Arts Today vol 5.10

RADICAL

{ AGEISM } MOVEMENT

ASHTON APPLEWHITE ACTIVIST/WRITER pg #116

#FAVORITESIDECOMIC

+

DAVE JONES pg #46

Vol 5.10

September 2, 2019

|

UNSUNG HERO - CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY

DR. MALAIKA HORNE pg #10

View this and past issues from our website.

BE THANKFUL FOR... ECUNUMERICAL...

BERNIE HAYES

pg. #18

PIERRE BLAINE

pg. #42

POETRY...

SUSAN SPITFIRE

pg.#96

11 SEPTEMBER

COLLOQUIUM SERIES

TAZARA Stories:

Remembering work on a China-African railway project TAZARA Stories tells the story of a train through the memories of those who built it. Set in Tanzania, Zambia and China, the film interweaves oral and visual narratives of workers from three nations who found themselves laboring side by side in a massive infrastructure project at the height of the Cold War. Remembering and reliving their youth, the workers take us on a journey in time from the exhilaration of construction through disappointments and derailments to their own hopeful resilience in the face of enduring change.

READ MORE

Department of African & African-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis

pg.

2

St. Louisan Oliver Lee Jackson’s exhibition opens next week at National Gallery

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

IN THIS

ISSUE:

...Listen people...

Life is a giant, invisible scale with two sides; Good and bad You and your beliefs Are the weights The things you do each day Determine the balance Your conscience is a flawless Judge and jury; It only questions you when you're wrong...

The Temptations,

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

Established 2014 Volume 5.10 St. Louis, MO www.artstodaye.com/ Layout/Design www.bdesignme.com

NOTE:

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

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4

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.

6 IN THE NEWS INT. TRADE

8 OTHER NEWS NEWS LINKS

10 UNSUNG HERO DR. MALAIKA HORNE Moline Acres Police Department College Scholarship Program in partnership with Infinite Scholars Program

18

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

BEThrough THANKFUL... 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.

BERNIE HAYES 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.”

22

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.

OP/ED NEWS

26

LIVE/WORK/PLAY CALENDAR

62 74 Pictured are Moline Acres Chief of Police Colonel Ware, Police Officer Donaldson, and students Charmaine and Charles.

FEAT. CARTOONIST BLACK GOD

FEAT. POET SUSAN SPITFIRE

48

POWER GRAB...

PIERRE BLAINE

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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.

pg.

6

Your Source for Art Appreciation

Volume 2.1 March 4, 2015

St. Louis

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Please support our sponsors, many ofELEVATOR... | VOICE ............................................................................. pg. 82

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

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INSIDE 100 MILLION...

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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION...

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pg.

10

Unsung Hero

Constance

Baker MOTLEY

Many Great African Americans Remain in Obscurity The question is Why?

In the hallowed halls of academia truth-telling can often lay bare the African American struggle for liberation. Despite efforts to erase history, a program at Washington University Law School sought to set the record straight, giving a barrage of details about one of the pantheons of racial justice, Judge Constance Baker Motley. Held Thursday, March 28, 6 PM to 8 PM. Federal Judge Charles A. Shaw, Eastern District of Missouri, led off with remarks.

“She was the first Black woman to argue a case before the Supreme Court,” he noted, adding that “many of us have profited from her legal work. She’s a civil rights hero.”

The flyer about the program noted: “She also won cases to desegregate the universities of Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, housing, transportation lunch counters, museums, libraries, parks and freed Martin Luther King, freedom riders and sit-in protesters from jail.

Judge Shaw recently authored a book, Watch Everything: A Judicial Memoir with a Point of View. He grew up in segregated St. Louis and indicated first-hand knowledge that left a daunting impression of the nation’s virulent racism and its devastating impact on African Americans.

Motley died in 2005 of congestive heart failure; she was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1921. In 1939 she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee but couldn’t handle Deep South racism, so transferred to New York University where she graduated -- then she went to Columbia University where she received her law degree in 1946. After law school, she worked 20 years at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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UNSUNG HERO.. cont.

mentored by the first African American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall, who at that time was head of the defense fund.

It should be noted that her family couldn’t afford to send her to college. For one, she was the ninth of 12 children and her parents were working-class immigrants from Nevis in the Caribbean. Her father worked as a chef at Yale University – even working for the elitist, enigmatic and secretive all-male, all-white Skull and Bones. Yet she distinguished herself as a teenager by her many very impassioned speeches about discrimination which eventually caught the eye of a local White philanthropist, Clarence Blakeslee. He was so impressed he offered her a full ride to the college of her choice and she first chose Fisk. This stroke of good luck may seem only just that, but it’s more than that, it also shows that even as a child she was a cut above the rest. She went on to extraordinary achievements, rising to great heights.

