Anderson@Large

Don’t Stop the Music in Philly

I had a visceral response to news that City Councilman Mark Squilla introduced a bill that would impose new rules for a “special assembly occupancy” license. Among other things, applications for an SAO license must be approved by the Philadelphia Police Department. Promoters and venue operators would be required to provide the police department with the “full name, address and phone number of all performance acts scheduled to perform during the promoted event or special event.”

There is concern the bill is racially motivated. That it’s targeting venues that promote hip-hop artists. Capt. Francis Healy, the PPD's legal adviser, told the Philadelphia Inquirer Squilla’s bill has “nothing to do with race,” adding:

I could see where it could be [interpreted as such].

The police department has a sordid history with black musicians. During Philly’s jazz heyday, clubs were under police surveillance. Jazz venues would be raided because black and white patrons were fraternizing. In a piece for Hidden City Philadelphia, Jack McCarthy shared a news report from 1949:

A preholiday raid by… detectives… once again smacks of racial prejudice on part of the law enforcers… [The] Downbeat is the favorite hangout for the be-bop fans and is the only downtown spot which never has discriminated against Negro patronage. In fact, crowds here have been interracial in character, attracting everybody from the intelligentsia to the rabid be-bop fan.

Nat Segall, former owner of the Downbeat who originally established the room, gave it up a year ago rather than give in to certain political powers who urged he adopt a segregation policy for the room. When he refused to give in, Segall, a former musician now in the booking business, was pestered by police raids and finally sold out.

Charges of underage drinkers at the Downbeat, basis for the raid, is a weak one when you see the patronage of purity-white places… you’ll find teenagers any night of the week in practically every night club in town.

Police harassment put the legendary club out of business. Philadelphia police and federal narcotics agents hounded Billie Holiday. Indeed, Lady Day was the first casualty of the War on Drugs.

On Nov. 17, 1955, Ray Charles and his entire band were arrested on drug charges. Although the charges were later dropped, Brother Ray vowed never again to perform in Philadelphia.

Sixty years later, there are echoes of Brother Ray’s concern about the climate for musicians. As currently written, the police department would maintain a registry of performers. Musicians are posting on social media that if Squilla’s bill passes, they will skip Philly.

Heard enough? Then take note and join the protest against Bill No. 160016 at City Hall on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. For more information, visit March for Musicians Against Bill #160016 on Facebook.

Don’t let Squilla stop the music.

 

UPDATE: Councilman Mark Squilla’s bill struck a sour note. At a hastily-arranged meeting with music industry leaders, Squilla said:

There’s a distrust between some performers and the government, a feeling of “big brother watching you.” That was not my intent.

In the wake of the social media backlash, Squilla will “withdraw the bill and start over from scratch.” Strike up the band and let the music play.

Facebook Do’s and Don’ts

Philadelphia’s enhanced teen curfew ends next week. Between heavy rain and Hurricane Irene, the targeted enforcement areas have been quiet deserted the last two weekends.

I am doing research for a media project focusing on the criminalization of black youth and online community policing. Like me, you may not be familiar with the International Association of Chiefs of Police Center for Social Media. The Center “serves as a clearinghouse of information and no-cost resources to help law enforcement personnel develop or enhance their agency’s use of social media and integrate Web 2.0 tools into agency operations.”

At a recent community forum on youth violence and flash mobs, it was made clear that Philadelphia police officers are “part of the conversation” and monitoring young people on Facebook and Twitter.

The Center provides resources that civilians will find useful, including what not to do on Facebook.

You know that update from a “friend” enticing you to add a “Dislike” app, don’t:

We’ve all seen the Facebook Like button, that little disembodied blue hand giving the thumbs up. And how many times have you wished you could just dislike a piece of content, that unfortunate video or sad status update. You are not alone. But don’t be fooled, Facebook has not developed a Dislike button, no matter what the apps, e-mails, or mass posts may tell you. Online scammers are using this as a way to your information or to send a virus your way.

Read more: Facebook Fact and Fiction

Tough Love in Philly: Go Get Your Kids!

The second weekend of Philadelphia’s enhanced youth curfew in Center City and University City begins tonight at 9:00 p.m.

For me, this issue is not just something to blog about. I, after all, live in Center City. More important, I want to help change the conversation from the media-hyped “flash mobs” to flash drives as black youth are exposed to new possibilities and opportunities.

So last night I attended a community meeting, “Go Get Your Kids!,” organized by Dorothy Johnson-Speight, the founder of Mothers in Charge who lost her son to gun violence.

Johnson-Speight said the parent forum was convened to address youth violence, and share information about organizations that provide resources and support for families and youth. They also talked about solutions:

We want to save our children. We don’t want our organization to grow because a mother has lost her child.

