OG Told Me...

A photo essay.
By Pendarvis Harshaw.

http://ogpenn.com/

He prides himself on “preaching outside of his four walls”. His name is Bishop J.E. Watkins and his church is located inside a building which was once home to Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association. Although West Oakland’s Liberty Hall is facing a possible foreclosure, Bishop Watkins is faithful that the one time home to Father Divine’s ministries will be able to keep its doors open. Since he moved to the building in West Oakland, Bishop Watkins has dedicated the work of his church to expand past his four walls— to four square blocks in West Oakland. He says he works with the “local pharmacists”, by not allowing police to put surveillance cameras in the windows of his church. In exchange, he says that the young men on the corner one block from the church often look out for the children who attend programs. His programs consist of job training, legal aid, and the opportunity to gain hands-on television production experience; as well as Sunday church service. The sanctuary in one of largest rooms in the building— the room is split between the chairs for the audience, the huge soundboard used to produce shows, a green screen, an altar, and a transparent organ. His customized organ is “one of one”, says Bishop Watkins, who is a skilled organ player, (Here is a clip of him playing the organ) … but prefers the guitar. His facility is historically and technologically amazing. It’s located on the corner of 8th and Chester in West Oakland’s Lower Bottoms neighborhood- a community that has historically been a maze. He said that even during the times of the economic boom around the 7th street corridor, the backstreets of the Lower Bottoms were always home to number runners, whore houses and all sorts of crime. But the difference is, back then it was organized. …  I asked Bishop Watkins— based on his life experiences, what would he tell young people … OG Told Me: “They have lost respect for themselves. Our youth need to gain the respect, and know what that word means. When the kids kill each other, do you know why they kill each other? It’s over notches… you gotta have five notches, you get 5 notches— that’s 5 killings… you get those 5 notches, that’s puts you at the top of the heap— you’re the leader of this gang.” Bishop Watkins has seen the culture shift in his time.  “It’s no longer: well, I can beat you up. When I was coming up, it was ( he pounds his fist in his hand forcibly-signifying a beat down)… and then it was ‘aye-man, we’re good… and that’s the way it was.” He cites the lack of education as the root of this disrespect that the youth seem to have for one and other.  “They have not finished more than the 9th grade. They do not know what the word disrespect really-really means.” “What I would tell them now: get an education.”  He said that the reason people marched in the 60’s, was for this generation to get educated. And a lot of people in this generation chose to sell drugs. He urged the youth: GO BACK TO SCHOOL! Not only to get an education- but to then reach back to help someone else.  I then asked Bishop Watkins: How do you gain that respect? Bishop Watkins immediately referenced an old saying: ”Manners start at home and spread abroad.“  Bishop Watkins stressed the necessity of teaching morality and self respect in the house; and church house.  “Unless we OG’s- unless we teach this to the young men coming up, and unless they listen- they’ve gotta listen, as the bible says: he that has an ear, let him hear what thy say the lord. That’s the reason why the church is down here. They come in off the street … they’ll come to service…” Bishop Watkins waved his hands about the sanctuary, physically expressing his verbal message.  “They are looking for something…” … He said the guys he talks to on the streets are often looking for a change, but seldom know where to start. In order to change, the Bishop says: “You start in your head, and then it moves to your heart.”

He prides himself on “preaching outside of his four walls”.

His name is Bishop J.E. Watkins and his church is located inside a building which was once home to Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association. Although West Oakland’s Liberty Hall is facing a possible foreclosure, Bishop Watkins is faithful that the one time home to Father Divine’s ministries will be able to keep its doors open.

Since he moved to the building in West Oakland, Bishop Watkins has dedicated the work of his church to expand past his four walls— to four square blocks in West Oakland.

He says he works with the “local pharmacists”, by not allowing police to put surveillance cameras in the windows of his church. In exchange, he says that the young men on the corner one block from the church often look out for the children who attend programs.

His programs consist of job training, legal aid, and the opportunity to gain hands-on television production experience; as well as Sunday church service.

The sanctuary in one of largest rooms in the building— the room is split between the chairs for the audience, the huge soundboard used to produce shows, a green screen, an altar, and a transparent organ.

