Tag New Orleans

Two days ago I had to wrestle razor blades and even a cell phone charger cord away from someone intent upon killing herself. After repeated biting ( of my hands lol ) and battling she finally calmed down enough for self-discipline to prevail.
The irony is I believe in a person’s right to end his life- just not in front of me. Since I knew drug abuse and deep feelings of abandonment drove this sister to such extremes I felt justified intervening.
This was the latest hands on exercise of my politics. I’ve never been able to confine my definiton of politics to elections or partisan bickering, especially as an inner city American.
Urban death culture, a hydra taking on forms as crack; violence; and intergenerational economic and moral poverty render a political dynamic far removed from pristine hotel ball rooms and talking points debated within comfy television studios.
Her injurious cry for help is multiplied by hundreds of thousands within zip codes like mine… and elsewhere. Slow motion self-destruction is the background beat for folks who feel no one cares and in turn often care for no one.
Her decision to stop smoking crack is one huge leap toward being the individual she should be and not what desperation and its companion, addiction made her.
My politics, like the superhero-themed activism I promote, don’t require opposing parties or costumed criminals for opposition.
The super villains I face fill America’s inner city and don’t need partisan labels or colorful disguises to do their dirty work. The suicide attempt I stopped was simply a result of an urban death culture too many feel is the only authentic reality for inner city Americans.
I strongly disagree.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK will celebrate his 45th birthday Mon, Aprill 11th, 2011 by giving food to the homeless in downtown New Orleans
(504) 214-3082
 

Capt Blacks Birthday Food Giveaway will be held April 11th, 2011 in downtown New Orleans. The creative activist will be 45 and plans to celebrate by walking the Central Business District and giving food to the homeless.
Donations may be sent via PayPal to [email protected] or Moneygram to Nadra Enzi ( Capt. Black’s real name ) 1421 General Ogden St, New Orleans, LA. 70112 and (504) 657-2259.
” WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY THAN BY HELPING OTHERS! ”
-NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK
Contact Information:
Mr. Nadra Enzi
aka Capt Black
Creative Activist and Event Security Consultant
(504) 214-3082 CELL 1.
(504) 657-2259 CELL 2.
 

Why be a do gooder, at my present age of 44 or any time? Society is in Recession/Depression mode so why not ” do me ” and forget do gooding?
I’m a do gooder now because I’ve always been one.
After taming past shyness, connecting with other’s needs occurs more often. Now, I don’t feel I’m intruding upon privacy nearly as much as intruding upon hunger; conflict or despondency.
As a do gooder I’m doubly blessed by what Leigh Anne and Sean Toohy ( of ” Blindside ” movie fame ) call ” Popcorn Theory ” which “…is about noticing others. It starts with recognizing a fellow soul by the roadside as kindred…it’s about acknowledging that person’s potential and value. It’s about seeing him, instead of looking past him…Like with popcorn…the hot ones just show up. It’s not hard to spot them. ”
That’s my approach encapsulated. My Capt Black outreach is where I give food; clothing and crime prevention efforts away whenever possible.
It makes no sense for people to be hungry or cold amid plenty; suffering while surrounded crowds and buildings. In a similar vein, lack of basic safety amounts to a civic plague of stupidity.
October 2010 witnessed near-daily food giveaways as over half my sneaker string budget strategically went to others. Don’t try this at home ( lol ) unless you are fully committed.
You won’t regret it but it may make loved ones worried.
These giveaways happened outside the New Orleans Main Library where the homeless gather among other patrons. It wasn’t unusual to feel ten feet tall afterward! ( lol ).
This month I gave a warm white bomber jacket to a gent outside there I call my ” regular client. ” Despite area warmth, when it’s cold it becomes bitterly so! The jacket literally begged me for weeks to be donated and I felt like jumping for joy when I did it. Still do as a matter of fact.
Why be a do gooder? Because it helps others and helps you free personal, much needed good inside.
Especially these days, we could all use some extra good in our lives.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info
 

