Arts today 4 9 print

Vol 4.9

DECEMBER 16, 2017

|

BRITTANEY

HARDEN

FEATURED POET pg #74

Crystal LACKLAND YOUTUBER | MODEL | MAKEUPARTIST pg #66

BENJAMIN

SCHERLISS

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER pg #82

View this and past issues from our website.

CYNTONIA BROWN

MISEDUCATION OF...

A WOLF IN...

pg. #10

pg. #32

pg.#44

VERONICA NEWTON

BERNIE HAYES

DR. TRACEY MCCARTHY

A digital dispatch from your friends at Forest Park Forever

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Mark Your Calendars For Our Holiday Pop­Up Shop!

Get started on your holiday shopping and support Forest Park at the same time! Join us for our first-ever Holiday Pop-Up Shop in the Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center to grab Forest Park-themed gifts like ornaments, posters, tshirts, holiday cards and a brand new book of Park photographs. Light refreshments will be served. The proceeds from everything sold will support our efforts to restore and maintain Forest Park.

This event will take place on Wednesday, November 29, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

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11/21/2017

11/21/2017

Holiday Pop-Up + Summer Flowers

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Construction Updates From Liberal Arts Bridge Past Issues

Holiday Pop-Up + Summer Flowers

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After being demolished in early September, a new and improved Liberal Arts Bridge is starting to take shape. Earlier this week, the underlying concrete structure of the bridge was put in place – one 48,000-pound concrete arch at a time!

Construction crews will be hard at work on this project through next spring, but the bridge is expected to reopen sometime this winter.

Past Issues

The Saint Louis Art Museum's new special exhibition opens this Sunday, November 5. Thomas Struth: Nature & Politics is a photographic exploration of cutting-edge industrial and scientific research spaces. The exhibition, which features over 35 works created within the past decade, will remain on view in the museum's east building through January 21.

It's Bulb Planting Season in Forest Park

11/21/2017

Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the History Museum

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11/21/2017

Holiday Pop-Up + Summer Flowers

Past Issues

Holiday Pop-Up + Summer Flowers

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anticipation of spring. Over 45,000 bulbs are going in the ground, with 13,000 being Past Issues planted just at Art Hill!

Forest Park Horticulturist Jim Wagner recently spoke to Fox 2's Lisa Hart Click Forever here to watch the segment. about the thousands of tulip bulbs that are being planted all over the Park in http://mailchi.mp/forestparkforever/holiday-pop-up-summer-flowers-dxd4lcmyef?e=5e05a2e618

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Forest Park Is Essential St. Louis

11/21/2017

Holiday Pop-Up + Summer Flowers

http://mailchi.mp/forestparkforever/holiday-pop-up-summer-flowers-dxd4lcmyef?e=5e05a2e618 Join the Missouri History Museum and Hispanic Festival,

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Inc to celebrate Día de los → Grizzly Ridge: The Saint Louis Zoo recently welcomed two orphaned grizzly bears to the new Centene Grizzly Ridge. Exhibit now open.

4 & Sunday November 5. Activities will include making sugar skulls and paper flowers, dance and theatre performances, a photo booth, face painting and more! → Metro Reimagined: Metro St. Louis is launching a four­part study on the region's transit needs. Click here to learn more about the project and get involved.

Subscribe Muertos!

Past Issues will take place throughout the museum on Saturday November Festivities

→ Michael Eastman: Bring a little bit of Forest Park into your home or office with a limited­edition poster. Learn more.

Ice Skating Opens at Steinberg Skating Rink on

Friday, November 10!

→ Support Us With Amazon Smile: If you're doing any shopping on Amazon, start with this website and Forest Park Forever will receive a donation from your Steinberg Skating Rink opened on November 11, 1957. Come celebrate 60 years of purchase. tradition and skate like it's 1957 with 50¢ skate admission on Friday, November 10, Saturday, November 11 & Sunday, November 12. (Skate admission does not

include skate rentals.) Visit Steinberg's website or Facebook page to plan your trip. → Quick Links: Here are some easy­access links to the Courses at Forest Park, Highlands Golf and Tennis Center, Missouri History Museum, The Muny, Saint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis Science Center, Saint Louis Zoo and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis.

ALSO NOTED

SUPPORT FOREST PARK FOREVER TODAY

→ Happy Holidays: Send a holiday card with some Forest Park flair this year.

Forest Park Forever holiday cards are now on sale.

Photo source

→ Science Uncorked: Explore the chemistry and science behind the entire wine making and distilling process at the Saint Louis Science Center on Saturday, Website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn November 11. Event info.

By our count, 13 of St. Louis Magazine's "101 Things Every St. Louisan Must Do" are things you can do in Forest Park. From crossing the Victorian Footbridge to playing at Turtle Park and seeing the seasons on Art Hill, Forest Park is a great place to check some things off your own St. Louis bucket list.

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Copyright © 2017 Forest Park Forever, Inc., All rights reserved.

Click here to see the full list of some of St. Louis' most memorable experiences.

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Flowers for the Soul: Kitchen Garden in the Heart of the Park Holiday Pop-Up + Summer Flowers Past Issues

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Forest Park Forever Horticulturist Patrick Greenwald wrote about his experience creating a cottage garden-style display near the Boathouse. If you happened the visit this summer, you likely stopped to admire his team's handiwork, which featured over 40 different plant species!

Click here to read Patrick's post.

New at SLAM: Photographs by Thomas Struth

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IN THIS

ISSUE:

6

10

IN THE NEWS We Grow...

#FREECYNTONIABROWN VERONICA NEWTON

38

32 THE MISEDUCATION OF......

BERNIE HAYES

NATIONAL YOUTH SUMMIT...

VILLAGE CELEBRATION

144

128

WHAT WILL NOT...

DR. JERRY WARD

IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT...

DR. MALAIKA HORNE

pg.

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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.”

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

14

A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing:

18

1 Signs of a Malignant Covert Narcissist OP/ED SECTION INFINITE SCHOLARS

44

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

66

A WOLF IN SHEEP'S...

DR. TRACEY MCCARTHY

YOUTUBER | MODEL ...

CRYSTAL LACKLAND

...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 What is Narcissism?

Judge and jury; It only questions hing new, but increased public attention is being given to this concern as you when you're wrong...

by Dr. Tracey McCarthy, PsyD, DCFC, JD, MA Psychologist/Attorney/Educator Webster University - Legal Studies Department drtraceymccarthy@live.com

ming increasingly aware of its role in numerous maladaptive life The Temptations, "You Make Your Own d lifecycles. Many are looking for answers regarding how narcissism Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth" w to best deal with people in their lives who are exhibiting these difficult n understanding narcissism, it helps to separate healthy narcissism from) sism. Established 2014 (Regarding the last line of this quote from "You Make Your Own Heaven and Hell Right Here on Earth": "It only questions you when you're wrong" Sang by The Temptations on the recording.

"The only question is what you want" Written by: BARRETT STRONG, NORMAN WHITFIELD, NORMAN J. WHITFIELD

NOTE:

Volume 4.9 St. Louis, MO Healthy versus PathologicalAsNarcissism the publishers of The Arts Today Ezine we take www.the-arts-today.com/ care in the production of each issue. We are however,

m is manifested in simple self-respect, self-love, self-care, self-esteem, not liable for any editorial error, omission, mistake or typographical error.

The views expressed daries. This translates into healthy regard and respect for others. are those Layout/Design www.bdesignme.com

of the contributors and not necessarily those of their respective companies or the individuals exhibit what is publisher. known as

COPYRIGHT:

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.

m, however, is healthy. Some ogical narcissism. Malignant pathological narcissism characterizes a Copyright © 2017 -functioning, All rights reserved. www.the-arts-today.com m which involves maladaptive abuse of others, and serious

Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IN THE NEWS

Export Opportunities in the Americas: Brazil, Canada & Mexico

TIME | DATE | PLACE 8:00 am registration 8:30-10:00 am program Thursday, December 7, 2017 Please note NEW ADDRESS: World Trade Center St. Louis 120 South Central Ave. Suite 1200 St. Louis, MO 63105 REGISTRATION $20 REGISTRATION

One-on-one appointments available following the program.

Learn about export opportunities in three major markets in the Americas region. Brazil is recovering from recent political and economic upheaval and reforms have seen growth in the energy and agricultural sectors in particular.

Canada's economy has enjoyed greater than expected growth, outpacing all other members of the G7.

Mexico continues to offer a wide range of opportunities for US exporters from industrial equipment and inputs to agricultural products.

Speakers: Mr. Fabio Yukio Yamada Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Brazil Mr. Ludovic Ortuno Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Canada Ms. Gloria Garcia Director, Missouri International Trade & Investment Office - Mexico Click here to view speaker bios and learn more.

Contact John Hensley to schedule.

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Your Source for Art Appreciation

Volume 2.1 March 4, 2015

St. Louis

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

FEAT. ARTIST | ANDREA HUGHES ................................................ pg. 94 OBAMA ECONOMICS | PIERRE BLAINE ...................................... pg. 114 ART OF FOOD | LENA O.A. JACKSON .......................................... pg. 118

Please support our sponsors, many of-

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

THE BROTHERHOOD | THE DARK ROOM.................................... pg. 140 OPPORTUNITIES | A.T.EZ ................................................................ pg. 148 CAREERS | A.T.EZ ............................................................................ pg. 150

#ArtsTodayEZ

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International Photography Hall Of Fame and Museum HOLIDAY SHOPPING ______________________________________________ http://iphf.org/holiday-shopping-iphf/?utm_source=MEMBERS&utm_campaign=d9754bac7e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_11_29&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ f6ef9ed973-d9754bac7e-100841549&mc_cid=d9754bac7e&mc_eid=0baf219b06

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

# FREECYNTOIABROWN Why the System Does Not Care About Black Women and Children

1

#FREECYNTOIABROWN: Why the System Does Not Care About Black women and children By. Veronica A. Newton In 2004, sixteen-year-old Cyntoia Brown, a Black girl from an adopted family with an abusive father, was sentenced to life in prison for killing a white man who got her for the purposes of sex slavery. Her narrative is a story that happens to girls and women of color all too often, but is overlooked because Americans refuse to take issues and experiences of Black girls and women seriously. To make matters worse, Cyntoia Brown was charged as an adult in the state of Tennessee for murdering one of her abusers, a white man, and was sentenced to life in prison. Brown, being under the age of 18 years old, could not consent to sex because she was a minor at the time. If you are a minor, you are not old enough to consent to sex, especially not with a 43-year old man with high tech military training and an expansive gun collection.

Cyntoia, with no other options in sight, resorted to the option that would free her from the immediate hands of patriarchy, misogyny, rape, abuse and slavery—that would be to kill her abuser. However, freedom would not come for Cyntoia once the criminal justice system got its hands on her. The system continued the same abuse of power over Cyntoia’s life, as did her male abusers. She was given a public defender who, like many public defenders, spend very little time with their clients and lack the time to properly prepare for their cases. Because in America, ‘everyone has the right to a fair trial’, right? Wrong-not if you are a young Black girl.

When it comes to Black women and children, we must remember who the criminal justice system was built for and who was excluded from the constitution and all of its subsequent laws. Just as much as the system is racist, it is also sexist. Every system, structure and institution in the US is racist, sexist, classist and oppressive in many other ways, because these systems were designed for whites and males only, which privileges them. This allows for racism and patriarchy to be pervasive within our society. Black women were completely excluded from the constitution and functioning of the laws, because of the fact that during enslavement we were considered property and were slaves of white men. Sound familiar?

Cyntoia Brown’s story reminds me of the story of an enslaved Black woman named Celia in Missouri, who was 19-years old when she killed her ‘master’ to stop him from raping her again. As the master snuck in the slave cabin to rape her, she took a stick and killed him before he could rape her another time. She was already forced to have two children by him. She escaped from the plantation only to be captured again, arrested and charged with first degree murder. In the state of Missouri at that time (1855), there was a law that stated that ‘to take any women by force or against her will’, she can argue self-defense. However, since Black women were not considered women during this time, the law did not apply to enslaved Black women, whom were considered property and objects for white men. According to the criminal justice system, you can not violate or rape property. Celia tried to escape from prison but was again captured. In December of 1855, Celia was lynched by the State of Missouri for murdering her master—a white man.

The system was never meant to protect Black women and children. How can we now think that the system will treat us any differently than it did when the laws and constitution were

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originally written, when Black women were enslaved, raped, and murdered, by the white men who had full protection under this sexist and racist system? The system did not fail Cyntoia Brown, because the system was never meant to protect her or Black women and children in the first place. Now in 2017, Black children and women like Cyntoia Brown are still being treated like property by men, the state, and the system. Black women continue to be enslaved and trapped in a system and society that is sexist and racist, with continuous power and social control over Black women’s bodies. There is no such thing as justice when your abuser, a white man’s life, is valued more than yours—a Black girl. FREE CYNTOIA BROWN! Ase’ Veronica A. Newton is a St. Louis native and a PhD candidate in Sociology with a PhD minor in Black Studies.

