8/24/99 : I was making a mix tape for somebody recently and I ran across a quote that had somehow escaped my eyes before. As I was perusing the My Hero Died Today/Man vs Humanity 7" there staring at me was a simple yet effective phrase that I've been thinking about lately. "I'd rather be recognized as a pc-fascist than an apathetic fuck!" (Man vs Humanity "the overall simplified pc-theme song") At first I just laughed thinking that it was a pretty nifty quote. But the more I think about it the more it affects me. Recently I made a big step in my life by actually starting to take action in something I believe in although mainstream culture disagrees with me. Usually, I'm all talk and education but I never take any great risk to myself by banning together with other people. For the last 6 months I've been fascinated by political prisoners and I guess just the injustices of America as a whole. So I started reading about Mumia Abu-Jamal. (both of his books: Live from Death Row and Death Blossoms are highly recommended) The more I read about this man the more I started to believe he is falsely imprisoned by a system that is afraid of the common man. I wrote about him in the last zine but that's as far as it went. But recently I've joined a group of people in Atlanta that are setting up a festival/fair for September 25. This is the last day of Mumia Awareness Week nation wide and we wanted to have a presence in Atlanta. This has and continues to be a great experience. What surprised me the most about the group is that most of it's members are white middle class. What dissappoints me the most about the group is the lack of youth involvement. As I tell this to you I'm in the process of trying to set up a benefit show at Under the Couch in Atlanta so the name Mumia becomes a household word in at least the Atlanta hardcore community. Long story made short is that I've decided to become active in what I believe in. It's a bit akward at first but most of the people are so excited that you took interest that it doesn't matter what you look like or say. I feel a lot better about myself too because I'm not rolling over for the government to murder a man before he gets a just and fair trial.

7/03/99 : Saw an awesome show last night at Sprockets. Kill the Man Who Questions, Force Fed Glass, and Portrait all blew me away! KTMWQ play really political punk/hardcore. We talked to them afterwards and it's really nice to see people who can actually talk coherently about their beliefs when they aren't hiding behind a microphone. They are definitely speaking from the heart when they say stuff while playing. Force Fed Glass played a really awesome set. I don't remember them being this good before. They have a new singer and it adds some dynamics to the vocals. I don't know how you can be so chaotic yet so tight. It was also the big return of portrait night. It was so awesome to see them play again, especially James. The set was a bit short but it was so intense!! The 10" is officially out now so get it if you don't have it. Just an all around good show with bands are not only good bands but awesome people too. Big thanks to KTMWQ for making the night such fun and just being all around awesome people.