This is an open letter in support of my boy, my brother, a person whom I hold in the highest regard. As a man, as a friend, as a father, as a husband, as a brother, as a son. Maybe you got the idea; he is a one of my best friends. Contact now may be over a distance, but that does not lessen the impact and importance of friendship. In fact, in my case it makes it all more pronounced.
The words here are for Temistocles Ferriera. Most people may know of him as Tem Blessed; “rapper” and all around trouble-maker. That is your description. You are welcome to that. Hold on to your misconceptions, pre-judgments and lack of understanding. Believe me it runs deeper than that.
He is a man; a father, son, husband, brother, uncle, and my friend. He is an emcee, a powerful voice, an activist, and many other things. I am writing to describe who this man is to me, and why the community needs to support and assist this man in his struggle. I will not regurgitate the numerous and varied accomplishments that he has made, I believe that has been made clear, that the evidence is easy accessed. There are many, many programs, issues, and most importantly, people that Tem has impacted. This is the truth that I want everyone to focus on.
The thing I need you to understand is that it does not matter what “special interest” you represent, this man is about and for the people, all the people, sometimes to his own detriment. The reason for this is he actually cares about the future, he is not focused solely on his future or the futures of those immediately surrounding him, Tem is focused on the future with a capitol “F”. Mine, yours, ours. He believes in the soul of the saying: each one, teach one, that we are indeed a community. What affects one, affects all; injustice to one, is injustice to all.
What is most upsetting to me is how little the community at large seems to understand what the result of this ridiculous “case” could mean. It can be great; Freedom! The removal of the stress and pressure being heaped on top of this man and his family from the agents of the Matrix is the first reward. Through this, the reality of the lives of the under-represented, the trials and tribulations of many oppressed people can gain some level of recognition, and possibly justice. Or it can adversely affect that freedom, the future of a family and the friends of a man. This is no joke, no trivial matter.
Here you have a person who cares about how this community, who is aware of the effect of ignorance and uncaring negligence that is directed towards our young stars, has on our collective futures. Here is a father, husband, brother and son. His family and friends’ lives are also being threatened. I for one feel better because Tem is around my nieces and nephews. I for one feel better cause they listen to him rhyme. I for one feel better about New Bedford’s future cause he’s at Youth Build. And I for one feel better about our collective future because his family, those Blessed children, those Soul-Jah’s for the Light Brigade are developing at a rapid pace. This is about that community, I couldn’t list everyone involved, but I tell you, the network impacted by and through this community is extensive. Look at where I’m writing from, how we have begun to disperse, and I take a little bit of that community spirit, in essence a bit of Tem, wherever I go. That community and individual spirit is being targeted.
Let’s for one moment put aside the propaganda. Tem is being prosecuted not only because Tem protected his rights, he is being attacked because he protects the rights of others. He causes problems by speaking the truth. He causes trouble by bringing to light the dark realities of others.
Why do we prosecute those that rattle the foundations of what we believe? Why do we not heed these voices, why do we only attack? Unfortunately this is nothing new, the only thing that makes this a different situation is the ability that YOU have. The ability to make a difference.
It is not ironic that this is the situation that Tem finds himself in. Because he believes in the inherit need to protect others is why he needs protection, assistance and he deserves it. The idea has always been offered through Tem and others, to become interested, to become active in the life of someone who needs your help. And you can help. Tem is an example of this. Let the people know what you believe. This is the lesson, what Tem believes in, that each voice is powerful, that you can make a difference. Make a difference in the life of my friend, this father, this son. Let the powers-that-be know that he stands for something powerful and you will not just stand by. We will not allow his courage and effort to be in vain.
Thanx, peace, and blessings
A Luta Continua
Tyson Rose
San Diego, CA
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