Sources: -Critical Race Theory: Introduction by Delago & Stefanic (2012) -Story of Cyntoia Brown- Various sources such as, TheBlackYouthProject.com and Essence.com -Missouri v. Celia- Missouri Historical Society and Washington Post: Missouri v. Celia, a Slave, She killed the white master rapping her, then claimed self-defense

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

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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.

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 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 “Our Badges Create Scholars.�

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.

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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.

A

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 – 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

now it might do us some good to call upon our ancestors for wisdom, strength and guidance. Our foremothers Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

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 4.9 December 16, 2017

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017 St. Louis

L

et me first offer a thousand apologies for being away from you for so long.

Fortunately, the real estate market has been keeping me and the team at Real Estate Solutions pretty busy helping our clients achieve their goals. Speaking of our team, our team member, Joi, once said that The autumn season brought golden sunshine and a kaleidoscope of leaves that dropped from the trees to lay a colorful tapestry at our feet.

After I wiped the tears from my eyes, I thought that I should let you know about some of the great ways that you can enjoy St. Louis in December! I hope that you will join me!

NOVEMBER

30 thru

DECEMBER

4

If you are looking for something to do tonight, perhaps you can check out the expressive power of the Japanese pictorial arts, look no further than Living Proof , at the Pulizer Arts Foundation which calls attention to a number of different approaches to draftsmanship practiced by Japanese artists in the nineteenth century.

This evening will also be a good night to head over to the Winter Wonderland at Tilles Park. You will be able to enjoy the magical lighting displays by car or if you're in the mood, you can jump on the carriage for a ride. You can also stroll through the Saint Louis Zoo's enchanting holiday wonderland and enjoy 500,000 twinkling lights, illuminated animal displays, seasonal sounds and all kinds of festive fun at Wild Lights.

Monaco, a new artist-owned cooperative art gallery, will open on Cherokee Street on Friday!

It provides opportunities for critical inquiry and commercial potential, and supports the broader arts community. Monaco will launch with an inaugural exhibition of works from the founding cooperative members, come check it out!

Also Friday, The Maplewood Christmas Tree Walk welcomes costumed carolers and horse drawn carriage rides that radiate the holiday spirit! Sip hot chocolate while visiting merchant open houses throughout Maplewood. Live entertainment, complimentary refreshments and special discounts throughout the evening.

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Local Events

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER You can also kick off your holiday shopping with unique treasures from local artisans and crafters at the International Institute's 3nd Annual Holiday Bazaar. Featuring an array of globally-inspired arts and crafts, festivities will also include a kids' craft area, hot drinks and St. Louis food trucks. Free gift wrapping is also available.

Also on Friday, you can check out the work of the inductees of the 2017 class of Photography Hall of Fame. They include photographers and photography industry visionaries who demonstrate the artistry, passion, and revolution of the past and present craft of photography. Come check out their work at the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum.

Later, you can head over to Spiral Coffee to witness the World Music spirit of Raw as they bless the stage in Maplewood.

On Saturday, the 42nd Annual Soulard Holiday Parlour Tour invites you to take

a Historic Walk through featured homes, decked in their holiday best!

You can also check out Wintermarkt in the urban village of the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood. This is an amazing annual, local, German-inspired Festival which draws big crowds looking for unique arts & crafts!

In addition to the crafts, there will be food, drinks, and music!

While you are near The Loop, one of America's 10 Great Streets, the #HolidaysInTheLoop continues with holiday photos with The Loop Trolley, located at the University City Public Library. Professional family photos are free of charge and can be emailed or shared via social networks instantly!

Also on Saturday, you can head out to Florissant and support local small business by attending the Holiday Small Business Expo! This is a great opportunity to explore and learn about great businesses, shop great bargains, AND support a wonderful cause- Feed My Peeps. There will be food,

Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

music, giveaways, networking, unique gifts and services, and lots of FUN. Don't miss out!

I've always wanted to learn how to play the mandolin. Ok, that's not true, but if it is for you, check out the Mandolin Workshop with James Jobe! The tricks, shapes, licks, and techniques he has put together for this workshop at Music Folk in Webster Groves are sure to improve and inspire you!

The STL Free Jazz Collective with special guest artist Douglas R. Ewart, world renowned multi instrumentalist from the AACM, will grace us for a free concert on Saturday night at the 14th Street Artist Community Center. This is sure to be an amazing event that you won't want to miss!

If you are in the mood for the blues, check out Johnny Rawls at the Backstreet Jazz and Blues Club in Westport Plaza.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Sunday, head over to Grand Center for The Dark Room Brunch Sessions where you will hear some of St. Louis' finest musicians bless the stage for two sets of tunes from 11am-1:30pm, paired with a great new brunch menu.

It's unlikely that you will see me on ice skates, as you'd probably see the bottom of them because I would be laying on the ice, unable to get up. However, my girls will be excited to head down to Kiener Plaza for The Gateway Arch Park Foundation and St. Louis Blues ice skating event. They will ice skate in the shadow of the Gateway Arch at Winterfest at the Arch which features a public ice skating rink and many free events in between. It's free to skate; guests can bring their own approved ice skates or rent a pair at the rink.

NOVEMBER

30 thru

Also on Sunday, you might find me at the Missouri Botanical Gardens for an amazing display of lights at Garden Glow! It features a million lights surrounding visitors with a spectacle of unique installations Enjoy interactive photo opportunities, traditional holiday music and festivities, delicious food and drinks and more as the Garden is transformed around you into a winter wonderland.

One of my friends insisted that I check out The Polar Express Train Ride. It is a real train ride that departs from Union Station that relives the magical story of a boy's search for the meaning of Christmas. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the story The Polar Express. Once onboard, hot chocolate and cookies are served as passengers read along with the classic children's book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Maybe you can check it out on Sunday.

Also on Sunday evening, you might want to catch Evanescence: Synthesis Live With Orchestra at the Peabody Opera House.

DECEMBER

4

I promised lights, and there will be more of them at Gateway Motorsports Park.

You'll find more than 300 dazzling displays around the 1.5 mile track at Magic of Lights! Watch from the comfort of your own car as drive through the sparkling path of this new St. Louis holiday event. Oh yeah, and every ticket benefits Cardinals Care.

ed

continu

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Thursday, you can enjoy the Mustard Seed Theatre's opening night performance of Remnant, a production set in a post-apocalyptic time when language has unraveled and customs like "Christmas" are mysterious and challenging.

You might also be thinking "Hey Nate, are there any more holiday lights around St. Louis?" Well, of course there are! You can find them at the Anheuser- Busch Brewery Lights Tour. In addition to the free self-guided walking tour, open to all ages, there will be free beer samples, s'mores that you roast on the open fire, food buffet and more!

Also on Thursday, you can head over to Webster Groves to witness the On the Street Where I Live art show where you will find 45 original artworks from 39 artists from St. Louis and 17 other states, all at the new Webster Arts Center!

DECEMBER

7

thru

DECEMBER

10

On Friday, perhaps head over to the Fox Theatre in Grand Center and witness two worlds collide in the Lincoln Center Theater production of the amazing King & I musical, one of Rodgers & Hammerstein's finest works!

Another option for Friday would be to check out my favorite classical work, The Four Seasons, at Powell Hall. It is a bit different this time as Avi Avital joins the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra substituting the mandolin for the violin in this Vivaldi work of art.

Perhaps you'll want to celebrate on Friday with the two-time Grammy winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra salsa and Latin Jazz band at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

For a bit of a different flavor on Friday, The Great St. Louis Czech Beer Festival is upon us and you can enjoy some brews and Czech culture at the American Czech Educational Center.

On Saturday, maybe take a crack at heading to .Zack as the Ignite Theatre Company will be presenting Suessical. The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whos.

Also on Saturday, you can join Mount Pleasant Estates as they celebrate the anniversary of the repeal of the 18th Amendment with an End of Prohibition Wine Dinner!

Later on Saturday, you can head over to Webster Groves Ice Arena for the classic story of The Nutcracker, on the rocks! If you prefer your nutcracker neat, you can head over to Logan University for the Alexandria Ballet's one-hour nonice version of this ballet.

On Sunday morning, the sweetest race in town is upon us in the form of the St. Louis Hot Chocolate 15K & 5K Road Race! Goodie bags, free instantaneous race photos, and scrumptious post-race treats are few reasons to head to Soldier's Memorial Park for this race.

Speaking of chocolate, the UMSL Alumni Association presents Jazz & Chocolate...Part II A Holiday Event on Sunday at the Kranzberg Arts Center.

You won't want to miss this chocolate reception and concert featuring the incomparable Jeremiah Allen and Cheryl Brown!

Also, we have compiled a list of our top Ten Sights for Holiday Lights that you can check out on the LivingSTL website.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Monday, you may want to check out the film screening Whose Streets? , which is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe the Black Lives Matter movement for justice. It is free and open to the public at Washington University's Brown Hall.

On Thursday, if you Feel it Still, check out Portugal the Man and Vance Joy at the Peabody Opera House.

Head downtown on Friday for the Mussels and Scallops Festival where the Broadway Oyster Bar will feature 10 dishes of apps and entrees featuring your favorite mollusks for your feasting pleasure!

Come warm up with Third Degree Glass Factory as you browse the gallery of hundreds of handmade pieces by independent artists and enjoy glassblowing demos, fire spinning, live music and more at Third Fridays: Jingle Boogie.

DECEMBER

11 thru

DECEMBER

17

Also on Friday, the Peabody Opera House will offer a fresh take on the timeless classic that gives the audience a completely new way of experiencing the storyline as portrayed by real actors who maintain the spirit of each Peanuts character in A Charlie Brown Christmas!

On Saturday, Center of Creative Arts (COCA) will be host to The Little Dancer: La Muse , a beautiful production where our heroine Mary, after receiving a replica of French artist Edgar Degas' famous sculpture, she is transported back to the moment when the original was unveiled!

Also on Saturday, Yvonne Osei: Tailored Landscapes LAUMEIER SCULPTURE PARK For the 2017 Kranzberg Exhibition Series, conceptual artist Yvonne Osei creates a large-scale photo installation to occupy the breadth and width of the indoor gallery, constructing an environment where textiles create landscape.

On Saturday, if you missed the Nutcracker earlier in the month, or just looking for more, The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts and State Street Dance Company have just what you need as they co-present the timeless holiday classic, featuring local dance talent and principals from leading professional companies.

You can also head over to The Touhill for the The Saint Louis Ballet version of The Nutcracker, complete with dazzling costumes, sets and special effects. If you want to see a play version, you can head over to The Repertory Theatre for the story of Marie, who is a little lonely after her family moves to a new town, but when her Godfather arrives with some mysterious Christmas Eve packages, she finds magic in very unlikely places.

Also on Saturday, head over to Strauss Park in Grand Center for a holiday bazaar that will feature over 20 local artists and craftspersons who will be selling a host of original artwork, handmade crafts, gifts and more at the Strauss Park Holiday Market!

On Saturday, the Joyful Noize Holiday Rock N Roll Show event will feature some of St. Louis' best pop and rock n' roll musicians coming together to play holiday rock n' roll favorites from bands like the Beach Boys, U2, Train, Norah Jones, Chuck Berry and more at the beautifully renovated Grandel Theatre.

For a bit of a different vibe, kick off your shoes and relax your feet and party on down to the XSCAPE beat at the Chaifetz Arena. It's sure to be a fun night with the return of XSCAPE , who will be performing all of their memorable hits.

Also on Saturday, the World's Largest Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl will descend upon Downtown Clayton and The Loop to benefit 5 local charities.

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The Colors of Christmas is a stunning holiday spectacular of rhythm and blues artists Peabo Bryson, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Ruben Studdard, and Jody Watley performing the songs of the season will be performing songs of the season at the beautiful Lindenwood Theater on Saturday.

On Sunday, experience the magic of the holidays at the Central West End's annual Window Walk, now in its 8th year. Window Walk highlights the many wonderful attributes of the holidays in the CWE shopping at boutiques, enjoying seasonal libations, great meals at local restaurants and strolling amidst elegantly decorated windows.

Enjoy the splendor of traditional Irish culture at the St. Louis Irish Arts Holiday Concert this Sunday at the Sheldon Concert Hall.

If you can make it The Ready Room on Sunday, you will find SZA and Ravyn Lenae blessing the mic.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Monday, you might find me at Big Daddy's in Soulard for the St. Louis Writers Group's End of the Year Party and Monologue Competition where I will listen to folks perform original monologues, relating to the holidays, onstage. If I have enough holiday cheer, I may jump onstage myself!

On Tuesday, you can join me at The 442s Holiday Spectacular as they bring together some of the brightest stars of the local and national music scene with Special Guests Peter Martin, Christine Brewer, Erin Bode, Brian Owens & Montez Coleman at Washington University's 560 Music Center! They will perform traditional and original favorites that break down boundaries between jazz, soul, pop and classical music!

Check out Wine Flight Wednesday's as the jazz styling of the Kasimu-tet brings a unique blend of abstract and lush improvisation, infused with a fresh and intuitive ensemble interplay; their set encompasses standards and original music at The Dark Room in Grand Center.

