The older brother of Murdered Honors Teen Phylicia Barnes gave a telephone interview with me late evening on yesterday. The very articulate young professional had previously stated, “I am available to talk to you about my sister’s case from the beginning”. Bryan did just that, and spoke with complete candor while responding to questions I posed to him. Bryan repeatedly made it clear that much of his knowledge about the case stems from what he was told by his sisters and others who were there the day young Phylicia went missing. As Bryan recounted the events of December 28, 2010 from the top he said, “The public is unaware of a lot of things about the case. They don’t know the entire story”. He started off responding to my question as to whether or not he and his dad Russell Barnes were aware of the kind of activities that were occurring at Deena’s apartment. Bryan said the “rumor” about all kinds of guys coming in and out of the apartment were not true. Bryan said the list that was compiled regarding who had been there were primarily family members, and that the first time he heard the rumor was from Janice Sallis-Mustafa, “When Phylicia’s mother returned to North Carolina and made those statements. She saw the list and probably didn’t know some of the people and assumed all those people were strangers”. Bryan denied that his sister’s place had high traffic of unknown strange males. Bryan also said while going from door to door at neighbors apartments, he discovered that people living in the building never saw a volume of traffic at Deena’s place, and there were never any concerns, and didn’t have complaints about her apartment. Bryan said Phylicia normally went to work with Deena or Kelly, but in his sister’s defense, the day Phylicia went missing she was left at home because “my sister asked to stay home because she had been up all night in the early morning hours”. I challenged Bryan on the rumor that there had been a party at Deena’s the night before and he said, “I honestly don’t know. I do know a couple of them (Johnsons) were there. Kelly told me K (William “Krazy” Johnson) and Micheal Johnson’s baby brother Dulaney were there”. I asked Bryan if Glenton Johnson was there as well, which had been previuosly reported, and he couldn’t confirm that account. As we discussed particulars about Dec. 28, I questioned Bryan why Kelly never picked Phylicia up as planned. Bryan’s response echoed what Kelly and Deena had already publicly stated, that they believed Phylicia was still asleep after having been up all night, and again this is just simply what his sisters told him. Bryan also confirmed that MJ arrived at Deena’s place early that morning to pickup Dulaney who didn’t have permission to be at the apartment. That comment is the first time that any statements have been made publicly indicating that Deena herself took any measures what so ever to insure the safety of her little sister who was alone in the company of males. Bryan said this is where “the story gets really cloudy”. Upon MJ’s return to the apartment he reports that Phylicia is sitting on the couch. He would later change that account to Phylicia was in the shower, and then he changed it again to she was getting dress. Bryan said, “He has changed his story so many times”. Bryan also said MJ was the person that told them that Phylicia went to the Reisterstown Road Plaza to get something to eat. I am mindful of a previous article that I posted regarding Janice Sallis- Mustafa’s account that she read an article where Russell Barnes stated, “Phylicia came to my home and left my home to get something to eat”. However, Bryan told me that Micheal Johnson did in fact make this comment in his presence. I am confused as to why Russell Barnes would tell News Media that the child left his home to get something to eat. Bryan said he didn’t believe MJ when he made that account, because Phylicia’s money and her Debit Card where at the apartment, and he wondered “how was Phylicia going to pay for something to eat”. It’s safe to say that Bryan Barnes became immediately suspicious of Micheal Johnson. Bryan went on to convey that it was Dulaney who found the door to Deena’s apartment open and not Micheal Johnson, with loud music inside, and Phylicia no where to be found. Bryan said the young man had returned sometime later on that day after having been taken to a relative’ home because he didn’t have permission. I wondered if the kid suddenly got permission to go by the apartment, and who was the person he needed permission from. It’s not clear whether the Dulaney, around the same age as Phylicia, needed permission from his parents or Deena herself to be over at Deena’s. Bryan did offer insight to my curiousness and said, “If dulaney knew anything about what happened to Phylicia, believe me he would have snitched already. He and Phylicia were best friends”. Bryan revealed that Dulaney and Phylicia were close and they spent a lot of time together while she was in Baltimore. Perhaps Dulaney is the friend that it has been rumored that Phylicia may have wondered off with. I am reminded here again, about Deena Barnes’ account during the “Peas I Their Pods” broadcast that she stated on record, when she arrived home from work she discovered Phylicia missing, and began calling people. This isn’t to say I am casting doubt on Bryan’s comments. I cannot reinforce enough that these details are also what he was told, because Bryan wasn’t there and a point that he continuously has made clear. Assuming that Bryan and Deena’s accounts are accurate, it’s completely disturbing that Dulaney nor his older brother Micheal Johnson telephoned anyone to alert them that Phylicia was missing. It also possibly explains why there was no sense of urgency on Deena’s part to get home. She just may have been unaware that there was a problem, but this still doesn’t offer explanation why no one practically talked to the child that day or went by the apartment to check on her while there were males around. According to Bryan, once Deena became aware that Phylicia was missing, she telephone him and Kelly to see if she were with either of them. Bryan stated he was the one that advised Deena Barnes to call their father “in case something bad had happened”. Bryan said he left work and went to Deena’s. He said during these initial hours of trying to locate Phylicia. Glenton, Dulaney, and “Krazy” were all there, but no Micheal Johnson. Bryan said that while he was there, he observed several young men who appeared to be friends of “Krazy” come to the apartment, go into his room, and close the door. In my mine it’s troubling that he could conduct himself with in a “business as usual” fashion considering the alarming events going on at the apartment where he lived. I don’t know, that’s just me. I would not have been able to entertain any company what so ever with the baby sister of my roommate missing. Real men become extremely proactive when a child is missing, especially a female child living in their home. “Krazy’s” behavior is suspicious to say the least. Bryan said that in the wake of his little sister’s disappearance all of the Barnes who lived in Baltimore began coming over to Deena’s place. He went on to say that the Johnson’s, who are an extremely large family were disturbingly mute, and non involved. Bryan revealed that some other Johnson family members used to live in the same apartment building, were frequent visitors, and all knew Phylicia. With everyone there at Deena’s, Micheal