Originally published from http://www.valenciavoice.com
Copy of Valencia VoiceCopy of Valencia Voice
By Victor Ocasio
[email protected]
A masked man ducks and dodges between dingy streets and alleyways, seeking to vanquish evil wherever it appears. His gadgets  are ready, his fighting skills honed, and his costume complete. He is the superhero of Winter Park, Master Legend. But  unlike his inked counterparts of Marvel and DC, Master Legend is very real.
He is part of the growing international community of real life superheroes who have, in recent years, gained popularity due to the slew of comic movies that have been flooding the mainstream market. But the overall message of these masked heroes is much bigger than mere imitation and role-playing.
“The real life superhero thing is about getting out there, being ready to fight evil, jumping into action and putting your life on the line if you have to,” said Master Legend. “You have to accept that fact as a superhero.”
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Master Legend has been a masked hero for well over 28 years, and in such time has managed to find the world’s first non-profit superhero organization, Team Justice, Inc.
His first act of super-heroics was in second-grade. In an attempt to stop a classroom bully while remaining anonymous, the prepubescent Master Legend fashioned together a mask and an emblem clad shirt and physically confronted the boy. After successfully vanquishing his first villain, Master Legend had found his calling as a masked crime fighter.
“I feel that this is the best way I can serve a good purpose in this life,” said Master Legend. A majority of the work he has done involves acts of community service and aid for the homeless, such as food, clothes and blanket donations and gift drives for children during the holiday season. But the work isn’t always easy for the 44-year-old hero.
“I’m the guy walking the streets in the dangerous parts of town with some food and a jacket for somebody,” he said. “I go to places scarier than you’ll see in the movies.” Claiming to have been in more than 1,000 fist fights, shot twice and involved in numerous gang battles, Master Legend is not your average volunteer and is certainly used to danger.
“Some people would be traumatized to have a knife pulled on them,” he said. “For me though, that’s just another day.”
Some may see his caped crusading as mere child’s play, but to him it’s all part of his daily life. His dedication to the superhero lifestyle makes it difficult to have a weekly scheduled job, so he makes his living doing property management and tree removal services.
He believes that a regular job would hinder him from being able to help the community when disaster strikes and villains appear. Master Legend doesn’t hesitate to jump into action when and where he is needed.
In the end, that’s what it really is all about for this unconventional humanitarian.
“The world can see that there are people out there that really do care, and who are willing to fight evil,” said Master Legend. “Some people may laugh, but hey.”
Being a superhero has also affected his social life and personal relationships. Although many of his close friends believe in his cause, he has lost friends and family who could not understand or accept his calling, including his former wife, who
divorced the crime fighter more than 12 years ago.
“I have a 16 year-old daughter,” said Master Legend. “She really doesn’t have much to do with me. She doesn’t really know much about what I do. Her mama has made it so I hardly get to see her anymore.”
Unlike other superheroes, Master Legend believes he has a very clear message about the direction society has taken and that society’s biggest problem is “the greed of the rich.”
Although not against the idea of physical confrontation, as evident by the many tools and gadgets he has madeincluding the Iron Fist, the Master Blaster and the Legend Bomb, Master Legend believes that there are better alternatives to dealing with his community’s problems.
“One of the best ways to prevent crime is to prevent desperation,” said Master Legend. “That’s one of the reasons why I help the homeless so much.”
Life isn’t all about disposing of drug dealers and corralling crack-heads for this superhero. When not on patrol, Master Legend enjoys playing guitar, dancing with pretty women, eating crawfish and having a few beers.
“I may be a superhero, but I’m not perfect!”
Despite what some may think, Master Legend has truly made an impact on his community and has even been commemorated for his actions by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. And although he does not know where his heroics will take him, he is confident he will always do his part. “I’m the hero of the people. The voice of the silenced!”
Winter Park rests easy under superhero’s watch

NOTE: The following are thoughts as my first ” Hero Ween ” ( 10/31/10 ) approaches:
When I give someone food I feel like jumping for joy! I’ve been fortunate to have this feeling most days this month during my informal Help Tha Hood food giveaways on New Orleans streets. Resources allowed for regular giving this round.
This beats highs experienced getting published and while bounty hunting; doing loss prevention and bouncing.
Fighting the crime of hunger amid plenty is in a class by itself.
I’ve had great moments in traditional crime fighting. One of my original Street Team members and I coordinated the arrest of a rape fugitive. Another highlight was punching a domestic batterer in the mouth who’d lured a woman outside her house with their baby ( at night! ) so he could try to strangle her!
That said, food giveaways are the gold standard of many hands on humanitarians, members of my beloved real life superhero movement ( RLSH ) included.
” Coming to the rescue! ” assumes new meaning when adding to a stranger’s basic life support ( especially in the form of staples like socks and deodorant, which the New York based RLSH named Life always stresses in interviews ).
” Hero Ween ” is my alternative Halloween celebration. I’m asking adults to promote generosity and greatness over ghouls and goblins. Encourage kids to thank their parents and share candy and clothing with the less fortunate.
Adults can also dress like their favorite hero/heroine and use it as teaching moment with children to emphasize certain values. The same goes for young people.
” Hero Ween ” is simply one day to promote what hands on humanitarians do daily- in and out of costume. There is no government program bigger than open hearts. As a ” bleeding heart conservative ” this goes without saying. I thank all of you for the inspiration.
Happy Hero Ween 2010!
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info
 

