A Personal View:
"2003 A Year of Disappointment!"

This was certainly not a model year for 'Black Culture Day' at the California State Fair. And, while this website has generally reported an air of inequality being displayed toward Black fair patrons during the closing of the 'Black Culture' event, I must say that was not the case this year.

In my opinion, this year of 2003, the California State Fair and the State Fair Police went well above and beyond my expectations to create a positive environment for fairgoers, and did everything they could to help facilitate a peaceful outcome to this event.

In the past, I have made suggestions on improving the methods of traffic management, and this year, California State Police Chief, Bob Craft, has implemented improvements in crowd exiting options far greater than I had ever hoped for.

This year, there were no less than 5 different exit points to the fair. Those being at both the East and West Gates; two exits at the Main Gate, and also at Gate 27. The Traffic Circle was kept open for auto/shuttle and bus traffic, flowing freely, and the normally visable traffic control measures of the Sacramento Police Dept. were not implemented as in years past. (Though Sacramento PD did have Officers standingby and was prepared for any necessary emergency traffic diversion.) I feel that the removal of visable traffic cones and flare patterns really helped to keep the traffic flowing on Exposition Blvd. near the Main Gate intersection.

In my opinion, the California State Fair did everything they could possibly do, to make this the best fair ever!

And Now!... for the 'Sadness and Disappointment!'

At about 12 midnight, 100's of Black youths went absolutely 'Over-the Top!' , being obnoxious and disruptive, swarming the Traffic Circle and endangering both motorists and themselves. There were also several incidents of vehicle vandalism, fighting and assaults. One Media photographer was punched in the face and had his cellphone stolen, and another fair employee reported being punched in the eye.

Click on photo to play Quicktime 5 Movie
Real Media Clip 550k __ Win '95 Compatable 702k
Real Media 2003 Panic Run 807k

Just at a time when these Black youths should be looking to see how they can help social equality take a step foward, they just took it 100 steps backward. These people showed a severe lack of discipline and both they and their parents should be ashamed of their disrespectful behavior.

Very disappointing!

-Tracy Mapes

California State Fair Chief of Police, Bob Craft, comforts distraught young woman after rampaging hoodlums trampled her vehicle on Exposition Blvd. This occured near the Fair's Main Gate, at the conclusion of the 'Black Culture Day celebration, during the 2003 California State Fair.

Marauding Teens

Real Media 2003 Marauding Teens Movie 885k ___Win '95 Compatable 1Mb
Real Media 2003 Teen Fights Movie 1.1Mb ___Win '95 Compatable 1.4Mb
Real Media 2003 Fireworks Movie 357k ___Win '95 Compatable 474k

Final Thoughts

This project was approxiamately 5 years in the making. At it's conclusion, I feel a sense of loss. Loss of accomplishing a goal, a loss of setting things right, in a world where everything isn't always as it appears, and everything isn't so black and white. For all of the disappointment and disillusion I've felt at the conclusion of this year's 'Black Culture Day', upon further reflection, I do feel that great things were achieved.

The biggest difference? ...between the years 1999 and 2003? Both ended virtually the same ... except for! - the attitudes of the behind the shield of the State Fair Police. In 1999, I felt a near venomous air between fair patrons and police, this year of 2003? ... I observed an extreme improvement in both attitude and demeanor on the part of the State Fair Police. I had a few, teens approach me this year, and say, "the Police, they're being abusive!", just to say it.

Well? ...it just didn't ring true. I really believe that the appointment of Police Chief Bob Craft has been a postive move, and if the Black Community has any concerns, that he will be quite competent in being able to assist them. This is the first year that I've truly seen the California State Fair attempt to make sweeping changes that would help facilitate a positive conclusion to this event. Yet? ...it still ended poorly.

Black and White turns to Gray. I guess, I just wish people could take a look at the direction they are going, recognize that they can change that direction, and see that despite our differences, we all have similar wishes, dreams and goals.

We can't let last 400 hundred years of difference and bad feelings keep us from moving forward, toward something better. I hope that we can all take a moment to look at the advancements that have been made; take the things that have worked, and expand upon them toward a successful ending to the last Saturday evening of next year's Fair.

I will no longer be pursuing this project, but will continue to maintain this site, as long as my bank account permits, as sort of a social marker and reference to another miniscule moment in the history of man's struggle to come to terms with himself and his neighbors. Always remember, things can change.