Arts today 4.7 by Arts Today Ezine

Vol 4.7

OCTOBER 1, 2017

KOREAN

PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL pg #8

Sheila

Bassoppo-Moyo

W.E.B Dubois Still Relevant... pg #28

View this and past issues from our website.

RULE OF LAW

WHITES SHOULD...

ELECTORAL...

pg. #32

pg. #46

pg.#60

DR. JERRY WARD

DR. MALAIKA HORNE

PIERRE BLAINE

pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IN THIS

ISSUE: View in browser

IN THE NEWS POLITICAL HISTORY...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For media information, contact Jeremy Goldmeier, Public Relations & Digital Media Manager KOREAN ARTS FEST... (314) 687-4043 jgoldmeier@repstl.org CONSULATE GENERAL

32 RULES OF LAW VERONICA NEWTON

66 EDUCATIONAL GAP BERNIE HAYES

MOVING THE BOYCOTT BALL... VILLAGE CELEBRATION

The Rep announces cast and creative staff for its 51st season opener, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

ST. LOUIS – The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is proud to announce its cast and creative team for its 2017-2018 season opener, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This talented group of artists will bring the 2015 Tony Award winner for Best Play to The Rep stage, September 6 – October 1. Written by Simon Stephens, based on the novel by Mark Haddon and directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, this immersive and thrilling play follows the journey MEDITATING ON... of 15-year-old Christopher as he investigates the murder of his neighbor’s dog.

DR. JERRY WARD

pg.

No major discipline problems

our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wishes to the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to college. te Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and universities to ege scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police ent is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this program dges Create Scholars.â&#x20AC;?

cres is located in North St. Louis County, Missouri. To learn more, contact the Moline Acres partment at 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997.

LIVE / WORK / PLAY NATE JOHNSON

OP/ED SECTION INFINITE SCHOLARS

Pictured are Moline Acres Chief of Police Colonel Ware, Police Officer Donaldson, and students Charmaine and Charles.

WHITES SHOULD... DR. MALAIKA HORNE

ELECTORAL COLLEGE PIERRE BLAINE ...Listen people... Life is a giant, invisible scale with two sides; Good and bad You and your beliefs Are the weights The things you do each day Determine the balance Your conscience is a flawless Judge and jury; The only question is what you want...

The Temptations,

"You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth"

Established 2014 Volume 4.7 St. Louis, MO www.the-arts-today.com/ Layout/Design www.bdesignme.com

NOTE:

As the publishers of The Arts Today Ezine we take care in the production of each issue. We are however, not liable for any editorial error, omission, mistake or typographical error. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of their respective companies or the publisher.

This Ezine and the content published within are subject to copyright held by the publisher, with individual articles remaining property of the named contributor. Express written permission of the publisher and contributors must be acquired for reproduction.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IN THE NEWS

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS for the Annual Fellowship Programme for people of African descent

GENEVA (21 March 2017) – The United Nations Human Rights Office today announced the opening of the application period for its annual Fellowship Program for People of African Descent.

The Fellowship Program is one of the key activities taking place during the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, which was launched to effectively improve the human rights situation of Afro-descendants worldwide.

Every year, the Program offers an intensive learning opportunity to people of African descent on human rights issues of particular importance to Afro-descendants globally. Topics include: human rights law, forms of racial discrimination, access to justice, and racial profiling, among others. Fellows learn about a wide range of UN anti-racism legal instruments and mechanisms, which can help them in combating racism and racial discrimination and in the overall protection and promotion of human rights.

Application Process:

“Through our Fellowship Program, we want to empower a new generation of advocates to combat racism everywhere, and to advance the human rights of Afro-descendants. While the abolition of slavery brought freedom, many of the deeply discriminatory social structures were never torn down and remain to this day. Our past Fellows are using their human rights knowledge to open new avenues for recognition, justice and development for Afro-descendants in their countries,” said Yury Boychenko, Chief of the Anti-Racial Discrimination Section at the UN Human Rights Office.

Following the completion of the three-week long programme, past Fellows have carried out human rights awareness and capacity building initiatives for civil society working to promote the rights of Afro-descendants in their respective countries. They have also supported civil society engagement with UN during fact-finding missions to their countries. A number of Fellows have successfully received grants for local projects; contributed to discussions about national plans of action on combatting racism; and lobbied for new anti-racism legislation.

pg.

Applications and additional information are available at http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ Issues/Racism/WGAfricanDescent/Pages/ FellowshipProgramme.aspx). The Fellowship Program application period begins on March 21, 2017 and runs until May 31, 2017. Applicants must be fluent in English, should have a minimum of 4 years of work experience related to promoting Afro-descendant rights and must be currently employed by an organization working on issues related to People of African Descent or minority rights. They must submit their CV and a letter from their organization, certifying their status. Selected Fellows must be available to attend the full duration of the Program, which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 13 November to 1 December 2017. Additional resources: Video of past Fellows: https://youtu.be/BSiCHpZ_6PA UN Decade for People of African Descent: http://www.un.org/ en/events/africandescentdecade/

Your Source for Art Appreciation

Volume 2.1 March 4, 2015

St. Louis

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE GAMES DAD DIDN'T... | MARIAH RICHARDSON ....................... pg. 86 FEAT. ARTIST | IS'MIMA NEBT'KATA ............................................ pg. 104 ART OF FOOD | FABULOUS VEGAN

......................................... pg. 128

OPPORTUNITIES | A.T.EZ ................................................................ pg. 152

Please support our sponsors, many of-

fer events or programs with an emphasis on the arts and creativity.

CAREERS | A.T.EZ ............................................................................ pg. 154

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pg.

도 자 료

시카고 대한민국 총영사관

2017.08.25. 제17-09호

<Korean Performing Arts Festival> [Event Summary:] Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø

Korean Performing Arts Festival Korean Performing Artists (Korean Traditional Percussionists, K-Traditional Dancers, String Double Quartets, Korean Traditional Instrument Orchestra) The Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri – St. Louis 7:00 p.m. September 16, 2017 Free Admission

On the occasion of Korean cultural events series called 2017 Korea Week in St. Louis in the 3rdweekofSeptember, co-hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, Gateway Korea Foundation, and Korea-American Association of St. Louis, Korean Performing Arts Festival will highlight the week with various performances to the public in Missouri. th

Korean Performing Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, September 16 ,2017 at the Touhill Performing Arts Center of the University of Missouri – St. Louis from 7:00pm to 8:45pm. This event will be filled with various performances: such as Korean traditional percussion performances, Korean Traditional dances, and instrumental performances in both Korean traditional style and western collaboration.

RSVP for Korean Performing Arts Festival is highly recommended, especially for the groups larger than 10. Please RSVP to cgk.rsvp@gmail.com.

All events of 2017 Korea Week in St.Louis are open to public with free admission.

Please join the cultural celebration and enjoy the Korean music and dance performances.

Enclosed: 2017 Korea Week in St.Louis Poster; Korea Performing Arts Festival Poster.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

KOREAN PERFORMING... cont.

도 자 료

시카고 대한민국 총영사관

2017.08.25. 제17-09호

한국문화공연 <Korean Performing Arts Festival> 개최 1. 오는 9월 16일(토) 저녁 7시, 미주리주립대-세인트루이스캠퍼스에 위치한 투힐극장 (Touhill Performing Arts Center; 1 University Blvd., St.Louis, MO 63121)에서 한국 문화를 알리는 <Korean Performing Arts Festival> 공연(무료)이 개최된다. 금번 문화 공연은 한국무용과 풍물, 국악오케스트라의 우리 문화공연 및 현악기와 성악가들의 아 리랑공연 등 다채로운 볼거리가 제공 될 예정이다. 2. 금 번 행사는 세인트루이스 지역의 현지인들에게 한국 문화를 소개하고 동포들에게는 우 리문화에 대한 자긍심을 불어 일으키고자 기획되었으며, 주시카고대한민국총영사관(총영 사 이종국)과 게이트웨이코리아파운데이션(Gateway Korea Foundation; 이사장 남영희)이 공동 주최하고, 세인트루이스한인회(회장 양영승) 등이 후원하는 《2017 세인트루이스 한국주간행사》의 일환으로서 진행된다. 3. 세인트루이스 각지에서 진행되는 《2017 세인트루이스 한국주간행사》는 9월 11일부터 17일까지 다양한 추석행사 및 한국문화체험행사, 직지심체요절 전시 등으로 구성되어 있 으며, 많은 현지인과 동포들의 참석이 기대되고 있다.

첨부 : 2017 한국주간행사 포스터, Korean Performing Arts Festival공연 포스터. 끝.

pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

OP / ED SECTION

Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program in partnership with Infinite Scholars Program

The Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program wishes to acknowledge some of the students in our city that have accepted the promise of a college scholarship for accomplishing the following criteria: 1. 2. 3. 4.

95 percent school attendance 3.3 or better cumulative grade average 22 or better composite ACT score No major discipline problems

Through our mentorship program with Infinite Scholars, the Moline Acres Police Department wishes to help fulfill the hopes and dreams of families in our community wishing to send their children to college. The Infinite Scholars program uses it extensive nationwide network of 500+ colleges and universities to find a college scholarship for students who achieve the criteria above. The Moline Acres Police Department is committed to helping our students accomplish these criteria. The motto for this program is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our Badges Create Scholars.â&#x20AC;? Moline Acres is located in North St. Louis County, Missouri. To learn more, contact the Moline Acres Police Department at 314-868-2433 or Infinite Scholars at 314-499-6997.