Johnson returned back at the apartment in the early morning hours, and offered the rationalization that he was asleep. Bryan said MJ’s eyes were blood shot red and said, “I wouldn’t doubt it if he was on drugs”. This is something Bryan said he believes was one of the reasons Deena broke it off with Micheal. Bryan said MJ did stayed the night of Decenmber 28, at Deena’s and he himself also stayed 3 days consecutively hoping his baby sister would come back to the apartment. Bryan said he observed MJ the entire time he stayed there, and he just sat on the couch and basically said nothing. Bryan stated, “If we asked him questions he would speak and answer them, but he just sat there quiet”. The behavior Bryan described while observing MJ depicts the complete apathy that Johnson family members displayed in the initial phase of Phylica’s disappearance. Bryan sad he began doing his own investigation by walking around the apartment complex talking to people. He revealed something that hasn’t been made public. Neighbors in the apartment complex advised Bryan that the day Phylicia went missing, they heard noises in the hallway, got up and went to their door, and observed Micheal Johnson struggling to carry a tote like container. Bryan stated, “I am 6′,4″ and Micheal is 6′, 2″. I don’t know why a guy his size would have a problem carrying something like that” It hasn’t been confirmed whether Bryan’s account is accurate, but it’s extremely explosive and very pertinent to the case if the authorities could give a summation with eye witnesses who can testify to such an account during a criminal trial. Many have suspected that Phylicia’s body may have been transported out of the apartment in some fashion, because no one reportedly saw the child leave on her own or accompanied by someone. Also, the Police dog lost the child’s scent at the main entrance to the apartment building. Bryan revealed that the spot where the dog lost her scent is reportedly one parking space away from where Micheal Johnson’s car had been parked that day. Bryan said part of his discussion with Deena was whether or not anything was missing from her apartment after learning the door was left ajar, but after he obtained this information about MJ in the hallway, he told Deena to make sure there wasn’t anything missing, and that’s when Deena looked again and discovered that a large tote was in fact gone from the apartment. Bryan did say, “He was moving out of the apartment and I am not gonna say his property wasn’t in there (the tote)”, but Bryan and I both agreed that the neighbor’s account was a very powerful revelation. During the organized searches for Phylicia, Bryan Barnes said he along with family, friends, and volunteers combed the streets, bus stops and other areas near the apartment complex seeking anything they could find out about what happened to his sister. Bryan said he even went to the Reisterstown Road Plaza and had the cameras reviewed to see if Phylicia actually came to the mall that day. The cameras revealed nothing, and completely discredited MJ’s alleged account that the young child had gone there to get food. When the massive searches were conducted no one from the Johnson’s family participated. Bryan said the Baltimore County Fire Department (his co-workers) donated $600.00 dollars to help organize searches. “Everyone who didn’t have to help look for my sister contributed. But Micheal Johnson, who said Phylicia was his sister didn’t help look for her”. In fact, Bryan said the entire 4 months leading up to the child’s nude body being discovered in a river, they hadn’t heard anything from any of the Johnson’s. Bryan and I also talked about how quiet they all have been in this entire case. So, I asked Bryan if he believed Micheal Johnson was directly responsible for his sister’s murder and he said, “Everything that I know about this case, from what I have been told, and my own investigation, points to one person, and one person only. It all points to him (Micheal Johnson)”. Bryan continued saying, “He knows who did what or something. It points to him nobody else”. Bryan Barnes maintained his personal belief that members of his family are not involved in the murder of his little sister and said, “Phylicia was coming here to go to Towson. Why would we kill her. People are saying we are jealous of her and this and that. Phylicia was very hyped up (hyper) and very fun. We were all getting to know her. It’s just crazy what people are saying”. Bryan also conveyed that his sister Deena Barnes is very hurt by what the public thinks about her. Bryan’s perception about Phylicia’s murder case appear very real and genuine. He persistently made it a point to indicate a clear distinction between what information he was told from what was actually his own personal account in which he witnessed. Some within the public were discouraged after learning that I would be speaking with him regarding Phylicia’s case, because they believed that untruths were told by the child’s sisters. I didn’t detect any attempt of deception on Bryan’s part when posing questions to him. Bryan was fanatical regarding distinguishing fact from hearsay. My experience in interviewing people tends to lead me to believe what Bryan had to say was actually how he feels things actually transpired in this case. The only inconsistencies in Bryan’s account that I observed is the fact that Dulaney came back to the apartment and found Phylicia missing. I am confused about this, because MJ supposedly took him home because he didn’t have permission to be at Deena’s. Did he go get permission to be there? The other contrasting account is that Bryan said the Johnson family was a very big family who had relatives who used to live in the same apartment building as Deena. He said because MJ and other family members stayed with Deena, he was sure they all came down to visit. That part of Bryan’s account has a strong contrast to what he had previously stated, that there wasn’t a volume of males coming and going from Deena’s apartment. I must reiterate that Bryan admitted he didn’t know many of these Johnson family members because there were just to many of them, and it must be considered that these are also accounts that Bryan was simply told about the activity occurring at his sister’s place. I talk to Bryan about some of the images posted on the TPC blog and the caliber of people that Deena was associate with, and he did acknowledge the negative character of some of these individuals that I have portrayed. At the conclusion of our discussion, Bryan made it known that the authorities, chiefly the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I) have expressed to him that an arrest will be made. “We have been told that they are confident with this investigation. We don’t know when. We don’t know how many people, but we were told it’s going down”. Bryan said he wants the authorities to take their time so that the person(s) can be caught. “I don’t want them to rush and the person(s) gets off and double jeopardy comes into play”. Bryan gave a very enlightening perspective about the murder mystery of beautiful Phylicia Simone Barnes, and it remains unclear whether a watching public’ opinion will be altered by his account related to suspicion of his family’s possible complicity to murder in this case. There remains so many unanswered questions. I thank Bryan for his candor, courage, and taking time to speak with me. We all are continuing to pray for justice for Phylicia.