By Captain Black
After arriving in New Orleans nearly a year ago, the lawyer friend who encouraged it repeatedly warned against mispronouncing local street names for fear a super thug would swoop down on me! (lol).
We’ve built inner city “street pirates” ( thanks CF for the term ) into this mythological threat toward whom we must kow tow.
I’ve observed NOLA’s Hood(s) at close range and lived first in the 8th Ward, referred to as the ” worst part of town” by some.
Random shootings are rare here, with the epic exception of the accidental murder of two year old Jeremy Galmon due to bad aim at an outdoor event.
Personal disputes assume nightmarish proportions as macabre kidnappings and even witness assassination occur with KGB-style precision in local neighborhoods far removed from the old Eastern Bloc.
The Super Thug myth warns residents against attending (with good reason) second line street parades or frequent outdoor parties if they’re in the inner city. Headlines and local legend caution imperious violence can explode without warning when tempers in these locales flare.
I’m an old school product of the Southern Hood, a street scholar and peacekeeper who crew of local advisors have vetod continuing my practice of breaking up street fights and police ridealongs. These actvities began in my hometown of Savannah, GA long before coming here.
Their fear of super thugs and police corruption is tangible.
However, they have okayed the food giveaways which are a non-confrontational staple of my Capt Black outreach role. But, a proposed downtown bottled water giveaway was red flagged because “people might think you have money and rob you.”
What a bitter irony that my advisors aren’t paranoid White people from whom such inner city paranoia is expected. They’re Black and convinced of the immediacy of super thug attack at any moment.
I promote what I call “Hood conservatism” in a 20 year response to conditions creatings such hesitancy. Traditional values are marketed alongside crime prevention and self-development as methods for not succumbing to what is killing the Hood from within nationwide.
My corny, unashamedly idealistic belief is super love for ourselves is more powerful than than the myth of the super thug, here in New Orleans and elsewhere.
That said, I will break up fights here; pass out water and do anything possible to contribute to a better quality of life for the local inner city. Doing less means there won’t be much left for my Hood conservatism to conserve.
“Hero or hostage in society-choose!” is one of my Capt Black slogans that nicely sums up where I stand.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK promotes Black bipartisanship; crime prevention and self-development.
 

Two
Years old
Too young
To die by a gun
He
Shames us with his loss
He
Challenges us with its cost
Is
Private brutality
The inner city’s daily destiny?
DEDICATED TO THE BOY ( JEREMY GALMON http://www.wdsu.com/mostpopular/25208919/detail.html ) RECENTLY MURDERED BY GUN FIRE AT A SUNDAY SECOND LINE PARADE IN CENTRAL CITY, NEW ORLEANS.
-NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT BLACK
SAFETY RIGHTS ACTIVIST
http://www.captblack.info
 