Pictured are Moline Acres Chief of Police Colonel Ware, Police Officer Donaldson, and students Charmaine and Charles.

pg.

Editorial Rebeccah Bennett TRUTH: This is not the first time that this country has been run by a bigot. It is not the first time that we have experienced political isolation and social rejection. Founder and principal of Emerging Wisdom LLC.

nd it is not the first time that we have had to figure out how to metabolize our grief and fear in ways that did not immobilize us, but caused us to actualize our power to change the world.

PERSPECTIVE:

Right

and forefathers lived through horrors that were generational in scope and scale. They persisted through times when there was little chance of a better tomorrow, much less a better life â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not even for their kids. Yet they responded to their lot in life by creating resistance movements, aid societies, educational and religious institutions, banks and co-ops, art forms, innovations and spiritual practices that continue to make our lives

better today. Remember that their blood is our blood. Their strength is our strength. They are the ROOTS and we are their FRUITS.

PRAYER:

We call upon our ancestors, those upon whom the sky fell. We call upon our ancestors who experienced all manner of degradation, humiliation, violation and death. We call upon our ancestors, people who swung from trees and were forced to live on their knees. We call upon our ancestors, many of whom persisted, survived and endured without destroying themselves or others. May whatever it is that nourished and sustained them come more fully alive in us. Ashe.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

World Premier Tour

2017/2018

SEASON

Games DaD didn t play

TOURING

SEPT. 18 – OCT. 27, 2017 PUBLIC PERFORMANCES:

SEPT. 16 -17 SAT at 7 PM | SUN at 2PM THE GRANDEL THEATRE PLAY HONORED AT:

“The Purple Crayon Player’s PLAYground Festival of Fresh Works”

Write your own story! Lucas and his mom are starting over: a whole new city, a whole new school, a whole new beginning. Games Dad Didn’t Play follows Lucas in his new life as he struggles to come to terms with everything he doesn’t remember, or want to believe, about his dad in prison. So he imagines a whole new dad; one who hadn’t hurt anyone. As the stories of his imaginary dad become more elaborate, Lucas’ new best friend, Eddie, grows suspicious. When Eddie learns the truth, he accuses Lucas of being as “bad” as his father. Unsure of what to do, Lucas lashes out. Eventually, with a little help from mom, Lucas begins to understand he doesn’t have to repeat his father’s “scared mistakes.” He may not be able to change what happened in the past, but he can make his own choices. Lucas chooses to repair his friendship with Eddie, use his words instead of fighting and write his own story for the future.

BEST ENJOYED BY:

Adults and Young People 2nd–8th grade

RUN TIME:

50 minutes

MORE INFO CONTACT: Michael Perkins, Community Engagement Manager at Michael@metroplays.org or call at 314.932.7414 x106

metroplays.org

His dad is in prison. He’s starting a new school. Lucas is writing a new chapter in his life, but his past cannot be ignored. pg.

BLACK COMIX RETURNS - African American Comic Art & Culture

A hardcover collection of art and essays showcasing the best African American artists in today's vibrant comic book culture.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017 St. Louis

f you are like me, you will miss summer, but you will certainly enjoy all of the special things that Fall has to offer. Albert Camus said that Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf becomes a flower. Well, I have gathered some of the flowers of joy that St. Louis will be sharing this month. These opportunities, accompanied by what I hope to be amazing fall weather, will ensure September to be a month of memory-making. I certainly hope that you will join me in celebrating the incredible culture and community of Saint Louis throughout this month. As usual, there's a little something for everyone and I look forward to seeing you there!

SEPTEMBER

thru

SEPTEMBER

If you are looking for something to do tonight, aka Friday, you can stop by Queeny Park in Chesterfield for The Art Fair at Queeny Park which is the longest running art fair in St. Louis! The fair is running all weekend, and thisyear they are hosting over 100 artists from more than 20 states. Also on Friday night, over 25,000 people will make their way to St. Louis' historic Laclede's Landing for the Big Muddy Blues Festival. This Blues festival is outdoors all weekend and presents over 50, 100% local bands playing live on stage. Oh yeah, it's free! For a different flavor, you might want to make your way to the Pageant in the Delmar Loop on Friday night to check out Umphrey's Mcgee , an American jam band, with over 18 years in the industry. They are sure to rock the house for you tonight.

For an even different flavor, you should head over to Focal Point to catch Farshid Etniko and Cafe Danza as they bless the stage with their World Music styling. Yet another different flavor will bring you to BB's Jazz Blues & Soups for Love Jones, The Band - Labor Day Weekend Jam! On Saturday, you can join me for some great food and entertainment at the 100th Annual St. Nicholas Greek Festival in the Central West End.

pg.

Local Events SEPTEMBER

You can also check out the Opening Reception at the Bruno David Gallery! A few of the featured artists are Alex Couwenberg, Jill Downen who features her Window Women exhibit. Los Angeles Painting : Formalism to Street Art Curated by Andi Campognone, and STL Story Stichers: The Wish Box Project During the Opening Night! The Struts will be performing at Ballpark Village on Saturday night. This rock band will be sure to have your whole family dancing to the beat.

in the beautiful Missouri Botanical Gardens. This annual festival features bon odori festival dancers, taiko drumming, martial a rts, even candlelight walks in the Japanese Garden. You can check it out on Saturday too! Sunday afternoon, you will find me and my babies at The UniverSoul Circus Downtown at the America's Center Dome. Don't miss out to watch as acrobatic gymnasts fly through the air, all while performing death defying tricks.

Also Saturday night, you can check out the Hip Hop Edition of Far Fetched Collective at Das Bevo. In the Biergarten, with no cover! In case you didn't know, Das Bevo is the newly renovated historic Bevo Mill in South St. Louis. It's so cool, they named the neighborhood after it! On Sunday gather the family and join me and my crew in the fun at the Japanese Festival held

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

Did you know that only about a dozen stand pipe style water towers still exist in the United States? Three of them are in St. Louis, and you can experience a Full Moon showing at the one of them, the Compton Hill Water Tower on Wednesday night. Climb the Tower and enjoy the best place to view the sky in the City of St. Louis. Free parking will be on Russell Blvd., on the south edge of Reservoir Park. On Thursday, if you are looking for some inner peace, you can head over to the Confluence Zen Community for an introduction to Zen meditation. It is open to people of all faiths. The classes include a presentation of the history of Zen and basic principles of zazen meditation, and discussion of how to practice Zen in daily life-while at work and at leisure-that is, how to find inner peace anytime, anywhere. On Friday, the St. Louis Art Fair kicks off in the heart of downtown Clayton. Join me for an evening of mixing with great people, good food, nice drinks and cool entertainment, and of course, Art! This great St. Louis event runs all weekend!

SEPTEMBER

thru

SEPTEMBER

There is another great art exhibitions taking place in St. Louis at the Contemporary Arts Museum as they open their Fall Exhibition with Mickalene Thomas: Mentors, Muses, and Celebrities; Hayv Kahraman: Acts of Reparation; Street Views with Zlatko Cosic: A Murmuration; Hedge, an architectural installation in the courtyard; and projects by Teen Museum Studies and LEAP Middle School Initiative. The Black Repretory Theatre presents Dot, the play, which will be performed at The EdisonTheatre on WashU's Campus. Dot is a hilarious take on real life situations involving siblings with aging parents, midlife crises, and the flair of living in a West Philly neighborhood. The St. Louis REALTORS Mustache Dash 5K run is on Saturday morning. Great way to raise money for the St. Louis REALTORS Foundation, which does great work all over the St. Louis community. On Saturday, you'll find me at Loufest, which is back and even bigger this year. This 2 day music festival, on Saturday and Sunday, in Forest Park has an amazing lineup of talent ranging from Snoop Dog, to Weezer. Experience the 5th Annual Pere Marquette Rendezvous of living history, on Friday and Saturday. The children will love the live reenactment actors portraying primitive traders and trappers from the fur trade era of the early 1800s. This event will have many booths of food and arts vendors. You can turn this free event into a weekend of fun while camping on site at Pere Marquette Park which is also free this weekend. The Rendezvous starts at 10am. On Sunday bring the family to the Taste In Ferguson. Spend the day in North County enjoying food sampling from culinary vendors while listening to live music and Christina Coleman from KSDK Channel 5 as Emcee. There will be children's activities and entertainment. Wine and beer tastings are also available. The Taste will start at 3pm.

pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

For dinner on Monday catch the Soulard Blues Band at the Broadway Oyster Bar Downtown. Enjoy a wide variety of foods offered from Broadway Oyster Bar while listening to this band tear up the night. If you're thinking about joining a book club, Jazz St Louis Book Club meets onthe second Tuesday of each month. This book club explores jazz through literature. It is a free club to anyone willing to read the book each month. Jazz St. Louis Book Club meets at 7pm in Nancy's Jazz Lounge at the Harold and Dorothy Stewart Center for Jazz. Catch the legendary Stevie Nicks and her 24 Karat Tour at the Family Arena in St. Charles on Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER

11 thru

SEPTEMBER

If symphony music is more to your taste, you can join me and the Saint Louis Symphony as they perform a free Forest Park concert on Wednesday night. Bring your family, friends, and blankets to Art Hill. Music will start at 7pm and fireworks will follow. Food vendors will be onsite with a variety of foods to choose from. You can also find me at the The Great Forest Park Balloon Race , which is this weekend on Art Hill in Forest Park. The event starts off with a annual "Gaslight Balloon Glow" where the balloons fill the night sky with the fire and glow. On Saturday spend the whole day at the event meeting pilots and looking at balloons close up. At 4pm the send off begins and the balloons take flight over the City of St. Louis. Don't miss out on checking out this great tradition! The Budweiser Taste of St. Louis is also this weekend. Voted St. Louis' Best Food Event by St. Louis Magazine's A-List Readers' Choice Poll, the Taste of St. Louis will take place in the Chesterfield Amphitheater in Central Park and Chesterfield Village. Along with great food there is a music stage to host national music and runway shows. Hopefully you will join me at the 8th annual St. Louis Garlic Fest at the Carondelet Park Boathouse in the beautiful Holly Hills neighborhood of St. Louis! We went last year and found that garlic ice cream is surprisingly refreshing and pleasant. Get out and get your groove on! Join in the fun for the 17th annual Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival on Saturday. People of all ages will be in attendance, dancing to the beat of the live bands and enjoying the wonderful variety of food options. This free street party is hosted in beautiful Webster Groves. HOP in the City is back for its annual festival in downtown St. Louis on Saturday. Schlafly proudly makes all kinds of beer year round, This is a day, full of trying all the different brews of the Schlafly brand, join in to try 46 different varieties of beer including wood aged beer, hopped up IPA and traditional lagers and ales. HOP in the City will be from 11a.m. - 4p.m.

pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Monday, take a step back in time and bring your family out for Pioneer Days in beautiful Defiance, MO. The whole family will participate in time accurate activites from when St. Louis was the western frontier. The event will be held at the Historic Daniel Boone Home Heritage Center from 10am-5pm. Grammy winner Ed Sheeran will be performing at Scottrade on Sunday. Ed Sheeran is known to sell out concerts with his hits such as "Thinking out Loud" and "Shape of You".

This weekend is the Kirkwood Greentree Festival in Kirkwood Park. This yearly festival brings the people of Kirkwood and surrounding communities together to enjoy a weekend of great music, food and fellowship. There are plenty of childrens activities including crafts, children's dog show, and educational activities. There is a live band and beer and wine are available!

SEPTEMBER

18 thru

SEPTEMBER

The first preseason home game for the St. Louis Blues will be on Wednesday night at the Scottrade Center. They face the Columbus Blue Jackets. Grammy award winning artist Billy Joel will be performing at Busch Stadium on Thursday night.This is the first time ever Billy Joel will perform solo at the stadium in St. Louis. Lunchtime Live in St. Louis is this Friday. Grab some lunch from numerous food trucks and you will want to stay for a while and listen to the bands playing live on stage. Lunchtime Live starts at 11:30a.m at the Old Post Office in downtown St. Louis. Plan a day to spend at The Greater St. Louis Hispanic Festival this weekend in Soulard. With live Latino music, authentic foods, Hispanic crafts, and even a children's pavilion with exotic petting zoo. Beer and Margaritas are also available for the adults. Make you way out to Soulard Park and experience the Hispanic culture at this free festival. This weekend is the St. Louis murmuration festival. Enjoy the convergence of art, music, and science & tech. This festival is held at the Cortex Innovation Community in the Central West End. Bookfest in the Central West End is also on Saturday! How about a road trip to Benton, Illinois, which is only about an hour away, to check out the Sugar Creek Music Festival! This is the 3rd annual music, arts & camping festival, and it is headlined by one of my favorites, Aaron Kamm & The One Drops! It promises to be a great time. St. Charles Oktoberfest kicks off this weekend in beautiful Frontier Park located off Riverside Drive in downtown Saint Charles. Everyone is sure to find something to do at Oktoberfest this year. There is going to be activities including a 5k and 10k run, a brat eating contest, a car show, live music and great food from various vendors. Activities start on Friday at 4pm and end on Sunday at 5pm.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Monday night Rhiannon Giddens is performing at the Pageant in the Delmar Loop. Rhiannon Giddens is an American musician whose is the lead singer, violinist, banjo player and a founding member of the Grammy-winning country and blues music band Carolina Chocolate Drops. The Chicago Cubs are back in town this week as they go head to head against our hometown Cardinals. Make it out to Busch Stadium, The Cardinals will be playing each evening Monday-Thursday with 7:15pm first pitch.

SEPTEMBER

25 thru

SEPTEMBER

Tell your friends to join me on Thursday for the free Keys to Homeownership seminar that helps potential homeowners learn the steps involved with achieving homeownership. They will also learn about available mortgage options, including 100% financing and how to be eligible to receive cash grants and gifts for your down payment. We will help them grasp the keys to becoming a homeowner! St. Louis is known for its BBQ. Come out with the family this weekend and enjoy some of that BBQ at Q in the Lou in Keiner Plaza. The world's most renowned pit masters are there to feed you some of the best BBQ in the nation. Come grab a slab of ribs or bury your face in some brisket while enjoying live music and cold drinks. Entry is free for Q in the Lou. On Friday, get ready to dance as Crywolf is performing at the Ready Room in the City of St. Louis. This Electronica band is sure to have the theater jumping. Doors open at 8pm and Crywolf graces the stage at 9pm. Lil Duval will perform his stand up on Saturday night at Helium Comedy Club next to The Galleria. Lil Duval is a hilarious stand up comedian who has starred in Scary Movie 5 and is set to appear in two comedies being released later this year. This weekend, Come where authors and readers are brought together for the chance to mingle, have fun and raise money for charity. Penned Con 2017 is a full two days of book signings, informative panels and workshops. There will also be a DJ and a chance to participate in a lip sync battle. The event will be hosted at the St. Louis City Center Hotel in downtown. Yes, another great month in St. Louis! I am looking forward to seeing you as we get out and enjoy our beautiful town. P.S. Check out the latest Housing Report , or give me a call or email to see what the real estate market is doing in St. Louis. Let me know what questions I can answer for you. We would love to help you achieve your real estate goals! All the best. -Nate

pg.

Nate K. Johnson ABR,CRS,GRI Broker/Owner Real Estate Solutions 314-575-7352 Direct | 314-558-6025 Fax | 314-514-9600 x 102 nate@livingstl.com | www.livingstl.com

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For media information, contact Jeremy Goldmeier, Public Relations & Digital Media Manager (314) 687-4043 jgoldmeier@repstl.org

The Rep hosts Meacham Park Celebration, September 25 ST. LOUIS – On September 25, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis will host the Meacham Park Celebration, a free evening of art, poetry, theatre and dance performances to celebrate the stories of the historic Meacham Park neighborhood. Beginning at 6:30 pm, the event is the culmination of Connecting Community through the Arts, a yearlong project undertaken by The Rep, Springboard to Learning and Webster Arts. Thanks to a generous grant from Theatre Communications Group and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, these three organizations teamed to help gather stories from Meacham Park and bring them to life through creations from local artists. The project began with Nipher Middle School students interviewing Meacham Park residents, past residents and other people connected with the community, with the assistance of a teaching artist from Springboard. The Rep and Webster Arts then delivered the students’ collected oral histories to area artists, who will adapt those stories into various creative works. The finished products, premiered at the Meacham Park Celebration, will present unique perspectives on this historic St. Louis neighborhood. Marsha Coplon, The Rep’s director of education, and Jeane Vogel, executive director of Webster Arts, are both available for interview to discuss the celebration and the process that went into its creation. Contact Rep Public Relations Manager Jeremy Goldmeier for information about setting up an interview.

pg.

The Black Rep

invites you to a subscription reception at The Black Rep office on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 5:30-7:00. You will have an opportunity to meet the cast of DOT and view the art show About A Song From The Field William Burton, Jr. & Robert A. Ketchens Get your subscription for the following productions to be held at the Edison Theater on the Washington University in St. Louis campus, located at 6465 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105 DOT by Colman Domingo-September 6-24, 2017 FENCES by August Wilson-January 3-21, 2018 TORN ASUNDER by Nikkole Salter-April 13-29, 2018 Subscription rates are $135 for adults and $120 for seniors (65 and older). Please RSVP to Gale Ingram, Development Director at galei@theblackrep.org or 314-885-3333 by Monday, August 14, 2017. The Black Rep Administrative Office 6662 Olive Blvd St. Louis, MO 63130

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Why W.E.B. Du Bois Is Still Relevant

TODAY

had ended. “Do you trust white people?” asks one of Du Bois’ female students. Looking in her eyes, he describes his paradox. Du Bois struggles to be honest and frank, and finds it hard to be truthful. He thinks he must lie and responds that he does trust them. “…you repeat that she must trust them, that most white folks are honest, and all the while you are lying and every level, silent eye there knows you are lying, and miserably you sit and lie on, to the greater glory of God”

By Sheila Bassoppo-Moyo, Ed.D.