So, the question still begs to be asked: why is she so obscure? Over the years, the Black press and Black scholars sought to bring these incredible influencers to the public’s attention. This has been their plight as they have been small in number and have struggled to bring wider attention to Motley and others in the midst of an often biased and hostile White public. With many insurmountable barriers, compounded

by White establishment publications simply ignoring them, has resulted in many believing that there were little to-no leadership among African Americans.

Most may not know that she was the only woman on the team of the 1954 landmark case, Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, where the Supreme Court struck down “separate but equal” segregated schools as unconstitutional. This was a tough case as it was “their greatest fear” that they’d lose. But the court unanimously agreed under the leadership of Chief Justice Earl Warren.

Her accomplishments are too many to name, yet “she had all this influence yet rarely mentioned or studied,” said Gary L. Ford, Jr., who has written a book about her, Constance Baker Motley: One Woman’s Fight for Civil Rights and Equal Justice Under the Law. Ford, who is Black, learned about Motley when he met her niece who introduced him to the civil rights icon.

It was then he learned about her landmark cases that she’d won. He said he studied intersectionality in graduate school, which looks at overlapping discrimination or oppression such as race, class and gender.

As a man and an African American man, he seemed to have a very modern and refreshing perspective on women’s rights as he noted in his presentation that “Women are often required to demonstrate different types of leadership.” For example, he said many times they work behind the scenes and engage in grassroots activities yet don’t necessarily get the credit they deserve, such as JoAnn Robinson who organized the boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, usually accredited to the Rev. Dr. Martin King and Rosa Parks. At the same time, men are typically more visible and vocal and are often perceived as the leader.

In civil rights, he asserted that “women were the engine of that movement and should be part of the Mount Rushmore of civil rights leaders.”

pg.

12

Most may not know that she was the only woman on the team of the 1954 landmark case, Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, where the Supreme Court struck down segregated schools of separate but equal as unconstitutional.

The program also included a documentary about Motley and later Ford had a book signing. The awardwinning 2012 documentary produced by Quinnipiac University and aired on PBS, titled, Justice is a Black Woman: The Amazing Constance Baker Motley, looked like a gathering of a civil rights convention. Filled with civil rights leaders and events that threaded its way, carefully and skillfully, through the muck and mire of staunch racism. Yet these activists emerged as moral agents, the anti-racist victors (as it were) who vanquished their racist foes. Shown and mentioned included Medgar Evers of Jackson, Mississippi’s NAACP – a close colleague of Motley. James Meredith, who was the first African American to be enrolled in 1962 into the University of Mississippi as a result of Motley successfully arguing his case before the Supreme Court. The victory was hailed as the “last battle of the Civil War.” Motley represented the venerable Dr. King, who was in the documentary, but also others including Ralph Abernathy, King’s cohort at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, Derrick Bell, Harvard law professor and of course Thurgood Marshall.

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, who Motley got admitted as the first African American to the University of Georgia at Albany in 1961. In 1963 she paved the way for Harvey Gantt, the first African American to go to Clemson University in South Carolina.

Many will recall the chilling refrain of Alabama Governor George Wallace’s “Segregation today, Segregation tomorrow and Segregation forever!” But it was Motley, unfazed and unbowed, who succeeded in getting Vivian Malone admitted into the University of Alabama in 1963, considered as a watershed event. And then it was the Little Rock Nine where in 1957 Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus resisted President Dwight Eisenhower’s orders to allow nine Black students to attend Central High School; eventually Federal troops were deployed. She succeeded there too.

“She sat at the feet of greats,” said Ford, working in all-male environments with the best of the best such as civil rights lawyers William T. Coleman and George E.C. Hayes and even though they were influenced by the sexism of their times, they treated Motley as a peer and mentored her as they did their male colleagues. Also featured in the documentary were her husband, Joel Motley, Jr.; they were married for more than 50 years and their son, Joel Wilson Motley, III. She represented the venerable the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, who, was in the video, but also others such as Ralph Abernathy who was King’s cohort at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Roy Wilkins of the NAACP, Derrick Bell, Harvard law professor and of course Thurgood Marshall.

Her son spoke about his incredible mother, yet growing up he didn’t have much of an inkling about her professional life. He said he never felt ignored or neglected. As a child he’d ask his friends what their mothers did for a living and when they’d reply “nothing,” he thought something was wrong with their mothers. But her husband was also very supportive and patient and proud of his wife’s accomplishments.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

UNSUNG HERO... cont.

Motley argued and won nine of ten cases before the high court and impacted the course of history. The tenth decision, which would have permitted Blacks to serve on juries, was eventually overturned in her favor.