His customized organ is “one of one”, says Bishop Watkins, who is a skilled organ player, (Here is a clip of him playing the organ) … but prefers the guitar.

His facility is historically and technologically amazing. It’s located on the corner of 8th and Chester in West Oakland’s Lower Bottoms neighborhood- a community that has historically been a maze.

He said that even during the times of the economic boom around the 7th street corridor, the backstreets of the Lower Bottoms were always home to number runners, whore houses and all sorts of crime.

But the difference is, back then it was organized.

… 

I asked Bishop Watkins— based on his life experiences, what would he tell young people … OG Told Me:

“They have lost respect for themselves. Our youth need to gain the respect, and know what that word means. When the kids kill each other, do you know why they kill each other? It’s over notches… you gotta have five notches, you get 5 notches— that’s 5 killings… you get those 5 notches, that’s puts you at the top of the heap— you’re the leader of this gang.”

Bishop Watkins has seen the culture shift in his time. 

“It’s no longer: well, I can beat you up. When I was coming up, it was ( he pounds his fist in his hand forcibly-signifying a beat down)… and then it was ‘aye-man, we’re good… and that’s the way it was.”

He cites the lack of education as the root of this disrespect that the youth seem to have for one and other. 

“They have not finished more than the 9th grade. They do not know what the word disrespect really-really means.”

“What I would tell them now: get an education.” 

He said that the reason people marched in the 60’s, was for this generation to get educated. And a lot of people in this generation chose to sell drugs. He urged the youth: GO BACK TO SCHOOL!

Not only to get an education- but to then reach back to help someone else. 

I then asked Bishop Watkins: How do you gain that respect?

Bishop Watkins immediately referenced an old saying: ”Manners start at home and spread abroad.“ 

Bishop Watkins stressed the necessity of teaching morality and self respect in the house; and church house. 

“Unless we OG’s- unless we teach this to the young men coming up, and unless they listen- they’ve gotta listen, as the bible says: he that has an ear, let him hear what thy say the lord. That’s the reason why the church is down here. They come in off the street … they’ll come to service…”

Bishop Watkins waved his hands about the sanctuary, physically expressing his verbal message. 

“They are looking for something…”

… He said the guys he talks to on the streets are often looking for a change, but seldom know where to start. In order to change, the Bishop says:

“You start in your head, and then it moves to your heart.”

On the corner of Adeline st. and Harmon st. in South Berkeley, I saw this sharply dressed OG conversing with a couple people in the neighborhood, they affectionately called him: “Willie”. … I approached Willie, complimented him on his style, introduced myself as a journalist who specializes in documenting elder Black men.    I then asked Willie, if given the opportunity to speak to the youth, based his life experiences, what would he tell them… OG Told Me: “Simply live a good life.”-Willie.

On the corner of Adeline st. and Harmon st. in South Berkeley, I saw this sharply dressed OG conversing with a couple people in the neighborhood, they affectionately called him: “Willie”.

…

I approached Willie, complimented him on his style, introduced myself as a journalist who specializes in documenting elder Black men. 

 

I then asked Willie, if given the opportunity to speak to the youth, based his life experiences, what would he tell them… OG Told Me:

“Simply live a good life.”-Willie.
The day after the San Francisco 49ers secured their position in Superbowl XLVII, I found a gentleman by the name of Curtis cold chilling SF’s Yerba Buena Gardens. Curtis’ attire: a charcoal and asphalt suit, 49ers scarf, and a blindingly golden hat that caused me to stop in my tracks. A jazz festival in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as the perfect background music as Curtis answered the question: if you had the opportunity to give the youth some wisdom, what would you tell them?    “Be in it to win it,” he said without hesitation; and then the man in the golden cap with the watch to match stated his winning formula: “Stand for who you are-don’t be nobody else… ‘cause you win by being yourself.”

The day after the San Francisco 49ers secured their position in Superbowl XLVII, I found a gentleman by the name of Curtis cold chilling SF’s Yerba Buena Gardens. Curtis’ attire: a charcoal and asphalt suit, 49ers scarf, and a blindingly golden hat that caused me to stop in my tracks. A jazz festival in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. served as the perfect background music as Curtis answered the question: if you had the opportunity to give the youth some wisdom, what would you tell them?   