DECEMBER

18 thru

DECEMBER

24

On Friday, Delmar Hall will be the host to a memorial performance featuring Sean Canan's Voodoo Players to honor legendary musician Tom Petty.

Also on Friday, you might find me at House for the Holidays, presented by Nightchaser where you can celebrate on the Dance Floor for this one of a kind dance party where live meets electronic music!

If you have still not seen The Nutcracker, another opportunity awaits you at the Fox Theatre. This time the Moscow Ballet is performing the Tchaikovsky scored ballet on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, the Touhill Performing Arts Center will be host to the Saint Louis Ballet's Sugar Plum Fairy Luncheon which offers a magical holiday experience for every family member on . Enjoy a three-course meal among the festive dĂŠcor in the Lee Theater of the Touhill. They will also be performing the Nutcracker that afternoon. Ok, this was the last one, I promise.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IVE WORK PLAY

On Friday, perhaps you'll want to head out to The Playhouse at Westport Plaza to enjoy the hysterically indescribable, Oddville , which is a unique piece of brilliant modern theater jammed with ingenious props, amplified physical comedy, complex multi-media imagery and a cool nostalgic score.

Also on Friday, relive the moments from Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and more as they are projected on the big screen while the STL Symphony plays the magical music live at DreamWorks Animation in Concert at Powell Hall.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella is the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that's delighting audiences with its contemporary take on the classic tale. Come and see for yourself at The Fox Theatre on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, head over to The Loop to join the students from the Bertha Knox Gilkey Pamoja Prep Academy, as we come together as a community to celebrate Kwanzaa with live music, dancing, art exhibits and more!

DECEMBER

26

Gateway Classic Cars will be waiting for you on Saturday for their Cars & Coffee event. You'll enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries while talking cars with the ladies and fellas.

On Sunday, aka New Year's Eve, you can skate in the New Year at Steinberg Skating Rink in beautiful Forest Park. There will be party favors, noisemakers & 27,600 square feet of frozen fun!

thru

DECEMBER

31 Also on New Year's Eve, if you don't already have plans, might I suggest New Year's Eve Ball at Marriott St. Louis Airport, or New Years Eve @ Howl at the Moon St. Louis, perhaps NYE Live! at Ballpark Village , maybe the New Year's Eve Celebration POWELL HALL, possibly New Year's Eve with SuperJam THE PAGEANT , dare I say Ultimate New Year's Eve Party at Hyatt Regency , even New Year's Eve (NYE) Limo Bus Bar Crawl Lucas Park Grille, or New Year's Eve Cruise Downtown St. Louis , or 360 Annual New Years Eve Bash , & definitely the Afrosexycool NYE St Louis @ The Ready Room.

On New Year's Day, maybe you'll just take it easy and enjoy brunch at Cielo, Wildflower, or Winslow's Home and reflect on an amazing 2017 as you welcome all that 2018 will bring!

As you can see, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy St. Louis over the next month. I hope that you have a lovely holiday season, and a safe and prosperous new year! Please don't hesitate to let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.

All the best. -Nate

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P.S.

Here is the latest Housing Report for your review. Median sales prices are up 7% from last year, and the number of homes sold is up 6% from last year. Let me know if you have any questions.

Nate K. Johnson ABR,CIPS,CRS,GRI,SRES Broker/Owner Real Estate Solutions 314-575-7352 Direct 314-514-9600 Office nate@livingstl.com www.livingstl.com

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1/21/2017

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The African American Alumni Chapter University of Missouri­St. Louis Invite You To

JAZZ & CHOCOLATE...Part II A Holiday Event

Featuring Jeremiah Allen and Cheryl Brown

In Concert Sunday, December 10, 2017

4:30 p.m. Chocolate Reception

5:30 p.m. Concert

Kranzberg Arts Center 501 North Grand

St. Louis, MO 63103

(Located in the Big Brothers Big Sisters building in Grand Center)

Tickets cost $45

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In 1933 in his book “The Mis-education of the Negro”, Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote:

“If the Negro in the ghetto must eternally be fed by the hand that pushes him into the ghetto, he will never become strong enough to get out of the ghetto. This assumption of Negro leadership in the ghetto, then, must not be confined to matters of religion, education, and social uplift; it must deal with such fundamental forces in life as make these things possible. If the Negro area, however, is to continue as a district supported wholly from without, the inept dwellers therein will merit and will receive only the contempt of those who may occasionally catch a glimpse of them in their plight. As Frederick Douglas said in 1852, “It is vain that we talk of being men, if we do not do the work of men”.

White controlled news!

I have been complaining for years the way information is delivered to the African-American community. Only news that white people censor is allowed to flow via their airways, radio or television. And we all know what is printed in the local daily. If it was not for this magazine and other broadminded and freethinking publications, the St. Louis area would be completely dependent on others to keep us informed.

There is a world of information that certain news agencies are withholding or selecting not to announce or print. Do you remember the landmark 1948 United States Supreme Court decision, Shelley v. Kraemer that ended restrictive real estate covenants based on race? That was a St. Louis case. The house still stands in the 4600 block of Labadie Avenue and is a National Historic Landmark.

Since most text books taught in the area’s public and private schools are not written by Africans or persons of African descent, and few movies have any relationship to the achievement or accomplishments of people of color, I thought I would generate a list of books, videos and films that will help you become the bearer and giver of wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

From the Cinema Guild, there is the video. ‘John Henrik Clarke: A Great and Mighty Walk.’ It tells of more than 5000 years of African history and presents a delightful, comprehensive view of Afrocentrism. And there is ‘By Any Means Necessary.’ This video examines the reparations movement and claiming a “fair share” and redefining the black identity.

Other videos include stories and biographies of Ida B. Wells, Paul Robeson, Richard Wright, Charles Drew, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. There are videos on African-American entertainers, civil rights pioneers and others who were and still are involved in the struggle for and about black people.

Also, there is an entire book of films and videos made totally by women. It’s titled ‘Women Make Movies’, and included is ‘Black, Bold and Beautiful: Black Women’s Hair.’ It describes the development and social messages of styles such as ‘naturals’, corn rows, relaxers and other fashions and methods. Then there is ‘Black Women On: The Light, Dark Thang.’ This one explores the politics of color within the AfricanAmerican community. There are several movies and videos that you will enjoy. Check them all out and read Dr. Woodson’s quote again.. You will be fulfilled. ~Bernie Hayes

When The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson made a disparaging remark about a certain group, he was nearly run off of the Planet. He is still paying for his comment, yet the current president is reckless with his Tweets and rhetoric and his supporters voices appear to get louder and stronger. Something is not right. There is certainly a cultural divide.

The 1954 lawsuit, Brown v. Topeka Board of Education that proved to the nation segregated schools affected African-American student achievement should be reviewed periodically. It is known that culture determine how we look at life. The omission of The Black experience or the lack of Black History in the classroom hampers self-image and fulfillment.

We are taught white or European history often at the expense of our own, thus promoting institutional racism. Items that are sensitive to Black culture are most always absent or overlooked.

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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.

34

www.newmusiccircle.org

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Available -

FEBRUARY 2018

on lulu.com and Amazon.com pg.

36

Would you like a printed copy(s) of an issue mailed to your home?

Send your request to us by email **Remember to include the volume/issue** Cost may vary per issue.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

National YOUTH SUMMIT Brings Generations Together

By: Kimathi T. Lewis

pg.

38

Jabari Erwin grew up knowing that his time was short. And for a longtime he was in a dark place.

He wasn’t thinking about college.

He had no idea what to do with his life. His friends were being killed, and his cousin was murdered. At any time, he could be next.

“It made me realize you can lose your life over anything,” the 17-year-old said. “There is a lot of things that can get you killed in this world. It’s a blessing to make it to 18.”

For Erwin, the dark place faded when he met a teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida who was willing to listen and who placed him in a group with other young men who could relate to his turmoil.

On Sunday, he received the torch for nonviolence as part of the 2017 National Youth Summit’s Opening Ceremony and Passing of the Torch program that was held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

On that cold night, students, educators and activists gathered in the dimly-lit sanctuary where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once served as a pastor. Amidst music performed by a live band, the group watched images of protests, images reminiscent of an old war that continues to rage on.

At no time in this country have African Americans ever really been free, said Dr. Christi Griffin, founder and president of The Ethics Project, which hosted the Summit. The program, which began in St. Louis, was designed to bring together talented and gifted students from across the United States to work with educators, academics and economists to examine and help curtail the school to prison pipeline.

“You were called here to be at this Summit. You were called to be in this place on this day to help build a nation, not walls and to arm yourselves with love and not weapons,” Griffin said to the audience of about 50. “We want to build a foundation of truth and of peace and of compassion and you have answered that call.”

Through the Summit, African American students are introduced to African American leaders who have transcended the same struggles and challenges they are facing.

Still, Griffin admits that in some ways the struggles and challenges for today’s youths are different.

“Because of integration, our youths are facing far more struggles because they do not have the support of the black community, they do not have the unity of the black community,” Griffin said.

“With incarceration, you see the decline in the black community,” Griffin said. You see the decline in the schools, she said.

Griffin said she remembers a time when her mother’s high school, Sumner High in St. Louis, was the epitome of excellence.

“The head of the school had excellent standard for the students,” she said. In the hallways, on a wall, Griffin remembered seeing a picture of about 100 graduates in beautiful robes and sashes, caps and tassels. Everyone looked confident and accomplished, she said.

Then she walked into the auditorium where she saw only a handful of students.

“I saw the vacancy in their eyes, the hurt in their expression, the hopelessness in their stature,” Griffin said. “They are just literally being robbed of their freedom.”

Hence, the reason for the Summit.

“I want them to understand they are not the problem. They came into the world capable, happy and this system has robbed them of that. Even some of the award winners have been in trouble. Look at the environment they were raised in and they have responded to their environment.”

DeQuan Franks didn’t see a way out of his environment. When a close friend was killed, Franks was afraid he would be next. The 15-year-old got a gun, his aunt’s gun.

And for that he served almost a year in prison. He wasn’t there when his mother died a few months after his arrest and he wasn’t allowed to attend her funeral.

“They played with my freedom,” said Franks, now 18 and a senior.

He received the torch for justice.

“Just as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. changed the trajectory of his life and that of many that you see in here, you will change the trajectory of your life and the world as well,” Griffin said.

The teens have met with city and state leaders. They have been to the White House and spoken with former President Barack Obama and they have shared their stories with other “at-hope” youths.

Franks said he wants to let them know what he learned.

“You don’t always have to resort to violence to protect yourself,” Franks said.

Now, she said, there are some who haven’t gotten over the loss of the Civil War, the end of slavery and are trying to turn back the tides.

They are taking black men off the streets, arresting them for simple infractions and forcing them to work for nickel and dime wages.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

12/3/2017

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Accidental Arts Administrator

Monday, December 4 and 11, 4:00­7:00 p.m.

Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar

Are you a choreographer who runs a dance company? Did you major in philosophy or art history?

Are you someone with a 9­5 job who serves as the treasurer of an arts organization in your “spare” time? You’re an accidental arts administrator!

12/3/2017

This two­session seminar, which is co­presented by the Arts and Education Council, Missouri Arts Council and Regional Arts Commission, covers working with a board of directors, marketing, fund­ raising and financial management. Participants receive a 100­page manual. The second session covers strategic planning. This interactive, jargon­free session will help you develop an approach to planning that answers your organization’s big questions and enables your staff and board (99,036 unread) - bydesignmediaetc@yahoo.com - Yahoo Mail members to think and act strategically. Advance registration is $20 per organization plus $5 for

each additional person from the same organization who attends. Registration at the door is $40 per person. Tuition covers both sessions. Sorry, no discounts for attending just one session.

https://mail.yahoo.com/d/search/keyword%3Dira?reason=invalid_cred

Register Now

Need arts­related legal or accounting assistance? Apply here.

www.vlaa.org

314/863-6930

vlaa@stlrac.org

6128 Delmar, St. Louis, MO 63112

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1/2

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 4.9 December 16, 2017

Community Women Against Hardship 29th Annual

Circle of Support Gala One of the jazz world’s most acclaimed vocalist!

New York Times

Featuring Ms. Nicole Henry Centene Charitable Foundation, Sponsored By: Ameren Missouri, Missouri Lottery, Ken & Nancy Kranzberg, First Bank, Central Bank of St Louis, Major Brands, Purk & Associates, Kay Royster, Christy Richardson, & The St. Louis American

November 19, 2017 Sheldon Concert Hall 3648 Washington Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63108 Doors open 4:30pm, Concert begins 5:00pm Highlights

$100—Corporate Reserved Seating in center main level & post reception with artist & Silent Auction $60—Reserved Seating on main level & post reception with artist and Silent Auction $45 Reserved Seating on main level $30 Reserved Seating in balcony $15 Student Tickets in balcony with ID Tickets Now Available Call (314) 289 – 7523 www.cwah.org Sheldon: (314) 533-9900 www.metrotix.com

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Providing hope for those in need $100—Corporate Reserved Seating in center main level & post reception with artist & Silent Auction $60—Reserved Seating on main level & post reception with artist & Silent Auction $45 Reserved Seating on main level $30 Reserved Seating in balcony $15 Student Tickets in balcony with ID

Name: Address: City, State Zip: Telephone:

home,

cell

Email Address: I would like: #tickets

#tickets

Total amount enclosed: $ ______ I am unable to attend here is a donation: $______

CWAH does not sell or disclose any of the information it gathers to any other organization, businesses or agencies.