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

I have just completed an Interview with Bryan Barnes, the older brother of slain Phylicia Barnes. Bryan offered missing pieces in the child’s murder mystery, and revealed that a person was seen struggling to carry a large container in the stairway of the apartment where the child was last seen. I’ll be posting about the interview shortly!

For an entire year now many within the public following the murder mystery of Honors Teen Phylicia Barnes have been trying to make sense of the senseless tragedy that resulted in the child’s death. The fact that the child was left alone with males unrelated to her, the culture that existed there, and the apparent irresponsibility of those charged with her care are all difficult realities to absorb. If we take a closer look at the kind of person Phylicia was, we see a child with a fun loving spirit, an affectionate smile, and a kid with a glowing personality that lured others to the sunshine she displayed. I viewed a video posted on he child’s Myspace page that showed her frolicing around on the floor with friends, in a silly girlie manner, and her voice resounded with laughter along with the other little girls who were simply enjoying themselves in childhood like fun. In that video it was clear that these kids were in a safe environment, a clean home, and though no adults were shown, the scene was an ideal setting for kids their age when considering the lures of drugs, crime, and peer pressure that many of our kids face in an ever changing American Society. In some ways Phylicia was a normal kid who survived a broken home and became well adjusted with a strong father figure in her new family setting. The home that Phylicia grew up in new the lord, and it is clear that the child had extremely positive parental guidance which promoted education as a key to her personal development and future prosperity to become an upstanding citizen in society. After reading the kinds of things that her teachers, classmates, family, and friends had to say about Phylicia, we realize that she was far more then a normal teenager. There were post on her Myspace page related to school work and school exams that were the focal point of much of what her interest appeared to be. There were comments about going to the mall and other typical activities associate with kids of our time. However, what made Phylicia different is what was absent from her Social Media sites. There were not images of drugs and alcohol, weapons, hip hop music, or even kids listed on the child’s friends list that indulged in anything remotely similar to what we know were on the sites of those the child was exposed to in Baltimore. It’s safe to say Phylicia was not familiar with that type of culture, nor was it permitted or tolerated in the home environment the child was accustomed to. Phylicia was a straight A student preparing to pursue a college degree in Child Psychology a year early. Phylicia was a unique kid and one of a minority within a generation that we see far to often, which depict troubled kids falling prey to the lures of violent street pop and hip hop culture. Unfortunately, even when good kids like Phylicia are exposed to negative activity outside of their normal well structured guidance, they are vulnerable and fall prey to not wanting to become indifferent to popularity. In Baltimore it seems drinking, doing drugs, and engaging in lude sex acts were the popular things to do. The volume of young men and women close to Phylicia’s age coming and going, their activities condoned by the child’s supervision, and Phylicia being naive, overwhelmed by the excitement of “Big City” life, probably exposed just how different the studios child was. I can personally relate to such a scenario while contemplating similar situations in my youth. As a native Baltimorean I can recall instances of being mocked for speaking articulately. A young African American who speaks well is often times accused of “trying to be white”. Improperly used words and street jargon is the acceptable dialogue in Baltimore, a city leading the nation in illiteracy among African Americans. Phylicia’s intelligence more than likely garnered animosity and bitterness toward her. I am not saying this to cast negativity or dispersions upon people living in my hometown, it’s just that I know Baltimore, and I have walked in the little girl’s shoes in that regard. Also, Phylicia was a very pretty child, with gorgeous brown eyes, and shoulder length hair. Her sisters revealed and confirmed what the child’s mother said about how meticulous Phylicia was about her appearance. For the most part all they talked about was going shopping for beauty products and getting her hair done. The child’s personal hygiene habits is another factor that may have create bitterness and jealousy, because Baltimore is a place where young people walk around the streets night and day in an uncleanly manner all the time. A few years ago the Center for Decease Control announced alarming statistics about Baltimore City, stating the town had the “highest rate” of incurable sexually transmitted deceases in the country. The CDC findings speaks volumes regarding the culture of uncleanliness that has become an acceptable standard in may subcultural settings. Baltimore also remains at the very apex of cities in America with bolstering teenage pregnancy stats. Now what does any of this have to do with what happened to Phylicia? Perhaps it has nothing to do with the case what so ever, but the many subcultures that exist in Baltimore offer insight as to why the child may have been targeted. In many of the photos on the Social Media pages of some of the young men Phylicia had contact with in Baltimore, we see several other females there during the drug and alcohol fueled parties. I wonder why none of these young women ended up murdered, nude and floating in a river. There apparently was something about Phylicia that stood out, made her different, and created a desire for someone to harm her. What event sparked this heinous crime? Why was Phylicia targeted? Why was there such confidence and arrogance that this crime could be meted out and not result in the kille(s) eventual accountability, arrest, and conviction? Was Phylicia Simone Barnes that different that it warranted her losing her life? We all continue to seek answers to these rhetorical questions, but in all reality, those responsible for the killing of this child are in fact indifferent from civilization as we know it, and should be removed from humanity for ever.