“What’s your fascination with W.E.B. Du Bois?” a friend once asked. I have a modest library of books written

by and about Dr. Du Bois, a prominent African American scholar and activist. I also hold meetups on his different publications like his seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk. For me, his thoughtprovoking essays, poetry, and novels eloquently articulate the African American experience and what we all, including white Americans, can do to continue the struggle for civil rights and obliterate racism in American society. Inspired by Du Bois’ life, my goal is to read as many of his works as I can. In “Of Work and Wealth,” he opens his essay by describing his life as a school teacher in rural Tennessee and leading a double life. He begins teaching at 17-years old in 1885 where he comes up against the realities of Jim Crow laws. He quickly begins the fight for civil rights. He takes up the gauntlet 20 years after the Civil War pg.

As a former middle-school teacher, I could identify with the dilemma Du Bois faced in the classroom. A white friend asked me to speak to his foreign language class about living in Zimbabwe for ten years. My friend only had one black child in his class. The black children were bused into the school which was in St. Louis County and was about 74% white, 11% black, and 5% each for Hispanic and Asian students. The one lone black boy in the class asked about Zimbabwe. I learned he was 10 years old. He seemed tiny and looked more like 7 or 8 years old. His question: “Do police carry guns?” The question took me by surprise. Similar to the question asked of Du Bois, I knew this child was thinking of race and the police shootings of black men. I lived in Zimbabwe ten years immediately following its independence from the British. Police in Zimbabwe at that time did not carry guns, only wooden batons. A few years ago, they started carrying guns. What has this 10-year old learned about being black in America? About the police? Did he already know the fate of

black men and the relationship to the criminal justice system and mass incarceration in America? Had his parents prepared him for what he might have to face one day?

Du Bois wrote about the East St. Louis Race Riot in his third autobiographical work, Darkwater. The white labor class feared losing their jobs to

thousands of black people emigrating from the South for better opportunities in East St. Louis. As more and more black workers poured into East St. Louis from the South in the early 1900s, white fear of competition for jobs turned continued to fester, and blacks were fearful of remaining in poverty. This was the recipe that laid the foundation for the riot. Donald Trump’s rise to power was based on his appeal to the fears of the white working class who have steadily lost manufacturing jobs and his promise of employment. The rise of the alt-Right and emboldened white racists rising up on the heels of Trump is eerily similar to Du Bois’ writings. I see Du Bois’ writings in the media coverage of white hate groups and counter protesters throughout the country. The writings of W.E.B. Du Bois provide a thoughtful backdrop to those seeking to understand the African American experience in our society. His work also provides a historical lens to assess current events in our society today. History really does seem to repeat itself in some ways. If you want to understand the writings of Du Bois, you are welcome to join the W.E.B. Du Bois and Sociology Meet-up by clicking the link below:

https://www.meetup.com/Sociology/

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Hello, I would love it if you took a moment to check out my GoFundMe campaign: CLICK GOFUNDME LINK BELOW TO DONATE https://www.gofundme.com/black-archaeologist-season-4

Your support would mean a lot to me. Thank you so much!

- Michael Lambert

Black Archaeologist. pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

THE RULE OF LAW versus THE ROLE OF

MADNESS

pg.

ne conception of politics, according to Paul W. Kahn, involves "a commitment to both history and territory" (time and space), and "the rule of law is an organization of institutions, practices, persons, and objects with the ongoing historical and spatial project that is the state. The state occupies time and space not as an object in the natural world, but as an imaginative construction of temporal and spatial meanings. The state's time is history; its space is territory. These are the subjects of a legal aesthetic" [The Cultural Study of Law ( Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999), 40]. It is unfortunate that few of us were ever taught that the United States of America as a state is actually a work of fiction upon which we are obligated, as citizens, to impose a patriotic sense of something possessing four dimensions, celebrated in flags, song, pledge, and prayer. It is unfortunate that few Americans want to admit that we live in a fiction that we constantly write and rewrite. The few of us who dare to make the admission live in abject agony, because we realize the main protagonist in the 2017 fiction is not an epic hero but an epic disgrace. Yes, tweet boy, of thee I sing. In its ideal iteration, the Office of the President has an honored place in the rule of law, despite the foibles of individuals who have occupied the Office since George Washington. We respect the Office even if our ideologies, party affiliation, wretchedness, needs, and desires preclude

When the occupant tweets his disrespect for the Office on a daily basis, we are ---to put the case obscenely ---in deep shit! our giving allegiance one occupant or another.

The swamp is the cesspool, and all of us stink appropriately. President Trump and his most loyal, unconditional supporters have served notice that the work of fiction is profane and ungodly. It is stupid to hope for better, to bury our heads in patriotic sand. How can we hope when our senators and representatives are complicit in the plot?

Perhaps we have just what the minority of voters wanted in November 2016 and had confirmed by the Electoral College ---the replacement of democracy with a fascist tweetocracy. Cognitive dissonance is a faithful American servant, and it cooks and cleans with all the gusto white uncles and mammies can muster. And the Master and his trophy Mistress can never be satisfied. The state is rendered infirm by the role of madness.

likely surprised that President Trump hasn't sworn on a stack of false religious texts that Harvard Business School has denied him the affirmative action he was born to inherit. Anthony J. Mayo and Nitin Nohria chose not to write about him in their excellent book In Their Time: The Greatest Business Leaders of the Twentieth Century (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2005). Leaks from the WH condemn them for being left-leaning and unkind. But it is judicious for Mayo and Nohria to be unkind. Theirs is a study of "contextual intelligence ---the profound sensitivity to macro-level contextual factors in the creation, growth or transformation of business" (xv) from 1900 to 1999. They are concerned with pristine capitalism. When they published the book, the rule of law was intact. Grounds for excluding Trump can be found in the seven key lessons they itemize in the epilogue, pages 354-360: 1. Context matters --moving beyond the "great man" theory 2. Different paths to greatness 3. Great leadership is a function of context plus personal characteristics plus adaptive capacity 4. Betting on the right person for the right time 5. Betting on the right company at the right time 6. The importance of business history 7. Enhancing your contextual intelligence, becoming a "first-class noticer" Despite the fact that our protagonist did make a great deal of money by calculated accidents, he earns a grade of "F" for each of the seven lessons. Methinks Henry James and William Dean Howells sketched Trump's prototype in the nineteenth century. What a shame the President of the United States of American is not worthy of being in the company of Cyrus H. K. Curtis, Henry Ford, Sarah Breedlove, Earl Graves, Christine A. Hefner, Peter H. Coors, and Reginald F. Lewis. His shame anoints us with unadulterated dread. ~Jerry W. Ward, Jr.

If we are capable of being surprised by anything, we are

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

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Sunday, September 17, at 1pm

$7 per person, $5 for MHM members Join us as Civic Arts Company presents Jamie Pachino's oneact theatrical adaptation of Studs Terkel's RACE: How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel About the American Obsession. RACE delves into the complexity of the thoughts and emotions of blacks and whites and uncovers a fascinating narrative of changing opinions. The performance will be followed by a discussion of the highly charged material by the play's four actors, who have been trained by the AntiDefamation League.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

How Katherine Dunham Used Arts & Humanities to Foster Education, Community Uplift, Professional Development & Racial Justice From the point of Katherine Dunham’s 1967 arrival in East St. Louis, where Dr. Eugene Redmond was a TeacherCounselor at SIU’s Experiment in Higher Education, Dunham and Redmond remained close until her 2006 death, when Redmond organized and oversaw the Katherine Dunham International Memorial Celebration at Lincoln Middle School. Between 1967 and 2006, Dr. Dunham had what she called “three spiritual homes” – Port Au Prince, Haiti; Dakar, Senegal; and East St. Louis, Illinois. Redmond was confidant, chauffeur, bodyguard, “translator,” recruiter for her Performing Arts Training Center, and a road manager for the PATC’s indigenous traveling troupe (1967-69). In this talk, Redmond will share his reflections on the various ways that his and Dunham’s lives were intertwined on a daily basis.

Dr. Eugene Redmond SIUE Emeritus Professor

Lovejoy Library - 4 pm - Thurs. Sept. 28th, 2017 Public Invited! Public Parking in Lot B

Sponsored by the SIUE Department of Anthropology, SIUE University Museum, Lovejoy Library, SIUE East St. Louis Center and the SIUE Office of Institutional Diversity & Inclusion

pg.

Join Creve Coeur Camera

on a Photo Adventure to New York City to shoot the city skylines, people, and everything that this wonderful metropolis has to offer. There are spectacular scenes and cityscapes to be seen and photographed, and of course amazing architecture. New York is defined by its buildings and its people, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be capturing it all. This trip is designed for the photographer who has an intermediate knowledge of his/her camera and it is designed to advance your eye as a photographer.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

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This Beautiful Home is Ready for Family to move right in and Kick up their feet!! Your home has been completely rehabbed ready to pass all inspection!!

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pg.

