"It's just a question of being there,
shining that light of hope on them. It might take time, but by remaining optimistic
and hopeful no matter how hard life seems to get, we believe you can turn around a life.
People turn toward hope as naturally as plants turn toward the sunlight."
Chicago police officer Eric Davis is a
member of The
Slick Boys, a trio of Chicago cops who do musical presentations for schoolchildren in
both inner city and rural communities. Davis, along with officers James Martin and
Randy Holcomb, motivates kids to look for positive influences in their lives.
Neighborhood kids harassed Davis and
his fellow undercover cops every day as they patrolled the
Cabrini Green Housing Project
in Chicago. Whenever the kids saw the cops approaching, they blasted very inflammatory
rap music. Tired of the taunting, the cops told the kids anyone can rap. The kids
challenged them to prove it. So Davis and company wrote some lyrics, practiced rapping
in front of the mirror, and did their thing the next week at the police station. The
kids loved it and badgered the cops for more. Davis agreed, but only if the taunting
antics stopped.
These days, kids on Chicago street
corners and beyond are cranking up Davis's rap. A child of Cabrini Green himself, Davis
and The Slick Boys wrap their rap around positive messages. The Slick Boys have reached
millions of young people with their videos on MTV and Video Jukebox. They're still cops
too. Although The Slick Boys spend more than half their time touring schools around the
nation and abroad, Davis says much of their most important work still happens on the
streets.
Though Davis says he loves police work,
he acknowledges the power of music, the media, and money. The Slick Boys, who receive
about 500 fan letters a week, also created and consult on the Fox television series
New York Undercover. They could
easily leave the poor neighborhoods of Chicago, but it's clear their commitment to the
kids who live there runs deep. The money generated by their fame funds the Chicago-based
Slick Boys Foundation, helping disadvantaged youth pursue their dreams.
Today's Aortal link is in honor of the
works of a dear friend. Excerpts below are from the
Seva Foundation Native American
Diabetes Project.
The power of the Native American
Diabetes Project emerges from the synergy of modern medicine and traditional forms of
healing. This community-based health care model is designed to stem the deadly tide of
diabetes among Native Americans by emphasizing the healing power of traditional foods.
The re-emergence of buffalo meat, corn, and other time-tested food staples are not only
aligned with the Native American genetic composition; they also offer extraordinary
opportunities for community self-healing.
When communities grow their own food
in their own gardens on their reservations, when youth participate in tending these
gardens, when people collectively produce food, store it, and tell the stories of how
traditional foods were brought to the people and what they signify, they take in more
than the foods. They take in the joy and pride of their rich heritage and cultures.
This is a deep process of community renewal that connects every person to the spirit
of well-being and self-reliance.
The Native American Diabetes Project
also has a strong modern scientific component. Between 1998-2003, Seva
Foundation's partner, the Center for American Indian Research and Education at
University of California, Berkeley will conduct extensive research and analyze detailed
data about the effect of traditional foods on the reduction of diabetes.
Computer Operations Management:
where proven strengths in perception of requirements, observation of results, analysis
of trends, and problem solving combined with expertise in systems administration will
contribute to streamlined and effective service, as well as increased productivity and
profitability.