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

Assuming that nothing occurred prior to December 28, 2010 that resulted in the murder of Monroe, N.C. Honors Teen Phylicia Barnes, that the child was still at her older half sister’s apartment early that morning, and the events that led up to the child’s disappearance materialized during that time frame, who ever killed the child had an abundance of time to cover their tracks. Deena Barnes revealed that she left for work around 8:30 that morning. None of Phylicia’s family returned to the apartment until 6:00 p.m. when Deena arrived back home. Deena and Kelly both were aware that at least one male had been by the apartment that day, as they both say they assumed Phylicia was asleep. That account had been told to Deena by her ex-boyfriend Micheal Johnson who called her to advise her he was there to do laundry. It has been confirmed that MJ left the apartment at some point to take a younger cousin to his grandmother’s home. MJ returned to discover the door to the apartment wide open, loud blaring music inside, and young Phylicia no where to be found. That extremely disturbing report by MJ didn’t create a since of urgency from Deena what so ever, and consequently there was a gaping 9 1/2 hour period since Phylicia’s family had last saw her, which was when Deena arrived home. How could Deena leave young naive Phylicia alone for such an extended period of time knowing that MJ still had a key to her place. How could Deena leave Phylicia there knowing that when she left for work three men unrelated to Phylicia were still there. Deena’s irresponsible actions afforded the killer(s) an eternity to met out what ever they wanted to do to the child. The report about MJ taking his cousin to another relative’ home while Phylicia was supposedly asleep on the couch is way too fishy. This version creates an alibi for MJ and his cousin, as they could both simply say that the child was asleep on the couch when they left. Now after MJ returns there is now mysteriously no Phylicia and a very convenient argument is created that something must have happened to her while they were gone. It’s quite possible that MJ and William “Krazy” Johnson (the cousin) could have transported the child’s body to a secret location, or took the child alive to a secluded place and held her against her will. They had all day to get Phylicia out of there because it seems as if they knew no one would be coming by the apartment until later that day. My argument is supported by the fact that Kelly never went to pick young Phylicia up for their scheduled shopping and hair dresser engagement they had planned for that day, and Deena never reacted urgently when she learned her place was left open and Phylicia was no where to be found. From 8:30 in the morning when Deena left for work until 6:00 p.m., we could have watch nearly 3 NFL Football games in their entirety. For some strange reason it appears that people were deliberately staying away from Deena’s apartment that day. The rationalization that the older sisters offer, that they believed Phylicia was sill asleep seems manufactured for the purpose of justifying their avoiding going to the apartment. Moreover, when Deena finally sounded the alarm that Phylicia was missing and started calling people, she called her father in Atlanta, Ga. Her dad instructed her to call the cops. This doesn’t make since to me, and displays even more Deena’s lack of urgency related to her baby sister’s safety. So, after another 1 1/2 hours elapses before the cops are called to her home, someone for some unknown reason told the Police that Phylicia was last seen going to get something to eat. The primary Police Officer at the scene of Phylicia’s missing person report was led to believe that the child would probably be walking in the door momentarily, and that’s just what the cop told Janice Sallis-Mustafa, Phylicia’s mother when he spoke to her. This created more time for those responsible for the child’s disappearance to conspire their plan to either discard of her body, or conceal her where abouts. It was also rumored that Phylicia may have wondered off with some friends she had met in which her siblings didn’t know about. It’s uncertain where that account derived from or who suggested that theory, but all of these reports of Phylicia going here and may have went there are simply idiotic. There were people there with the child and someone knows what happened, plain and simple. The confusing communication that transpired between the Police and the child’s Baltimore Family bought the killer(s) time, and created a mindset for the cops that her disappearance was a routine none emergency incident. Since we have learned that MJ was told to stay away by Russell Barnes, the opportunity to get a statement from him on the record early on was lost. Micheal was reportedly the last person to see Phylicia and he was the primary person the Police needed to talk to. The information given to the police was extremely passive from the start, and it wasn’t until Phylicia missed her return flight back to North Carolina that the Police began to treat her as a legitimate missing persons case. Five days had gone by and that was more than enough time to discard of potential evidence that would implicate those who were responsible for her murder. All of the bogus tips that were given to the Police alleging Phylicia’s possible location bought even more time for the killer(s). The child could have still been alive for all we know, and all of the efforts amassed by the authorities with police personnel, police dogs, and volunteers combing wooded areas looking for the child was all wasted resources which resulted in a futile endeavor to locate Phylicia. To solve this murder mystery I am certain that the authorities have had to filter through much of what they were told in the very beginning, and if it’s ever established that members of the child’s Baltimore Family knew anything about her where abouts or what happen to her at the initial stage of this investigation, then the confusing miscommunication was deliberate and they should be charged with conspiracy in Phylicia’s murder. In Janice Sallis-Mustafa’s last post here on the TPC blog the grieving mom conveyed a very heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Mustafa Family for my continued public discussion of Phylicia’s case. Janice and Raheem should know that heir expressed gratitude is completely unnecessary, as I remain committed to persistent dialogue surrounding the circumstances that resulted in the untimely and tragic ending of their beautiful little girl. William “Krazy” Johnson recently Tweeted on his Twitter Page that he “has been having nightmares”. He along with the rest of the Johnson clan should have nightmares every second, because we haven’t even begun talking about this murder case yet, and Justice for Phylicia Barnes will prevail.