DISPLACED

&ERASED

The history of Clayton, Missouri's uprooted black community. emmakriley.com

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Moving the BOYCOTT Ball Down the Field

he conversation quarterback Colin Kaepernick started when he knelt during the national anthem as a protest demonstration against racism and police brutality continues this season with more NFL players sitting or kneeling and a group of African American ministers in Alabama calling for an outright boycott of the League for what many consider collusion among team owners who have declined to hire Kaepernick.

“When you look at the reason he protested, the number of unarmed Black and Brown people killed at the hands of police without any repercussions, there’s a real sense of trauma…especially with the shootings caught on tape. That is very real,” says Pastor

Debleaire Snell, the narrator in the video. “When he took that approach, there were a lot of people excited about someone willing to bring attention in such a large venue and not gloss over it.” Snell and an ecumenical group of Huntsville, Alabama ministers are the faces in a video viewed more than four million times in a matter of days. The other ministers are wearing team jerseys in the video which they remove while simultaneously calling for a “BlackOut.” The call for a “BlackOut” of the NFL is gaining momentum. “A lot of people were on the verge and needed a point of nexus or unity. I don’t know that we shifted thought, but they needed an outlet to express their frustration, and I think our video did that.” “This young man should have a right to peacefully protest,” says Reverend T.C. Johnson, another pastor in the video. “He probably won’t be affected by racism like poorer African Americans are affected, but he took that knee for us. And, since they have determined they will punish him for practicing his democratic right, we think we should stand up for him by not participating with the

pg.

National Football League.”

Boycotts Started in Alabama Huntsville, Alabama is almost 200 miles from Montgomery, home of one of the most historic and successful boycotts in American history. It was December 1955 when Rosa Parks refused to surrender her bus seat to a white person. With Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr and Ralph Abernathy involved, the boycott began against the policy of racial segregation on the public transit system. The boycott was a seminal event in the Civil Rights Movement and ended when the United States Supreme Court ruled that segregated buses were unconstitutional. Snell is aware of the “powerful” parallel. “This is that flashpoint moment for our generation and will reveal what our values are,” he says. “Of course, the sacrifices made before us were much more significant that what we are calling for. We are asking people to focus their dollars and affect things in that way.”

“Church is where we have launched our attacks against injustices. And to a large degree, many have left that powerhouse,” Johnson says. “They have the education produced by the uniting of churches that stood together in the 60s. But, are now going to church where people won’t speak from the Holy Dais about the injustices they suffer.”

Taking Sides in the League Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, opposes the anthem protests, calling them “disappointing.” One of the more influential team owners, Jones is on record as saying, “I just feel so strongly that the act of recognizing the flag is a salute to our country and all of the people that have sacrificed so that we can have the liberties we have.” A retired Command Sergeant in the United States Army, Johnson says, “I pledged my loyalty to fight for my country, but when I did

so, it was my anticipation that citizens would be allowed practice democracy.” Johnson wants the NFL to find a way to address the protests and not “punish the people who make them money.” More players in the NFL are taking a knee during the national anthem. At Monday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants, 12 of the Browns’ players knelt and prayed during the national anthem, including the first white player, Seth DeValve who is married to a Black woman. At half-time the Browns organization released a statement that read:

“As an organization, we have a profound respect for our country’s National Anthem, flag and the servicemen and servicewomen in the United States and abroad. We feel it’s important for our team to join in this great tradition and special moment of recognition, at the same time we also respect the great liberties afforded by our country including the freedom of personal expression.” With the season just getting underway, more organization may find themselves issuing statements addressing what is turning into a Super Bowl-sized protest, assisted by a video produced by another group of men with a powerful Sunday following.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Now-Aug. 19: WORLD WAR I: MY FELLOW SOLDIERS EXHIBIT SLPL commemorates the centenary of America's official involvement in the First World War, with the exhibit, â&#x20AC;&#x153;World War I: My Fellow Soldiers," on display until August 19 at Central Library. A global conflict of unprecedented destruction and staggering loss of human life, the United States' participation led the Allies to victory and transformed our nation into an indisputable leader on the world stage.

Aug. 1-31: FERGUSON VOICES: DISRUPTING THE FRAME The Ferguson Voices: Disrupting the Frame exhibit will be on display throughout the month of August at Schlafly Library. The exhibit is open during normal Library hours. Please join us on August 3 for a panel discussion highlighting the Ferguson Voices Exhibit.

Aug 12: MYSTERY IN THE STACKS Solve the Mystery in the Stacks. Gather clues by interviewing suspects, using Library resources and exploring the Schlafly Library. Enjoy a mysterious scavenger hunt, testing both your brain and your powers of observation.

pg.

Interview with Veronica Newton Runaway enslaved patrol...

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Whites Should be More Active in Fighting Racism If it wasn’t clear before, it’s clear now: We are living through a battle for the soul of this nation. Vice President Joe Biden

From the perspective of many Blacks, noticeable numbers of Whites are playing “patty cakes” with White Supremacists and Neo-Nazis. That is, right-wing rogue and dangerous elements have long fought against a raceless American society, infiltrating institutions and systems to which they’ve been largely tolerated, enabled and/or justified. Like the fictional character, Frankenstein, it’s now out of control and may even destroy its creator. As the saying goes: “There’s safety under the cloak of ignorance.” At least for a while, ignoring extremists can provide an impermanent veneer of White-skin privilege as they do the dirty work for all the rest. While in the meantime, people of color are oppressed and suffering forcing stalwart Black activists and others to take up the gauntlet. Whiteness is the ~~ Michelle Fine

unmarked

signifier

deservedness.

Condoleezza Rice, so aptly put it as the nation’s “birth defect,” ergo U.S. racism or whiteness has been embodied into the nation’s DNA. The

former

secretary

state

during

the

George

Bush

administration, while by no means a passionate race woman, at least could come to terms with what we’ve inherited and how this original sin is regarded as a stain on our society.

pg.

African Americans have traditionally played a progressive and forward thinking role and suffice it to say have become the conscience of the nation. Whether Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. Dubois, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Angela Davis, the reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton as well as many, many more, Blacks have done the heavy lifting. Yet the recent Charlottesville tragedy might start to wake up more of the White public. In fighting racism in the broader arc of the 21st Century, progressive Whites hopefully with heads up and no fear will confront the howling tiki torch-carrying White males. As racism is mainly their fight, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an internecine strife that has never been fully resolved within the White community. Therefore, efforts at equality for all have been deferred. As Greg Tate, cultural critic, said: Black people are segregated landlocked and institutionalized between prisons, the projects and public institutions.

Granted, African Americans representing about 13 percent of the U.S. population pushed against the system and as a result, are faring as well as to be expected. About 70 percent are living above the poverty line compared to about 90 percent of Whites. Black women now hold the distinction of being the most educated group in the nation while conversely having one of the widest wage gaps. There are also Black millionaires and billionaires, albeit miniscule.

But not without

centuries of hard struggle, strife and sacrifices with lives wasted and lost; and still many arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t full-fledged citizens.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

WHITES SHOULD BE... cont.

Yet White supremacists maintain that the bubble of White privilege can’t even stand a small prick as it could burst and collapse. Therefore, they are relentless in holding the line of resistance. Hence, members of the Alt-Right and other extremists view any progress of African Americans as a threat to their existence. They’re also threatened by Latinos, Middle-easterners, Jews and gays. This is absurd and if were not for the seriousness of it all, quite laughable. But it’s very serious and they’ve invaded and organized themselves on major Internet platforms. A community of trolls on an internet platform is, in political terms, not totally unlike a fascist movement in a weak liberal democracy. It engages with and uses the rules and protections of the system it inhabits with the intent of subverting it and eventually remaking it in their image or, if that fails, merely destroying it. ~~John Hermann, Online platforms annexed much of our public sphere, playacting as little democracies – until extremists made them reveal their true nature, New York Times magazine, 8/27/17

One question that could be raised is: What are the opinions of Whites about this fringe element infiltrating the White community? Should there be some painful reassessment of how long it’s taken to successfully challenge them and their thinking? What kind of influence have these rabidly racists had on their children? Said, Peggy McIntosh, author, White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: I have found it hard to get out from under the strong training in racism I received as a child. I have come to think of my racist mind and heart as my hard drive, but if I consciously install an alternative software, I can at least temporarily respond to the world with a more whole psyche and sensibility.

pg.

On late Friday evening, August 11, in Charlottesville, Virginia, an alliance of about 250 White nationalists, now under the umbrella of the Alt-Right, stormed into the quiet college town of the University of Virginia, invoking the nostalgia of Hitler Youth. They waved swastika flags, wore kaki pants and white polo shirts, many had on “Make America Great Again” baseball caps and others wore tee shirts quoting Hitler. Marching in formation in para-military style, these mostly 20something men congealed into a racist mob, heavily armed, carrying blazing tiki torches, angrily shouting: “Blood and Soil;” “You will not replace us;” and “Jews will not replace us.” Blood and Soil is a Nazi ideology that focuses on ethnicity and territory. Charlottesville is steeped racialist history. Monticello is the home of the third U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson, the progenitor of UVA: also a slave owner who fathered children with enslaved Sally Hemming. It’s also the home of the fifth president James Monroe. Two other presidential homes (James Madison and Woodrow Wilson) are nearby. Thus in the crucible of Charlottesville, presidents birthed a slaveholding nation and many were slave owners. George Washington, our first president, owned slaves. Paradoxically, this is a predominantly Christian nation that teaches love thy neighbor as thyself. One could ponder if modern society actually acknowledges such a neighbor. Where do these Christian values fit into the scheme of things? Why is the religious right so quiet you could hear crickets? The U.S. Constitution, that guarantees life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, also appears to be remised.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

pg.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

WHITES SHOULD BE... cont.