Make checks payable to CWAH 3963 West Belle Pl St. Louis, MO 63108 314-289-7523 communitywomenstl@yahoo.com www.cwah.org

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing:

11 Signs of a Malignant Covert Narcissist

by Dr. Tracey McCarthy, PsyD, DCFC, JD, MA Psychologist/Attorney/Educator Webster University - Legal Studies Department drtraceymccarthy@live.com

What is Narcissism?

Narcissism is nothing new, but increased public attention is being given to this concern as people are becoming increasingly aware of its role in numerous maladaptive life circumstances and lifecycles. Many are looking for answers regarding how narcissism operates and how to best deal with people in their lives who are exhibiting these difficult characteristics. In understanding narcissism, it helps to separate healthy narcissism from unhealthy narcissism.

Healthy versus Pathological Narcissism Healthy narcissism is manifested in simple self-respect, self-love, self-care, self-esteem, and healthy boundaries. This translates into healthy regard and respect for others.

Not all narcissism, however, is healthy. Some individuals exhibit what is known as malignant pathological narcissism. Malignant pathological narcissism characterizes a form of narcissism which involves maladaptive functioning, abuse of others, and serious suffering. It is also chronic, continuing and worsening throughout the person’s adulthood.

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Malignant pathological narcissism comes in two flavors. One is that of overt malignant pathological narcissism, where one is often pathologically boastful, conceited, vain, arrogant, self-aggrandizing, egocentric, and self-absorbed. You can spot this type of malignant pathological narcissist a mile away.

The covert brand of malignant pathological narcissism entails the same level of selfabsorption as overt narcissism, but the covert type is much harder to spot, to decipher, to proactively avoid, or to escape. Covert narcissism is also the more dangerous, insidious, and destructive of the two types.

Both overt and covert narcissists are emotionally vacuous. Regardless of how they present on the surface, they are emotionally greedy “takers” who are always on the hunt for emotional “givers.” Just as the name implies, covert narcissism is a sneaky, underhanded, stealth, undercover variety of malignant pathological narcissism. It is this covertness that makes this type of malignant narcissism difficult to initially detect.

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing These people are the proverbial wolves in sheep’s clothing. Some may recall the Biblical sermon where people are warned about those who come looking and acting like innocent sheep who are inwardly “ravenous wolves.” The Biblical idiom of a wolf in sheep’s clothing serves as an illustration of a person who pretends to be innocent, benign, sweet, helpful, caring, accommodating, and loving, while their true hidden character is just the opposite.

The malignant pathological covert narcissist comes disguised as a sheep to distract from the fact that the person is a wolf on the down low. The person presents as a helpful, dutiful, submissive, fawning, nurturing, loyal, supportive, and caregiving sheep to lure in their prey and to decrease a targeted victim’s defenses…and the masquerade works only too well!

The malignant pathological covert narcissist also operates very much like the wolf in one of Aesop’s Fables, where an actual wolf frequently came to innocently view a flock and never tried to do any harm to the flock. Because of this “innocent” pattern, the naïve shepherd began to trust in the wolf, resulting in the shepherd falling under the delusion that the wolf was not only innocent, but trustworthy. Eventually, this misplaced trust led the duped shepherd to leave the flock under the watchful eye of the wolf…which, of course, slaughtered the flock in the shepherd’s absence.

As with the sheepish wolf, the innocent and benevolent appearing covert malignant pathological narcissist will decimate a human targeted victim as opportunity provides.

This destruction may take days, years, or decades to accomplish.

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A WOLF IN... cont.

When one is being targeted and victimized by a malignant pathological covert narcissist, a person may be so blinded by the façade of nicety and helpfulness that they ignore the wolfish actions that the covert narcissist “innocently” displays. The biggest danger of dealing with a covert narcissist is that most people do not know that they are dealing with a wolf, versus a sheep, until they are under full on attack from the covert narcissist.

Playing the Role Covert narcissists need a façade to hide their true identities. Thus, many are involved in social roles which serve to bolster a fake identity and hide their true motives.

Some hide out in helping professions and activities such as healthcare, education, social services, and volunteerism. They are also well-counted among so-called dutiful parents, loving spouses and romantic partners, loyal friends, helpful coworkers, and caring and concerned extended family members. Hence, in addition to being wolves in sheep’s clothing, they also operate as the proverbial “snake in the grass.”

So, between narcissists dressing up and acting like innocent sheep, and hiding out in the grass, how can one know when they are dealing with a malignant pathological covert narcissist? Below, are 11 signs that you might be dealing with a malignant covert narcissist type.

Superficial Charm Covert narcissists are ultimate smoke blowers. They are as fake as three-dollar bills.

These emotional vampires can pour on the charm like no other. If it meets their agenda, they will sing your praises, compliment anything about you, suck up to you, and act as a super people pleaser. If you have low self-esteem, and need frequent ego stroking to feel good about yourself, you will serve as a viable target.

Love bombing is their specialty. None of it, however, is real. Sometimes, they might just sing your praises because such translates into indirect praise for themselves. They will compliment you to fish for return compliments for themselves. They are attention junkies.

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These people expect to be appreciated for all the ego boosting they are known to do via some big payback, such as unconditional loyalty to them. So, anything that will net some positive return on the attention front is generally seen by the covert narcissist as a great long-term investment.

False Modesty and Fake Humility Covert narcissists will often present as the epitome of helpful, self-sacrificing, humble pie. This may involve self-deprecating, playing the victim, and offering sacrificial assistance. It is all a game. The truth is that they are secret ego maniacs.

For the covert narcissist, false modesty and fake humility are just approval seeking strategies. These tactics simply serve to trick others into complimenting the covert narcissists and putting them on a pedestal.

Strings are Always Attached Covert narcissists are the consummate martyrs. If you ever confront, or oppose, a covert narcissist, you will likely be hit with some form of “And this is the thanks I get, after all I have done for you!�

The covert narcissist will think this because they never actually do anything out of simple concern for others. They want emotional payback, submission to their will, and subjection to victimization later. Their generosity, gift giving, catering to your needs, and displays of care are just tools to hook their targets into the cycle of abuse that is to follow.

Their goal is to appear altruistic. Hence, they may volunteer to do all sorts of things, just to get their dose of external validation and recompense. If you fail to sufficiently appreciate all they do for you, you will likely find yourself the unwitting focus of triangulation, smear campaigns, lies, gossip, and innuendo as they set out to destroy your reputation and your peace.

Emotionally Immature Covert narcissists are essentially empty shells. It does not matter how charming, witty, handsome, helpful or pretty, the shell is empty inside. Their emotional expressions are often disingenuous and forced, tending to hide whatever emptiness is their actual emotional landscape.

Covert narcissists are likely among the most emotionally underdeveloped people on the planet. When it comes to their feelings, they tend to be highly sensitive and easily offended. They tend to become deeply upset by the slightest critique of anything they do.

This translates into long held grudges and later payback.

Everything is always about them. Hence, anything less than a compliment is a problem.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

A WOLF IN... cont.

No Empathy Covert narcissists are outstanding at faking empathy and compassion. It is not real.

Fake care and concern are, in fact, what many use as bait. When it suits them, they will wait on you hand and foot. When such does not meet their agenda, however, they will ignore even their ailing infant child.

This is because their goal is in being served themselves. So, many of the good deeds they do are simply down payments on an unstated return they expect in the future.

Passive Aggressive Covert narcissists tend to sugarcoat their hostility towards others. Instead of being direct regarding their true feelings, they will engage in indirect resistance to the demands of others.

This means they will pretend to be accommodating on the surface, while sabotaging behind your back. They are masters at being helpfully oppositional, stubborn, and sullen.

If you depend on a covert narcissist to get something done that they do not want to do, you will often find that they will be quietly inefficient, purposefully forgetful, innocently ineffectual, and procrastinating.

Covert narcissists will make you sorry you ever asked a question or made a request in the first place. They are the ultimate obstructionists, who feign compliance while issuing backhanded compliments and sarcasm to hide their seething anger and resentment.

Communication is often laborious with a covert narcissist, as their communications are gamey and indirect. Covert narcissists tend to be very catty and backstabbing. Hence, targeted victims are often the subject of much gossip and rumor, spread directly or indirectly by the covert narcissist.

Notably, they are masters at snide comments, sneaky put downs, back-handed compliments, and constructive criticism. You and your accomplishments will be ignored, forgotten, or minimized, as they seek to tear down any sense of self-worth you might possess.

They have their own agenda in every circumstance and will follow this to anyone else’s detriment.

Minimizing the Needs of Others Because covert narcissists see humans as mere objects, they also diminish any human needs a person may have. They do not generally care about the details of your life, unless those details can somehow be used against you in the future.

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For the most part, your needs and feelings are none of their concern. Anything of significance in your life will be reduced to the insignificant in their minds. They are the absolute worst listeners, unless you are saying something that will benefit them or something they can use against you or someone else.

If you are having a problem, they are generally only willing to assist if such will result in them receiving some sort of insider information or an accolade to feed their ego.

Otherwise, both you and your issues will be brushed aside as stupid and unworthy of their time or energy. You will see this when you talk about something of deep importance and they abruptly change the subject to something inane or totally unrelated.

This lack of authentic care means that you will often receive advice that is quick and shortsighted, because they do not like to put forth any thought or effort that will not benefit them directly, either in the short or long term.

Gaslighting Covert narcissists are master manipulators and one of the things they strive to manipulate is your hold on reality. This is done through twisting the truth to make the targeted victim doubt their own sanity.

The covert narcissist’s lies are often so good that they are hypnotic. The narcissist can tell you the sky that you know is blue is, instead, purple, green, and yellow, with orange polka dots, and make you believe it. They will use this skill to lie on you and to you.

Not only are they expert at lying, they get a high from seeing others buy into their deceit.

It is called “duping delight.” Getting one over on anyone gives them an immense sense of pleasure.

As part of the game of making you and others doubt your sanity, covert narcissists love to play amateur psychologist and “diagnose” their targeted victims. Therefore, a victim should not be surprised when they hear that the covert narcissist has “diagnosed” them with some serious psychological disorder, or insinuated such to others.

Referring to victims as “bipolar” and “paranoid” seem to be favored labels that narcissists are likely to use. These labels are handy for the gaslighting covert narcissist, because after being victimized by a narcissist, a victim’s moods may begin to significantly vacillate, and the victim may become highly cautious in their dealings with others.

Blame Shifters One of the paramount traits of a malignant covert narcissist is their affinity for passing the buck. This is also a large part of the narcissist’s gaslighting strategy. Nothing is ever their fault. Nothing.

6

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A WOLF IN... cont.

The likelihood that they will ever take responsibility for anything they do wrong is very slim. Instead, they will often just shift the blame onto you or others.

If they abuse you, they insist that you made them do it. It is always your fault. If you ever try to call them on the carpet for their actions, they will generally pour on the victim game and turn your confronting into you somehow victimizing them. Ranting and raving may also ensue in their efforts to make you look like the wrongdoer and to silence any attempts at complaining about their actions.

Projection The defense mechanism of projection is the strong suit of the covert narcissist. When they do something wrong, they deflect the attention away from themselves by accusing you of doing whatever they have done.

If they have an inadequacy, they will toss that inadequacy right onto your back. In fact, they might even draw up a lengthy list of all their shortcomings as your shortcomings to prove their point. This laundry list is often your clue to their actual defects.

Their defects become your defects and they will go to great lengths to make sure that others buy into this deflecting process. If the covert narcissist is lazy, he or she will search far and wide to pinpoint a time when you have been lacking in some sort of effort.

Because they tend to be such expert liars, they will also simply fabricate a shortcoming on your part to detract away from their own.

When they move to discard their victims, projection and devaluing serve as manipulative tools to justify why the discarded victim was supposedly unworthy of keeping. In fact, they will find ways to build mountains of evidence to support this unbalanced belief system.

“Flying Monkey” Enablers Narcissists of all stripes are adept at getting others to do their dirty work of destruction.

The malignant pathological covert narcissist is, undoubtedly, the most skilled type at accomplishing this feat.

The people they enlist are often referred to as “flying monkeys” akin to the winged creatures in the Wizard of Oz who were enlisted to do the bidding of the wicked witch.

Covert narcissists could not succeed without the help of enablers who aid in the covert narcissist’s smear campaigns and other targeting initiatives.

These people join in the campaigns against the victims either out of a covert maliciousness or because they wrongly believe the narcissist is right and good.

Now What?

