemptio, from redimere to redeem Date: 14th century: the act, process, or an instance of redeemingRedeem:Main Entry: re·deem Pronunciation: \ri-ˈdēm\ Function: transitive verb Etymology: Middle English redemen, from Anglo-French redemer, modification of Latin redimere, from re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lithuanian imti to take Date: 15th century1 a: to buy back : repurchase b: to get or win back 2: to free from what distresses or harms: as a: to free from captivity by payment of ransom b: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental c: to release from blame or debt : clear d: to free from the consequences of sin 3: to change for the better : reform4: repair, restore5 a: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby b (1): to remove the obligation of by payment (2): to exchange for something of value c: to make good : fulfill6 a: to atone for : expiate b (1): to offset the bad effect of (2): to make worthwhile : retrievesynonyms see rescue— re·deem·able \-ˈdē-mə-bəl\ adjective

Last night I was feeling well enough to start recording track 2 of my album. Recording has been a struggle but I am chipping away at the stone. As much as I wish I wasn't ill the fact that this album is being recorded while I'm suffering means all the more to me. Everything about this album was born of suffering, of struggle. Anything that is true in this world comes by way of pain I believe, like the birth of a child.I had heard of Stanley "Tookie" Williams way before the movie had ever dropped about him, before he was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize 3 times and before he penned his first children's book. The group I was involved with back in the day required I learn about our enemies. Their history, current statistics, ranks, present presence you name it, my crew took daily count more than the officers in the prison did. I never had direct beef with any Crip, I have actually built strong bonds with a number of Crips across the country.In 2005 someone gave me the movie "Redemption" the story of Tookie staring Jamie Fox. I have watched this film a number of times. I could relate deeply to the plight of Tookie. His life was far more harsh than mine but none the less the paths we walked in life were one in the same, I just got lucky; so far.At the time I first watched this movie I myself was seeking redemption in my own way. I was going through some really hard times, I just could not catch a break. It seemed like no matter how much I achieved it just was not good enough for society or anyone for that matter. I was feeling imprisoned though I had been free for over 4 years.When I finished watching this movie I was speechless. I couldn't believe what this brotha had achieved from so deep within the belly of the beast. You don't understand I know what it's like to be silenced in a dark cell. Just to get heard to see medical in the same building took weeks, months sometimes to late for some. Here this brotha was not only being heard all over the world, he was changing peoples lives, touching theirs hearts from death row. I saluted this brotha with the honor of an Inca Warrior.I had no excuses after seeing the film, I was on the outside struggling to be heard, he was buried alive and he was being heard all over the world. In the end Stanley "Big Tookie" Williams showed the world who he truly was, I know how much courage that took. It took a lot more courage than it took Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign his death warrant. Anyway this is the path I was stuck on when I saw this film, I wanted to be heard. I wanted to be heard for me and for every prisoner locked in cage that doesn't belong there. I have been misjudged all my life and I wanted redemption as well.Tookie inspired me just like he was inspiring children and adults all over the world. I had picked up this guitar sample that sent shock waves through my body. I took it DJ Emergency in Dirty Jerz and he constructed a weapon of mass destruction for me. I took that beat and within 20 minutes I wrote what I called "Redemption". I lifted Jamie Fox playing Tookie in the film for the intro. This track has moved crowds literally in 8 different countries. No matter how my sets go, once this track drops, it's over. The house becomes a prison riot.I wish the same pictures that flash in my mind as I am rhyming would flash up on a screen. There's a whole lot of truth in this song. It touches on what I have been through, it touches on the injustices, the brutality's I have withstood. It then touches on who I am becoming. I won't say who I have become for I am not finished, I grow daily. I finally touch on the conditions on the inside. No words can ever really describe what it's truly like, but I attempt to give you an idea. The last line of the song, referred to the fact that at the early stage of my being deployed to fight on the front lines of the struggle, I had already touched a nerve. I had received my first of I am sure many more to come death threat. I pissed someone off.For me Stanley "Tookie" Williams stood for hope, for children all over the world, for young prisoners and old, for me. The average American will most likely never view what Tookie accomplished really, they could never get past the fact that he was convicted of murder. That's where it ends for them. He is no longer worthy of anything. I had written Tookie a number of times. I didn't expect anything back hell I knew the brotha had better things to do with his time. But I knew he got the letters, I just knew it. Kites always reach their destiny's.When Tookies death warrant was put onto Governor Schwarzenegger's desk I went into action. I started writing to Arnold on a daily. I also promoted on the Internet and wrote to numerous publications. I did everything I could within my power. I tried to put together the money to join the protests outside of the prison, but like I said times was hard.I was promoting the petition to save Tookie till about 3 hours before he was executed. I had passed out and my friend had helped me into bed. I hadn't slept in days. I slept a little longer but woke up suddenly from a nightmare. I looked at the clock in an instant, I felt a surge of energy going through my body. It was 3:40am, My heart knew, he was dead. I lay back and prayed to God to not let Tookie have died in vain. I vowed to not let the hope that Tookie planted here die. I promised to continue seeking redemption. Because the redemption I am seeking, the redemption I am talking about is not just for me. It's for every single one of us.Though I never met Tookie or was never in direct contact with him I still feel the same bond a lot of prisoners build. Being able to identify with his struggle makes this track special. I felt his spirit before he was executed, and I felt his spirit when I wrote the track. Redemption has been received well. The energy it conjures up as the guitar riff slices through atmosphere like a razor is big, just like Tookie is. I can feel his spirit everytime I rock this track. Stanley "Tookie" Williams lives. In solidarity. "X"