Joshua Green, author of Devil’s Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump and the Storming of the Presidency, said the growing influence of White supremacists is waged via skillful psychological warfare. On CSPAN, August 26, he said many Republicans are “frightened” that Trump (influenced by Bannon, Alt-Right) leader) “stokes anxiety over race or religion that can be easily exploited” during primaries and that most of these Republicans are “cowed and craven.” But even more troubling, are voters easily manipulated by racism and anti-Semitism, voting out incumbents who don’t tow the party line. The violence in Charlottesville came to a head with White supremacists holding a rally on Saturday, August 12, called “Unite the Right,” to protest the decision of city elected officials to take down the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Members of Clergy Call held interfaith services Friday evening and Saturday morning at First Baptist Church on Main Street with children, mothers, fathers and the elderly, said the Rev. Traci Blackmon, executive minister of Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ. Hundreds attended including Dr. Cornell West who gave a moving address. The Rev. Sekou Osagyefo of Clergy Call urged counter-protesters assembling in Emancipation Park to steel themselves against the potential for violence. Braced for the worst, most stores and restaurants closed for the day in Charlottesville’s downtown. Saturday’s rally, in which the group had been given a city permit, came to a halt when the two groups met face-to-face, the racist vs. the anti-

pg.

racists. This is when the spark hit the tinder, soon getting out of control. Outnumbered and besieged, the religious group who had arrived early was at first alarmed and scared out of their wits at the confronting White racists. But relieved when they were joined by 30 mostly White male anti-racists including anti-fascist group members and students including students of color. Black Lives Matter protesters also arrived. Some of the White supremacists made monkey noises at the black counter-protesters, then started chanting, “White lives matter;” “Black lives don’t matter” and “F**k you faggots.”

Anti-racists shouted back:

“Nazis go home” and “Black lives matter” Many of the counter-protesters carried sticks and shields. They quickly clashed in a melee of brickbats, scuffling, fighting with the anti-racists spraying them with mace and silly string. The brightly colored plastic string represented the absurdity of the Alt-Right trying to turn back the clock of time, but the gravitas of the moment also came across, that both were ready to take down their foe. Arrests have been made of anti-racists beating counter-protesters and shooting into crowds. “Where are the police?” Joy Reid frantically asked, host of the Saturday morning MSNBC news show, AM Joy. She said she had been alerted the night before that there could be some kind of disturbance. The police were far and few between and analysts said they were either caught off guard, ill prepared or lacking in sufficient numbers. Later the police attempted to intervene but it was too little too late. This is being looked into. Tragically, there were three deaths and dozens injured. In his car, James Alex Fields, Jr., a 20 year-old White male supremacist

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

WHITES SHOULD BE... cont.

from Ohio, mowed down Heather Heyer, a 32 year-old White woman, killing her.

She was part of the anti-racist demonstrators. Heyer’s

parents both described her as having compassion for the oppressed and committed to racial and social justice. Two Virginia state troopers monitoring the scene also died in a helicopter crash. While President Trump rebuked the rally, he muddied the waters when he condemned the violence as being on “many sides.” A few days later he doubled-down saying, “blame was on both sides” then later added there were “very fine people on both sides.” All was considered deeply unwise and further burnished his brand as an avowed racist. Now the American public particularly White Americans are confronted with the difficult reality of White supremacists being mainstreamed. As White supremacists of virtually every economic class marched without hoods. With a history of domestic terrorism particularly against African Americans many believe they can no longer sit idly by looking the other way. African Americans are also beginning to espouse that racism is a problem that should be primarily addressed by Whites. In the opinion of many, KKK types in hoods usually only outrage Whites, spewing racist venom. But what seems to elude many are day-to-day discrimination in employment, education, housing, criminal justice and voting rights.

These are structural problems buried deep and wide

coursing throughout systems. On the Daily Dot website, August 16, 2017, Tiffanie Drayton said:

pg.

In truth, if more were being done by whites as a whole to dismantle systemic racism, a few hundred men carrying tiki torches would be inconsequential in the grand scheme of equality. Liberal and conservative America needs to know that Black people do not need saving from white nationalists. We need to be saved from the systemic racism being perpetuated by all of white America. The subtle, often-unowned racism that requires white self-reflection, culpability, true allies, and hard work to dismantle.

What could be their saving grace is a mostly White male group called Antifa, short for anti-fascism. They are on the far left politically. They vigorously oppose and don’t seem afraid of White supremacists including pushing back and resorting to violence if necessary. They do not believe that hate speech is free speech and were the ones who went all-out fisticuffs with the Alt-right. The crux of the matter was around supremacists’ exuberant defense of General Lee’s statue being removed, the commander of the Confederate Army in Northern Virginia, who surrendered in 1865, marking the South’s defeat, the end of the Civil War and slavery. Said the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who recently delivered a sermon to the predominantly White congregation at Charlottesville’s Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church – Unitarian Universalist. Jackson intoned in his typical

cadence

high

energy,

enthusiastically

applauding

churchgoers: “We should remove the statues. To idolize treason encourages hate and division,” adding that “the state flags, the statues, states’ rights and the electoral college must all go.” Malaika Horne, PhD, is an academic writer and journalist.

www.the-arts-today.com

Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

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sheldon concert hall

SPECIAL

Black Violin Classical Boom Tour Sunday, September 24, 2017 @ 7:30 PM

ural and lt cu s d n e p u lin io V ck “Bla an musical stereotypes… classically unexpected blend of and hip-hop trained musicianship ntiveness.” beats and inve mi Herald

“ The duo elicits brilliant music w ith poignant messa ge for the world .” —Essence

—The Mia

Black Violin has announced their US Classical Boom Tour, which kicks off on Aug. 23 in Martha’s Vineyard, MA. The 29 market tour is a follow up to the successful Unity tour, which saw 28 sold-out public performances. Black Violin is currently writing and recording their next studio album, due out in 2018. The band’s most recent record, Stereotypes, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Classical Crossover Chart and #4 on the BillboardR&B Chart. NPRpraised the album and band, saying“their music will keep classical music alive for the next generation.” Watch the 2017 US Oppen Tennis spot featuuring Black Violin's "Stereotypes HERE.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

HAPPENINGS AT THE MUSEUM

[ Big Muddy Blues Festival Labor Day Weekend ]

[ “The Blues Highway” ]

Plan to listen to the National Blues Museum’s radio program from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on WSIE 88.7 the Sound. Email us at radio@ nationalbluesmuseum.org

As part of the Big Muddy weekend, join us Saturday, September 2nd and Sunday, September 3rd from 12:30PM to 2:30PM at the National Blues Museum for educational tributes to Albert King and Tommy Bankhead. **These shows are included with your Big Muddy ticket purchase or with your admission to the museum. Big Muddy Tickets are available right here. (members will receive free admission to the museum)

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[ Howlin' Fridays in September ]

September 1st | Skeet Rodgers and the Inner City Blues Band September 8th | Honoring Gus Thornton and David Dee, past honoree Big George Brock to perform

[ Soulful Sundays in September ]

September 10th | Jeremiah Johnson September 17th | Grady Champion September 24th | The Green McDonough Band

September 22nd | Marquise Knox September 29th | Annika Chambers

[ The National Blues Museum honors Gus Thornton and David Dee ]

The National Blues Museum will honor the bluesmen, Gus Thornton and David Dee. These two musicians have a combined history in the Blues spanning over 75 years, and they continue to create an amazing legacy for future generations of artist and fans. Our previous honoree Big George Brock is the performing artist for this event.

[ From the Beginning Vol. 1 the National Blues Museum CD ]

CD of the Week - 'From the Beginning', features recordings from 75 performers, specially selected and manufactured for the National Blues Museum as a showcase for the music that is celebrated in the exhibits and activities at the Museum. It comes with a 44-page booklet with a brief essay on all artists included, after all we must educate as we entertain!