“Be in it to win it,” he said without hesitation; and then the man in the golden cap with the watch to match stated his winning formula:

“Stand for who you are-don’t be nobody else… ‘cause you win by being yourself.”
“At 70 years old, I want to tell society that you don’t have to have 1 foot in the grave, because you’re old,” said Byron Hudson as he sat in a newly opened sports bar in downtown Oakland. Hudson doesn’t drink, nor smoke; as you would expect from a professional trainer. To Hudson, maintaining a healthy body is more than just a hobby and profession, it is a life long fight. “When I was two, my biological father threw me out of a window,” said Hudson, who fell two stories into some bushes and survived. “There was a story in a SF newspaper: Baby Survives Fall was the headline.” Hudson, whose mother’s family is from the South, spent time in New Orleans as a child, but credits West Oakland as his old stomping grounds.  “I got dealt a bad hand at birth: my mom died of cancer at 67 years old. My biological father died of cancer 58 years old, he had Colon and Prostate cancer.” Hudson has been into bodybuilding since walking into McClymonds High School as a scrawny freshman; but his healthy lifestyle didn’t stop him from being impacted by hereditary diseases. “I’ve got a bad heart, I’ve had a stroke before, I have all the things that affect Black people.” Said Hudson, a 5’6, 200 plus pound- boulder of a man. “Diabetes, heart issues, high blood pressure. I used to joke and say: I have everything but cancer.” Hudson is one of the many Black men in America who have Prostate Cancer. “Most people my age, if they’re not in great shape, what they’d do is observe, or they’d treat it with radiation.” Hudson, a high ranking bodybuilder in the Mr. Oakland, Mr. California, and Mr. Pacific contests during the 1960’s and early 70’s, says that doctors say that he is in great shape for his age and this works to his benefit in combating cancer. Hudson plans to have his prostate removed. “Not many options when you have cancer—especially prostate: radiation, radiation inserts (pellets in your prostate), you can remove it (robotic surgery), or you can observe it (allow it to run its course).” Hudson says that in the coming months he will be, “like a little boy again— I’ll be wearing a diaper for 6 weeks to 3 months.” He is upbeat about the recovery process. He plans to combine the Western practice of surgery with Eastern remedies, such as herbs and teas, in effort to get back on his feet as soon as possible. “My goal is to be a spokesperson for cancer,” said Hudson. He wants to speak to people about the diseases that are affecting many African Americans: Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, Colon Cancer and overall heart problems. “Those are the things that will wipe us out quicker than anything—depending on where you live,” Hudson said with hesitation, a pause to consider the gun violence that also plagues African American communities Nationwide, perhaps. As he scanned the miscellaneous individuals enjoying drinks and watching sports in the dimly lit bar, Hudson leaned in and said, “cancer creeps up on you—but we creep up on ourselves; we’re like our own cancer.” With a half-faced-smile that forced his right eye to squint, Hudson nonchalantly said, “I have more years behind me than I have in front of me, I know I’m not living 70 more years. Unless God has something really special planned for me.” Hudson followed up by saying, “I’m going to rid myself of cancer. I plan on being here.” When asked what wisdom he might tell a young man, given his life experiences, Hudson said:  “If you don’t do all the right things in life that you should have, just try to outgrow some of the things you were doing that you shouldn’t have.”

“At 70 years old, I want to tell society that you don’t have to have 1 foot in the grave, because you’re old,” said Byron Hudson as he sat in a newly opened sports bar in downtown Oakland. Hudson doesn’t drink, nor smoke; as you would expect from a professional trainer. To Hudson, maintaining a healthy body is more than just a hobby and profession, it is a life long fight.

“When I was two, my biological father threw me out of a window,” said Hudson, who fell two stories into some bushes and survived. “There was a story in a SF newspaper: Baby Survives Fall was the headline.”

Hudson, whose mother’s family is from the South, spent time in New Orleans as a child, but credits West Oakland as his old stomping grounds.

 “I got dealt a bad hand at birth: my mom died of cancer at 67 years old. My biological father died of cancer 58 years old, he had Colon and Prostate cancer.”

Hudson has been into bodybuilding since walking into McClymonds High School as a scrawny freshman; but his healthy lifestyle didn’t stop him from being impacted by hereditary diseases.