Redemption:

I've waited decades for my turn, now without concern
I'm a spit this fire, sit back and watch the world burn
man this is for every cop, that's ever called me a spic
as I was pistol whipped, and beat with night sticks
and this is for every public pretender, that conned me into taking a deal
thinking I was hitting the pavement, but wound up behind bricks and steel
and this for every judge, that sent me up state
where I grew bitter and cold, filled wit anger and hate
mang I've been misunderstood, from the second I came out the pussy
no I ain't no killa, but don't go and push me
I've been plotting this, since my days in solitary confinement
where I prayed to God, to show me the light through the darkness
well to your dismay, my prayers have been answered
and since that day, my words have been spreading like cancer
no you can't stop it, cause the truth always prevails
man every letter in this verse is like a bomb, being mailed
to everyone that's wrote me off, said I was worthless
a born loser, that served no purpose
and to every C.O. that told me to lift up my nut-sack
spread open my ass-crack, and said I'd be back
man fuck that, I'm over turning every sentence
coming with a vengeance, and claiming my redemption.....
(Break)
I was born guilty, in the eyes of my oppressors
kept under surveillance, and under constant pressure
They've been feeding me lies, ever since I was an adolescent
well now watch me flip the script and teach these punks a lesson
yea I've lied to survive, but I've never lied to myself
I know I'm going to heaven, cause I already been through hell
lock down in a cell, a corporate slave
but now I'm rising, like Christ from the grave
and I'm not talking on some Bad Boy shit, or RocaFella
I'm talking Filiberto Ojeda Rios, and Nelson Mandela
Malcolm-X, Karl Marx and Medgar Evers
I'm wielding my machete, till the dragons 7 heads are severed
I ain't just talking about, we need a change,
I'm breaking the shackles, handcuffs and chains
they tried to break me, but they just made me stronger
they thought they silenced me, but they couldn't have been wronger
I'm bringing the noise like Public Enemy, speaking truth like Technique
seeking vengeance for my people like an Arawak chief
talk is cheap, so I'm backing my words with action
draw first blood, we'll see what happens
don't forgot the golden rule, what goes around comes around
and keep in mind that you can't keep a real brotha down.....
(Break)
Just like my brotha Q-Unique, vengeance will be mine
that's why I'm coming at ya's like the judge, just gave me an asshole full of time
I got homicide on my mind, revenge pumping through my veins
for every inmate locked in the hole, literally going insane
I feel their pains, tears falling like acid rain
I know most of ya'll don't give a fuck, except for capital gain
well I'm gonna spit with a ferociousness, that will rattle your brains
make you see todays prisoners, ain't much different than yesterdays slaves
captured enchained, locked up in a cage
forced to work like third world children, that are under age
housed in conditions, the ASPCA would find inhumane
surrounded by TB, HIV and Aids
365 days could turn into a death sentence
but they keep on warehousing, inmates by the millions
I served 13 years, made me worse not better
cause they plan from day one, was to make me a repeat offender
but like Ojeda Ríos, I refused to surrender
man they ain't never seen me, as anything more than a commodity
but now they're looking at me, like I'm their worst fuckin enemy
spittin verses of truth, that reek of revolution
I got these fucks trying to raise, Willie Lynch from the grave
to try to regain control, of this renegade slave.....
Capital-"X" 2006