[ Bring Your Group Tours ] Hours of Operation 10 am - 5 pm, Tuesday - Saturday Noon - 5 pm, Sunday - *Monday *Closed on Mondays, November - March (314) 925-0016 nationalbluesmuseum.org

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Electoral

College The Electoral College was created in the beginning stages of development of our republic because the founders were skeptical of the ability of the people to transcend demagoguery for the electing of the president of the country. So they created a method which included the people from the states who would be called electors based on the number of representatives from their state representing the number of representatives in the House of Representatives and the number of Senators from their state. They would then vote on the president based on the number of votes each state placed on the candidate they wanted for president. The number of representatives a state has is based on the total population they have and the number of Senators from each state are two senators. Therefore, the total number of representatives in the House of Representatives are 435 and the total number of senators in the Senate are 100 for a total of 535 total in the Electoral College. Pierre Blaine is the author of: Movement: Race, Power and Culture in America Available on Amazon.com

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Walking the Blue Line: A Police Officer Turned Community Activist Provides Solutions for the Racial Divide By Terrell Carter Bettie Youngs Book Publishers

$15.00 paperback

“As I recall my experiences, I find it incredulous that people in law enforcement honestly believe and say that a racial divide and racial profiling don’t exist. An officer’s mind is divided: first, between the police and the general public and second, between the police and minorities.”~ Terrell Carter Walking the Blue Line follows the author’s experiences growing up as a black child in St. Louis, MO, a racially charged city still trying to overcome its divided past, and his five year journey as a law enforcement officer which led him to reevaluate his views on citizens and police alike. Readers are taken on a compelling journey as he details personal stories of the challenges of navigating this new world, including how he had to testify against a former partner for falsifying a major drug arrest. Terrell details the thoughts and tactics of police officers based on their training in the police academy and lessons they learn on the streets and how this information can help citizens better understand why officers do what they do while still holding them accountable for protecting and serving their communities. Walking the Blue Line can be ordered from www.terrellcarter.net, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and traditional booksellers.

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Farmers Formal Friday, October 13th, 2017

6pm-10:30pm St. Louis Union Station Buy your tickets now for EarthDance's 10th annual 'farm-raiser' at Union Station! Meet St. Louis' top local chefs and their favorite farmers as you graze on their exquisite food, sip local libations, and bid on one of a kind auction items. All proceeds benefit EarthDance, the region's only organic farm school. Click here to purchase tickets and to view our list of chefs, farmers and libationers. Click here to help us spread the word!

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

$10,000 Corporate Champion Sponsor Benefits Include: 20 Tickets Preand PostShow Reception Reception During Intermission Listing in Program Valet Parking Mention in all Social Media Platforms

$5,000 Frankie Freeman Leadership Sponsor Benefits Include:

Saturday, November 4, 2017

10 Tickets Preand PostShow Reception Reception During Intermission Listing in Program Valet Parking

560 Music Center 560 Trinity Ave St. Louis, MO 63130 8 pm Curtain

Crossin' Over, is a musical conceived, created and directed by Producing Director, Ron Himes. It is songs of faith, spirituals and gospel music from its roots in Africa to contemporary gospel in the Black church today. This year's Gala has new elements, including the inauguration of the Frankie Muse Freeman Spirit Award which will be given to an individual or group that exemplifies Frankie Freeman's courage, commitment to social justice, community service and her appreciation of the arts. We invite you to become a part of this important musical portrait of the African American experience through song and the Frankie Muse Freeman Spirit Award by becoming a Sponsor or purchasing a ticket for the concert. Proceeds from the Gala benefit The Black Rep's Community and Education Programs and main stage productions.

$2,500 Frankie Freeman Defender of Justice Sponsor Benefits Include: 4 Tickets Preand PostShow Reception Reception During Intermission Listing in Program Valet Parking

$1,250 Frankie Freeman Courage Sponsor Benefits Include: Benefits Include: 2 Tickets Preand PostShow Reception Reception During Intermission Listing in Program (Frankie Freeman Giving Guild) Valet Parking

$500 Friend of the Arts Sponsor

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Benefits Include:

1 Ticket Preand PostShow Reception Reception During Intermission Listing in Program Valet Parking

Individual Tickets

$250 Tickets: Preand PostShow Reception Valet Parking $100 Tickets: 2 Drink Tickets Valet Parking $50 Tickets: Valet Parking

For more information contact Gale Ingram; Phone: 314 5343810 Email: galei@theblackrep.org Click here to purchase individual tickets

The Black Rep, 6662 Olive Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63130 SafeUnsubscribe™ ibj1960@aol.com

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

EDUCATION GAP?

am completely and absolutely dismayed when I read or hear reports of AfricanAmerican children constantly failing achievement tests and not performing well in basic fields of study. I am also saddened by the number of predominantly AfricanAmerican school districts that are either unaccredited or on probation. A number of specialists are convinced the cause is racial. Is it racial? Is it cultural? Does the social status of individuals have an effect? An article once published in a newspaper in Chicago alleged poverty alone does not explain the large gap in achievement between black students and others in Illinois public schools. It noted ‘the data by race in that year’s annual Illinois school report card, will undoubtedly force local school officials to deal with racial disparities head on.’ Ronald Ferguson, a Harvard researcher, suggests that minority students are being discouraged from reaching for more challenging courses. “The question is whether a black child with the same past grades and test scores would receive different advice in selecting classes than a white child,’’ Ferguson said. “We strongly suspect a lot of racial bias in the process.’’ Perhaps you remember the dispute that erupted in University City a few years ago when Rosie Dowdy was the superintendent. Most African-American parents in the district were upset because the students in the Honors Programs were predominantly white, in a mainly Black district, while African-American pupils were either discouraged from entering the programs, or denied admittance. I understand this is still a regular practice in several school districts in Missouri and Illinois. pg.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, in his 1933 publication of ‘The Miseducation of the Negro’ wrote: ‘The thought of the inferiority of the Negro is drilled into him in almost every class he enters and in almost every book he studies. As another has well said, to handicap a student by teaching him that his black face is a curse and that his struggle to change his condition is hopeless, is the worst sort of lynching. What if Nelly, Chris Rock, Ice-T, Ice-Cube, and Chris Tucker and other popular African-American recording artists and movies performers were not considered role models but merely entertainers, and their fashions are not the recommended attire for school or job searches?

What if black children were taught the truth of their history? If they were aware that African people played a very significant role in the Roman Empire, do you think they would become more interested in the past and want to read and learn more? Do you think they would take

note if they read in their textbooks about Emperor Lucius Septimus Severus, an African, who was the most distinguished of the African emperors of Rome? Yes, a Roman Emperor. There were several Black Emperors of Rome. Or perhaps they would learn about Emperor Opellius Macrinus who also ruled. What if textbooks and church news items revealed that there have been three African Popes of the Catholic Church? Pope St. Victor, who was elected in 189 AD, established a set date for Easter. There was Pope St. Militiades who governed as pope from 311-314 AD, and Pope St. Gelasius who reigned from 492-496, and saved Rome from famine. If course books acquainted students with knowledge of Black pioneers and settlers of this nation, I think this generation would have better self-esteem, confidence and more sense of worth.

What would the improvements be if young people read about York, Ben Bruno, Jim Pierce, Edward Rose, John Marrant, John Stewart, George Bonga, Aunt Clara Brown, William Robinson, Biddy Mason, Miffin Gibbs, Cherokee Bill and thousands more? Perhaps they would realize that their improvement, deliverance, or recovery could easily be in education. Possibly they would aspire to be at the top of their class. Probably if their parents knew more of our story, they would demand progress and development from the children and insist on fair and equal treatment from school boards and educators. Woodson also wrote: No people can go forward when the majority of those who should know better have chosen to go backward, but this is exactly what most of our misleaders do. Not being learned in the history and background of the race, they figure out that there is no hope for the masses; and they decide, then, that the best thing they can do is to exploit these people for all they can and use the accumulations selfishly. Bernie Hayes

Let me hear your thoughts. I can be reached by fax at (314) 653-2227, or by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net. Asante Sana.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

What do I do? I help the college bound teens of busy parents write extraordinary college entrance essays. And, I provide perceptive leaders with trustworthy diversity & inclusion facilitation. My book, Chop: A Collection of Kwansabas for Fannie Lou Hamer, is available at www.femininepronoun.com

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Ages 13-24

Free T-shirts

FREE Substance use, HIV/AIDS & HEPATITIS Prevention Program for minority males & females

Mentoring Opportunities

Community service Hours

Daily Giveaways

Social Marketing Experience

Register Online: www.projecty-chatnow.org Session dates *Participants must attend all sessions Held every Saturday September 23 - October 14 9 Am - 4 pm each day Additional information: (314) 516-8487 Or (314) 516-8481 Location: UMSL | MIMH, 4633 World Parkway Circle, St. Louis, Mo 63134 Hollaback St.Louis @Projectychatnow

@hollabackstl

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

An artist's duty, as far as I am concerned, is to reflect the times. (Nina Simone)

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I choose to reflect the times and the situations in which I find myself. How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? (Nina Simone)

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Meditating Wretchedness on

under a

Strawberry Moon

hether we are trying to make sense of vice or holiness, innocence or guilt, stupidity or intelligence, we are condemned to think with rather than against the tides of media. Our contemporary fascination with social networking positions us to be complicit. We resist, then discover resistance does not suffice. The labels or ideological stances we adopt ----independent, conservative, liberal ---eventually collapse under what both David Walker and Frantz Fanon understood wretchedness to be. Our souls may escape to elsewhere, but our minds cannot. Given this scenario, Adam Benforado’s Unfair: The New Science of Criminal Injustice (New York: Crown, 2015) should be required reading for the temporary relief it offers. The book should be required reading in our nation for President Donald J. Trump and his tribe, for members of Congress (especially for those who pretend to be Democrats), for public school and university students and teachers, for all of us inclined to resist from diverse angles. Benforado pricks consciousness. Is he selling a fake posttruth or an undeniable fact in the following paragraph?