“I’ve got a bad heart, I’ve had a stroke before, I have all the things that affect Black people.” Said Hudson, a 5’6, 200 plus pound- boulder of a man. “Diabetes, heart issues, high blood pressure. I used to joke and say: I have everything but cancer.”

Hudson is one of the many Black men in America who have Prostate Cancer.

“Most people my age, if they’re not in great shape, what they’d do is observe, or they’d treat it with radiation.”

Hudson, a high ranking bodybuilder in the Mr. Oakland, Mr. California, and Mr. Pacific contests during the 1960’s and early 70’s, says that doctors say that he is in great shape for his age and this works to his benefit in combating cancer.

Hudson plans to have his prostate removed.

“Not many options when you have cancer—especially prostate: radiation, radiation inserts (pellets in your prostate), you can remove it (robotic surgery), or you can observe it (allow it to run its course).”

Hudson says that in the coming months he will be, “like a little boy again— I’ll be wearing a diaper for 6 weeks to 3 months.” He is upbeat about the recovery process. He plans to combine the Western practice of surgery with Eastern remedies, such as herbs and teas, in effort to get back on his feet as soon as possible.

“My goal is to be a spokesperson for cancer,” said Hudson.

He wants to speak to people about the diseases that are affecting many African Americans: Diabetes, Prostate Cancer, Colon Cancer and overall heart problems.

“Those are the things that will wipe us out quicker than anything—depending on where you live,” Hudson said with hesitation, a pause to consider the gun violence that also plagues African American communities Nationwide, perhaps.

As he scanned the miscellaneous individuals enjoying drinks and watching sports in the dimly lit bar, Hudson leaned in and said, “cancer creeps up on you—but we creep up on ourselves; we’re like our own cancer.”

With a half-faced-smile that forced his right eye to squint, Hudson nonchalantly said, “I have more years behind me than I have in front of me, I know I’m not living 70 more years. Unless God has something really special planned for me.”

Hudson followed up by saying, “I’m going to rid myself of cancer. I plan on being here.”

When asked what wisdom he might tell a young man, given his life experiences, Hudson said:

 “If you don’t do all the right things in life that you should have, just try to outgrow some of the things you were doing that you shouldn’t have.”

“A Liquor Store Lesson” by Pendarvis Harshaw

…

A  two minute short film which depicts the the driving concept behind the OG Told Me photo essay: There is a SENSE OF INTERGENERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY shared between Black men. This why young Black men listen to elder Black men, why elder Black men lend wisdom to younger Black men. And most importantly, this is a natural occurrence.

…

Proof? Although this video was scripted, when Richie Rich showed up on the set, the young men shook his hand. One of the young men used their smartphone to google his name. Seconds later, the young man exclaimed, “Oh! YOU WERE A PART OF 415- MY DAD USED TO LISTEN TO THEM!”

And then Richie Rich showed his 415 tattoo and shook the young man’s hand again… 

Richie Rich, the man who coined the phrase: “Where you from ? Oakland- smokin’.” was asked the question: If you had the ear of the youth, what wisdom would you give them?

….


“Take some time- slow shit up. All that spur of the moment thinking- put that on ice. Hold that thought, my guy. Take a minute and just breathe. What you want Tuesday night may not be want you want Thursday night.”- Richie Rich.

“People that hustle make the team.”-Coach Nate.

