The Crib (Part 1: The Situation)

CONTEXT: This past week (really, five days), 14 people were killed and 36 were injured. At this rate, Chicago will have one of the bloodiest summers since the '95/Cabrini Green era. Whether it's a GANG problem, a $$$/DRUGS issue, or is the fault of hip-hop is a GOOD DEBATE. I know one thing, this is OUR PROBLEM. Lay the jokes aside for a minute. WE NEED TO TALK.

Chicago. We're the only city in the world to broadcast our local network in international syndication (WGN); in comedy we're the Second City; in weather we're the Windy City (actually the 16th windiest city in the US); we had the Bulls, the '85 Bears and their lovable loser siblings, the Cubs. The Billy Goat Tavern made Belushi and Murray and Hugh Hefner built a media empire, in Chicago. Musically, I need not start. By the way, I wouldn't start with Ye, Com, Twista, or Kells -- I would start with Chess Records.

We're known for many things- profound arrogance, unjustifiable hate, and copious amounts of fun for life's sake. The Grinders. I wish this were all we are known for; I'm dodging a trait most notorious for Chicago...gangs.

That's right, we are gangsters. Ever since Capone's South Side and Bugs Moran's North Side; Jeff Fort's P-Stones and Hoover's Disciples. The Brothers and the People. The Vice Lords out West and now these suburban enclave gangs (Triple B and such). Chicago isn't just gang-related; Chicago IS gang turf. Even looking at our neighborhood divisions turns ethnicities into rivals and pits sides against one another. This is our psyche (that's why we always feel "against the world." In most cases in the Chi, you are AGAINST...). For those who understand gang history, you know that 1995 was a crucial year. The police shut down EVERYTHING, and each set turned into a new autonomous power (I'm saying too much here...research this)

I remember a time when the wrong color would get you put DOWN. The Mikes were getting folks KILLED (we're talking about shoes); Starter jackets were a NO-GO (as well as Duke, Bulls, St.Louis, Steelers, Mariners (please don't), Cowboys -- pretty much you could root for Notre Dame and the White Sox...PERIOD).

Gangs have existed forever; since the 12 tribes or the "dispersion" at Sodom. To destroy a gang is to create another one; destruction is not the goal. Some gangs are necessary (everybody needs a Union); Cep works for PUSH. I'm a Morehouse Man. YB is an AKA. What do you think PureMusic is? Any sociology major worth a hill of beans can tell you the social VALUE of gangs, sects, and tribes (called quest) for identity-making and culture building. The gang is not the problem; it's the LOYALTY.

It's obvious that religion, education, and family are failing to secure any concrete loyalties from our generation. Churches are getting older, Schools are getting worse, and families are more broken (i.e. "baby mommas" and "play cousins"). And we say "Stop the Violence" like it's a catch phrase. Like it's the thing to say.

Next time somebody says "Stop the Violence", ask HOW?

and grab the toilet paper...

That's enough for now. This will happen in phases, but any good ANYBODY will tell you that nothing starts without identifying the situation. I've been vague on purpose, but let's spend some time talking about what's going on -- with our brothers, sisters, EVERYTHING). What are you seeing? What are you experiencing? I did a show in Inglewood this past week and somebody got shot in the butt outside the church.

Don't Laugh. Let's Talk. Part 2 Coming SOON.

WHAT IS THE SITUATION?