Note: Shortly after the execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams and the first test recordings of my track "Redemption" inspired by Tookie, I was booked for my first European tour. This to me was the beginning to my redemption. I feel Tookie's power as I think and pray for him every day. As a Catholic clutches roseries daily to remember the life of Christ, I grab the mic and fire out Redemption celebrating the life and legacy of change left behind by Stanley "Big Tookie" Williams. 1-4-18 mi hermano. 11-12

"The War is far from being over"

I have been staring at this picture for the last half hour. It makes me feel ill let me tell you. I am grateful that the state I now reside in New Jersey just abolished the death penalty, but I am nearly surrounded. Looking at this map makes Jersey look like such a small victory. In truth it's not a small victory, it is a battle won gallantly. It did in fact bring us one step closer to winning the over all war.
It is comforting that the opinion on the death penalty is shifting, this is undeniable. The opinion was slowly shifting with the pressure of abolitionists alone, but the video of the hanging of one Saddam Hussein leaked onto the Internet rocked the country and the world. Evidence of the shift in opinion would be the abolition in New Jersey and the symbolic moratorium passed by vote at the UN late in 2007.
I have met people that have been fighting the death penalty for decades. I have only just begun to fight going on my fifth year. I am tired, but I still have a lot of fight left in me. I have vowed this as well as stated it again and again and I will reaffirm it right here and now; this fight is until my last breath. This system took something from me that can never be replaced. Seeing this does not continue to happen needlessly to young men and women is my life now. Take a good look at that map and keep coming back, cause you will see a shift in the color.

Here's looking at it from a world wide view. Yea, the war is far from being over. In Struggle. "X"

Solitary Confinement

My thoughts echo,
like the foot steps of my captors
passing by
locking up another
my memories of the moon and sun
have suffered, a tragic death
the smell of shit and piss
make me wrestle for my every breath
silence roars so loud
more powerful than an ocean storm
it’s dark, yet I faintly see shadows
looking like demons dancing
coming to take me below
voices
I don’t know which are real
I’m forgetting how to feel
I wish in silence that
Oliver Twist never showed me to steal
Dismas
I Prayed in Jesus’ name
I know I’m forgiven
so why am I still in chains
my brain, has never left
the wounds have never healed
this is not God
this is mans will to kill
been years now
and I’m still fighting
for my sanity
silently
in solitary confinement.


Capital-"X" 305375 1998

"Life In Solitary Confinement"

Luis Felipe is serving one of the most bizarre sentences known in today's society. He was sentenced to life plus 45 years, to be served in solitary confinement. Written in the New York times:

October 26, 1997 Testing the Limits of Punishment; Unusually Severe Life Sentence vs. Society's Need for Safety By JAN HOFFMAN:

