""THE STAND" Written by Tragedy 503, transcribed and photos added by Lettey Buchanan

The Stand

"My Warren Moon Story"

Tragedy 503

 I want to share another story of my childhood with you all. This was the first time that I found my voice against racism. So without further ado, here we go.

Steve Largent

As many of you know I had collected football cards throughout most of my childhood. From a very young age, I began filling up my lunch box with football cards I got from friends of mine at school. In no time at all, I had gathered myself two lunch boxes completely full of football cards. So full in fact, that I could barely close the lunch boxes to latch them. 

Dave Kreig

Of course, being a huge Seahawks fan, my prized possessions were my Steve Largent and Dave Kreig cards. Largent was my absolute hero growing up. 

At the time my mom was married to my abusive step-father, who did things that where unspeakable to my brothers ad myself. I will leave that part of the story alone, but instead I go into how hateful a person this step-father was to us.  He was constantly trying to take my football cards away and he forbid my mother from buying me cards. 

I remember my mom used to sneak the cards in the house, hiding them in her pants after a long night of working the graveyard shift. She would stop by the gas station on her way home, to get gas and would grab me a 50 cent pack of cards. She would slide them under the locked bedroom door (where my step-father usually kept me and my brother locked most of our days) or she would give me a hug on my way out the door to school and the slide them into my jacket pocket. This way I could look at them while outside waiting for the bus. 

I would take these cards and keep every Seahawk one I got without exception. I didn't even trade my doubles, but I would take all the other cards and try to trade those for Seahawk's cards, or any great player at the time. One of the great players that I coveted, that was not a Seahawk, was soon to be Hall of Fame Quarterback Warren Moon. 

I remember him throwing touchdowns to Haywood Jeffries, and he was a Pro Bowler it seemed like every year. Not only that, but he seemed like an all around good guy (and his numbers were up there with the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, not to mention he had a cool name like "Warren Moon). 

Well to get my story back on track, one of my prized possessions was a Warren Moon Rookie Card that I had acquired though trading probably fifty cards for it. But it was completely worth it. It was one of the most prized cards  I had ever owned, and as a kid, it's monetary worth seemed pretty high to me as well. 

One day I came home from school and upon entering my room, found my step-father huffing and puffing from having torn my room apart. I'm not exactly sure what he was looking for, but during the course of the raid he had found one of my lunch boxes full of football cards (which happened to be the one that contained my Seahawks cards and my prized Warren Moon Rookie card). I had taken my other lunch box full of cards to school to trade for more cards the next day, thankfully, but the ones that I hadn't wanted to trade had been left at home, and he had found them. 

My step-father began screaming at me, saying I had stolen money from him to buy the football cards. He noticed that most of the cards were Seahawks and he began to make fun of the team. He called them sea chickens,telling me they all had A.I.D.S. This situation in itself wasn't uncommon, him having told me on several occasions that whole Seahawks team had died in a plane crash or a bus accident, just to crush my world. This time he decided to take it further. He started sorting through the cards and making fun of each individual player (either by making fun of their name or bashing how they looked). Being only in fifth grade or early sixth grade, this made me emotional and I remember falling to the ground feeling powerless to stop it. 

And then it happened, he saw the Warren Moon Rookie card in it's own special plastic container at the bottom of the Q-Bert lunch box. Instantly he began to make black jokes and told me that I owed him money, that he wasn't gonna have no (racist N Word) living in his 

house rent free, and Shhhhhwwip, just like that he ripped my Warren Moon Rookie card in half. I was devastated. I felt like I couldn't move. He told me until "that monkey" starts paying rent, he's not allowed in the house. Suddenly something inside me snapped. I jumped back up to my feet and charged at him. My attack was not triumphant though, as with one hand my step-father slapped me so hard, that I landed up against the wall, saw lights, and couldn't hear anything. 

Halfway dazed, I started reciting anti-racist things that they had told us in school. I told him that we were all equal and that nobody was a monkey, that we are all just people and that if he didn't like Warren Moon, it wasn't because he was black, but because he felt inferior to him. This enraged my step-father, that I would even question his ethics or morals, and that I would even suggest to him a black man was better then he was. He told me just y possessing that Warren Moon Rookie card, that I had contracted A.I.D.S and he wanted me out of his house (of course in all reality, he was unemployed and my mother was the one working and paying the rent at the house). Unfortunately my mother was at work while all this was happening, so there was no one to help me now. 