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

By now many have already viewed the disturbing cell phone video clips posted on Youtube and other Social Media Websites, that captures a mob which primarily consisted of young Black and Hispanic consumers who camped outside of a Texas Town East Mall, waiting for the midnight release of Micheal Jordan’s Cool Grey Jordan 11’s basketball shoes. Scenes like this are typical around major holidays with shoppers going the extra mile to purchase highly desired products that make fashion statements, and are advertised as the latest hip products often glorified by an ever growing status seeking pop culture. I guess it’s alright to stand outside in the cold for hours if your personal image is of grave importance, but what ultimately happened this night in Texas is embarrassing, and depicts a very sad commentary about how young people of color in America have placed their priorities on materialism, wealth, and personal image. The cost of these latest Jordan sneakers is $180.00. It probably wouldn’t matter to the adults and young people who bared chilly temperatures, an agitated mob, Police dogs and pepper spray, that the product they desired was manufactured in places abroad like Pakistan, Indonesia, and Vietnam for less then .67 cents a pair. It probably doesn’t matter that Corporations like Nike and other manufactures of apparel continuously place exaggerated markup and over pricing on retail items that cost them literally pennies in production, and in essence is absolute robbery when considering the consumer’s expense for this merchandise. It probably doesn’t matter to these people that the kind of marketing strategies companies utilize are targeted toward certain ethnic groups and a primary source of economic oppression designed to impact the poor. It probably doesn’t mater that while many Corporations obtain more and more wealth, it’s done off of the backs of ignorant, impoverished minorities, and a people who’s spending power has in fact made the dominate and ruling 1% in America filthy rich. It probably doesn’t matter that this Western civilization has created an epic market place in which many people of color remain enslaved to. Perhaps our people are so disconnected with finance that they are completely unaware of the growing economic debt in this country, that many have predicted will force our Nation to the brink of complete economic insolvency in the immediate future. Moreover, it’s challenging to to see the level of anxiety that colored people display over complete bullshit when there are far greater and pressing disparities that directly impact the social, educational, and economic viability of our young people, community, and daily living. Measuring the manner in which the local media captured the incident, many of those shopping for high end products appeared to be unable to even spell or properly articulate the word Jordan. This could not be any more painfully obvious than the interview of a young African American female who attempted to describe the insanity of mothers standing in line with infant children. “What if the baby catches Ammonia”, is what she said. Her words were only eclipsed by the mob that broke down the main entrance of the shoe store and set off a complete mobilization of local Police, who promptly dispersed hundreds of shoppers that had stood in line for hours, and were hoping to purchase one of only 30 pairs of sneakers that the store’s inventory consisted of anyway. The desire of material luxury by status seeking people who more than likely can’t afford to purchase them continues to plague the Black community, and remains one of our continued states of Mental Enslavement. A very sad commentary indeed.

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

A guide in understanding and aiding a culture of violence and destruction

Foreword
In urban America, it is a badge of honor to be called a “Nigga.” If you live in the inner city and you are not known as a “thug-ass Nigga,” you have no street credibility. If you have a job, attend school, get good grades and speak properly, you are most likely not heavily regarded, rather viewed as a square. A person with no street credibility gets no respect. To have respect is what one gets when he is getting paper (money), hoes or Bitches. Sadly enough, too many young and older people alike will spend their entire inner-city and incarcerated life attaining to be a Nigga who gets much street credibility.

People will be offended, outraged and I am sure a few protests, boycotts, marches and rallies will occur in response to this title. Great! I have achieved the goal. The goal is to anger people so much so that they do something that will evoke a positive change in the culture that all too well identifies themselves as Niggas.
What will be alarming is not the fact that there is a cultural demise occurring in urban America, however, that I had the audacity, the lack of class to entitle this book in such a way. If you have to wonder why I selected this title than you really have no idea about what is going on in urban America. Before one gets irate, indignant and be at the ready for protest, allow me to first borrow that angst for the usage of the word, “Nigga” and ask that people get angry, get up and become apart of a pre-existing movement that will allow us to help, and most importantly save our dying culture.