In a Manhattan Federal courtroom filled with his followers and their families last winter, the defendant addressed the judge. His English halting, his voice choked with tears, Luis Felipe, a Cuban immigrant who calls himself King Blood, said, ''You sentenced me to die day by day.''He continued, ''I don't mind my mail to be monitored, but you are telling me nobody can write to me, nobody can send money to me, nobody can care about me no more?''Exactly so.Judge John S. Martin Jr. sentenced him to life imprisonment plus 45 years. Then the judge added some extraordinary conditions.Surprising even prosecutors, Judge Martin said Mr. Felipe must serve the sentence in solitary confinement. He forbade him to write or be visited by anyone except his lawyer and close relatives. Mr. Felipe has none. And finally, the judge said, he himself, rather than the Federal Bureau of Prisons, would control the case.These conditions, legal experts say, are virtually unprecedented. In their severity and the degree to which they will be monitored by a Federal judge, sentencing experts say, they stand as an extreme example of a penological trend to make prison more punitive. At their core, they test the limits and purpose of punishment.
Some eight months after the sentencing -- and as his lawyer prepares an appeal to be argued this winter -- Mr. Felipe remains tethered to Judge Martin. Recently, Mr. Felipe, who is incarcerated at the nation's state-of-the-art ''supermax'' prison in Florence, Colo., asked permission to submit his poems and sketches to magazine contests, write to prisoners' rights groups and contact religious organizations. Judge Martin turned him down.
Dr. Stuart Grassian, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School who studies the effects of solitary confinement, said the conditions went too far. ''I could imagine a sober society living with capital punishment,'' he said, ''but I can't imagine a civilized society living with the punishment of driving a prisoner insane.''Since Judge Martin's February sentencing, Mr. Felipe has spent 23 hours a day in a 7-by-12-foot cell, with one hour to run in a hall outside his cell. The $60 million ADX Maximum Security Facility in Colorado was designed to house the Federal system's most incorrigible inmates. In the 64 specially designed sensory-deprivation cells of Mr. Felipe's block, meals are passed through a door slot. The cells are staggered so that prisoners cannot glimpse each others eyes. They have black-and-white televisions into which educational and religious programs are piped.But many find a lifetime in solitary, with almost no human contact, akin to a living death. ''No matter how horrible the crime somebody has committed, there are humane limitations to punishment,'' David Yellen, a professor at Hofstra Law School, said.
I mention Luis Felipe in a number of my songs. He has inspired a lot of my lyrics. You see his picture in the beginning of my first video "Conspiracy". You can see that in the chamber on onloq.com This is an insane sentence. I couldn't even begin to imagine living in that cell knowing you are going to die there without ever feeling the touch of another human for the rest of your life. I am sorry, I don't believe any crime deserves such torture not in a society that itself sheds oceans of blood. It's history is drenched in blood. I believe in the necessity to remove certain individuals from society, but I believe there is a humane way of doing it without the torture.
I stand up for Luis because I can relate. No expert can tell you the effects of being locked up in solitary confinement better than someone who has actually been through it. Because if you can learn what it's really like in solitary confinement in a book, the reader would have compassion, something that is missing in this world today.
I have tried to draw attention to this case with little progress, but I won't ever stop. See a day doesn't go by that I don't think of Luis Felipe, see in my own way I to am living Life in solitary confinement. I have Meniere's Disease. Not many people know of this disease just like not many people know about Luis Felipe. In my difficult days I feel confined within my body. Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance. It is characterized by episodes of dizziness and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss. It is caused by an increase in volume and pressure of the endolymph of the inner ear.
I dig deep within myself every day to find the strength to keep going, but at times I just wish to expire. I have found one thing in life I love and it slips away. I love music, the only thing that has ever been there for me and didn't leave no matter what. As the days go by the music fades. I spend hours, days, weeks dealing not only with the physical pain this disease brings upon me, but I deal also with the depression that comes with being locked away. Some days are good as those who know me will tell you, I live everyday to it's fullest. My bad days are spent in solitude. I pray for Luis and others rather than myself for this is where I draw my strength from.
Dealing with this illness just like Luis is dealing with his sentence compassion is nowhere to be found. I can relate to his hopelessness seeing there is no cure for Ménière's disease like there is no end to his plight. We both will not get relief until death.
I would like to see Luis Felipe at least be able to keep his sanity. He already will never walk as a free man ever again in his life. At least let him keep his sanity. In solidarity. "X"


Write To The Governor:Eliot Spitzer State Capitol Albany, NY 12224
or call 518-474-8390

Real Rocognize Real.