My step-father told me to pack my stuff and leave. So, I packed my stuff. Just my backpack full of clothes, a few Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys, and of course the lunch box full of my Seahawk cards. I walked out into the living room, still crying, and told him I was leaving. He ripped my backpack off my back and took the lunch box from me. He told me to go back to my room, that I was such a disgrace that he didn't want to even look at me. 

I was slightly re-leaved that I didn't have to go out into the world alone, but at the same time I thought it really couldn't get any worse out there, then it was in here at the time. Just a few months prior to this, me and my brother had witnessed our step-father in a drunken rage, putting the barrel of a shotgun into our mothers mouth and threatening her life if she ever attempted to leave him. I didn't think I could hate a person anymore then I hated him. 

About a half an hour later, I heard him yell down the hallway for me to come get my Seahawks cards from him if I wanted them still. I hurried to my feet ad down the hall to reclaim my collection, but as I passed by the bathroom, he began laughing and tell me "here they are" and that I could have them back now that he had "purified them of A.I.D.S. As I peered into the bathroom, there in the bath tub were my Seahawks cards. Crumpled, ripped, and soaked in his alcoholic urine. He had pissed on my whole collection of Seahawks cards. 

He then told me to clean them out of the tub. I cried and refused. I received seven or eight swats with his leather belt across my back, legs, and ass until I finally gave in and agreed to clean them up.

It was probably four or five days later, while on a trip to the store with my mother, that I could finally tell her what had happened. I again broke down in tears, telling her what he did and about the Warren Moon Rookie card and the whole Seahawks collection. 

We both knew that there was nothing she could do about it at the time and she assured me that things would be OK, that I could build my collection back up again. That in fact,she would buy me a pack of cards at the store so that I could start rebuilding my collection that day. We both took it as a good sign when I got a Warren Moon Pro Bowl card in that very pack of cards she had bought me that day. 

To this day I can't forget what a terrible person my step-father was and I'm glad to say that shortly after that incident my mother split with him completely. 

About two weeks ago, while at a card shop getting football cards for my son, Merax's, Easter basket, I saw a Warren Moon Rookie card in the display case. I didn't have the money for it that day, but I promised myself I would go back and get it, and I did so a week later. The full power of the circle of that situation had finally hit me. I mean, 25 years later, I was able to purchase this card from a shop for only $15 and remembering the physical punishment my step-father had given me, had healed a long time ago, but mentally I had carried it around with me. This story. For too many years, but I've always used it as a reference to the type of person I would never grow up to be. 

The proof was right there in my hand. I grew up to be a caring father who nurtures my son and supports him and his dreams. Despite all t he hate my step-father tried to instill in me, I grew up to be a loving person and have taught my son equality and the importance of not judging others. My stand began when my Warren Moon card was ripped in half. I decided that day to speak for what I believed was right even if brought to hardship doing so. When I look back at, I'm proud of the stand that I took. Through time I've been able to obtain almost all the cards that I lost again, but the opportunity to do what was right was  the once in a lifetime chance I had to take, and I'm glad I took it. 

Lettey Buchanan-

If someone you love is suffering at the hands of another due to domestic violence or child abuse, please report it and get them the help they need. You may just save a life. 

THE SLITS PAVE THE WAY FOR WOMEN AND PUNK ROCK!

The Slits

In a time of free love and musical expression, two bands came together to create a punk rock legend that bonded four women for life. The Slits joined forces in 1976 and were created by members of the bands The Flowers of Romance and The Castrators. The band was made up of members Ari Up, Palmolive (Paloma Romero), Kate Koris and Suzy Gutsy (who would later be replaced by Tessa Pollitt and Viy Albertine).  Palmolive would later be replaced by drummer Budgie (Peter Clarke). The band may not have always been made up of an all female cast, but Ari, Kate, and Suzy would always remain a key in all the line-up changes.

