Lupe Fiasco “Body”

Now there’s hoes selling hoes like right around the toes

And the crackheads beg at about the lower leg

There’s crooked police that’s stationed at the knees

And they do drive-bys like up and down the thighs

And there’s a car chase going on at the waist

Keep a vest on my chest

I’m sitting in my room as I’m looking out the face

Something to write about

 

And what’s written on her titties is what it’s really about

Then her vagina is some poor kids from China

Nipples nuclear missiles

Ass is a daughter without a dad

Back is like Afghanistan, Iraq

Health care hair, drive-by thighs

Education lips, HIV eyes

Environment feet

Justice get her so wet, brains get you brains

You can fuck her if you protest

 

Peace of…. these niggas is nice

Knees like these niggas aight

Shins like listen to them, ankles like shins making sense

Feet like why you running behind these niggas

Violence in Chicago, CCICS, Ameena Matthews, Lupe Fiasco, The Interrupters, Cleopatra Pendleton

Chicago … and other cities… and other anythings…

  The film The Interrupters opens a window to how to decrease violence within our communities, how gender issues relate to violence, and how to treat people as humans in general. Ameena Matthews does effective antiviolence work within Chicago. Matthews insists violence can be combated by remembering your motivation. She says, “You are always going to be tested; you are always going to be tried” (Matthews). Her antidote about the first day she met Capritia explained this concept. Matthews explained that at first Capritia seemed stubborn and resentful. However, as their relationship grew, she got to know her, but continued to struggle with her mindset. Matthews recalls her motivation to volunteer with mediation and conflict. Then she was able to succeed and accomplish her goals with Capritia. In essence, whatever stress and strain that is placed upon you by gender or other constructions, you can still instill motivation and acquire a rewarding feeling afterward.
  You have to remember that someone else shares each struggle that you have. This idea helps you to be nonjudgmental because everyone is a human being. However, a question came to my mind about what else is being done. A week after attending this event, I attended another event, where I learned about the Strategies for Peace conference March 1 at CCICS. Here, Cleopatra Pendleton was a part of the conversation with the new youth leaders of Chicago. Teenagers, who spoke on the panel, had a realization of the depth of their circumstances and their revolutionary commitment to combat them. On April 1 2013, they want to begin the process of changing those circumstances, so during March they will formulate major actions within the city of Chicago.