To say she had a brilliant legal mind and was a force to be reckoned with does not give her just due.

What she did has to be contextualized as she was a Black woman operating at the pinnacles of White patriarchy and racism during a period described as “extremely stressful and dangerous.” What’s more, White judges had no problem being disrespectful to Black lawyers. But Motley, tall, robust and forceful, didn’t back down.

When Medgar Evers, her friend, was assassinated in 1963 in front of his home while his wife and children were inside, it had a profound effect on her. This was followed in 1968 by the assassination of Dr. King.

So, these were very dark times in the midst of turbulence and struggle, racially fueled with violent conflicts and upheavals with rioting nationwide in the streets.

“She was a dogged opponent of Southern segregationists, who found her tougher than Grant at Vicksburg,” said Jack Greenberg in the documentary, leader of the LDF after Thurgood Marshall was appointed Federal judge.

Motley was said to be involved in every civil rights case of the era. But it didn’t stop there. She was the first Black woman to be elected to the New York State Senate and the first to be elected to the Borough Council of Manhattan. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed her to the Federal bench of the Southern District of New York, another first. When you see women interviewing male professional athletes in the locker room, that resulted in a Major League Baseball decision by Motley.

With all this success, Motley is an “unsung hero,” but strangely this is indicative of how other Black women and men are swept into history’s dustbin of obscurity. It’s indeed a travesty of justice.

Said one admirer in the documentary about Motley: “She had extraordinary courage and perseverance.

She was open-minded; level-headed; even-handed; firmly anchored in her values and sure-footed.”

Malaika Horne, PhD, is a book author, journalist and academic writer

pg.

14

“

”

Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity.

-- Charles Mingus

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pg.

16

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

‘Be THANKFUL for the African American Press’!

I

t is widely recognized that better information of the community’s awareness and concern is of vital importance to every ethnic group, particularly African Americans. This magazine and other print media published by black people keeps us informed on the unique and combined contributions of race, ethnicity, income, and family structure.

Malcolm X said, “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent.” Media has been a tool that has proven to influence the minds, ideas, behaviors, and attitudes of the masses.

But later studies prove that Malcolm X was one of the most media-savvy black leaders of the period, readily employing television, magazines, and newspapers to spread the ideology of Islam and Black Nationalism.

By the time of his assassination, in February 1965, he had appeared on scores of television programs, arguably more than any other civil rights figure including King. This media outreach helped build membership in the Nation of Islam from five hundred in 1952 to 30,000 in 1963, and enabled its leaders to influence African American public opinion for decades to come.

ethnic minorities are portrayed in the press and why.

Bill Kovach wrote ‘this desire that information be truthful is elemental. Since news is the material that people use to learn and think about the world beyond themselves, the most important quality is that it be useable and reliable’.

In an article published by Media Ethics and Society: ‘Why it is Important to Tell the Truth’ they said ‘in order to be an ethical journalist, you must always focus on telling the truth. It is important for journalists to tell the truth because the public depends on them. The public depends on journalists every day for information going on in their town as well as their country’. This is why you must read and support this publication.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson wrote: ‘The thought of the inferiority of the Negro is drilled into him in almost every class he enters and in almost every book he studies. As another has well said, to handicap a student by teaching him that his black face is a curse and that his struggle to change his condition is hopeless, is the worst sort of lynching’. We seek to remedy this stigma.

This publication reveal that black Americans make significant contributions to every segment of American society, such as in business, arts and entertainment, science, literature, and politics and law. Though issues of discrimination remain, African Americans endure, achieve, and lead, and we become aware of our achievements through the black media. ~ Bernie Hayes

Today Malcolm would understand The Black Press is used

by African Americans as a tool for survival. They print the truth and African American need truth and facts. We need to know what is really behind the attacks on black elected officials and other public servants that function in our interest. And we must understand the ways in which

pg.

18

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

pg.

20

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

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.

pg.

22

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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“

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

(Nina Simone)

Mother Wit

by Malaika B. Horne

Yes! Please send me Mother Wit

by Malaika B. Horne $16.00 • ISBN: 978-1-4809-4550-0 Ship ___ at $16.00/book $ * Please add $3.99 shipping & handling for the first book ordered and $1.00 for each additional book.

Shipping is USPS First Class.

SUBTOTAL $ ** Shipping and Handling $ TOTAL DUE $ Order from your bookseller or direct from:

DORRANCE PUBLISHING CO BOOK ORDER DEPARTMENT 585 Alpha Drive, Suite 103 Pittsburgh, PA 15238

NAME ADDRESS

Please add me to your mailing list.

To order call

1-800-788-7654

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or visit our website at

www.dorrancebookstore.com PHONE or cut along dotted line and mail to address listed above along with credit card information or check or money order.