The Slits hit the scene hard. Without a world of knowledge in music they attacked the scene and paved the way for girls all around the world to step out of the shadows of punk rock and bask in the neon lights of the night.  The bands self titled “The Slits” was released in 1979 and produced hits like “Typical Girls”, “So Tough”, and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” The band received 4.5 out of 5 stars for the album and reviews are glowing at Allmusic.com.

Many walks of life held The Slits in high regard. They were trailblazers and founders of a women’s musical moment that was for so long considered a man’s world and domination.

            "They (The Slits) were loud brash bold and unrepentant.. they never compromised their image or stance...they must have inspired loads of women to pick up a guitar and form a band....they were pure punk driven by female power...they shocked a lot of people, both on and off stage. They were dangerous, and their very presence threatened those that considered rock to be a male-only pursuit." Mark Perry 'And God Created Punk'(http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/slits.htm)

The girls signed on with Dennis Bovell, producer, and started working on their album. The girls had a definite idea of what they wanted and the sound that they were going for. Hard work all around and constant studio time for ten weeks brought about their first album.

The group supported fellow punk band The Clash on their 1977 White Riot tour along with the Buzzcocks and the Subway Sect. Club performances of The Slits during this period are included in The Punk Rock Movie (1978). In November 1978, The Slits toured with the Clash again on the "Sort it Out Tour" and were joined by The Innocents who opened the shows (wikipedia).

During their time touring the girls went through many wild experiences, many band members, and many types of sound. They polished their performances as they went along and brought about a new sound during the 80’s.

The band toured widely and released another album, Return of the Giant Slits before breaking up in early 1982. Ari Up went on to be part of the New Age Steppers (wikepdia).

Tessa and Ari came back together in 2005 to bring a new sound and new style to The Slits. They brought in new members and released a new Revenge of the Killer Slits. The EP featured former members of the Sex Pistols.  The group enjoyed their new time together and new tours, seeing parts of the world they had never seen before (Australia, Japan, America, etc).  In 2009, Narnack Records signed the girls to a real record deal.  They had accomplished something most punk rock bands would only dream of and set the tone for punk rock girls and rebellious teens everywhere.

Then unexpectedly, on Oct 20, 2010, Slits band member Ari up died of an unspecified illness at age 48. The world mourned the loss of an amazing pioneer and her memory would live in infamy as a woman who gave her whole self to the music and let nothing slow her down.

Rapping Around The Christmas Tree

Rapping Around the Christmas Tree

NW rappers and artists alike have been known for their deep underground roots, their ties with the community, and their ability to survive a cut throat music scene. What you probably are not aware of is their softer, more giving, even heroic side to their lives. NW artists having been Rocking and Rapping around the Christmas tree since music began in this great area and we will showcase some of those amazing artists and their shows, with information on how you can help.

Jesse Sponberg is not your typical 40 something Portland guy. I first met Jesse in early 2000 era when he was doing his second annual hip hop event called “Food Wars.” I had heard that a Portland local was putting on a show for free; all you had to do was bring in cans of food for kids who were hungry. I had to check it out. One of our members got on the bill and then we started collecting cans. We took the prize for most cans collected that year,.  We watched as years went by and they loaded a U Haul truck full of cans, and then two U Haul trucks. I watched as local artists from all over the NW area came far and wide to bring food for those in need and to come together to put on this amazing show. This year we took second place in the event, but it takes first place in my heart each year along with other local Portland events. Check out more info on Jesse’s Facebook for information HERE and check out his weekly talk show Fight Church HERE  for more information about community events he is holding in the NW Area. 

Currently Jesse and his group are holding an amazing 12 hr telethon featuring many local NW musicians, comedians, and more to raise clothes for those cold on the streets of the NW.  For more information on this event visit the events page HERE and join up to help next year. This year Jesse’s group collected enough clothes to fill two dump trucks full and dropped them in the street on downtown Burnside Ave, then loaded them into a local church. The news came out to see the event and video feeds can be found at Fox news and Koin news 6.  You can also find Jesse on the streets of downtown Portland handing out Free Hot Soup to those in need nightly.