Everett Gillison, deputy mayor for public safety, addressed concerns about the criminalization of young people for being, well, young and dumb. Gillison said in the targeted enforcement areas, police officers will ask three questions:

• Where are you going?
• Where are you coming from?
• Do you understand what time it is?

First-time curfew violators will be issued a warning. Gillison said the 72 youth who were rounded up last weekend were “out of the area, had no idea what they were doing or they were belligerent.”

There were passionate comments about what’s going on with black youth:

They’re acting out because they’re crying out. There are too many young people who are angry and out of control.

There was widespread agreement that parental involvement is key to stemming the tide of violence. Parents must be held accountable and know where their children are. At the same time, there were impassioned pleas from parents who want to do the right thing but don’t know where to turn for help.

DJ MoShay LaRen of 107.9 WRNB said parents must take ownership and responsibility for their children:

We birthed them. We are responsible for them… If you don’t know where to go for help, pick up the phone. Call 311, 411, 911. Keep calling. It’s not an option to give up on your kids.

To get involved, visit Mothers in Charge.

UPDATE: It was a “quiet weekend.” Deputy Mayor Everett Gillison reported 33 minors were taken in by police, issued curfew warnings, and picked up by their parents.

Get the Gist

It’s Day 4 of Philly Tech Week.

I’m beginning to long for the good old days when what happened in Vegas, stayed in Vegas.

In the era of the social web, I know what you did. Thanks to Gist.com, I don’t even have to Google you. Gist delivers information directly to your inbox so that you "can know more about who you know." SMH

And if you think social media is a fad, think again.

Get Off of My Cloud

On Day 3 of Philly Tech Week, I feel geeky and cheeky.

I now know there’s no there there in cloud computing. Like a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, the “cloud” is little more than servers packed inside containers stored in data centers around the world.

With growing concerns about security and privacy, cloud computing gives new meaning to the Rolling Stones’ warning, “Hey you, get off of my cloud.”

2011 National Action Network Convention

The National Action Network’s 13th annual convention starts today. The convention will bring together civil rights, labor, government, business and media leaders, activists and influencers.

The convention will kick off with a panel discussion, “Politics 2011 – 2012. What are the Issues?,” moderated by Rev. Al Sharpton, NAN’s president and founder.

And speaking of 2012 politics, President Obama will deliver remarks at NAN’s Keepers of the Dream Awards Gala.

This year’s honorees include Muhammad Ali, Samuel and Latanya R. Jackson, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Lee A. Saunders. Dr. Bill Cosby will give a keynote address at the gala.

I am a presenter on the youth panel, “There’s a Social Media Revolution: Join In!” My takeaway will keep it real: It’s OK to be young and dumb when you’re, well, young and dumb. But don’t be stupid because the Internet records everything and forgets nothing.

For more information, go here.

For updates, follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NANConv2011.

Know Your Privacy Rights

This is National Consumer Protection Week.

Federal, state and local agencies, consumer groups and advocacy organizations will share tips and information on how consumers can protect their privacy, manage money and debt, and avoid identity theft, frauds and scams.

The Huffington Post reported that Facebook plans to share users' personal data with advertisers:

Facebook will be moving forward with a controversial plan to give third-party developers and external websites the ability to access users' home addresses and cellphone numbers in the face of criticism from privacy experts, users, and even congressmen. Facebook quietly announced the new policy in a note posted to its Developer Blog in January. It suspended the feature just three days later following user outcry, while promising that it would be “re-enabling this improved feature in the next few weeks.“

Facebook's statement that it has no current plan to share users' private data isn't reassuring:

Despite some rumors, there's no way for other websites to access a user's address or phone number from Facebook. For people that may find this option useful in the future, we're considering ways to let them share this information (for example to use an online shopping site without always having to re-type their address). People will always be in control of what Facebook information they share with apps and websites.

And get this: Facebook plans to use your “likes” and comments in ads. A CNN reporter observed, “It's kind of creepy.”

If you don't want to be creeped out, make sure you stay in control of your information. Know your privacy rights.

UPDATE: As if on cue, a little while ago I received this notification from Facebook:

Name redacted (or someone impersonating Major) has requested access to Major's Facebook account. To help confirm who owns this account, please call Major and give them this code.

For Major's security, please be sure to talk to your friend in person or on the phone. Don't send this code by email or SMS.

Yes, Major is a Facebook “friend,“ but I don't have his phone nunber. Nor would I be able to identify him in a police lineup. So if Major is sitting by the phone waiting on a call from me, he's SOL.