I never have to sit and wonder if I am doing the right thing fighting for death row prisoners lives. Fighting for all prisoners lives really. I believe I touched on this in an earlier blog, without needing reassurance God just sends it my way.
Let me say this quickly, I have been pretty ill the last couple weeks struggling to record. On top of that life dealt me a few devastating blows one right after another. The kind of shots that would have anyone questioning their very existence here on earth. I was not on my "A" game today lets put it like that, my trust issues were ablaze.
I was on my way to the studio and decided to stop off for a quick slice of pizza. I pulled into the first spot I seen. Working behind the counter was an older man, I say he was in his mid to late 70's, possibly early 80's. Anyway I ordered and was just checking out the posters when pop comes out of nowhere and says "I like your shirt". Now I heard him clearly enough but I had to ask him to repeat it. Granted I am in New Jersey the state that just abolished the death penalty. But trust me when I tell you, I always get nasty or strange looks when I represent which is everyday. I mostly run into pro-death penalty people. Guess it's God working. Anyway this nice old man went on to say he thought it was a good thing what New Jersey did taking away the death penalty. As he talked he looked me dead in the eyes with the gentlest, kindest look.
As I spoke to pops he kept on looking at me with this peaceful look. I explained that I had got shirt when I went to the march in Texas last summer. I told him a bit more and he shared that he too did humanitarian work through his church. He said he stood against the death penalty, didn't know how many more states practice it and I told him, about 31 more. He said, "We got a lot more work to do". He handed me my slice, looked me in my eyes and said, "you keep doing what you're doing". I will pops. Trust me I will.
Let me say this, one of the worst parts for me about being tangled in the web of the system was standing and being judged. I am not talking about guilt or innocence because I have plead out on most of my cases. I only went to trial twice. Admitting my guilt for an offense did not spare me of the judgment. A man, sitting in this high chair with a black robe wrapped around him looking like a fool if you ask me. He looks at my appearance, my body language, the way I speak. Then he reads the notes that have been written about me by who knows who, then proceeds to tell me about myself. He would speak of my inability to adhere to rules and regulations. My disregard for the law and figures of authority. He said I was a menace to society, a threat. Yes I am thinking about a certain occurrence but this has happened many times hell even with normal people in the free world. My point is, the judge was wrong. He could not read what was in my heart. I was far from anything that he said. I was a dude that smoked weed. I sold weed. He did not know me at all. This was painful.
Being able to speak, I am left speechless when I am judged in such a manner. One may say well actions speak louder than words, and the judge is basing his findings on my actions. Now, based on my actions is what my sentence should be reflecting on. You can not judge someone on such a level without taking out the time to get to know the person. If you are looking for bad in a person, you are always going to find it, none of us are perfect. Not many people look for the good anymore. Seems like the entire world has trust issues. We're ready to kill each other it seems, we need to chill.
Anyway to finish this up, pops at the counter there was a good man. He like an innocent child saw past the piercings and the tattoos. He saw past the way I dress and straight past the years of struggle that are carved into my face. Old dude seen my heart. He read my heart within seconds. No fear, no judgment, straight up trust and love yo.
I had to write this joint because encounters like this for me in the United States are rare. So rare that I remember the last one I had was in 1996. See when you deem someone, or actually an entire group or culture or race even ,a problem, you get everyone looking for bad and you are going to find it cause as I said before we are not perfect.
It hurts being judged for who you are, or what you are. A judgment that is relentless and unmoving not even taking a moment to see the real you. Knowing the truth, it's taken as a lie. I relate to Jesus and I relate to those on death row in a way words can't explain. I may look like I am ready to kill someone, but if you think that you're a fool if I am wearing a shirt like in the picture. I am against killing. I will stand up for my rights and protect myself if threatened, but I am against killing. Before you going judging someone, try taking a look at you self sometimes. No judge can predict that I will commit another crime. I always knew if I had one chance, one break they would never see me again. They thought different. They thought they would be seeing me around for the rest of my life. I am proving them wrong for me and for all my brothas and sistas locked down.
I thank pops for the inspiration it couldn't have come at a better moment. And I thank God for bringing me the understanding I needed. Never stop learning. Coming to you, straight From The Frontlines! Peace. "X"

"Here Go The Revolution"