…

Coach Nate, given name of Nathaniel Smith, born and raised in South East Washington DC. He attributes his work ethic to his experience of coming up in Barry Farms, a notorious housing project, where he learned the value of hustle. He worked a paper route at the age of 11. During his high school years he became a skilled electrician, but after he graduated he couldn’t find a job. He worked at a department store before landing a big time job on Capital hill. The big time political job was a short-lived experience, as it was just a seasonal occupation. He then joined the Navy, where he served 4 years and 1 day. During the Vietnam war he travled the world. His athletic ability earned him many accolades in the service, and after being discharged, he stayed in Asia where he played professional basketball in the Philippines for 4 years. He experienced praise because of the way he played, he also experienced discrimination because of his race. He eventually moved back to the States.     
…
Coach Nate is now a resident of Oakland, CA. He is married with 4 kids. He coaches baseball for a local public high school; he also owns and operates a well known coffee shop nestled in the heart of town… 
…
He began his business with the dream of having a book store and a record shop.
At the time, both industries were declining, so Mr. Smith decided to merge his dream of music and books, with his wife’s dream of owning a cafe: “Coffee With A Beat” was born.
…
As we prepared to take a photo, we stepped out his cafe to the corner of Perkins & Grand Ave. in Oakland, CA, a regular customer came by with her daughter holding one hand and an article for Mr. Smith in the other palm. The article was a write-up on Coffee With a Beat, published on OaklandLocal.com, a local internet-based publication that highlights local people, places, and things in Oakland. 
Mr. Smith laughed, smiled, and took the news in stride.
In talking to Mr. Smith, it’s evident that his relentless work ethic and his ever-present smile have aided him in his life’s journey.  
….
“People that hustle make the team”, Coach Nate told me, and then he continued: 
 
“I failed that test in 3rd grade- you know they use to determine if you’re going to be a ‘success’ in life… I’d like to go back and say like Kool Moe Dee said: “How ya like me now?”

“The need to defend yourself is innate within all human beings.”- Sifu Bill Owens. 

….

(This post was inspired by a tweet from Le’ Owens… Sifu Bill Owens’ son.)

“My father raised 65 Black Black belts 3 world champs and over 20 national champs ..  now u think they gonna let that be recognized?” - @RETRO_Le 

…

Sifu Bill Owens has owned and operated The Blossom Fist martial arts school on the 7400 block of MacArthur Blvd. in East Oakland for over twenty years. Along with the list of accomplishments his son listed in the tweet quoted above, Sifu Owens has personally obtained black belts in Wun Hop Kuen Do, Arnis and Capoeira.  

Sifu Owens takes pride in the success and longevity of his business. He, along with his wife Simo Mary Owens, have created an institution. He boasts of the scores of young men and women he has trained, and rightfully so.

In the middle of a neighborhood where tales of gun violence are the norm, Sifu Owens shared with me an account of a young man stepping to him and addressing his fears…

The young man who confronted Sifu Owens lived about a 1 block west of the martial arts school, and often hung-out with a group of guys in that same area. The young men would often venture two blocks east, passing Sifu Owens’ school, in effort to purchase a bottle from the local liquor store. After buying booze- the boys would bend an alternative corner- choosing to take the long way home, so as to not cross back in front of Sifu Owens and his students with brown bags and bottles in hand.

Sifu Owens continued to tell me that years later, the young man who took the scenic route eventually decided to take the high road, and finally speak to Sifu Owens face to face. The first words the young man ever said to the martial arts master was the aforementioned tale of he and his friends.

They didn’t know Sifu Owens. They knew his presence.  

The unspoken respect for the elder Black man with a black belt from the boys on the block spoke volumes as to what he and his institution meant, and continue to mean to the community.   

Sifu Owens ended his story with a list of questions. He wanted to know: Did the boys fear him? Respect him?… Did they think he was an authority figure? Father figure? … What made them go the long way?… What made the one out of the group come and tell him that tale on that day?

He came to the conclusion that the young boys’ actions were similar to one of the driving philosophies behind martial arts. The boys simply wanted to defend themselves. Their group, their block, their alcohol… Their worldview. Those were the defense mechanisms their environment had suggested to them, and those were the defenses they mastered.

…

“The need to defend yourself is innate within all human beings.” - Sifu Bill Owens.

“Don’t go to jail.”- Mr. Mack.

…

He spends his days near Lake Merritt, adjacent to the Alameda County Court House. Accompanied by his backpack & bike, he squats is in the middle of a popular path for business people who blur past in suits and weekend warriors who jog past in workout clothes.

His name is Mr. Mack.

I see him all of the time, as do many Oaklanders. 

I walk, jog, and ride past him all of the time, as do many Oaklanders. 

I’ve always considered talking to him, but August 1st, 2012 was the day I was meant to speak with him.

As I biked around the lake, I saw that Mr. Mack wasn’t in his normal spot. Instead of the sidewalk closest to the shore, he was on his knees, on the pavement in between the two-way traffic, in the middle of a construction zone… drawing in chalk. 

