DON'T BE AN ASSHOLE. A LESSON FROM CHESTER...

People are your greatest resource.
10.12.2014

When I was born, the government name I was given is one that I never use: Carson Jamal Wright IV.

Carson C. Wright. This man was tough. You had 
to be tough to be one of the few Black Sergeants 
in the NYPD, during the Civil Rights Era. He took 
hell from both sides of the controversy.You can 
see the resolve in his eyes. At least I can.

I never use it because it sounds tight-assed to me. 

My dad's dad, was Carson Chester Wright. We are all Carsons, but the tradition is that the first born sons are always called by their middle name until their father dies. So I am Jamal. And my father, Carson Anthony Wright, is "Tony." I respect this tradition even though my son's name is Jhalil D'Vyne Wright. But I digress, as always.

My grandfather Chester, was one of the first Black police Sergeants in Queens, NY. In fact, the Wright family has a history with many members in law enforcement. It's strange to me considering how many problems I've had with authority figures. But grandpa Chester wasn't really much like me. He was a man of God and an Elder in St. Paul's Pentecostal Church, an organization he helped to create with his wife, Dorothy Wright, my dear grandmother. It was the church I grew up in. and even now, 50 years later, it thrives.

My dad's favorite, of my grandfather's 11 brothers, was Irving Wright. He was a cop too. But he also operated a small business in Harlem. Unfortunately, he met an untimely demise when He was shot in the back and killed by friendly fire from other cops who mistook him for a criminal who robbed his store. Irving was chasing the real culprits at the time of his murder, by cop.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

Although that's plenty reason for a cop to be bitter towards the streets, my grandfather never was. In fact, he told me the following story all the time:

VideoDump: THE "CRAZY FOLK" OCCUPYING ZUCCOTTI PARK. (Oh! Was that last year??? Seems like just yesterday...)

Occupy Wall Street: Exclusive Archival Footage
September 28, 2012

"Occupy" initial protest poster. Pretty Awesome.

I was a "passive" supporter of the "Occupy Wall Street " movement that spawned in New York City at Zuccotti Park during the Fall of 2011.


I was relieved to see this group forcing subjects of inequality into the public forum for discussion. And who could disagree with that initial protest poster? And the images of the rich on Wall Street being confronted by the poor?


But I sometimes disagreed with their methods (do I really have to sleep in the park?) and extreme rhetoric which was either not specific enough, or too specific on the wrong subjects (forgiveness of  all student loans?).


I really don't live very far from Zuccotti Park. And I had planned to get down there to view the scene for a while during the height of the protests, even when this blog was just a twinkle in my eye. But alas, my good intentions were set aflame with laziness. Laziness which, I guess, could bear witness to my lack of desire to actually join such a discombobulated movement; one that I was not receiving a clear message from. 


So when I finally DID go, camera and "assistant" in tow, the "guerrilla" portion of the movement had already ended. The tents were taken down and sleepovers were now prohibited by the good ol' NYPD after a midnight raid on November 15th, 2011.


From what I understand, the press wasn't invited. To the raid, that is. I wonder why?


When the one-year anniversary of The OWS Movement rolled around this year, on September 17, 2012, I thought I didn't have much to contribute. On the contrary, Now I've found actual footage of my visit to Zuccotti Park on November 28th 2011, just 2 weeks after the cops made protesting there, a 9-5 job, rather than a 24-hour one.


Here's what I saw and did. Warning: I am NOT a great videographer, yet. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below: I first Arrive, apparently not knowing where to aim the camera. People are milling about.

THE ENVIRONMENT

What was left after the raid? Mostly "stragglers," so to speak. I do not mean this in a degrading way. And not the homeless stragglers that joined along with the tru-blu protesters previous to the raid. Daytime Stragglers. People hanging around, singing songs, talking and playing chess during the day then going home at night. It certainly didn't feel like a protest. 

It could have easily been a community fair. Some were selling buttons and worthless trinkets made of cardboard, asking others to "support the movement." Some people had a bucket out for donations to "occupy wall street," as if there was a legitimate and accountable not-for-profit "fund" to be found, somewhere.  These were the results of a morally strong campaign, turned free-for-all. No movement can survive that. Then there were the stupid signs. Every movement seems to have that, as well.

Santa Claus stopped by as well. Sans reindeer. Con signia stupido.

And you can't have any meeting, without a "Paulbot," showing up.

Some of the sights were truly a spectacle. You can't allow others to make a circus of your movement nowadays.  

Below: Trannies?

THE INTERVIEWS

Up on liberty street, across from Investment Bank, Brown Brothers Harriman, there were some tru-blu die hard occupiers "in the house." They manned what I called the "argument line." That was the line where protester meets civilian walking to work on Wall Street. They argue.  This is where I found most of my interviews, the best part of my journey. 

Below: One of my frequent criticisms of the OWS movement was its lack of one, or a few central figures. I realize that the protesters intended it to be that way for many reasons they think are valid, but it was in my opinion, a huge problem within the movement. If they ever did feel that they needed a leader, the guy above would have been the perfect spokesman. He, in a couple of minutes, lets us know succinctly, exactly why he stands out there. And he's far from a "freeloader." These are the people I like to think of, when I think of OWS.

Below: Had another great conversation with an older gentleman who was obviously a veteran. I was trying to goad him into giving me some extra information about his "class status." I wanted to know more about the people who come to these protests. He ended up going into a little rant about the term, "middle class," that still has me reflecting to this day. Sometime into our conversation, we were rudely interrupted by a drunk occupier who started bugging us all for money to get "more pizza." I gave the guy a dollar to make him go away. After that there was another interesting interview with an articulate older lady that I enjoyed. She seemed like she didn't belong. I tried to tell her so.

Below: This girl was sweet. A college student from Maine. But I didn't believe for a minute that she knew what the hell she was doing out there. Maybe I'm just being stereotypical.

Below: A Zuccotti Park security guard. Not a particularly great interview, at all. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that he morally supported the movement. And he was getting paid. That's the way to attend a protest.

KnowledgeBase: YOUR RIGHTS AND THE POLICE

If ever a bunch of strange men in black, rush to your door...

September 6, 2012

A close friend asked me for some advice regarding the police. 

So I figured this may be handy for us ALL to remember.

YOU & THE POLICE

Some Practical Suggestions

If you are arrested or taken to a police station

*You have the right to remain silent and talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. Tell the police nothing except your name and address. Do not give any explanations, excuses, or stories. You can make your defense in court based on what you and your lawyer decide is best.

*Ask to see a lawyer immediately. If you cannot pay for a lawyer, you have the right to a free one and should ask the police how the lawyer can be contacted. Do not talk without a lawyer.

* After you have been arrested and booked, you have the right to make a free phone call to a lawyer. The police may NOT listen to your conversation with the lawyer. You should not discuss your involvement in the offense in the presence of the police during any phone call, nor should you discuss this subject with any person who is not your lawyer.

* You must be taken before a judge for arraignment and bail within 72 hours of your arrest.

This is not complete advice.  Be sure to consult a lawyer