New York Underground meets Mainstream Italia. On my last European tour November/December 2007 with Add.Verse (Code of the Cutz/Warped Tour) we were invited to meet Piotta. Piotta is one of the most famous Italian hip hop musicians. Piotta, which in Roman slang means "100 Lira's", became famous with his song "Supercafone" which describes the Coatto(suburban unpolite, politically incorrect peasant). Piotta got some track record. He's released 6 albums, worked on films and is ready to drop his first book.
We hooked up with Piotta in Rome at his radio show Last.fm. It was an honor. I believe the radio show is new, but quickly becoming the number one hip hop spot in Rome. As I got comfortable in the studio putting my headphones and what not, I was getting crazy flashbacks of my days in solitary confinement. I prayed like there was no tomorrow.
I been put in solitary a number of times throughout my time spent behind bars. But the time that stayed scared on my mind was around 1981. I was arrested in New York on weapons charges, attempted robbery, attempted burglary, resisting arrest and 3 counts of aggravated assault on police officers. To make a long story short, the police handed me and boy Richie a beating that doesn't compare to many I have received in my day.
After being booked and processed we were bussed out to Rikers Island. After about 5 days of bull-pen therapy I was put in solitary confinement. It was here that I vowed to fight against the treatment of accused prisoners and prisoners alike. I was not taken to see medical at all. My face and hair were still covered in dried blood. My head felt twice the size from the swelling.
As we prepared to start the interview I thanked God. I had to thank God how could I not. Only but six years ago I sat silenced once again behind prison walls. Now here I was getting ready to speak for the silenced to all of Rome Italy. Talk about miracles.
The interview was dope. We talked about what I was doing, we talked about the death penalty as well as hip hop and it's current state. He played a few of my tracks and let me tell the story behind them. Piotta then turned and built with Add.Verse.
As Piotta interviewed Add.Verse he told us about the different aspects of Italian Hip Hop and Reggae. He also spoke about the history of Italian hip hop which he is a very big part of.
After jamming in the studio for nearly an hour, Piotta plugged our show going down at Club 360 in Rome. He then asked if I would be down to jump on a track with him. I didn't even have to think about it. I agreed and he slid the beat across the table just like that. I was speechless.
Here we are 3 months later, my part of the track, complete. I have been real ill the past weeks struggling to complete my album. In a moment of solace I found the strength to lay the track I called "Here Go The Revolution". When I first heard the beat I thought oh yea, I'm gonna rip this joint. When I actually stepped up to do it, I found it tough. I have rocked on mainstream beats before, but nothing like this hard driving joint. The lyrics came slowly as I traveled throughout Europe. They last few bars and the hook came to me walking the streets of Brick City, Newark, New Jersey.
I reflected on those abused and killed in the name of Justice thinking back to my terror days. I then tore into THE DEATH PENALTY. How could I not. The abolition of the death penalty in Italy is a hot topic. Italy is at the forefront in the fight having charged into the UN asking the General Assembly to vote on a world wide moratorium. Having an opportunity to address the mainstream in Italy I looked to fuel the all ready burning fire.
I turned the track in today, I can't wait to see what Piotta does with it. I know he's going to lace it. For a brotha with a track record like his, I have to say he was the most down to earth peoples I have ever met. After the interview he took Add.Verse and I out for coffee and dope conversation. His knowledge of hip hop is A to Z. Being he is also a DJ he and Add.Verse hit it off big time drifting into talks about gems they held within their record collections.
You'll be seeing Piotta on the Frontlines without question. I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the track. This is huge for the struggle. I pound my right fist across my chest and raise it to symbolize power and unity.

"Here Go The Revolution".
I'm voicing centuries of agony, for victims of brutalityfor every single casualty, that died in police custodylocal internationally, I'm taking world wideman open up ya eyes and see they lies for they liesyea an eye for an eye would make us all blindI grab the mic like a nine, fighting on the frontlinesblow ya minds with high caliber rhymesI compose to oppose so I'm coming wit itexposing foes like the Austrian governmentforget Schwarzenegger yo, he ain't running itit's "X" an Piotta from white house to Parliamentwanted by the government, hunted like the Talibanbut won't stop demonstrating, until we have abolishmentor until they up and murder me, dead in the streetor lock me up in the beast, serving life to the beatman even deceased, the revolution won't seizees liberta para mi hente, es muy talde pa mi