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It is difficult to completely avoid pathologically narcissist individuals, as this character trait seems to be growing in society and such is often normalized in families, educational settings, and workplaces. Whole workplaces and families are often overrun by pathological narcissism, making it difficult for many to find, create, or maintain social spaces of sanity.

It is not possible to change these people. So, the best thing one can do in the face of this growing epidemic is to manage oneself. This includes: 1. Practice vigilant self-care.

2. Respect yourself. Do not accept disrespect from others. You teach others how to treat you by what you tolerate.

3. Create and maintain healthy boundaries. Refrain from being a doormat or a dumping ground.

4. Love yourself unconditionally.

5. Be personally authentic.

6. Let others earn your trust; only trust humans to be human.

7. Refrain from engaging in gossip and rumors, in the family and in the workplace.

(Do not automatically believe anything you are told about others. If someone is gossiping with you today, they will probably be gossiping about you tomorrow.)

8. Simply watch for inconsistencies in what people say and how they act.

9. Learn to walk away from situations and people who bring out the worst in you.

10. Avoid being triangulated. Let people handle their own relationships with others directly and do the same yourself. This means refusing to serve as an enabling “flying monkey” for anyone.

11. Do not play the role of savior. Refrain from being a rescuer or requiring constant rescue. Seek balance and reciprocity in relationships.

12. Do not “feed” narcissism. (Narcissists are fed by constant admiration, external validation, and attention (including negative attention, such as arguing). Learn to ignore many demands for narcissistic “food” supply when possible.)

13. Accept reality. See things for what they are and not what you want them to be.

(While many people think that someone can always change, there is no solid evidence to suggest that malignant covert narcissists are prone to any significant characterological change. Do not try to change other people. They are who they are. So, take them as they are or leave them.)

14. Limit time spent with those who seek and need external validation to feel good about themselves and their efforts.

15. Surround yourself with emotionally intelligent and genuinely happy people, who are working on living authentically and fully.

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A WOLF IN... cont.

Let This be a Warning For many, the best way to deal with malignant pathological covert narcissists is by not dealing with them at all. Yes, avoiding them (and all who are close to them) at all costs.

This is called going “no contact� in relation to the narcissist.

To continue dealing with them will often result in a victim becoming totally depleted in the struggle, while the malignant pathological covert narcissist becomes further energized. They never tire of the game or the fight.

These people are toxic, and their toxicity is contagious, impacting all in their path.

Malignant covert narcissists can turn an entire family or workplace on its head, while they quietly sit in the corner smirking like a Cheshire cat who is still savoring the canary.

Meanwhile, most will be so distracted fighting with each other that they will not even notice the covert cat sitting on the sidelines admiring the destructive fall out of its manipulative work.

When one has children with such individuals, or when one works directly with such people, seeking professional help to develop strategies for no contact, limited contact, or mediated contact may prove very beneficial and sanity saving. Since many malignant covert narcissists tend to be a bit stalker-like, mediated contact may be all that one might be able to manage with some of them.

Distance may be the greatest deliverance.

N.B. This article is not meant to replace the medical or psychological advice of your personal healthcare services provider. If you have specific questions regarding your personal health situation, you are encouraged to consult directly with your personally selected wellness partner.

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-------------------------------- || ------------------------------STL Free Jazz Collective & Douglas Ewart

JAZZ 02 DECEMBER at 7:30 PM

The STL Free Jazz Collective with special guest artist Douglas R. Ewart, world renowned multi instrumentalist from the AACM, will join us for a free concert on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 7:30pm.

14th Street Artist Community 2701 N. 14th Street 63107

-------------------------------- || ------------------------------Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

LLC Clinic

presentation and consultations

Saturday, November 18 (9:30 a.m. to Noon) Whether you’re thinking about forming a limited liability company or already have one, find out if this business structure really is for you. Attorney Mike LaBozzetta, Faro Law STL, will cover all the basics, including how to form and run a LLC, operating agreements, when you can be held personally liable and how LLCs are taxed. Then you’ll have an opportunity to spend 15 minutes talking one‐on‐one with a volunteer lawyer‐ accountant team. Consultations are scheduled in person that morning and may not be available if you do not register in advance. Your tuition covers our referral service fee, so you can be matched with an attorney or accountant, if needed, after the clinic.

Our LLC Clinic will be held at the Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar. Free parking is available behind the Pageant.

11/21/2017

email : Webview : VLAA LLC Clinic, Nov. 18

Tuition is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Can’t afford to pay? Please contact https://t.e2ma.net/message/jsw2cb/zweg8p us to request a scholarship.

Register Now

Need arts‐related legal or accounting assistance? Apply here.

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1/2

DISPLACED

&ERASED

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

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

Circle of Light Associates

1515 VARNUM, St Louis, MO 63136 • $72,500 Residential | .265 acres • 3 bedrooms • 1 bathrooms • MLS# 17059099

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!!

Rochelle DIXON Contact

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Zuka Arts Guild

ZUKA FRIDAY'S

Zuka Arts Guild Art Exhibition at 14th Street Artist Community The Zuka Artist Guild at the 14th Street Artist Community features a different visual artist every First Friday of the month starting 7 p.m.

Zuka is a group of talented local artists with a history of producing collaborative artwork that dates back to 1974. ●

Every Friday @ 1 p.m. Live rhythm and blues with the band Renaissance

●

Bring your lunch and have fun!-FREE

●

First-Friday of each month, 7 p.m. till 10 p.m. Music, live art demos, raffling local artwork and artist marketplace. Free and open to the public. Street and lot parking available @ 2701 N. 14th Street (Old North St. Louis Community) 63106

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 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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Watch Interviews from HEC‑TV on YouTube

Andrea Stanislav: YVONNE OSEI TV INterview for HEC-TV

Watch interview on YouTube

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

HAPPENINGS AT THE MUSEUM

Need a venue for that perfect Holiday event?

Located in downtown St. Louis at 6th and Washington, the National Blues Museum is a unique event space for private and corporate events.

We have two event rental spaces: The Lumière Place Legends Room The Scott and Diane McCuaig and Family Gallery.

Click here for more information (room rental prices, additions and more)

Contact Casey at (314) 925-0016 x 439 to reserve a room today.

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[ The Blues in Black & White: The Photography of Kirk West ]

[ Dec. 15th A Special Howlin’ Friday show! ]

About the artist - Kirk West has spent 30 years of his life touring with the world famous Allman Brothers Band. Before that he spent 20 years of his life chasing that special moment in bars, venues, and concert halls all across the country. Here's a sample of what you'll see in his The Blues in Black & White gallery (the show will run November 4, 2017 through February 4, 2018).

During this special Howling Friday on December 15th, we will pay tribute to Ben Wells and Marquise Knox. Make plans to join us for this noteworthy event.

Exhibit sponsored by Edward Jones

-------------------/-------------------General Admission tickets are available for $10. $15 for reserved table seating.

Combo Ticket $20 – includes general admission to the concert and admission the museum.

Blues travelers the world over make the National Blues Museum a 'must-see' on their Blues Highway adventure!

Here's what they said "Great place! Beautifully done!"

"Love the interactive exhibits!"

Tickets can be purchased in advance, or in person the night of the show at the National Blues Museum Box Office, 615 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, 63101. For more information, call 314-925-0016 ext. 405. *Howlin’ Fridays are sponsored in part by The Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis and WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound.

-------------------/--------------------

"A fantastic experience!

Taught me a lot about Blues history!"

"Too cool!! Stirred up great memories!

Loved the interaction & great music!"

Come see for yourself why Nat Geo, the Smithsonian, NY TIMES and others have named the National Blues Museum a 'Top Travel Destination'

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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 4.9 December 16, 2017

PHOTO: Amaya Javita Photography

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Crystal

LACKLAND

youtuber | model | makeup artist ARTS​ ​TODAY​ ​EZINE

Crystal​ ​Lackland​ ​was​ ​born​ ​in​ ​Saint​ ​Louis,​ ​Missouri.​ ​Crystal​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Youtuber​ ​that​ ​models​ ​and​ ​does makeup​ ​artistry.​ ​She​ ​is​ ​well​ ​known​ ​for​ ​her​ ​video​ ​video​ ​“Keratosis​ ​Pilaris​ ​+​ ​Treatment​ ​Options” on​ ​Youtube.com.​ ​Ever​ ​since​ ​she​ ​was​ ​in​ ​middle​ ​school​ ​she​ ​had​ ​a​ ​knack​ ​for​ ​beauty.​ ​It​ ​does​ ​not matter​ ​if​ ​it​ ​was​ ​lipgloss,​ ​lotion​ ​for​ ​the​ ​skin,​ ​or​ ​mascara,​ ​Crystal​ ​loved​ ​it.​ ​“I​ ​have​ ​knowledge​ ​to share​ ​with​ ​the​ ​world​ ​on​ ​the​ ​beauty​ ​side,​ ​the​ ​authentic​ ​beauty​ ​side”​ ​she​ ​says.​ ​Crystal​ ​Lackland​ ​is a​ ​strong​ ​believer​ ​in​ ​cruelty​ ​free​ ​makeup​ ​and​ ​cosmetics.​ ​She​ ​does​ ​not​ ​believe​ ​that​ ​one​ ​has​ ​to​ ​harm in​ o​ rder​ ​to​ ​look​ ​flawless.​ ​“That​ ​is​ ​not​ ​what​ ​I​ ​stand​ ​for,​ ​and​ ​it​ ​is​ ​the​ ​exact​ ​opposite​ ​of​ ​beauty.”

Crystal​ ​currently​ ​has​ ​a​ ​self​ ​titled​ ​Beauty​ ​Channel​ ​on​ ​Youtube.com.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

The St. Louis Public Library Foundation will host its literary­themed fundraiser, Stranger Than Fiction: When Words Collide, celebrating the golden era of science fiction. The intergalactic celebration at Central Library will offer stellar fare by Butler’s Pantry, signature cocktails by Intoxicology, music by DJ Crucial and a variety of cosmic activities.

As a St. Louis Public Library patron, we’re offering you an exclusive chance to win tickets to this intergalactic gala! Click HERE to enter for your chance to win 2 tickets to Stranger Than Fiction: When Words Collide.

For more information and to purchase event tickets, please visit www.slpl.org/raffle.

Proceeds from the event support literacy and after­school programs at St. Louis Public Library

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

BLACK HISTORY BOY Episode #4

BLACK HISTORY BOY, (Ep. # 4) DESCRIBES HIS NEW SERIES TO THE PRESS. King Tut, Queen Nefertiti,King Mansa Musa, Black Samurai Sakanouye No Tamuramo, The Black Olmecs Of Mexico, Nubian Queen Amenirenas Donate $5.00 to help us spread the truth of our history.

GOFUNDME https://www.gofundme.com/black-archaeologist-season-4 DVD's http://BlackArchaeologist.com http://kunaki.com/msales.asp?Publisherld=109447&pp=1

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Jamaa Habari

For Your

I

iII nformation

Kwanzaa

Desemba 26 – Januari 1

Background and History Kwanzaa is a lively, enriching, seven-day celebration of the Black value system called the Nguzo Saba, a term in the Kiswahili language of East and Central Afrika that literally means “Seven Pillars.” It is further translated to mean “Seven Principles.”

These Seven Principles are the foundations upon which Afrikan culture stands and are traced back to Afrikan antiquity.

These basic Black values can still be found in Afrikan communities throughout the Afrikan Diaspora. This survival is despite the effort by european forces to destroy all remnants of Afrikan culture and identity through the period of chattel slavery. This effort of using racial differences to subjugate a people, called racism, still continues today, thus making the celebration of Kwanzaa a clear act of cultural self–determination and pride.

Kwanzaa is in the Afrikan harvest celebration tradition and means “First Fruits.” It is celebrated from Desemba 26th through Januari 1st. Since its creation in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga and the US organization, it is estimated that over 30 million people worldwide celebrate Kwanzaa today. The holiday is celebrated to heighten our recognition and commitment to those seven basic values, passed to us by our ancestors and to provide a reinforcing, uplifting cultural celebration for Black people.

Kwanzaa is a non-religious and a non-heroic celebration.

The Nguzo Saba Umoja (Unity)- To strive for and maintain unity in self, family, community, neighborhood, nation race and world Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)- To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)- To build and maintain our community together and to make our sisters’ and brothers’ problems our problems, and to solve them together Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)-To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and profit from them together Nia (Purpose)- To make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness Kuumba (Creativity)- To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it Imani (Faith)- To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle

How it is Celebrated Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the Nguzo Saba. Activities of that day reflect the principle of that day. The basic items used for Kwanzaa are the Mishumaa Saba (seven candles-3 red, 1 black and 3 green), a Kinara (candleholder) for seven candles, a Mkeka (straw mat), a Kikombe cha Umoja (Unity Cup) and Zawadi (gifts), given on the last day. The Mishumaa Saba are arranged in the Kinara–3 red on the left, 1 black in the middle and 3 green on the right. On each day of Kwanzaa, a candle is lit for that day. On the 1st day, the innermost black candle- Umoja– is lit and words are shared about Unity. Then, the Kikombe cha Umoja is passed to all present. Each person drinks from it and strongly says “Harambee!” meaning “We pull together!” On the 2nd day, the Umoja candle is lit, then the innermost red candle- Kujichagulia– then sharing about SelfDetermination. The next day, the previous candles are lit, then the innermost green candle- Ujima– then sharing. Continue outward each day, alternating colors, until all colors are lit on the 7th day-Imani. On the last day, a great celebration is held between many families called the Karamu (feast) . At the Karamu, the community comes together, eats and participates in activities centered on the Nguzo Saba.

