Contributed Photo, "Holding Pond
But Not Holding Us Down"
An article in the Minneapolis Mirror gives a firsthand account of the recent vigil for murder victim Annshalike Hamilton. The article is written in a style which concentrates as much on the emotions of the writer as the newsworthy events themselves. This blog is singled out for special critical mention. Click here for article.
I would like to point out...
..."audacity" is not spelled "audasity." Doesn't the Minneapolis Mirror have some kind of spell check function for uploaded content? Mad Dads is also held up for special harsh criticism because--oh, my--some random youth strolled by and the Mad Dads didn't run right after to engage the youth, on the spot.
Trust me when I say finding random youth walking around on the streets of North Minneapolis is not hard, and there is plenty of time to engage them, after--for example--a brief vigil for a murder victim.
Somebody was kind enough to forward this blog several photos of the vigil. One of the photos illustrates this post. When I get an opportunity, I'll post the rest of the pictures.
12 comments:
OMFG!!!!!!
That guy in the fur coat. What is he? Is that some splinter group of Mad Dads? "Mad Dads Who Are Also Mad Pimps?" "Mad Big Pimping Dads." "Mad Pimp Daddys."
WTF?!!! This is the respect these people show to a young female murder victim? Somebody shows up at her vigil dressed like a PIMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is it any wonder young people are getting killed when some clown like that is showing up like he's a leader of the community? What a FUCKING JOKE!!!!!
johnny, did you know annshalike's homocide is being followed by the reality show "first 48".... in the picture you posted, the man with video camera is from the production team of first 48. I also attended the vigil and had a chance to meet two brothers of Annshalike.
hey anonymous!! let's show a little tolerance on this historic day can we??
that pimp daddy guy showed a tremendous amount of love and support. i am a good judge of character and he was genuine.
is it a crime to dress flamboyant?
To the first poster: without all the invective, I concur that the manner of dress is not respectful to the victim under the circumstances. I'm reminded of the movie "Gran Torino" where the granddaughter shows up at a funeral with a bare midriff and belly button ring.
There's a way to dress at a vigil for a murder victim and then there's a way NOT to. Same goes for funerals. And weddings. And...well, how you dress says a lot.
However, it's good to hear this individual in the...fur coat and red hat...is kind and genuine. If he is kind and genuine, perhaps he will consider how his manner of dress may be perceived under certain circumstances.
In response to Jordan Neighbor: the First 48? I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!!
I guess this is one of those times I have the opportunity to say "You heard it first on Johnny Northside Dot Com!" But all credit goes to the poster.
(Geez, how did the "reporter" for the Minneapolis Mirror miss some important fact like the camera crew from "The First 48" being there? I guess she was too busy concentrating on her own internal emotional upheaval like an emo)
Oh. That was harsh.
Historic day. Historic day. Love everybody on this historic day, even those who unfairly criticize you while you're just trying to help. Historic day....
I don't see any indication from the photo that the crew is from 48 Hours. Why is 48 Hours following V.J. Smith? Other than stump to raise money to fund his own salary, what has he done?
How ironic that our host suggests "Love everybody on this historic day, even those who unfairly criticize you while you're just trying to help. Historic day....", when on this historic day he can't control himself.
I also find it sad when he states, "Trust me when I say finding random youth walking around on the streets of North Minneapolis is not hard, and there is plenty of time to engage them, after--for example--a brief vigil for a murder victim." Does he really believe that "there is plenty of time to engage them?"
Isn't that the point of the vigils, we've already lost far too many? How much time does Johnny need to bring these children back to life?
If my fellow northside neighbors wait on Johnny for wisdom, we could be waiting for a very long time.
Finally, let's get real about the guy in the fur coat, at least he had enough respect for the dead to wear something nice, unlike the camera man in jeans and baseball cap. In a neighborhood with as many problems as the northside, we should be willing to take all the help from genuine and caring individuals we can get.
1st off, I would like to say, I must have missed that person from 1st 48, I did see some people with Cameras the video kind. I didn't think anything of it at first, due to the fact, that was my first vigil.