Many will wonder, why does a popular, white radio host get fired and protested against, yet this black woman gets to write a book with a title which includes such a hateful word. I am in no way singling out any specific person nor am humiliating a certain group of people. I say to you this, on the streets, which I will explore within the book’s contents are men, women and children who have adopted the mindset that one is not a real thug ass Nigga if he has not been incarcerated or in some cases shot, shot at or done the shooting.

When I first informed a few good friends and trusted colleagues of my intent to name this book, they attempted to dissuade me on the title. Others stated that this is the type of title that will grab someone’s attention. It is my hope that not only am I able to grab your attention but yet to encourage you so much so that you will join a movement to stop the endless flow of our people in and out of prison and the witnessing of endless tears and prayers at the ever too often, funerals.

In my defense of the book’s title, I am out there on the front line, devising campaigns to address the issues, taking valuable time away from my family, attending the marches, rallies, and candlelight vigils; therefore, I am allowed to use this word to describe to you what I see in this war. You see, don’t get upset with me for using this word if you are not in fact out on the front line with me. I will not apologize for explaining this culture in the manner in which I have chosen.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and various community organizations recently buried the word Nigga throughout the country. How can a word be buried if it lives on constantly every day in this culture? In a sense we buried alive a word that refuses to die. We can have ceremonies all day long, burying the word, yet the mentality breathes death into the lives of so many, each and every moment. I use this harmful word in the title not to judge, not to point fingers and call nasty-hurtful names, however so that we may grow and learn from those who often use this word, and who live the lifestyle of a culture filled with violence and sometimes a sense of hopelessness.

Comedian Chris Rock said, “I love Black people; but can’t stand Niggas.” Many Black people cringed when Mr. Rock stated his comments, and still we all knew good and well where he was coming from on this issue. Instead of us shaking our heads, rolling up our windows, locking our doors, and accelerating in our cars as we zoom through the hood to get away from those gloomy images standing on the corner with their baggy pants, braids in their hair, and 40-ounce bottles in their hands, let us come together and understand exactly how this culture operates.

This book will explore the lives of various people in the “hood,” it will provide insight as to what goes on behind the graffiti laden walls, the crowded prison cells filled with Black males and ever growing number of our Black girls, provide resources and most importantly hope for us all.

In this country, there is a definite divide between various ethnicities and cultures and anyone who says otherwise is not being totally honest with themselves. There is also a divide between the upper, middle, and lower class cultural groups. For example, one will see a division between upper, middle and lower class Black people. The lower class Blacks have no problem referring to themselves as Niggas, yet it is the rest of us who feel ashamed and outraged that these same people refer to their ladies as Hoes and Bitches. The popular, yet widely criticized rap group of the 90s, Niggas with Attitude or NWA, said, “Bitches ain’t shit but hoes and tricks,” which are the affectionate terms used by those in hood to identify women. I will not, cannot blame the cultural demise on rappers, however, there is blame for us all.

Everyone is to blame. Parents, churches, community so-called leaders, city, state and federal government, and when the fingers are all tapped out, we must look in the mirror and realize that we must take accountability for our own actions– every man, woman and child; white, black, and all of the colors, ethnicities in between.

In closing, there is a resources section found in this book. I do not ever want to hear another parent tell me, “They need to have more programs for these kids. It ain’t nothing for these kids to do.” I have always begged to differ with that opinion. There are tons of free activities found through the inner city. Many resource officers and community organizations grow bored sitting at the office waiting for the phones to ring. People are not tapping into the resources for jobs and activities. I also ask that you read this book with an open mind and pure heart so that we may begin to eradicate the fear, hopelessness and despair facing our people.

Ms. Warner’s book: The Mindsent of Niggas; Reaching the Unreachable is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble via Nook for $3.99.

The People’s Champions
I’m Natosha Warner

To first understand exactly, the term, “A Nigga’s Mentality, allow me to trace our culture back to the slavery era.   In the early 1600’s people from Africa were forced into places like the United States, Brazil and other parts of the world.  When the white slave traders laid eyes upon us they referred to us a Negro, or Niger as it means black in Spanish.   Around the early 1800s, the term Nigger was then associated with having a derogatory connotation used and created by the white slave traders, the white people who sold and purchased slaves.  During that timeframe, the word Nigger was also used in sentences like, “come here dumb Nigger,” or “Nigger, what are you doing?”  Blacks didn’t have personal names associated, like John, Sue or Lisa, rather the word nigger was used in a way in which to call or belittle black people.

If you are reading this story and you are of African American descent, it means one thing in particular to me.  It means that your people who crossed the Atlantic Ocean through the Middle Passage, who were forced onto slave ships, raped, brutally beaten, branded and tortured did in fact survive.   They survived being hanged, beaten with whips, mutilated and for what?  Three-digit homicide rates in places like Philadelphia, PA?   What it means is that our people survived for you.  It means you are of strong and determined genes.  You originate from Kings and Queens.  Survivors! To hear and see the destruction we face today saddens me because I know that many people who need this book or any book for that matter will not opt to expand their knowledge base.  It also means those of us who can break the vicious cycle have turned our heads and backs on our brothers and sisters still caught up on the chains.  It means that those of us who are out here fighting and assisting are tired and need help.  It also means that some of us have lost hope.  We must do more for these people.  A dear friend of mine always says, “No one is safe until we’re all safe.”