For more information, visit our website- www.teachsociety.org, our page on Facebook, call (314)875-9277, or at ww.teachorg33@gmail.com.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 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 4.9 December 16, 2017

Featured

Poetry

Submission

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Brittaney

Bio:

Harden

Brittaney Harden is a writer, poet, and activist living in Brooklyn NY. She believes in the transformational power of story telling! She thinks that ownership of our stories could change the planet and heal the world. Brittaney says that her time is brief and what she'd like you to know is that your voice and your story matter.

Follow Brittaney on Instagram @Britt4point0 Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

}

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

BRITTANEY HARDEN... cont.

GATEWAY No one can save a caged bird It's up to me to know my worth Especially when I hold the key Especially when I don't even know if I want to be free Because I like drama I like comfort I'd rather not take action and make my soul wonder If things ever could have been Instead of learning lessons And receiving my blessings Quit stressing And reevaluate Only love can conquer hate So open the cage Step out And close the gate Then never look back...

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BIRTHING What's on the other side of pain?

Sometime's it's more pain But at the end of the tunnel there is light I have to be birthed through the darkess to take flight And whether I want it or not it's my life Whether I choose it or don't it's my plight Fear or shine bright It's up to me Whether I participate or deterioate it's my story to write

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

BRITTANEY HARDEN... cont.

BLACK MAN BLUES I cry for the black man when one in three is imprisoned When 1 isn't allowed to realize his vision How can he aspire to be?

Being isn't his brithright When his masculinity is stripped and ripped away?

When all he wants to do is stay under the radar?

Who is he really?

And who are Black women without him?

The Tammi Holland Show

WATCH NOW!

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

TEN

The Empowerment Network for Men facing Prostate Cancer From: iHEART COMMUNITIES w/ JADE HARRELL

Prostate cancer is not only an invader of the human body it is an infiltrator of the human spirit. Survivor, Mellve Shahid made a promise to God to support and serve other men battling prostate cancer when he was diagnosed ten years ago. He founded The Empowerment Network and has been changing lives and creating hope for hundreds of men ever since. Click here for the podcast.

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John Jennings Associate Professor Visual Studies SUNY Buffalo tumblr: http://jijennin70. tumblr.com/

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

Featured

Photography Submission

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Benjamin

Scherliss

BIO

"Benjamin Scherliss is a local photographer who resides in Dogtown, St. Louis. Most of his professional work is in for clients in Architecture, Lighting Design and Real Estate. On the Artistic front, he enjoys capturing scenes and landcapes in unique and atypical perspectives. Named by KTVI as one of "10 Amazing St. Louis Photographers to Follow on Instagram," Scherliss often enjoys blurring the lines between Photography and Digital Art." You can follow him on Instagram @Bscherliss or see the rest of his work at benjaminscherliss.squarespace.com.

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#BlackDollsMatter

Buy Now!!!

Bring a sense of pride and strength to the extraordinary girl in your life.

Madeline Delilah Doll and chapter book www.stagemotherproductions.com pg.

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sfmlkday.org/bcafcon go to:

SAN FRANCISCO / JANUARY 13-15

CELEBRATING

OUR

RICH CREATIVE HISTORY THROUGH COMICS AND SPECULATIVE SPECUL ARTS!

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

Featured

Artist

Submission

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Andrea

Hughes

BIO:

Andrea “Kahrizma” Hughes lives, creates and works in St. Louis. In accordance with the “In Six Words Or Less” statements, her motto is “Born an artist, draws upon life!”

The “process” of creating art is just as important, if not more important, than the end result of a finished product.

As a self-taught artist, she has received a lot of training through travel, trial and error, museums, internet and the ever-present uses of library books.

Also, has worked as a licensed beautician/nail technician for 15 years until pursuing art full time.

Additional artistic works include oil and acrylic portraits, found-object pieces (mosaics), scratch boards and collage/assemblages. Artistic influences on the “Let There be Light” candles exhibit at Schafly Library, was inspired by travels to India where the alum of the Regional Arts Commission’s Community Artists in Training had the opportunity to practice the art of “Mehndi Henna”. On a recent Hawaiian trip, Andrea was so inspired by the beauty of the beaches and tropical scenery that her watercolors class began implementing the bold tropical colors and clouds and shore scenery from the photos taken at the Polynesian Cultural Center into their art.

Currently, she is the President of Zuka Arts which was

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

founded by Artist Kenneth Calvert presently located at the 14th Street Artist Community in Old North St. Louis. She has been a member since 2007 and teaches classes and community functions at the 14th Street Gallery.

The Zuka Arts Guild seeks to promote knowledge and participation in the visual arts through exhibitions, teaching programs, workshops, seminars and selected public art projects. The Guild is dedicated to artistic development through inter-organizational skill sharing.

Zuka contributes to community, educational and cultural enrichment through the promotion and exhibition of art executed by artists of all proficiency levels.

Contact information: Zuka Artist Guild 2701 N.14th Street St. Louis, MO 63106 (Text) 314 898-5444 Email address: rainbowhughes@gmail.com andrealynnhughes1.wixsite.com/kahrizmasart

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

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 4.9 December 16, 2017

It’s the

OBAMA Economy

Stupid!

President Bill Clinton once famously said for the benefit of his presidential campaign workers – to keep them focused on message – "It’s the Economy Stupid!"

It was a mantra – to be repeated again and again to remind them and the public that the economy was in free fall and H.W. Bush and the Republican Party were responsible for it. Fast-forward to 2007, the economy was in free fall again at the hands of the Republicans because of greed and catering to the 1%. The sad part of this revelation is that the voting public must be in some awful time warp in which they continue to forget that it is the Republican Party/Conservative mantra that the Democrats are at fault because all they want to do is tax and spend and reduce the federal defense budget.

Here we are again in 2017 and the Republicans are in charge of everything, all three branches of government and they are still fighting the Civil War in America. Let’s start with the Justice Department to examine how this plays out.

In order to skew the voting so Republicans can be in power, the Supreme Court attacked voting rights by throwing out a key provision in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is clear that when states have changed the Voter ID laws over the past five years the law was changed with discriminatory intent because they were implemented to retard the vote of certain voters. The impact of these laws in places like Texas has made it harder for voters to obtain the new state issued ID, moved administrative offices issuing these ID sometime 200 to 300 miles away from voters with limited transportation capabilities, and disproportionately impacted minority, elderly and poor voters. This reality highlights the very reason that pre-clearance clause was put into the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – to prohibit the states from arbitrarily moving voting polls, making it harder for states to move voting administrative offices and discriminating against minorities without clearing these policies with the Justice Department. But what happens when the Justice Department is corrupt? We have a checks and balances feature in the American system but we the people cannot be sleep, we must be awake and we can

pg.

challenge corruption in our body politic.

This is escalating into an economy that does not move the middle class or the poor forward. We are starting to hear the same old rhetoric about how tax cuts for the superrich are supposed to trickle down economics to the masses. It did not work in the 80’s under Reagan and it is not going to work now.

How do we know we have already been there and done that. The economic plans being put forward in 2017 will ultimately do the same thing that happened in the ‘80’s and in 2007. These conservative policies explode the deficit for no good reason except to make the rich richer and bankrupt the government so they can have an excuse for cutting social programs to fix the problem which they create. Alan Greenspan called the Wall Street increase – irrational exuberance as the market begins to increase sucking in average investors to participate in what looks like an increase in economic activity and expansion. The

policies that were implemented in 2008 through the Dodd-Frank law created the environment in which the United States is in now correcting the abuses of greed that were implemented during the last Republican administrations in which they were in charge of everything.

The American people have irresponsibly put them back in charge and they are moving forward eradicating what has put the economy in place in which we are now experiencing 3% economic growth. The Republicans cannot take credit for this economy, it is the economy that President Obama help build along with Dodd- Frank law, and the Federal Reserve in which not one Republican in the Congress voted. Remember, the Congress’ legislative agenda for the eight years of Obama was to make him a one-term president.

The current Congress and Administration is still trying to make President Obama a one-term president by eradicating

114

the laws which resulted in the current economy this administration inherited. Furthermore, this administration has not had time to implement its economic plan. It takes at least 2 1/2 years for policy to be implemented in government and this administration has not been in office for even one year yet. Therefore, what is the impact of the current tax law reform that just recently passed both houses of Congress? The Congressional Budget Office projects that the current tax reform bill just passed by both houses of Congress will increase the deficit by $1.4 trillion over 10 years.

term and presidential elections but we have a system that is designed for, we the people, to fix it.

Just like the deregulatory bills Congress passed in the 1990s that led to the disaster of 2008, this bill is being marketed as a stimulate to economic growth by unleashing the financial sector which ran this country off the cliff the last time Republicans were in charge of everything.

The reality, however, is that there is no evidence that financial regulations stop economic growth. The Bill will help financial organizations that received $47 Billion in bailouts the last time Republicans were in charge. They are returning to “proprietary trading,” or bank speculation in risky financial markets with taxpayer-backed funds, for banks with less than $10 billion in assets. This provision also includes dangerous loopholes that allow much larger, systemically dangerous banks to engage in more extensive proprietary trading.

and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold

We no longer need to guess or speculate what lax regulations on Wall Street means for our economy, it ushered in the Great Recession of 2008. Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Act because lax regulation of financial market actors was the leading cause of the 2008 financial crisis.

Benjamin Franklin was famously asked by a woman as he left the Constitutional Convention after re-wring the Constitution – ‘Well Dr. Franklin, what kind of government have you given us?’ He replied, “A republic if you can keep it.’

Well, in the 21st century, we are in danger of losing our republic to plutocracy and kleptocracy. Dr. Martin Luther King reminded us that this nation will rise up

these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal. That we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…’

Movement forward – ________________________________ Pierre Blaine is the author of Movement: Race, Power and Culture in America Available on Amazon.com and at the History Museum.

Wasn’t the last financial fiasco painful enough for the American people than for us to go back down a path of financial elitism for the 1%? The Republicans delivered to the 1% exactly what they were paid to do while the rest of us lost jobs, pensions, mortgages , homes and a trust of what the American dream can be. Financial regulations prevent crises and give investors and businesses confidence that they will be treated fairly and have legal recourse when they choose to invest in our economy that is already poised to grow, create jobs and develop stability in the economic system. Yes, we the people dropped the ball in the last mid-

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

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116

2505 St. Louis Avenue St. Louis, MO 63106-2324 314-241-7057 E-mail: thegriotmuseum@aol.com

A Call for Visual Art Submissions The Griot Museum of Black History invites African-American women to participate in an exhibit of visual art entitled, “Black Women Speak.”

Works should interpret issues faced by African-American women including historical experience, challenges and contributions, and influence in areas such as social justice and human rights, self-identity, and cultural relevance.

The exhibit will complement the one-woman show “A Black Woman Speaks” that will be adapted by A Call to Conscience Theater Company (C2C), and presented at The Griot March 9-11, 2018. The exhibit will be on display March 1 – May 31, 2018.

Artist may submit up to five images for consideration. Each work must include your name and contact information, title and description (i.e. size, medium), cost (if for sale), etc.

Please send digital images for consideration to: thegriotmuseum@aol.com

by December 23, 2017. Selections will be made and notification sent to you by December 31, 2017.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

pg.

118

ART OF FOOD

Taste BudWorthy: vol. 1

Blk Mkt Eats 9 S Vandeventer Ave St. Louis, MO 63108

S

o the beautiful thing about social media, in my opinion, is that you get to control what content you get to see on a consistent basis. Of course my Instagram and Facebook news feeds are filled with my favorite chefs, creative recipes, tutorial videos, new cocktails to try on your friends, etc. My absolute favorite posts are the ones that highlight local restaurants and ones around the world. One day while scrolling through my timeline, I stopped at this video that instantly had me salivating. Now I love sushi, but this video was highlighting a restaurant that makes sushi burritos! *gasp* YES! Sushi BURRITOS! My eyes were instantly glued to my phone screen. Then I found out this marvelous establishment is located in St. Louis!

Ecstatic wasn’t even the appropriate word for my mood at that moment. There was no way I could let this place be unexplored by my taste buds much longer.

That same weekend I made my way to Blk Mkt Eats to get my hands on a sushi burrito. The location is prime real estate… across the street from IKEA, 1 block away from SLU’s campus. I purposely took my mother with me, because I knew we weren’t going to order the same thing and I wanted to try whatever she was getting. The invite was for a purely selfish reason this time around, and

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

I’m completely okay with that. Upon walking in, we were greeted by some of the friendliest staff I’ve ever encountered. After looking over their menu the foodie chef in me just wanted to go hug the owner & give the sincere thank you.