Tragedy 503 is a local NW rapper who has been putting on an amazing Toy Drive for the last 8 years called Toyz N Da Hood .

How this works is a local venue will donate some of their space, ticket vendors donate printed tickets, NW artists donate their time, and people donate toys. With each new, unwrapped toy donation, the person gets a ticket to the free show featuring many local NW acts including the world famous DJ Chill, PDS, Knothead, Thraxx Imaculent, Do It For The Dinosaurs, Uglay Kidd, Pookie, Sharon Music, JLouie, Macc Matt, Demon,  and many more. Each year hundreds to thousands of toys are collected for the benefit of the Salvation Army. These toys make it into the hands of boys and girls in need before Christmas day and add some cheer to their lives.
Tragedy says, “I started Toyz N Da Hood in 2005 with the goal of raising toys for under privileged kids in my community, Portland, OR. Growing up in poverty, I am well aware of the Salvation Army’s toy drives and how important it was to kids that would otherwise get no Christmas. So I and my team of street promoters, local MCs, and volunteers put together a show, with the idea being that no child should be deprived of feeling special Christmas morning, It’s a time for hope and to believe the world can be a good place. A toy gives them reason to believe, and a smile Christmas morning. Having something as simple as a toy, Christmas morning, can give a self esteem boost to a child because they weren't left, out despite the current financial struggles. I know these things first hand, because there were several Christmas mornings where I would have gotten nothing, if not for the Salvation Army delivering presents to my house. Many local MCs join us every year to put on the concert, with the admission being 1 new unwrapped toy or $10 at the door (to buy toys with). There have been thousands of toys raised every year. That means thousands of kids wake up with a chance to believe in the goodness in the world and we get to wake up knowing we’re helping carry on a tradition that helped us believe in miracles when we were young.” 

Washington Artist Knothead is also big in the giving back scheme of things. This NW artist works with families who are dealing with cancer on benefit shows, raising money for those in need, collecting food, clothes, toys, and so much more. Knothead also contributes each year to helping with NW toy drive Toyz N Da Hood. You can read more about Knothead and what he’s doing HERE.

 Knothead has been blessed these many years, overcoming many obstacles to come out an amazing artist and person, playing the stage with artists like Tech N9ne and Hopsin, and taking time to really help others around the area and spread the word about what is really important in our lives today. The NW is a better place with people like Knothead in it.
 

Bad Habitat is the NW artist of the month of December. They are a hard working group who has been consistently helping with NW Charity Events. Bad Habitat took 1^st Place this year in Food Wars 6 and has helped support the program for many years. These musicians are not only community conscious, but help with many events and organization in the NW to better our region.

They have worked closely with Jesse Sponberg for many years, attending and performing on Fight Church in the NW, and will be helping with the 12 hr marathon clothing drive. We hope to see more of this band in the coming future. Check them out HERE. 

 Musicians and artists alike can use their popularity, their reach, and their influence to better their communities all over the US. They can start spreading the word, give their time, and show that taking part in these activities can be worthwhile and enjoyable. When local musicians get involved, the public gets more involved. Everyone wants to rub elbows with the stars, so use your star status for good and take a moment to give back to those who live in your community, who could have given to you without you even knowing it. I challenge all of you to make December/January the month for giving back. Pay it forward today. Start now. If you have a story about how you took this challenge and gave back, if you’re a musician or just a member of your community, email me at Lettanina@gmail.com to be featured in the follow up story. 

Challenge accepted, ready set go!
 

TREY C & PLAYA RAE "I.L.A.M. INDEPENDENT LIKE A M#FUKA Music Review

I was given a great opportunity by Monstaville CEO to review a band I have never done a review for before. I was pleasantly surprised by the work that was sent to me and the skill on the tracks.
I get tracks, demos, and songs sent to me all the time. Some are good, some are not so good. I try and review only the ones I really like as I am trying to keep the negativity out of my work and bring a positive support to Hip Hop today.
So when I received their EP and information I was hoping for the best, but maybe not expecting  it. I was greatly surprised at what I found. I.L.A.M is an amazing album that talks about the industry as seen from the eyes of the independent artists, underdogs, and those struggling to keep up their dreams and lives at the same time. The music was well done, well produced, and did not have that repetitive bar structure that so many artists will cling to as the protocol for music today. I love to hear something outside the rest with a taste and flavor all its own. 

