Friday, December 01, 2006

As a black man born and raised on the Hill, I applaud poet-scholar Kimberly Ellis for her courage and love for our people and her opposition to Isle of Capri Casinos putting a casino on the Lower Hill. I remember as a child of 8 how I came home from school and saw a notice on the door that we had to move because of the construction of the Civic Arena. Now, 50 years later, the old wound is being opened again. Black people in Pittsburgh are being robbed of our heritage for gambling, slots and hockey. Pittsburgh has always been a cruel city for blacks, which is why many like myself were forced to leave the city we love. Through tricks and the help of Uncle Toms and Aunt Lucilles we are being robbed again. I support Kimberly Ellis in her noble fight and I tell Isle of Capri Casinos to back off with the threats against my sister. The only jobs blacks will get from the casino are dishwashers, janitors and prostitutes.