A Matter of Black Lives

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric Campbell and Nick Gillie.

“White” and “Black” races are, in a sense, army uniforms that many of us are born into. We are born with skin color to which is assigned mythology and a belief system, and then we are judged and treated by the world accordingly. 

The “Crips” and “Bloods” have a similar story. Young people are born into a certain neighborhood, and family, and thereby they are often assigned an “affiliation” almost at birth. The following interviews are of men and women who risk their lives trying to bring young people back from this trap.

EPISODE 1

Skipp Townsend

Charismatic and focused, former Blood Skipp Townsend gives a broad historical overview of the cease fire movement among Crip and Blood sets in Los Angeles. Interview includes details on the street movement in '92 and a first hand account of negotiations with LAPD during the Nipsey Hussle memorial.

www.2ndCall.org

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn
Music by Patrice Quinn
Cover photo by Kahlil Amani

EPISODE 2

Reverend Ben “Taco” Owens

In calm, even tones, legendary L.A. peacemaker, and former Crip, Ben "Taco" Owens details the many moving parts involved in creating and maintaining cease fires.

www.Illnevergiveup.com

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn
Music by Patrice Quinn
Cover photo by Kahlil Amani

EPISODE 3

D.C. from Imperial Courts Projects, Watts

As soon as you cross Grape street, driving up 114th toward the PJs on Gorman, D.C sees you - long before you see him. By the time you get out your car, cellphone to your ear to call him, he's walking up behind you calling your name out loud, "Skipp, Nick...". We met with him three times and each time it was that same way - its nerve-wracking and funny. That is part of what is called his "License To Operate" in Watts, as a peacemaker: D.C. knows his community. Hear him discuss more of the life saving work he does.

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn
Music by Patrice Quinn
Cover photo by Kahlil Amani

EPISODE 4

Sister Cynthia of Imperial Courts Watts

You may not know Sister but the Mayor does - the last few of them. Same for the last few Chief's of Police, they know. Or ask that man riding the classic cruiser bike up Gorman, he'll tell you her story once he stops laughing at you. You may not know Sister's report card of the street but she's a legend in L.A. from Melvin to Pistol Pete, Jim Brown to Warren G.

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn
Music by Patrice Quinn
Cover photo by Kahlil Amani

EPISODE 5

Twin

One '80s day in south central LA Twin wouldn't allow a boy, a friend, to get in the retaliation car for a murder just committed. The story of that day, eventually, became the movie "Boyz 'N the Hood."

John Singleton went on from that day to direct film, Twin went on to save many more lives. Twin is an LA legend - for those who know about things south of Pico.

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn
Music by Patrice Quinn
Cover photo by Kahlil Amani

EPISODE 6

Smurf

Smurf moved to Watts from Chicago (the home team!) when a youngster and was introduced to his new L.A. reality harshly, by the Crips. He became a Blood, because a teenage boy can't just hide in the house. He lived in a community, and had to participate in that community. 

As a man Smurf knows the youngsters didn't create their environment and, now, he works to change it. Everything about Smurf seems like it could break bones, his hands, his voice, even his eyelashes. And yet he is a peacemaker in Nickerson Gardens, and across South LA. Listen to his interview and support the grass roots intervention worker.

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn
Music by Patrice Quinn
Cover photo by Kahlil Amani

EPISODE 7

Shelldog

Citywide he’s known as “Shell.” Sometimes he’s called, “Shell and them” even though people only mean Shell - he can feel like a one-man crew. He is absolutely committed to peace and nonviolence. But Shell carries gloves in his back pocket just in case you absolutely, simply must start a problem up.

Summer of Success was an idea Shell instituted years ago to keep the parks open at nights for kids to play. The City of LA took the idea from Shell, renamed it to Summer Night Lights and hired Shell as a counselor. This is a recurring theme in Los Angeles. Shell and the others do the work, the City takes all the funding and the credit.

Changing this narrative is one of the long term goals of Black University.

produced by Skipp Townsend; Myko Campbell; Nick Gillie
edited by Patrice Quinn
photo by Kahlil Armini
music by Patrice Quinn

EPISODE 8

Kathy Wooten

Kathy is constantly, constantly working with the children of Watts to improve their lives. Any of the women interventionists you talk to in Los Angeles will mention Kathy. If you go up to the park during Summer Night Lights - everyone will be congregated around Kathy, getting their assignments. Or maybe getting a ball or a jump rope. She is the quintessential Mom - the Mom who will wade into danger to rescue Children.

She does all this despite the agony of having two boys of her own murdered. Despite this, she trudges on - uphill and against the odds to help her community.

produced by Skipp Townsend; Myko Campbell; Nick Gillie
edited by Patrice Quinn
music by Patrice Quinn

EPISODE 9

Cynthia Nunn

Cynthia Nunn has principles of iron. She is an Iron Woman of honor and integrity, and never-say-die will. She customarily turns down media interviews and only spoke to us because Skipp vouched for us. She walks the walk and doesn't believe in talk.

Cynthia has shouldered an organization in her late sister's memory, Sylvia Nunn, and any time you stop by her office on Long Beach Blvd in Compton there will be five to twenty children and young people getting goods or services. Or just enjoying a loving atmosphere.

The office itself is legendary, it originally belong to the Great Vicky Lindsay. And Cythia Nunn is certainly a giant - and more than capable of filling a giant's shoes.

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric and Nick Gillie.
Edited by Patrice Quinn

EPISODE 10

Bandana Tha Ragg

Bandana is of Compton, real and true. He is a leader of the classical trailblazing type, and his voice rings with passion and conviction rather than political consideration. Bandana loves his people, and is possessed by sincere determination to improve the lives of children. He is an old school Black man, promoting respect for elders and warrior discipline over warrior swagger.

For Bandana words are used to describe one’s actions, words are not used in place of action. He is confident enough to be a caring man, and he is one of whom it can truly be said, “He shall be known by his deeds.”

Listen and judge for yourself!

Produced by Skipp Townsend, Myko Lyric & Nick Gillie
Edited by Patrice Quinn

Cease Fire Intro

Prologue for Cease Fire, a narrative feature script written by Skipp, Taco and Nick. The V.O. here is performed by Charles “Little Man” Slay, mentioned in Skipp’s interview above. Black University intends to fund and produce this film - using many former Bloods and Crips as actors.