By Captain Black
I don’t wear a special ” Capt. Black ” costume  while in public but like other members of the real life superhero ( RLSH ) Movement I help out where I can.
Wearing one of my Kufi skull caps means I’m on duty. That and the optional Capt. Black t-shirt.
The following is based on the last two days activities:
Yesterday saw me give a young mother struggling with her baby carriage a dollar for the little one ( Recession-era spontaneous donation rate, lol. ) and tell her, ” Capt. Black is always here for you! ” while walking away. In good Lone Ranger style I often don’t stick around.
Shortly thereafter I held the door open for an apparent stroke survivor after he’d struggled to his feet from a wheel chair to enter a gas station.
Inside, I won $4.00 on a scratch off ticket.
Rationalists will call this coincidence while the more metaphysical say the Universe down loaded a little gift as reward for my efforts.
Today I assisted a senior citizen friend across a busy highway to a nearby store on a rough side of East New Orleans. I secured him and carried purchases back to his apartment. He insisted I take what he gave me ( hard to argue with him when he’s loaded, if you know what I mean ).
I resolved to pass this gift along to others while making rounds in the near future.
All this could be coincidence so I leave interpretation to the reader.
Years ago, I used most of an inheritance by donating to charity and investing in struggling businesses. The idea of using it for scarce joy never entered my mind. Resources are the grease allowing the wheels of philanthropy and industry to roll faster. The spiritual heights and connections made from this period of my life remain unsurpassed.
RLSH and other concerned citizens give from the heart and wallet… often until it hurts.
We specialize in what I call ” micro-good: ” acts that aren’t headline making like curing cancer or million dollar giveaways but nonetheless impact quality of life where were live. These small acts take on a synergistic life of their own as our creative approach makes people reflect.
From reflection comes increased incentive to help others at a time when it’s hard enough helping oneself.
As this examination of the past two days shows, the ebb and flow of micro-good touches those offering outreach and recipients alike.
Karma; coincidence; Divine Intervention on a very small scale, I leave the final judgement to each of you.
I close with this observation: micro-good works! Share your instances of unexpected rewards from doing micro-good.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes wellness; crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info
 

The Gulf Oil Spill is yet another potential call to action for the real life superhero ( RLSH ) Movement.
Our inspirational input could help break a frustrated mindset unhappy with British Petroleum and the federal government. Generational poverty; Katrina and the Recession haven’t broken New Orleans spirit.
Losing their worldclass seafood could push things over the tipping point.
That said, colorful spokespersons for blame-free team work could help mobilize a mass volunteer response beneficial to all concerned. The Spill threatens the local and national economy in a highly visible way. Degrees in economics are unnecessary to grasp its impact.
The learning curve is as simple as starvation or self-sufficiency for all effected.
RLSH can call attention to the already discussed volunteer option.
Deploying properly trained and equipped citizens can eventually turn the tide on this mother of all eco-disasters. America is financially ruined and civic action can help pave the road to distant recovery. The Depression was ended by such a public/private partnership.
Todays question is whether the current government, corporate culture and public can rise to this particularly ugly occasion?
It’s not a simple matter of can a handful of costumed activists really save the day? Looming over this consideration is yet another epic setback that will punish millions who can ill afford another colossal failure.
That scraping sound in the near future is the bottom of the imaginary well holding ” limitless ”
play money. That’s a sound few want America to hear.
With stakes like these can anyone say using costumed activists might not speed soaking up this oil spill?
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info
 

The day in 2004 I gave my college ( Savannah State University ) Model United Nations team an over sized replica of a $10,000 donation, I publicly rounded the corner on a secret lifelong dream: being a real life superhero ( RLSH ).
I felt like Doc Savage, Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark combined!
The team meeting room was named after my late mother and I. She was my Model UN sponsor when I attended there.
Ironically I dropped out but felt compelled to help since they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to attend the Harvard World Model UN in Scotland. We can thank an unforgettable person named Carline ( [email protected] ) for that!
This gift keeps on giving in the form of brilliant Model UN students who always contact me. They confirm why we need to invest in exposing young minds tot he world. I’m their bridge to what happens when people decide to do the extraordinary. Sometimes even I can’t quite believe it happened.
Sadly after this economic melt down, it ain’t likely to happen anytime soon ( lol ).
A writer couldn’t have scripted a better plot. I strongly felt then and now that a spiritual ” Writer ” was guiding me.
This nearly pulled the cover off stealth RLSH activities inspired by pulp novels and comic books. Even then I knew coalition building was the natural evolution of this unique humanitarian style.
Real life superheroes are known for our charitable outreach. It’s one of our cornerstones. Fast forward to 2010 and I’m active in a Movement doing daily what I did that beautiful day on Savannah State’s campus.
BTW, I did give someone some money yesterday on one of my Help The Hood morale walks in New Orleans 8th Ward. After generational poverty; Katrina and the Gulf Oil Spill this inner city still stands undefeated but sadly underfunded.
That’s why I do what I can.
Especially when few if any RLSH are playboys with limitless disposable income, giving definitely is a form of real life super heroism.
NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. [email protected] is where you can make a Pay Pal donation to help him Help The Hood!
http://www.captblack.info.