Here comes the revolution 5x's

Capital-"X" I.G.W.T. Records/Entertainment 2008

Welcome to the Frontlines ya'll. This is Talbot Hall. Talbot Hall opened in April of 1998, and provides assessment and treatment to 500 male prisoners. Talbot Hall provides comprehensive assessment, treatment and life-skills training services, and then refers its residents to an appropriate halfway house to begin participation in work-release. Lecture halls, offices, kitchen, cafeteria, recreation rooms and dormitories are all housed within its 66,000 square feet. Talbot Hall's nearly 10 acres of land are adjacent to the Hudson County Jail Annex in an industrial area of Kearny, NJ. I was there yesterday, took that picture with my cell phone. First time I saw the front of this place as a free man. I was there accompanying a friend of mine who happens to be an attorney. She was going to see a client. During my last bid I was sent to Talbot Hall this was in 2000 I believe. I had just left Leesburg State Prison, granted I wasn't at Leesburg for 10 or 20, 30 years like some of the brothas I built with but regardless is was nothing nice. I was there long enough to testify.
While at Leesburg I started with max status, worked down to medium towards the end of my stay then got sent to Talbot Hall. Leesburg State Prison was on lock down from the time I got there progressively got worse and was still locked down when I left. Don't know the current status.
An officer was stabbed to death just before I arrived at Leesburg. Red lines were painted everywhere on the grounds, dead zones. They were to constrict all necessary movements. There was no mess hall movements, we were fed on our units. There was no big yard, cages were constructed for each individual unit. These cages were a hell I ain't going to get into right now. These painted red lines were a symbol of the blood shed by their fallen fellow officer. There was an unwritten rule if anyone stepped on the red lines, you was going to get the beating of your life. I caught flashes of a few of them beat downs. Can't let them see you looking though or your next. Anytime you see the goon squad you are to turn and face the nearest wall and stare at the bricks.
If the atmosphere wasn't thick enough the the Latin Kings and the Bloods were ready to go to war. It was very tense to say the least. Let me put it to you like this, everybody was arming themselves when they called my name, "305375" your being shipped, pack it up. It wouldn't have been my first war, but it could have been my last.
That's what I came from a mad house when I reached Talbot Hall. I never been to a place like it. They call it an assessment center. I viewed it as what prisons should be like for a majority of the prison population. It was a healthy environment. Leesburg was in the top 5 most unhealthy environments I ever been in in my life. It literally was designed to break down the human spirit. Talbot Hall was about building you up. There were positive slogans all over the place. You were treated like a human being. We attend classes and groups all day, everything was about being positive. I wondered why I wasn't put into a place like that when I was 17. A lot of things would have been different had I attended a program like this back then. Instead I was fighting for my life on Riker's Island in New York.
They instead chose to lock me up or keep me under some type of supervision. These did not help the problem, they aggravated the problem. I needed structure, I needed discipline. Healthy discipline a healthy daily routine. Life deals out some rough hands. Does some major damage on ones head. It can be corrected though. Sure there are some hard cases, but if you didn't warehouse those that can be repaired you can focus more on the harder cases. For the most part a majority of prisoners can be repaired. I don't understand why society has a problem with this. If we are the land of opportunity then let's create some instead of more prison cells.
Talbot Hall to me is the perfect model of a civilized prison, a true correctional facility. I don't know if it has changed, but when I was there the staff was incredible. I had built a foundation self educating myself to the point where I obtained my GED while at Lees burg, Talbot gave me some other things to run with, and I'm still running with it.
Sitting outside Talbot I have to admit, I felt sick. Though I may have got some good things out of there, what I went through to get it, was damaging. You don't understand a majority of these men and women are no real threat to society. I was not a real threat to society. The evidence used against me and actually still is, is far from the truth. No where is it written in the law that imprisonment are to be in less than human conditions. I trust that anyone of sound mind that spends a short period of time in confinement will know this alone can drive a man insane. Why do we as a society chose to destroy a human oppose to helping the individual reach his highest potential. I would see this as much more rewarding in all aspects.
Talbot Hall is not the answer to all but I believe if more troubled youth and adults were confined to healthier environments it would be a start. In history they just never gave it a fair try. The few times they tried rehabilitation was enough to prove it's more cost effective and does in fact reduce crime, but it wasn't substantial enough in the allowed amount of time. Societies mind frame changed, to merciless. I clearly see the damage that was done to me. I struggle to function in society now. Some that leave prison may have the support and means to go back to a merry life and never look back, God bless them. What about the rest of us?