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JB, I just read your editorial about fear. It’s funny how things happen and the order in which they occur. I’ve been a teacher for three years now, but I got my degree in Public Relations/Advertising. I love being a teacher, but I have longed to work for myself in my field of study. What’s stopping me? FEAR! I have a stable 9 to 5 plus a mortgage! I have prayed about my decision to focus on Public Relations and it seems to be now or never. Things seem to be falling into place and I have my first client. I want to thank you for writing this article. NO FEAR! – Veronica Jones, via email I respect how OZONE digs so deep into the movement of Hip Hop, especially the fact that the magazine was founded by a righteous hard-working woman. This is something that parallels my life, as I was raised by a single mother. It’s really cool when I see young Latinos at the grocery store with their mom and both kids are walking around the store reading OZONE. OZONE truly reps for the streets and for Latinos. It’s one of the few magazines that reps the true demographics of our culture, and Latinos know this! – Chris Quiroz, via email (Los Angeles, CA) What’s up Too $hort? I just read your column about rape, and the fact that whoever watched the [Richmond] rape must not have a conscience. I’ll pay for it before I ever take some pussy. Keep it 100. – Young Trill, via email I was drawn to OZONE because of your article on Gucci Mane’s management committing fraud. I really enjoyed the article so I began exploring your magazine. I read the “10 Things I’m Hating On” section by Audra and I was disgusted by your comment on Mohawks (“Unless you live on a reservation with no running water, got a liquor store on every cliff, and have two names, like Bear Tracks or Soaring Eagle, this should not be your style of choice”). I understand satire. I agree with her, the hairstyles are strange when people don’t know their history and where they come from. I truly was offended, not because my family has ties to Natives in Illinois, but because it should offend everyone. These are horrific misconceptions that berate and belittle people, and with your fanbase, this is very dangerous and wrong. I would like to ask the writer why she was so hateful to people who have long struggled, just like the Africans in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. It’s as if she is making fun of sub-standard living. NOT ALL NATIVE AMERICANS live on a reservation. They are not all alcoholics and they do not all have two names. I would ask, on behalf of Native American activists, for an apology from the writer and the magazine for this blatant and inappropriate bashing of Native People. She wasn’t making fun of the stereotype, she was using the stereotype to make fun. See the difference? Dave Chappelle makes fun of stereotypes, in that he makes people see that stereotypes are ignorant. I’m kinda surprised you don’t take your readers’ comments more seriously. You don’t openly use stereotypes of Africans, Latinos, or Asians, do you? A lot of people take racism very seriously. I’m just surprised that you don’t even acknowledge it in the slightest, in light of the readership you appeal to and how they deal with racism on a daily basis. Disap-
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pointed, but frankly not surprised. It is not just myself that is offended. How exactly would you describe OZONE’s sense of humor? Ironic? Edgy? In your face? I would classify it as cheap. I am a huge fan of satire. I’m not attacking or even questioning OZONE’s overall comedic ability, but rather bringing to your attention something you may have overlooked. What you do is easy. You are a culture vulture and I see right through you. - Leah BeAbout, via email JB, I had to sit down and email you regarding your recent editorial on stepping up and pushing hard in all aspects of life. The article was a great message. Currently, I’m a Visual Merchandiser and I own my own jewelry line. I’m three months pregnant and I lost my energy and will to push my other creative abilities; I would come home and sleep every day. So just recently I started to research ways I can reach young girls through my talents. Normally, I bypass editor’s messages. However, this time I believe God wanted me to read your experience to improve mine for the purpose of others. Give thanks. I love your mag! – Rolicia Nicole McClain, via email I’m currently incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison system. I’m writing in regards to OZONE Magazine’s issue #79 page 26 [the Sidekick Hackin’ between Tiny and Young Dro]. Whether it was fact, fiction, or OZONE’s idea of a despicable joke, it was very out of line and disrespectful. Doing time can be very difficult, especially when one has a loving wife and family on the outside that he misses dearly. Being separated from your companion can make for distraught feelings and hard time. Everyone that is associated with the Hip Hop culture knows the bond that T.I. and Tiny have. To publish something like that was hateful and made OZONE look really bad. Whoever’s idea it was to publish such an issue involving a wife and a man in prison and his left hand man was very stupid and feeble-minded. I can’t believe OZONE would participate in hating like this. Even if the accusation was true, at least for the respect of T.I. who in the past has shown much love and respect for OZONE, the magazine could’ve kept T.I. and Tiny’s business confidential. When I decided to confront OZONE with their hating and instigating ways, I first chose to write a rude, disrespectful “fuck you” letter, but I chose not to lower myself to OZONE’s shallow ways. Because of my Crip affiliation I represent the OZONE family, not in the sense of the magazine but the street gang Rollin’ 60s. OZONE has been a part of my vocabulary and heart for many years. To represent the word OZONE is to be real, so please OZONE Magazine, don’t publish any more hating shit like that. - Anthony “Lucky” Roach, via mail (Texas) Editor Responds: Sorry you took it so seriously, but Sidekick Hackin’ is a joke and there was no disrespect intended towards T.I. or Tiny. Correction: The Boss Chicks R Us all-female compilation listed in the last issue of OZONE on page 73 was incorrectly credited to “DJ Suga D & DJ Kris Stylez.” It should have been credited to “DJ Suga D & Exclusive J.”