If you are of non- African-American descent and are reading this book, I need for you to understand that not all Black people are bad people and in fact there are far more good hearted and hard-working Black people than the ones who are committing crimes and lending themselves to nonsense or have an “I don’t care mentality,” are lazy, trifling and any other negative prejudice one may have about Blacks.  We have too many great leaders and average Black people who have contributed greatly to this country and beyond.  It is on our backs, blood, sweat and tears that this country was built and please don’t ever forget that tidbit of information.

With that being said, and for reasons that are not totally understandable by many, although sociologists and theorists will argue otherwise, there are some that have fallen by the wayside, through the cracks and have adapted this Nigga mind-set where it’s all about self and not us as a people.

Having the mindset of a Nigga is plain and simple.  If you have an “I don’t give a damn,” attitude about anything or anyone because “I have been wronged in life,” it is more than likely you have a Nigga’s Mentality.

I will allow you to take this simple test to determine if you have or know someone that has a Nigga’s Mentality.  Chances are, you know of someone or you are in fact, a person who shares these ideologies.

Do I have a Nigga’s Mentality?

1.      You proudly claim and boast that you’re a Nigga

2.      You aspire to be a criminal

3.      You don’t take pride in yourself or your community

4.      You refer to your kids as Niggas and other harmful names

5.      You’d rather rob, steal or kill someone rather than work for a paycheck

6.      You encourage your kids to sell drugs or perform illegal activities

7.      You’ve been released from jail only to return to society to be a better criminal

8.      Excluding religious reasons, you have more kids than you can afford, yet keep having more

9.      You have no goals nor want any

10.  You illegally own a handgun and you kill people, showing no remorse

Thinking of one’s self, or aspiring to be negative is not only harmful to self yet its harmful effects can be seen throughout the community.  When I am your neighbor and you throw trash in front of your home, have loud music blasting in your front yard with no consideration for me at 1:00 AM or have your kids running up and down the street until the early hours of the morning, that hurts us all.

Hurt People; hurt People.  I learned this quote a few years ago and although it’s simplistic, it succinct.   Let’s take the example of a wounded animal.  When I was about seven or eight, I witnessed a neighbor’s dog get hit by a car.  The dog’s leg was shaking profusely, he was foaming from the mouth and he was probably about to die. The dog’s owner reached over to comfort the dog and or pick him up and the dog attempted to bite the hand of his owner.   The same goes for some people who have been called names growing up.  They sometimes lash out.  Now this is not to say that some hurt people will inevitably lash out to hurt everyone they encounter but chances are, if a person is hurt, there is a chance they will want to inflict that same type of pain on others.

Calling your child harmful names, physically and verbally abusing them on a continual basis may lead to damaging effects, which could even result in further destruction.

If you are not your child’s role model, yet you think the professional basketball or football star qualifies for this position, you are sadly mistaken.

As people, we have been granted special gifts, our children, who are our most valuable resources; our community, to which we call home; and our freedom, which was is our inalienable right.  The Bible, Luke 12:48, says, “To whom much is given, much is required.”  Simply put, this problem of violence and destruction did not begin overnight and it will not end with any one reading this book.  We will see an increase in support when we collectively address this problem.

 

Ms. Warner’s book: The Mindsent of Niggas; Reaching the Unreachable is available on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble via Nook for $3.99.

 

The People’s Champions
I’m Natosha Warner

 

