Do Not Despair, Black Youth

Do Not Despair, Black Youth


A young man came to my table at the Berkeley Flea Market this weekend to buy a book. At first I wasn't sure what he wanted, for he walked up and stood before me tall, black and handsome, looking somewhat like a Christian child that belonged to a Holy Ghost church or maybe spirit filled Baptist.

But he was on a mission and knew exactly what he wanted. He said, "Marvin X, I was in juvenile hall when you came to speak and I want to buy one of your books." Slightly shocked but full of joy, I said, "Is that right?"

"How much is y our book, man?" I said twenty dollars and he promptly reached into his wallet and handed me a twenty. "I have a bonus for you," and handed him two books, a pamphlet and a DVD.

He was courteous and respectful. I didn't recall him at juvenile hall but he clearly had been moved by my talk. I didn't take his name but told him how to get in touch with me--obviously he knew how! "Stay in touch," I said as he walked away.

We wonder if this young man knew he represented a bright light in the dark room of Bay Area youth affairs. The week ended with the tragic conviction of three young men in the slaying of Oakland Post Editor Chauncey Bailey. Their co-conspirators in the Oakland Police Department remain free to continue their iniquities under the color of law.

After the guilty verdict, Oakland Post Publisher Paul Cobb refused interviews with the Monkey Mind Media that refused to seriously entertain the notion OPD officers were involved in the murder of his editor. Since one of their officers mentored the convicted killers, Paul suggested the formation of the Chauncey Bailey Project to consider the police role, but it refused to pursue the police angle, even though they vowed to continue the work of Chauncey.

And what was the work of Chauncey? Police corruption and wickedness at City Hall under former Mayor Jerry Brown. Nor did the DA want to consider Paul's line of investigation. He was not called during the trial. Police involvement is clear when it was revealed the raid on the compound of the young men was supposed to take place the day before Chauncey was killed but the OPD delayed until the day after his murder.

KTVU television news obtained OPD records that show the OPD Chief lied about reasons for the delay. He claimed they delayed because a lead officer was on a hiking trip. After the murder and raid, the Chief took a hike to Mexico, not before telling Paul Cobb if he pursued the OPD role in the murder of Chauncey, he should get a bulletproof vest.

Oakland and the Bay Area had its nerves rattled again when it was announced the BART police officer who murdered young Oscar Grant while he lay on his stomach, was to be released after eleven months of a two year sentence. Recall that NFL quarterback Michael Vick served four years for killing dogs.

Yes, the youth fresh out of juvenile was a bright light in a dark room. We pray he will stay out. But he will need the support of his village, especially the elders.
--Marvin X
6/13/11