These words were inscribed on the asphalt: 

“ToyLAND”

“FaTryLAND”

“ELf”

I never got an understanding as to what his written words meant, but his spoken words gave me a profound understanding of how the world works.

… 

I asked Mr. Mack a rendition of the same question I ask every elder Black man: Given your life experiences- If you had the ear of the youth, what wisdom would you bestow upon them- what would you tell them?

Mr. Mack laughed, and eloquently stated his answer: Don’t go to jail.

….

A brief question and answer session with Mr. Mack ensued:

Me: “Why do you always sit right here?”

Him: “to watch the birds (He points towards the shrubs which surround the Oakland musuem)… They’re hiding in there.” 

Mr.Mack: ”What is that boy 50Cent doing nowadays?” 

Me: “Hahahahhaha… What? I don’t know.”

Mr.Mack: “What about Hammer?”

Me: “Hahahahha… Where are you from, sir?”

Mr.Mack: “East Oakland, born and raised.”

Mr. Mack: ”What do you do for a living?”

Me: “I’m a journalist.”

(That’s when the questions stopped… Momentarily.)

Mr. Mack: “Chauncey Bailey was gooood…real good.”

(The questions continued)

Mr. Mack: “How good are you gonna be?”

Me: “What made Chauncey Bailey ‘good’ ?”

Mr Mack: “… He didn’t back down…”

Me: (Silence)

I gave Mr. Mack a card of mines and told him about my blog. He pointed to the email address on my card and asked, “How do I call this number?”

I laughed, and explained the process of email.

He didn’t laugh.

Mr. Mack: “Well, you’re a journalist… When are you going to come down here and show off?”

Me: “Show off?” 

Mr. Mack: (lowers his glasses): “Show. Off.”

Me: “Show you some of my work?”

Mr. Mack: “Yea, ‘show off’ !!!” 

…

I shook Mr. Mack’s hand and told him I would come back with an article. 

I came back later that afternoon, the chalk on the asphalt was still there- but Mr. Mack wasn’t. 

….

Aug 2nd, 2012 marked the 5th anniversary of Chauncey Bailey’s death. En route to Mr. Mack, with the article which he requested in hand, I walked past the spot where Bailey was assassinated. I briefly spoke with a local news crew who was covering the story of the well respected Black journalist from Oakland who was killed on the job, then continued on to meet Mr. Mack.

I delivered Mr. Mack the article, and simultaneously asked him if he knew that today was the anniversary of Chauncey Bailey’s death; he had no idea.

Mr. Mack: “I used to see Chauncey Bailey walk down this street on his way to work at the Oakland Post all the time- I never spoke to him tho… but I read his work… he was good.”

…

I now understand how the world works… just a little bit more.

“… the mind is an unexplored planet.”- Jack. After mailing a parcel to my Grandmother in Alabama, I stepped out of the Civic Center Post Office in Downtown Oakland with two 1-dollar bills and a handful of loose change. The recipient of that cash was a man I have came accustomed to seeing on the post office stairs. After introducing myself, the gentleman stated that his name is “Jack”. His eloquent upbeat speech surprised me, and then he complimented me on my beard, another surprise.    “Jack”, is a native Mississippian, who spent his developing years in Chicago, and eventually landed in the Bay Area where he worked until his dug addiction overcame his ambition. When asked what message he would tell the youth, “Jack” clearly stated: “Be careful with those drugs… the mind is an unexplored planet.” 

“… the mind is an unexplored planet.”- Jack.

After mailing a parcel to my Grandmother in Alabama, I stepped out of the Civic Center Post Office in Downtown Oakland with two 1-dollar bills and a handful of loose change. The recipient of that cash was a man I have came accustomed to seeing on the post office stairs. After introducing myself, the gentleman stated that his name is “Jack”. His eloquent upbeat speech surprised me, and then he complimented me on my beard, another surprise.   

“Jack”, is a native Mississippian, who spent his developing years in Chicago, and eventually landed in the Bay Area where he worked until his dug addiction overcame his ambition.

When asked what message he would tell the youth, “Jack” clearly stated: “Be careful with those drugs… the mind is an unexplored planet.”