August 14, 2007

Re:  Campaign to stop a rap concert at the Du Burns Arena

Dear Neighbors:

            I am writing to ask your support for my campaign to cancel a rap concert that has been scheduled for August 18, 2007 at the Clarence “Du” Burns Arena in Canton.

            One of the featured performers, Juelz Santana, is a reputed member of the Bloods gang.  His most popular songs glorify crack cocaine, violence, prostitution, and other abuse of women.   Juelz Santana has recorded songs called “Murda Murda” and “Kill ‘Em.” The other featured performer, Lil Wayne, was arrested in New York last month for possession of a 40-caliber handgun.

            Neither of these performers should be featured at a community recreation center owned by the city.  With all the trouble that we are having in Baltimore, the city should not be providing a platform for performers who encourage drug use, violence, and prostitution.  To make matters worse, the city liquor board has granted a one-day liquor license for this event.   On August 18, the Du Burns Arena will be the largest bar in Baltimore.  How many police officers will we need to secure our neighborhood when this event ends at 2 a.m.?

            The Du Burns Arena was supposed to be an indoor soccer arena for the community. It was never intended to be a concert hall or a nightclub. Please contact Mayor Dixon and Steven Fogelman, the Chairman of the Liquor Board, and tell them -- in no uncertain terms -- that you do not want the Du Burns arena to be used for this event.  I have provided their phone numbers below.

            The late Clarence “Du” Burns was the first black Mayor of Baltimore.  He was an elegant and decent man.  He began his career as a locker room attendant at Dunbar High and worked his way up to the Mayor’s office.   Du Burns would be horrified to see his good name associated with violence and prostitution.   We will dishonor his memory if we allow an event of this nature to be held at a building named for him. 

            In closing, I have copied some of the lyrics by Juelz Santana.   The song that I quote below encourages young people to make crack cocaine and to become prostitutes and pimps.  I can only copy one part of the song, because the rest of it has too much profanity to repeat.  

            I am running for City Council because we can’t allow our city to continue on the path that it has been taking. It is time for all of us to take a stand against the violence that has gripped our city and a city administration that doesn’t seem to understand how to combat it. Whether you vote for me or not, please let Mayor Dixon and Commissioner Fogelman know what you think about the Juelz Santana and Lil Wayne concert.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                        Don Dewar

Refrain from “Make It Work For You,” by Juelz Santana,
featuring Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy.

“Boy let me show ya how to make that crack
How to spend that money how to make that back
Girl let me show how to hit that strip
How to get that d--- don't give back lip
Go head do what you do make it work for ya”
[repeat 4X]

•  Please contact Mayor Sheila Dixon and ask her to cancel the Juelz Santana,
Lil Wayne concert at the Clarence Du Burns Arena.  Her phone number is
410-396-3835.  Her e-mail address is Mayor@baltimorecity.gov.