Criminal Injustice, because Benforado backs his claims with testable evidence from research in psychology and neuroscience. Science does have reasonable credibility, does it not? The importance of his book pivots on the credibility of “Benigne faciendae sunt interpretationes, propter simplicitatem laicorum, ut res magis valeat quam pereat; et verba intentioni, non e contra, debent inservire” ((trans. Constructions [ of written instruments ]are to be made liberally, on account of the simplicity of the laity [or common people], in order that the thing [or subject matter] may rather have effect than perish [of become void]; and words must be subject to the intention, not the intention to the words.)) There is a reason that the American legal system buries its treasures in Latin. See Black’s Law Dictionary. Benforado’s book is a tool for meditating on wretchedness under a strawberry moon. It is not a solution. It is guide for action, for bending the arc of history toward elusive justice (286). It tells us what many African Americans know from historical experience, what non-African Americans have yet to learn. Jerry W. Ward, Jr.

The news media further distorts our perceptions because our threat-detection system tends to rely heavily on whatever is within easy reach. Incidents that are prominent in our memories end up taking on an outsize role. And how easily we can recall an event influences not only our sense of how frequently that event occurs but also our sense of how important it is. It makes a difference, then, that there is far more coverage of serial rapists and child kidnappings than of diabetes deaths. Likewise, the disproportionate number of stories on the local news about crimes committed by young African American men increases people’s fear of black men and leads to an overvaluation of the threat they pose, which may in turn affect how police officers, prosecutors, judges, and jurors treat them. (xvi) Is Benforado providing a description of why deliberate suppression of stories about crimes committed by white women and men cultivates fears among non-whites of the collective threat so-called white people present to humanity? In this instance, it is prudent to use the standard of reasonable doubt in any engagement with Unfair: The New Science of

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

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CALL FOR ART “All Colors” OVERVIEW: “All Colors” is an invitational and juried arts exhibit featuring the art of approximately 100 artists and 200 pieces of art. The show takes place January 13 through February 28, 2018 at the St. Louis Artist Guild, 12 Jackson Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105. We expect strong attendance, as the “All Colors” exhibit is a fund raiser with art and related funds to benefit artist of all disciplines, small not for profit 501C3 organizations and community/neighborhood organizations. Clayton, and the surrounding region have long been supporters of the arts and Portfolio Gallery and the “All Colors” sponsors are committed to make this exhibit a successful fund raiser and to introduce the St. Louis Metropolitan region to artist that mainstream publications have overlooked. HOW TO APPLY: Online applications may be completed though Portfolio’s website at www.portfoliogallerystl.org Click the Call for Art link that will take you to the sign-up, upload and payment. Each application must include the requested uploaded images and an artist’s statement of 100 words or less explaining the artist’s creative process including specific information about technique and materials.

Submit your art now!

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Class of 1978 The reunion committee has been working diligently to make our 40th reunion the best one yet, however, to do so, it will take money. With that being said, we will be hosting several fundraising events to raise funds so that we will have monies available to book venues. We have 2 fundraisers planned for the next 2 months. Once we book a venue, then we will be able to present to you dates and a reunion package. We plan to hold the reunion late summer, early fall of 2018. The first fundraiser, which is really our 3rd, is a car wash to be held on Saturday August 12th, we are asking you volunteer if possible by coming out and help us wash a few cars and/or bring your own vehicles and let us wash them for you. I have attached a flyer with all of the pertinent information if you have any questions, please call me at 314799-5296. We want to see on you on August 12th and please tell all of your family and friends. The next fundraiser ( number 4) is a trip to Mount Pleasant Winery on September 16th, there is also a flyer for this event attached. As you can see the planning committee is working very hard for you, but we need your participation to make this a success. If you would like to, you may also make a donation, make your checks or money orders payable to Beaumont Class of 1978 and send to: Beaumont Class of 1978 c/o Marietta Shelby 4510 Alice Ave St Louis, MO 63115

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YOUR

Beaumont High School Class of 1978

BHS 1978

A Bus trip to

Mt Pleasant Winery Augusta, MO Saturday September 16, 2017

Bus will depart from the Hanley Metrolink Station promptly at 11:00 am And depart from the Winery at 5:30 pm

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Celebrate our 40th anniversary with a gift to

The Black Rep. Your Impact can be felt onstage

pg.

Entertaining Diverse Audiences

In the classroom

Educating Promising Youth In our community

Enriching Our Community Your gift will help us advance our mission of providing platforms for theatre, dance and other creative expressions from an African American perspective that heighten the social and cultural awareness of its audiences.

We could not do what we do without you. Thank you for a wonderful 40th anniversary season MAKE YOUR GIFT BY FRIDAY, JUNE 30TH

DONATE

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

Games Dad Didn’t Play

A Play for Young Audiences

“You were going to teach me how to ride a bike. But, you left.” Says Lucas, a young character in Metro Theater Company’s latest touring show, Games Dad Didn’t Play. Lucas and his mother have moved and Lu-

cas is starting a new school. He is scared, of course, but for a different reason beside the usually anxiety of going to a new school brings. Lucas is worried that the new kids will think he is bad and will do mean things to hurt them. He believes this because that is what the kids at his old school did. Once they found out. You see, Lucas’ father is incarcerated. When the kids at his old school found out they ostracized Lucas and labeled him as a bad person because of his father’s actions. Games Dad Didn’t Play, written by Jeremy Schaefer will tour in the St. Louis region from September 18 through October 27, 2017. Metro Theater Company is a theater for Young Audiences. They have been bringing exceptional theatre to young people for over 40 years. Now, under the direction of Artistic Director, Julia Flood, the company continues to bring quality theater to schools, community centers, libraries, and even churches. I had the opportunity to work as a teaching artist and have my play Delilah’s Wish commissioned by the company. Metro Theater seeks to do thought provoking plays by talented playwrights from across the nation. This is not your fluff, talking down to children theater, this company produces work that tackles such issues as bullying, the death of a child, children of military parents, and now with Games Dad Didn’t Play, children with incarcerated parents. This theme of children dealing with the imprisonment of a parent came about while playwright, Jeremy Schaefer worked in social issues theater. He says, “I consistently hear stories of children blaming themselves for actions committed by others outside of their control.” Throughout the 50 minute play we pg.

see Lucas struggling with guilt about his father’s actions. He believes that somehow he could have prevented his father’s wrongdoing. Schaefer, “…it’s important to remind them [sic] that they are not at fault, and what they survived or witnessed does not encompass their whole story.” So, as we travel along with Lucas we, as the audience, want to this little boy to be okay. We want him to learn how to ride a bike. We want to let him know that it’s not his fault. Aside from the play, Metro always makes room for feedback and even do workshops in the schools around the shows they perform. With each show there is an educator’s guide that goes out before any scheduled performance. The plays are in line with the Common Core Standard and several activities such as Write Your Own Story, Reflection Wall, and Commonalities that will work for K-12 are listed. Also, there are online resources for educators that target the particular social issue that the play addresses. The play has is directed by Jacqueline Thompson and she does a wonderful job of bringing the script to life. Also the costumes, by Felia Davenport, are delightful and the origami-like set, brilliantly designed by David Blake, is perfect for easy travel as the company tours. The cast is effective in conveying the message and creating believable and memorable characters. I love Metro Theater Company and their mission, “Inspired by the intelligence and emotional wisdom of young people, we create professional theater, foster inclusive community and nurture meaningful learning through the arts.” Games Dad Didn’t Play, is a wonderful show that should be seen by as many people as possible. If you would like to bring the show to your school or your community check them out online at community@metroplays.org.

Mariah L. Richardson is a playwright and adjunct professor and playwright. She resides in St. Lous, MO.

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Volume 4.7 October 1, 2017

PRESENTED BY A Call to Conscience

Friday

FUNDED BY

The

T. D. McNeal

STORY

From Servitude to Civil Rights Gregory S. Carr DIRECTED BY Fannie Belle Lebby WRITTEN BY

A Call to Conscience will present The T. D. McNeal Story: From Servitude to Civil Rights, a

play that chronicles McNeal’s role in organizing the The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters’ Union in the 1930s and 1940s, his involvement in St. Louis lunch counter sit-ins in 1944, his successful campaign regarding the hiring of African Americans in the public utilities and the defense industry in St. Louis, and his election as the first African American state senator in Missouri. The following panelists will lead a discussion after the presentation:

OCT 20 and Saturday

OCT 21 Resource fair: 6pm Performance: 7pm Lee Auditorium

FREE Gwen Moore Moderator and curator of the #1 in Civil Rights exhibition

Percy Green

Vernon Mitchell, Ph.D.

Joan Suarez

Jamala Rogers

Christi Griffin, J.D.

Ron Gregory, Ph.D.

Now Open! | Free admission #1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis examines the local civil rights movement and the city’s leading role in advancing the cause of racial justice. From ground-level activism to groundbreaking court rulings, St. Louis has been front and center in contesting racial inequities. #1 in Civil Rights uncovers a history that’s compelling and complex, but that all too often has been overlooked in the telling and retelling of the larger national narrative. PRESENTED BY

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PROGRAM SPONSOR William T. Kemper Foundation—Commerce Bank, Trustee