Recently a rare public appearance in Social Media by Barnes Family Members in Baltimore surfaced here on the TPC blog, but that dialogue was a very short stint. After a few comments by Russell Barnes the biological father of Phylicia, and Bryan Barnes her half brother, their comments have since fallen silent. I have been in contact with Bryan via email and he has conveyed to me his personal interest in discussing particulars about the case “from the beginning”. We have seen some comments by him in the past during television interviews and have heard him speak on radio broadcast. Bryan perhaps is most notedly remembered for his public comment, “We don’t care who killed Phylicia. We want justice even if it’s a family member”. That statement has since been the source of continued discussion as public suspicion continues to grow surrounding the events that led up to the tragic ending of young Phylicia Barnes. Many believe that Bryan’s comment tends to infer his own personal belief that members of his own family may be directly responsible, complicit, if not at the very apex of the killing of his baby sister. Since there has been essentially nothing heard from the child’s older half sisters, I am sure that Bryan’s insight on the investigation and his personal perception would be welcomed by the public. Chiefly, there are many inconsistencies in the accounts offered by his sisters during a “Peas In Their Pods” Blogtalk Radio broadcast in which Bryan was also in attendance. However, as one caller stated during the show, Bryan wasn’t there at the time his kid sister vanished. It would perhaps be very insightful to hear his opinions regarding what he thinks may have happened. Bryan’s posture has been one of solidarity related to suspicion that has surfaced pertaining to Deena, Kelly, and even his dad Russell Barnes’ potential involvement in this murder mystery. It is completely understandable that a family member would adopt such an approach simply because people inherently do not want to acknowledge or accept the culpability of loved ones in the heinous act of killing another loved one. I think that Bryan honestly believes in the innocence of his family and I anticipate that being his take on the case when I get the opportunity to speak with him directly. I think that we all would be relieved if that perspective materializes upon the apprehension and subsequent conviction of whoever is responsible for the killing of this beautiful, intelligent, and promising teenager. Moreover, though the public suspects his family, everything that has been learned about this case via the media, Phylicia’s Baltimore Family comments, and those of her grieving mother, it leaves much to be desired in proving that her sisters were not involved. Images recently published here on the TPC blog confirms at the very least, Deena Barnes may have lied to authorities about events that led up to Phylicia’s disappearance. Deena’s denial that she exposed her baby sister to drugs and alcohol has been met with extremely compelling images that depict the culture that she condoned by those who were known to frequent her apartment. The eyewitness account that Phylicia was seen walking to get food during the onset of her disappearance has been proven to be false, we have yet to establish the source of that information, and it appears that who ever gave that account to the Police may have deliberately done so to either create deception or throw the cops off during the very critical hours of investigating the child’s where abouts. The unexplained texting verses directly speaking with Phylicia on Decembet 28, 2010, coupled with the fact that neither Deena nor Kelly actually went by the apartment until Deena arrived at 6:00 p.m. that day is simply outrageous after we consider the nature of what actually may have been going on there. Also, the affiliation and close ties that ranking Baltimore Police Personnel have with individuals who may be potential suspects is just another disturbing element of the case that has yet to be disclosed publicly by authorities investigating this murder. So, I applaud Bryan Barnes once again for his personal efforts in continuing to seek Justice for young Phylicia, and I await the opportunity to exchange discourse with him while unraveling some of these very challenging dilemmas he face.

The People’s Champion
I’m David Adams

For a while now I have been contemplating adding additional writers to my blog to institute more content for a vast reader and follower base that has exceeded over 27,000 all time visitors to the site. The all time single day visitor total reached nearly 700 on December 21, 2011. Much of the current following have come to the Blog to obtain updates related to the Phylicia Barnes murder case. However, it is my desire to broaden the scope of reading content with a more vast topic spectrum. Writers would be allowed to contribute articles of their choosing related to topics that impact the daily life of society at large, and hold full Administrative functionality of the blog’s WordPress UI. If you think you have what it takes to help support my growing readership, please forward a brief writing sample to me at dbrianadams43@gmail.com.

David

Warning: Blog Post contains nudity and images unsuitable for children, and also maybe offensive to viewers.

When I interviewed Janice Sallis-Mustafa regarding the tragic murder of her late daughter Phylicia Barnes, she shared with me the horrible thoughts that played over and over again in her mind what may have happened to her child. One of those thoughts was Phylicia possibly being lured to Baltimore and sacrificed for a drug debt by sex crazed drug dealers. She was concerned that the volume of young men in and out of Deena Barnes’ apartment probably was related to drug solicitation by some of those we have learned were actually living there. Images posted in a previous Blog entry show the Johnson clan engaged in a party like atmosphere with booze and marijuana, but up until now there hasn’t been anything to substantiate drug dealing. We continuously saw William “Krazy” Johnson with cigar leafs and others smoking blunts as they posed for pictures. On William Johnson’s “xChill xWillx” Twitter page we see that perhaps the drug solicitation theory isn’t without merit. Clearly there is marijuana packaged for distribution along side boxes of cheap cigars and a laptop:

These images posted on Krazy’s Twitter Page doesn’t necessarily mean he was in fact engaged in drug solicitation, but common sense confirms that he at the very least had access to a volume of the drug.  Krazy, his relative, and others were a fixture around Deena Barnes’ apartment and it’s safe to say given the public display of their “pot head” culture, that marijuana also accompanied them. We are all aware of the negativities associated with drug usage and solicitation, as well as the violence that historically has been associated with those involved in narcotics. The drug and alcohol atmosphere that young Phylicia Barnes was exposed to created an ideal situation for violence to rear it’s ugly head and unfortunately resulted in the child’s death. The pictures also demonstrates a bold, careless, and arrogant disregard for the law by Krazy, who apparently is fearless of any potential criminal repercussions related to his public display of illegal drug possession. It’s the very nature of this kind of  ignorance or irregard for the law that suggest Krazy and the entire Johnson clan alike, are capable of just about anything.

Also, back in early July media reports surfaced that Federal Authorities were looking into a possible “child porn” link in this murder case. It was revealed that a volume of pornographic images were discovered during the investigation. There also rumors floating around that pornographic images were discovered on the cell phone of one of the men who was either at the apartment or lived there around the time Phylicia went missing. The below image demonstrates that the individual who may have had nude photos on his cell phone probably was William “Krazy” Johnson:

The image speaks volumes for itself, and gives credibility to a perspective that Janice Sallis-Mustafa theorized may have been a associated with her daughter’s killing. Janice’ “sex crazed drug dealers” theory can only gain fuel when considering the above images. I believe the grieving mom’s argument has been substantiated here, and has  proved her not to be the biter, crazy, lieing, and unstable woman that some have relentlessly attempted to describe her as. Sometimes a mother  just knows some things and I believe Janice hit the nail right on it’s head on this one.

The People’s Champio

I’m David Adams