The menu is fairly simple, so here’ how it works: You can turn any of the 7 sushi burritos into poké bowls! If you’re not into eating raw fish, there are shrimp, grilled and fried chicken options.

If you can’t decide between those…they have SUSHI NACHOS! I decided on the Tasty As Cluck burrito… every single ingredient was delicious. It was all perfectly paired. Buttermilk fried chicken, kimchi slaw, arugula, crispy shallots, BLK MKT pickles, tempura crunch and (*drumroll please*) OG Fire Sauce. AH-MAY-ZING! I’m not a huge fan of spicy food, so I was slightly skeptical about the OG Fire Sauce. However, I ended up loving it and I even wanting more on the burrito. (So I ordered extra sauce on my second visit lol). My mom ended up trying out something completely different, the Shaka Poké Nachos. Crispy wonton chips were topped with Hawaiian inspired tuna poké, arugula, avocado, sesame seeds, crispy shallots, tempura crunch, alaea sea salt, scallions & the beloved OG Fire Sauce (that got substituted for unagi sauce). Beyond delicious!!!

I’ve been to Blk Mkt Eats twice, two weeks in a row. I’m debating at this very moment if I should go grab a burrito right now. It’s that good! I would highly recommend to anyone who loves sushi and wants to try something different. www.the-arts-today.com

Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

ART OF FOOD... cont.

Gelato Di Roso 5204 Wilson Ave St. Louis, MO 63110

My god daughter’s 3rd birthday party was held at Gelato Di Roso’s on The Hill. I’m pretty sure I’ve expressed this to you all before, but I am an ice cream lover!!! I will make and try any variety of frozen desserts and ice cream. Sherbet, gelato, sorbet, ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen custard, soft serve, etc. they all can be taste tested. When I found out the party was being held at a gelato shop, I got excited because I had been fighting my sweet tooth cravings for too long. I’m a little

residential neighborhood, not to mention all the restaurants in the vicinity. Granted the day we went, was one of those Saturday afternoons it decided to warm up in November, so parking was a headache. I promise it’s worth the trip though.

Bon Appétit

traditional when it comes to flavors I am willing to try, I’ve been that way since I was a child. So I ordered two scoops, one Vanilla and the other Toasted Almond.

They both had the smoothest texture, but that Toasted Almond was perfection! I felt like I should have been chewing with every bite because it authentically tasted like pure almonds.

Now parking may be a little tricky because it is in a

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loves.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

“Acting White”

Share your Story Dear friends: I have been asked to write a chapter in a book that will address colorism in education. My chapter will focus on “acting white.”

Specifically, when I was growing up, I was a “smart” student. My top performance in school, doing homework, raising my hand to answer questions, etc. often drew the accusation from my African American classmates and friends that I was “acting white.”

Now, I know there are psychologists out there who say this is not true and does not exist. But alas, it was absolutely true for me. I have written about this in past works. I will do so again for this new book. I do know that many young folks today who continue to have such allegations hurled at them so feel free to share this email with whoever and have folks email me directly.

I did a survey on this very question about 7 years ago and the results were consistent with my experiences decades ago. I’d like to update my earlier survey. I would love to hear from anyone out there who has a similar/related story either involving yourself or someone you know. I would like to include your story in the chapter. I will conceal your identity if you request.

Do you have a story to share? If so, please email to me at: norwood@wulaw.wustl.edu.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead Kimberly Norwood , Professor of Law | Washington University School of Law pg.

122

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

ART OF HEALING

Your Ad or Article could be here!

Contact us if you have a contribution to the ART OF HEALING.

pg.

124

RICKKITA EDWARDS

CARDIO-CORE & MORE AT NORTH COUNTY REC. CENTER

TIMES: MON WEDS FRI 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

She teaches a class 2 Mondays a month at Faith Miracle Temple 7:15 pm - 8:00 pm.

(ALL CLASSES ARE FREE)

COMING SOON! WAIST-NOT FITNESS PERSONAL TRAINING #GETWAISTEDBYRICKKITA

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

LABOR DAY SPECIAL!! ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS FOR

WEEKLY MEAL PREP, CONTACT INFO BELOW!

Meal prep plans, personal chef, and health coaching services available. Plans starting as low as $75.00- For limited time only!! For more information contact fabulouslyveganme@gmail.com and visit fabulouslyvegan.com!

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126

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SEDANS & SUV’S AVAILABLE CALL 314.565.8907 FOR YOUR FREE QUOTE.

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

Is Sexual

Harassment about

Lust

or

POWER

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128

Is Sexual Harassment about Lust or Power?

An eruption from an ominous cloud has sex scandals raining down, like a roaring torrent, over powerful men’s reputations. Interestingly, most men seem awkward and befuddled by the rash of sexual harassment claims.

Why are these men so surprised to hear about other men engaging in shameless debauchery and depravity right under their nosey noses? Has this behavior been normalized? Have they been looking the other way?

According to Susan Brownmiller in her 1975 book, Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape, we live in a rape culture, that these freaky, frisky men with feely fingers, many powerful and older, are engaging in age-old repugnant behavior, which she said is less about lust and more about power.

These Hollywood moguls, actors and political heavy weights

wield their penises around like a ninja warrior. And if it weren’t so sad and pathetic, it would be comical as Brownmiller provocatively concluded that “Man’s discovery that his genitalia could serve as a weapon to generate fear” has been going on since time immemorial.

Suffice it to say, fear of rape can be mortifying and a powerful mollifying force.

Granted, sexual harassment is not as serious as sexual violence or rape, yet it sends a chilling chauvinistic reminder that it could very well happen. These are hostile acts designed to create psychological fear and intimidate. It’s to groom and silence young girls and women to endure unpleasantry and pain for the sake of the demons of sexual predatory addictions. Regardless of how disgusting, unattractive or unappealing the man, he can have his way with virtually any woman. Yet, it’s important

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IS SEXUAL HARRASMENT... cont.

to be discerning as there are degrees of sexual harassment and violence, including: ♦ Diminishing behavior such as mansplaining, e.g., patronizing explanations ♦ Off-colored jokes ♦ Sexist jokes ♦ Whistling ♦ Catcalls ♦ Ogling or malicious eyeballing

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Kissing Fondling Molestation Exhibitionism Rape Pedophilia (Think Alabama U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore, accused of molesting underage girls.)

Still, sexual harassment can be murky, particularly involving lawsuits.

According to a New York Times article, When Harassment Isn’t Harassment by Sandra F. Sperino and Suja A. Thomas, courts are inclined to dismiss these cases. Despite high profile big payouts, such as Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly’s $32 million settlements and $20 million from Fox News chairman Roger Ailes to Gretchen Carlson, a Fox News commentator. Sperino and Thomas added that big settlements are the exception and courts have wrestled with the term “severe or pervasive” as the standard. . . . courts routinely dismiss cases brought by workers who claim their supervisors propositioned them, kiss or grabbed their breasts.

The judges declared that the conduct does not constitute harassment in a legal sense, and refuse to let the cases go to trial.

How did we get here?

There are other examples of this cringe-worthy behavior but the huge numbers of accusations nowadays reveal that power has an element of rakishness and roguishness that has neither been fully recognized nor explored. This does not excuse men who do not have much power, as sexual

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130

misconduct occurs throughout virtually every socio-economic class. In fact, middle-income and low-income women of every ethnicity experience sexual coercions and threats at higher rates than Hollywood and media women. As of late, the media have focused (probably too much) on these high profile scandals.

Brownmiller concludes that sexual harassment and violence are rooted in a patriarchal order. However, even men are not spared, particularly in prison and war. Again, it’s about domination. But why are so many older men as of late being accused? The following small sampling illustrates this:

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby Bill Clinton George H.W. Bush Sen. Al Franken Congressman John Conyers

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Mark Halperin Roger Ailes Kevin Spacey Bill O’Reilly Charlie Rose Roy Moore President Donald Trump

Could it be Viagra? A pill that can give the lagging big guns more ammunition to corner their quarry. Could it be that these men are Neanderthals influenced by their Neanderthal predecessors most likely even more boorish than them; perhaps their mentors, older brothers, uncles and even fathers?

In other words, many men currently in

leadership have not adapted to contemporary times and behaving as if women are still “barefoot and pregnant” and haven’t gained any modicum of influence and power.

While in actuality women are

nipping at men's heals, surpassing them in many areas, such as education, a growing number of occupations and income.

Is it

because men feel more threatened, leading to more misogynistic

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

Midddle School Guide THE EDUCATION OF KEVIN POWELL: A BOY’S JOURNEY INTO MANHOOD READER’S GUIDE: MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades 6-8)

EDUCATION

High School Guide THE EDUCATION OF KEVIN POWELL: A BOY’S JOURNEY INTO MANHOOD READER’S GUIDE: HIGH SCHOOL

College-Age/Adult Guide THE EDUCATION OF KEVIN POWELL: A BOY’S JOURNEY INTO MANHOOD READER’S GUIDE: COLLEGE-AGE/ADULT

If you would like to order bulk copies (20 copies of more) of The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy's Journey into Manhood, at a discount, please contact one of our authorized independent booksellers: Michael Green c/o M Revak & Co lexlibris@earthlink.net 520-906-8661 Kori Wilson c/o Sister's Uptown Bookstore sistersuptownbookstore@yahoo.com 212-862-3680 James Fugate c/o Eso Won Books jmfugate@msn.com 323-290-1048

PLEASE NOTE The Education of Kevin Powell is also an AUDIOBOOK (as read by Kevin) available for purchase at Audible.com: http://tinyurl.com/hmvdypa

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Mission #2

View this email in your browser

We're not asking for a donation on #GivingTuesday.

As an organization committed to sustainably growing food, farmers, and community, we know that the kind of world we want to eat in relies on people like you showing up for good food. That's why we're asking you to support our mission in other ways this year, in lieu of asking you to support EarthDance with an end-of-year donation. Over the next few weeks leading up to the new year, we'll be sharing 5 EASY WAYS to grow the local, organic food

and farming movement, and asking you to commit your grocery shopping, your time, and even your social media shares to the cause this holiday season. Join us in this end-of-year campaign to put the #MissionBeforeMoney and see the impact of deepening your own engagement with our food system firsthand.

We Loved Hearing from Many of You! Last week, we asked you to put the #MissionBeforeMoney and support the good food movement by shopping at farmers markets all winter long! We asked you to tell us how you plan to incorporate more local and organic produce into your meals, and you gave us great examples of ways you incorporated seasonal produce into your family's holiday feast!

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IS SEXUAL HARRASMENT... cont.

attitudes and behaviors? Could it be the Internet where pornography is more easily accessible and rampant? Like falling into a rabbit hole, men (the biggest consumers of pornography) disconnect from reality, viewing women as virtual sexual objects to be devoured.

Trying to make sense of it all, why were so many men and women frothing at the mouth about the Democratic presidential candidacy of Hillary Clinton? The former secretary of state, senator and first lady was considered, including President Obama, to be one of the most qualified candidates ever to run for the highest political office in the land.

“Yes, that’s right, lock her up,” said Michael Flynn with vitriol, fuming like sulphuric acid, at the Republican National Convention. Flynn is the man who spent less than a month as “the high-chair king’s” national security advisor and on December 1, 2017 pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his Russian involvement in foreign affairs, which could have led to Hillary Clinton’s defeat.

Clearly on her way to

becoming the first woman president, many concede that too many U.S. voters are much more sexist than previously thought.

So the final question is: Is this happening more or are we just learning about it more? As mentioned, Brownmiller contends that rape culture goes back to the beginning of time.

It probably has gotten better.

There have been cartoons showing cave men dragging women into their lair to take what they viewed as rightfully there’s. Pornography has had a very corrosive influence. The TV show Mad Men about the

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1950’s advertising industry was replete with men, throwing their lewd and wanton weight around with subservient, compliant and obedient women. Until recently, many men had no compunction with whistling, catcalls, sexist jokes, etc. And let’s not forget, the nation’s father, now called the nation’s abusive father, Bill Cosby, reportedly spiking women’s drinks with drugs to rape them. Philandering U.S. presidents such as John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Warren Harding should also be added to the “wall of shame.” Comedian Louis C.K. was masturbating in front of women.

Others were stalking around in front of women in their underwear and NBC Today show Matt Lauer has been accused of rape.

Clearly men consider these women as inferiors and treated like property. Similar to the antiquated racist and sexist attitudes that Black women slaves could not be raped, who even Thomas Jefferson, the nation’s third president, had no problems espousing this.

Neither

could married women accuse their husbands of rape because they were also viewed as property. In sum, sexual harassment (all the way to rape) is firmly entrenched in cultures around the world.

So what are the next steps? Surely, the daily accusations and near hysteria with men quickly plummeting to their ruin can become tedious and wearisome with possible backlashes. Although others say hunting down all transgressors should continue.

Rosaeth Moss Kanter, Harvard University professor, wrote a recent article, In Tackling #Me Too, Don’t Ignore Micro-insults that Harm

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

IS SEXUAL HARRASMENT... cont.

