I have created this page as a place for me to spout off and rant about any old thing that didn’t get into the play. Comment if you like.
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Recently shot a Big Ideas episode with Walter Ben Michaels who has recently written a book called The Trouble with Diversity: How We Learned to Love Identity and Ignore Inequality. Very interesting. He thinks we should stop talking about race, and start talking about poverty. Interesting. I’ll see if I can find a copy.
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I can’t believe that the province and the feds can’t help this city out to pay for it’s freaking social programs!
If there is one surefire way to increase crime, and gun violence in this city, cutting more social programs, that have already been cut, that are already producing American style poverty, is the best way to do it!
So I’m seriously thinking about changing the name of the play. If you have a title like The Compassionate Canadian, and you want to use the word Compassionate in the play… lets just say, it’s a pain in the ass.
The thing I hate about theatre, is that it is nearly impossible to communicate a large number of political ideas. Or rather, you can, but the audience will only really absorb a couple in any meaningful way. You have to pick a handful and deal with them through something as insipid as plot, or character or conflict. But if I really wanted to write a lecture, I’d be a prof.
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Last night I rode my bike up Parliament to go home. It was around 11 pm. And as I’m riding, I’m thinking to myself, do I have to worry about gunfire? I used to live on this street years ago, I’ve ridden up this street thousands of times, last night was the first time I ever felt concerned for my safety. And I told myself to relax, don’t freak out, what are the chances of a gun being fired tonight, on this street? Well, just this morning, I’m watching the news and someone was shot in the ass at Parliament and Dundas last night.
I hate that.
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Another drive by shooting and another night when I seriously want to take my family out of this city. My wife loves it here. My oldest daughter is so proud to be born here. She has no idea. And she won’t ever have any idea of the Canada that I grew up in. You can experience it in other cities, but here in TO, it’s gone, and I’m afraid it’s gone for good.
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Another wild shootout in the city, and all I can think is when is the madness going to end?I want to be able to raise my children in this city for frig’s sake. What can be done to stop it? Where do we start? What can we do?
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN PHOTOJOURNALIST BEATEN BY TORONTO POLICE; FIGHTING TO HAVE CHARGES DROPPED; TRIAL SET FOR NOV. 21, 2007
TORONTO, CANADA…October 16, 2006, at approximately 1:40 pm after checking out of the Econolodge Hotel (335 Jarvis Street) and while in the process of hailing a taxi, Black Americans Tonye Allen and his fiancee, Ann Brown, were assaulted by several Downtown Toronto policemen from the 51st division. Mr. Allen, who did not resist, was beaten and pepper sprayed several times while handcuffed and in police custody. Ms. Brown was choked, shoved, and threatened with arrest as well.
Mr. Allen was never told why he was being detained. The arresting police refused to tell Ms. Brown where they were taking Mr. Allen. After locating the correct police station, Ms. Brown spoke with a “Det. Moyer,” who said he “hadn’t decided” what he was going to charge Mr. Allen with. Ultimately, Mr. Allen was charged with assault of two policemen and resisting arrest, times two.
After Ms. Brown posted cash bail of $1,000, Mr. Allen’s passport was taken by “Det. Moyer.”
Mr. Allen was unarmed. He had never been arrested. He had no criminal history. He has no history of drug/alcohol abuse or psychiatric problems.
Mr. Allen and Ms. Brown are seeking publicity and legal references to help fight these false charges.
Mr. Allen is a photojournalist who works professionally under the name “TRILOBITE.” His work has appeared in: Essence, Vibe, The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, LA Weekly , and The Source Magazine. He has worked for Sony Music, PolyGram Records, Def Jam Records, and Interscope Records, among others.
Ms. Brown is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Essence, Black Enterprise, Upscale Magazine, The Source , and various other publications.
Mr. Allen and Ms. Brown were in Toronto on their way to South Africa.
Mr. Allen sustained the following injuries:
Head abrasions and bruises
Ear abrasions and bruises
Possible concussion
Right eye: deep cut on eyelid
Black left/right eyes
Damaged left eye, loss of sight (previous 20-20+ vision)
Left ear loss of hearing
Lip bruised
Dislocated jaw
Abrasions/bruises on right cheek
Right and left shoulders contusions and bruises
Left wrist: deep cuts, ligature marks, nerve damage
Right wrist: cuts, ligature marks, nerve damage
Left and right hands: abrasions, nerve damage
Right ring finger dislocated
Bruised ribs
Abrasions on torso
Bruised thoracic vertebrae
Left and right knees: abrasions and bruises