The guy in the fir coat, I don't think he has any other outfits, every time I have seen him, Juneteeth, and other events...he is always with a Dob and nice clothes. (Kinda reminded me of my brother in-law, that is how he dresses all the time, and he isn't a pimp)
As far as the young being killed, and I have to voice this OPINION very loudly, is because there is no structure in their lives. No consistency, and from first hand experience their parents thinks it's cute that they gang bangers and drug dealers. I'm Not some JOE SHMOE from a BURB.... I have worked wit problem teens, I once was a problem teen. Now that doesn't define who I am today, But, With the lack of supervision on these "young" people, who also I might add mostly are the grown up in their homes, cause parents are addicts, or drunks or what ever. DO YOU NOT LIVE OVER NORTH?
The problem is that the parents are letting them sell drugs, 9/10 times the child give mom money to put food on the table, pay the rent, pay the bills. Now this is not ok, this is just what happens. Then we got the father, brother or the cousin who is a banger, and if said child only knew this life they want in, cause bet the cousin gots the nice ride with the rims, the wangles and "stupid" cash. So, then they like man, let me in, so then they do the work to see if they down. Back in the day it was walking the line, 7/11, the circle to name a few, now the "wangstaz" according to the OG's, the young bucks don't follow those old rules and regulations. Where instead,
The Drive Bys happen, Jump out Boys come, also shooting some one over a $10 bag of weed. Ok that is the boys,
The girls, is like this They got the brothers, the cousins and such in a said gang, so then sometimes they think they tough, talking hard, "crook neckin" and getting bold. Often times they also get involved with the gangs, not so much the "girlly ones" but some, They don't do the drive bys, or what not, but they will at times carry dope from one spot to the next, slang dope, or check hoes that owe money.(womyn scorned type behavior) Or they become BM (baby momma) to said gangsta and then get to know people then think they hard.
But, what it all boils down too, is this.
This is bad, and as a neighbor, a mother, father, grandma, or who ever, it is up to us to help these kids. Weather they have to go through the system, or find guidance from a stranger.But, it is up to us. We can call the police, take a stand. Chicago started it wit those ANGEL guys. (whom I might add only went over Northeast) but, it can be done. There is enough programs out there to help the youth.
So weather, it is about the fir coat, or our youth, I just thought I would give readers (if JNS approves) a small taste of what is out there in those streets.
To B; you know this stuff better than I do.
To the previous anonymous poster...my comment about enough time to engage youth was made in the context of the criticism in the article I was talking about and linking.
The "reporter" was criticizing the "Mad Dads" because they didn't stop doing the vigil thing to run right after some random youth who happened by and try to engage them RIGHT THAT MOMENT.
It was, I felt, a wrongheaded and misdirected criticism. The Mad Dads are doing all kinds of outreach. And, yes, there will be other opportunities. They were trying to get the vigil thing done at that moment. Really, who interrupts a vigil to run after random people? The reporter herself didn't do it, and is silly enough to say as much, leaving her wide open to criticism on the basis of such an easy-to-spot contradiction.
In regard to criticizing a camera guy for wearing jeans...that's just lame. That's how camera crews always dress. He's doing his job. You may as well criticize the guy who lowers a coffin into the ground for wearing overalls. You're reaching, but you're not quite grasping what you're reaching for.
I also do not see any indication the crew is from The First 48." I sent an online query to the network that does the First 48 and we'll see if they answer.
1st 48 hours isnt following Vj, they are following the homocide of annshalike. they didn't have any gear or logo's on that indicated it. but i was there and i talked to them. man and a woman. they had these production spiral bound notebooks and any one who commented or contributed had to sign off in the notebook to give their permission.
stop hating on Johnny Northside and do something productive
I'm not even sure why we're discussing that article. What was the point of it? Seemed like a long, elaborate, public whine.
Tyzaguirre, we get it - you're disgusted. I think it's safe to say we all are. While I don't always agree with the way Johnny states things, it's clear that he obviously cares, and is doing more for the community than moaning.
Also, one of the things our new president asked us to do on said historic day - in his very inauguration speech - was to get involved and help your neighbors, your community, etc. In my opinion, the JNS blog fits that bill. You don't like what you see? Get out and DO something about it. The time for childish things has passed...
heheh - LOL @ Mad Pimp Daddys
funny, but not funny. :)
I was looking for some information via the web, regarding Minneapolis murders, A.R.T and I came across this web page, I have never heard of him, but thought you might enjoy it.
http://www.osomin.com/
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