Women Careers. She asserts: “Power is the antidote to the abuse of power.” But if a powerful woman such as Hillary Clinton, a committed feminist, couldn’t get over the presidential hump, it doesn’t bode well for other women, particularly when 53 percent of White women, the nation’s majority, voted for Trump.

She didn’t even win her own

ethnic-gender base.

While men have been largely silent, a sort of craven muteness, comedians are having a field day. More importantly, women must do their part, including some painful reassessments.

Kanter cautioned

women to overcome their fears by coining the term FOSO (fear of speaking out). That is to say, they must stand up for themselves. They must learn self-defense. They must come to the aid of other women who are being preyed upon. For example, rumors were swirling for years about Weinstein’s peccadilloes.

Yet his women employees

many times served as shills. Nowadays, people are saying: “If you see something, do something.” Called “by-stander intervention” or “bystander effect,” this is behavior that must be learned as women are socialized to be submissive and not assertive or aggressive, yet they must realize their sexual freedom, dignity and safety are at stake.

They must resist stereotype threats of being viewed as bitchy or bossy.

But they must tread carefully, because many women have hit the glass ceiling or lost their jobs for resisting the advances of lusty bosses. At the same time, they must be crafty and wily to entrap these predators.

They must also not be overly concerned about whether their dress was too provocative, not acting lady-like enough -- therefore they had it

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coming.

Even though sexual harassment and assaults have been

seemingly normalized, they must not fall prey to thinking that no one will take them seriously. While men should challenge other men more often and not be so concerned about this hyper-masculine culture, it’ll also take the empowerment of women, as Kanter noted, to bring this outlandish behavior to a halt.

But wait, there’s more. Women are now up in arms. The president of EMILY’s List, Stephanie Schriock, recently said that more than 20 thousand women have declared themselves candidates for political office, a “gigantic spike,” she enthused. Previous to that, right after Trump’s victory, January 2017, thousands of women took to dozens of streets across the country, wearing pointy-eared pink pussy hats, indicating their outrage with the “sexual predator-in-chief” who made the once publicly forbidden word “pussy” rapidly go mainstream.

Quicker than a New York minute, the demonstrations emerged as a national and global phenomenon, from Paris and Berlin to Sydney and beyond.

Women are indeed speaking out more than ever and with less fear, which many are proclaiming as a “cultural passage.” Previously, men obviously thought they could get away with manhandling women but now some say they are in mortal fear of being accused, denounced and fired.

Malaika Horne, PhD, is a journalist and academic writer

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

"Quiet Time" by: Lonnie Powell

"Cuban Dancer" by: Ed Johnetta Miller pg.

138

June 26, 2017 PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Robert A. Powell 314-265-0432 Portfoliogallery@att.net,

Portfolio Gallery today issues its call for art, and invites visual artist of all disciplines to enter at:www.portfoliogallerystl.org The “All Colors” Fine Art Show will feature 100 artist and 200 pieces of art, both local and nationally known artists, collectors and educators to the St. Louis Region.

The “All Colors” exhibition will feature the art of invited artist Dean Mitchell, Charles Bibbs, Manuelita Brown, Ed Johnetta Miller, Lonnie Powell, Robert Hale, Sandra Smith, Cbabi Bayoc, Thomas Sleet, Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, Ronald Johnson and others.

Our goal is to create an exciting art event that attracts a national audience. Sells income will support general operations of Portfolio, Inc. a not-for-profit 501C3 arts organization and further be used to provide grants to St. Louis artists, small notfor-profits and community based organizations.

Please join the award winning Portfolio Gallery as it presents its 1st Annual “All Colors” Visual Arts Invitational & Juried Exhibition to be held January 13th through February 28, 2018, at the St. Louis Artist Guild, 12 Jackson Avenue, Clayton, Missouri 63105.

Portfolio Gallery is a member of The Alliance of Black Galleries

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

pg.

140

Friday, November 24, 2017 6:00 pm The DARK ROOM @ The Grandel STLMO

The BROTHERHOOD Testimony of Music Life, Living, & Celebration of Artistic Excellence

EPISODE 1

J

oin us for an evening prelude to what surely promises to be an artistic experience and wonderfilled musical and creative excursion. The Brotherhood is and will be a LIVE hosted Interview with a directed and community based Q & A session with the incomparable Ptah Williams, Darrell Mixon, & Gary Sykes. These musicians who have place in and along the Saint Louis metropolitan area and the world have over 150 years of musical performance between them. Saint Louis born and Saint Louis forged, they have, held and share a bond and brotherhood that has lasted and endured the ages.

Ptah, Gary, and Darrell, have the distinct recognition of having played together and performed together now for well over 35 years. Come listen, and hear them tell their stories in their own words and answer questions about their craft, artistry, life, inspiration(s), influences, and love of music.

‘Its’ like sitting at the feet of the masters dining at their table and listening to them unravel the mysteries of the ages.”

NO COVER - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

– EARLY RESERVATIONS ARE STRONGLY AND HIGHLY SUGGESTED This one of a kind in-depth opportunity will take place in the intimate space of the Dark Room wine bar restaurant and gallery in the Grandel. 3610 Grandel Square in Grand Center . 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm preceding the main stage performance of MUSIC OF THE SOUL A Night of Music, Poetry, Song & Dance “A Celebration of Life, Living, and Artistic Excellence”. – https:// www.metrotix.com/events/detail/music-of-the-soul This event is sponsored by, supported by, and brought to you by David A. N. Jackson Founder/ Artistic Director The HOTBOX Virtualclub.STL L.L.C., with support and Thanks to The DARK ROOM WINE BAR & GALLERY, and The KRANZBERG ARTS FOUNDATION.ORG ** This event will be recorded live and will be available in Live Stream format broadcast on the web.**

Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

Friday

November 24, 2017 8:00 pm The Grandel Theatre The Grandel STLMO MUSIC OF THE SOUL

A Night of Music, Poetry, Song & Dance “A Celebration of Life, Living & Artistic Excellence” Imagine a time and an evening of reunion, retreat, relaxation, and revelry all wrapped and woven together as one, presented by some of the best that this region has to offer. David A. N. Jackson’s production of MUSIC OF THE SOUL is a soul gathering and a who’s who of artists that all have something to profoundly share via their chosen art, talent & craft; sharing a lived experience via the vehicle of music, poetry, movement, spoken word, song, and improvisation.

David A. N. Jackson – percussion+, sound-scaping, poetry, spoken word; Ptah Williams – piano, keyboard; Darrell Mixon – upright bass, electric bass; Gary Sykes – drums, percussion Eric Slaughter – acoustic guitar, electric guitar; Kim FullerBarnes – vocals; Anthony Jones – kinesthetic art motion/dance; Martin Luther Turner – spoken word $20.00 General Admission $25.00 General Admission Day of show $40.00 Special Advance Reserve __________________________________________________ Tickets Available via: https://www.metrotix.com/events/detail/music-of-the-soul and at these locations: AfroWorld Hair Care and Fashion 7276 Natural Bridge Road, STL, MO 63121 Progressive Emporium Information Center 1108 N Sarah Street, STL, MO 63108 The Grandel Theatre 3610 Grandel Square, STL, MO 63103

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

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Sycorax's Daughters

~ Edited by Kinitra Brooks, PhD, Linda D. Addison, Susana Morris, PhD. Forward by: Walidah Imarisha

A powerful, revealing anthology of dark fiction and poetry by Black women writers. The tales of what scares, threatens and shocks them will enlighten and entertain you.

Sycorax’s Daughters’ stories and poems delve into demons and shape shifters from Carole McDonnell’s “How to Speak to the Bogeyman” and Sheree Renée Thomas’ “Tree of the Forest Seven Bells Turns the World Round Midnight” to far future offerings from Kiini Ibura Salaam’s “The Malady of Need”, Valjeanne Jeffers’ steampunk female detective in “Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective II” and others.

These thought-provoking twenty-eight stories and fourteen poems cover creatures imagined— vampires, ghosts, and mermaids, as well as the unexpected price paid by women struggling for freedom and validation in the past—slavery to science-fiction futures with transhumans and alternate realities. Leave the lights on and join these amazing authors as they share their unique vision of fear.

Tiffany Austin - Tracey Baptiste - Regina N. Bradley - Patricia E. Canterbury - Crystal Connor - Joy M. Copeland - Amber Doe - Tish Jackson - Valjeanne Jeffers - Tenea D. Johnson - R. J. Joseph - A. D. Koboah Nicole Givens Kurtz - Kai Leakes - A. J. Locke - Carole McDonnell - Dana T. McKnight - LH Moore - L. Penelope - Zin E. Rocklyn - Eden Royce - Kiini Ibura Salaam - Andrea Vocab Sanderson - Nicole D. Sconiers - Cherene Sherrard - RaShell R. Smith-Spears - Sheree Renée Thomas - Lori Titus - Tanesha Nicole Tyler - Deborah Elizabeth Whaley - L. Marie Wood - K. Ceres Wright - Deana Zhollis

Review:

“

Sycorax's Daughters introduces us to a whole new legion of gothic writers. Their stories drip with history and blood leaving us with searing images and a chill emanating from shadows gathered in the corner. This anthology is historic in its recognition of women of color writers in a genre that usually doesn't know what to do with us.

”

- Jewelle Gomez, author The Gilda Stories

About the Editors: Kinitra D. Brooks, Ph.D. is an associate professor of English at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research interests include contemporary African American and Afro-Caribbean, black feminism, and horror studies.

Linda D. Addison grew up in Philadelphia and received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Carnegie-Mellon University.

She is the award-winning author of four collections including How To Recognize A Demon Has Become Your Friend. She is the first African-American recipient of the HWA Bram Stoker Award® and has published over 300 poems, stories and articles.

SUSANA M. MORRIS, PhD. is an associate professor of African American literature at Auburn University and co-founder of the popular feminist blog, The Crunk Feminist Collective.

Sycorax's Daughters is available for Preorder on Amazon until March 10. Follow this link. http://amzn.to/2lsxgz3 ~~ Rochon Perry Publisher, Cedar Grove Publishing website: www.cedargrovebooks.com twitter.com/cedargrovebooks facebook.com/cedargrovepublishing

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

WHAT WILL NOT STAY DEAD

I

n rare instances, the first and the final sentences of a novel are a perfect frame for the narrative. One might argue this is true for Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, and in her third novel Sing, Unburied, Sing (New York: Scribner, 2017) Jesmyn Ward has chosen her sentences well: “I like to think I know what death is.”…….

Home, they say. Home.

The distance between Ellison’s history-invested narrative and Ward’s experiential aesthetic is vast, in part because she writes within a tradition of African American women’s fiction, within the tradition of Toni Morrison, Octavia Vernon, and Gloria Naylor and in part because her themes emphasize dread, the death-oriented qualities of everyday life, poverty, and the psychosexual risk of being Southern. Her themes are troubling and quintessentially American. She exploited them powerfully in Where the Line Bleeds (2008) and Salvage the Bones (2011), and she reconfigures them with equal power in Sing, Unburied, Sing.

Powerful writing should be acknowledged and rewarded, but power alone doesn’t ensure that a novel will in time assume the status of a classic. Think of Rebecca Harding Davis’s Life

with vicious alacrity since the advent of the Age of Trump. Ward has strengthen the possibility of continuing barbaric social discourses in the ambience of aesthetics.

The best readers of Sing, Unburied, Sing will discover one of the “keys” for unlocking the multi-leveled “meanings” of the novel in the first chapter, page one. No dawdling here; we get to the point. Jojo, one of the three narrators, on his thirteenth birthday relates a story about his black grandfather’s slaughtering a goat. Is this the Mississippi version of bar mitzvah? Jojo’s wanting Pop to know he’s come of age, “ready to pull what needs to be pulled, separate innards from muscle, organs from cavities” ? (1).

Jojo’s white grandfather, Big Joseph, is a man who “believes in niggers” (53). These are all the clues the right people need, especially if they are Mississippians. Death is home; home, death.

~Jerry W. Ward, Jr.

in the Iron Mills, Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence, and Toni Cade Bambara’s The Salt Eaters. . Many a powerful novel is in the museum of American literary history, occasionally read by scholars and university students and infrequently glanced at by the educated reading public. Perhaps such a fate awaits Ward’s third novel. If it does, the novel will be read by the right people.

The right people are not “ideal” readers, and they are rarely professional critics whose opinions might count for something in someone’s mind.

They are readers who use literature --fiction, nonfiction, mashed-up genres --as tools for critical thinking. Like Virginia Woolf ’s common readers, they are secure and stand by and behind the combinations of ideas which emerge from the process of reading. When they engage Sing, Unburied, Sing, they recognize Ward’s intervention in what Charles Mills has identified as America’s foundational racial contract and in the conversations Americans have habitually had since the days of Alexis de Tocqueville and Thomas Jefferson and are having

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OPPORTUNITIES

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CAREERS

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Volume 4.9 December 16, 2017

Over 30 Issues Published

Thank You!!

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