And the beat goes on.  The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation said in a press release yesterday that authorities are investigating two separate incidents of vandalism at the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, GA.  Both are being investigated as hate crimes.  The first incident occurred this past Saturday when the building was defaced and 2Pac’s memorial statue located in the Center’s Peace Garden was found with a noose around its neck.  In addition, the perpetrators left handbills of with rants including references to 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as well as threats against the hip hop community.  The attacks are being investigated as hate crimes by authorities who have a arrested a male in connection with the attacks.

“We thank everyone for their prayers and support. Although our hearts are temporarily in pain, our spirits have already forgiven the perpetrators. Hate comes in all colors and genders therefore we will use this act of hate and ignorance to bring our community together and to pray for the healing of those who harbor such feelings.” Afeni Shakur, Tupac’s mother, said through the release. “With God’s guidance, the work of the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts and Peace Garden will continue to positively impact and transform our community.”

Earlier this week, I reported about the five such attacks here in New York over the last month but this is a national epidemic.  We know they’re inspired by the noose hanging in Jena and fueled by hate. This incident however is gutless and weak.  Afeni Shakur, a woman with a militant past now stands as a beacon of peace and has created this center in memorial to here fallen son who was a victim of violence.  Where does the message translate folks?

If you bigots out there were real you’d try to make a statement.  The Martin Luther King Center is right down the block go try that nonsense there.  I’m not condoning or encouraging it by any means but if you’re actions are in attempt to somehow make a statement…the statement should be coherent.  This makes no sense.  I challenge all you bigots out there to Step Up!  If there’s something you have to say in response to Jena or Katrina or whatever, say it but give people a chance to identify you and debate, PEACEFULLY. I’ll  even give you a forum here on Highbrid Nation but you best believe my Nation will be there in full force to refute your hate.  Keep it clean people.  (stream of consciousness)