The first song on the album is called Freedom. I felt this was appropriate with the theme of the EP as it was talking about living independently of large record labels and staying true to who you are.  I really enjoyed this song because it talked about the freedom of doing things on their own and how the music industry is now.
Lyrics I found interesting and refreshing on the album included,  “Don’t it feel like independence day, only every day, " and "You remain a slave to the industry game while we get paid on the stage.” When working with a major label you are not as free to make your own choices in music. This is why more and more artists are choosing to remain independent even if offered spots on record labels. This gives them the right to produce what they feel and not what is just popular at the time. 

The next song is called Independent grind. The song talks about the struggles and the freedom from being independent. It discusses that music is about being who your are, not able selling out all you can to get radio play. Some lyrics I found intriguing were, “Hands in the air for the independent grind," and "Fuck the industry, " which was first brought around by Tech N9nes Anghellic CD but everyone’s being feeling it since the industry came about. People are starting to decline the cooperate agenda of music labels and choose to make their own rules. Though the independent grind may be harder, the hard work is worth keeping yourself true to the end. 

The next song on the album, Lies, talks about how many artists in Hip Hop  today are faking who they are for fame. They play the part but do not live what Hip Hop is truly about. Some lyrics I found amusing were, "No Mug behind their words cause they’re jeans too tight." Part of me hopes this is a comment about Lil Wayne, cause man his pants are way to tight and someone needs to say it haha. Also "They might rock a shiny chain but they actually broke.” I see this so often in hip hop and I liked that they brought it out. So many people are going into debt and really trying to sell the imagine of Hip Hop lifestyle, so others don’t know they aren't making it big. I have always heard "fake it until you make it"..or people could be like the song says, be yourself, and you're more likely to appeal to the people. 

Next we have the song Stay. This song has a good message, but I didn't mark it as my favorite. I think the song would have been improved if the echo effect had been left out. I think a good melody in its place would have pushed that track above level without needing to fill that space. It takes away from the good message of the song. But all in all still a great song!

In our next track, Living Today, the group discusses how living a life of a star can be, the good and the bad and why it's important to live for today. Some of the lyrics I found humorous and fun were, “She’s telling me I’m one hell of a guy, must have told this chick one hell of a lie.” This line made me laugh. Rappers have a suaveness built into their DNA and after years of watching this while on the road with the guys, I couldn't help but remember those moments. 

Which brings us to another amazing track that really hit home. As a college drop out at 18 to emerge myself in music and partying at the time, I really felt Don’t Wanna go back. Most of us out there that work a day job to make ends meet and continue to fund our dreams can relate to this song and its message. Lyrics like, “ I didn't drop out of college cause I thought I was too cool, but I wish that I hadn't  cause I’m glued to this YouTube tutorial trying to learn how to tie a tie tight and make it online right and make it to this interview on time.

This line hits so many entertainers. School didn't teach most of the musicians I know the knowledge needed for their creativity and the way their minds worked. Most of the time they seemed distracted and there was no one there to fuel their fire. So they would drop off and then struggle to bring in the bread while pursuing the dream.  Crazy life when your balling at night  and answering the customer service calls during the day. This track would be my favorite of the album.

Our last album on the track talks about how life changes after you start to change with your music. We evolve and we grow, new friends come and old friends may go. This track is called Damn Thang. A few of the lyrics that stood out to me where,  “Some of my old enemies are now friends with me,” and “People see it for the glitz and glamour, think your puffing purple kush when your really smoking bammer.”

But the lyric that stands out the most is one that most of us can relate to. “Lost a lot of friends and that’s a damn shame, but honestly I wouldn't change a damn thing.”

This album stayed in my CD player for days as I contemplated it and really immersed myself in it. I truly like this album and I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 stars, cause we all have room to grow don't ya know? Keep pushing your dreams and keep righting those songs from the heart, and you can stay Independent like a M#fuka for life. 

Tragedy 503 & PDS Tech N9ne Tour Photos