EMAIL

Visa [ ] MC [ ] AmEx [ ] Disc. [ ] Signature

pg.

24

Exp. Date

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019 St. Louis

August is one of my favorite months of the year. It is my birthday month, and also the month where we first get a glimpse of fall. Someone once said that August is the Sunday of Summer. Of course, August in St. Louis is host to some great festivals, which I can hardly wait to attend!

I hope that you'll join me in making the last few weeks of summer memorable!

All the best. –Nate

AUGUST

1

thru

AUGUST

4

Tonight, or perhaps tomorrow, you might want to take your kids, my kids, or someone else’s kids to the City Museum to enjoy the spectacle of Circus Harmony! It promises to delight audiences of all ages and it runs all month long!

If it’s bluegrass and blues, it’s bound to be an awesome weekend of music at Atomic Cowboy in The Grove. Tonight, you can check out JJ Mofro w/Johnny Lang as they bless the stage!

Also tonight, you’ll want to take a lawn chair and some friends over to Forest Park to watch The Goonies on the big screen. The movie is part of the Art Hill Film Series, The search is on for buried treasure… and free popcorn with your art museum membership card!

Support the arts in St. Louis tonight at A Midsummer Night’s Drink on the rooftop at Centene Center for the Arts, which features signature cocktails, appetizers, and a sweeping view of the St. Louis skyline.

On Saturday afternoon, if I’m not helping my clients achieve their real estate goals, you may find me at Public Media Commons enjoying Best of Shorts, which is Cinema St. Louis and St. Louis Public Radio’s outdoor screening of award-winning short films from the 2018 St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) and 2018 St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase!

You can enjoy delectable and aromatic fare on Sunday the 4th at the Great Muslim Food Fest at the World’s Fair Pavilion in Forest Park.

pg.

26

Local Events AUGUST

Sunday, the 4th is also the last day for children to take part in an array of activities and build a house, or The NEST, for a giant mythical creature at theSt. Louis Public Library.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

Something else for the kids is Roald Dahl’s “Matilda”, and enchanting story about a little girl and her magical powers. Showing on the The Muny stage August 5th through 11th.

On the 6th is Faust Summer Concert Series in Chesterfield with music by Scott Laytham and Karl Holmes, cool-down food for purchase such as Kona Ice, and a Kid’s Zone featuring the Bubble Bus, a rock climbing wall, and much more!

Because of the rains a few weeks ago, they have extended the Whitaker Music Festival for a week! Join me on Wednesday August 7th at the Missouri Botanical Gardens for an evening of great music, drinks, food, & friends asTonina will be closing down the festival for this season.

AUGUST

5

thru

AUGUST

11 cont.

This week on the 7th Kranzberg Jazz Jam, hosted by Bob Deboo is part of the Wednesday night Jazz Crawl in Grand Center, featuring various St. Louis musicians.

On Friday, the 9th, you might find me downtown at the Gateway Arch for a fantastic evening. Blues at the Arch is a free concert series that takes place each Friday in the month of August. This week, the incomparable Kim Massiewill bless the stage, along with Kennedy Holmes.

Also on Friday, you can head over to Clayton on the Park and hang out the fine folks from Kingside After Dark for a Summer Rooftop Soiree high above the park! Food, drinks, music & fun!

Francis Park is the place to be on Saturday the 10th for Grub and Groove (the event title says it all!).

Support the Urban League’s efforts to empower the black community at theUrban Expo/Back to School & Community Festival at America’s Center on the 11th and 12th. Free parking!

Also on Sunday, you can head over to Creve Coeur for a Celebration of Indian Culture where you can immerse yourself in Bollywood music, dance and more at Millennium Park!

pg.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

From August 1-31 you can view two unique exhibitions: Central Print presents: FLOCK andBLACK/WHITE All Media Art Exhibit (Lillian Yahn Art Gallery) 13th through 18th 2019 St Lou Fringe Festival inGrand Center Arts District Might you be up for a boat ride on the river in the dead of night? If so, paddle out on the Big Muddy Adventures Full Moon Float, on Friday the 16th.

Ah yes! One of the best new festivals in St. Louis returns on the 16th, 17th and 18th! The St. Louis World’s Fare is upon us for the 3rd or 4th year. I can›t remember exactly how long, but I promise that it is always a good time, and you will find me there along with great food from all over St. Louis, several stages of live music, and a host of other art and activities- including a ferris wheel over Forest Park! Even Ewok was there last year.. not sure if he rode the ferris wheel though.

AUGUST

12 thru

AUGUST

18

On Saturday the 17th there’s so much going on in and around St. Louis...

Kimmswick 5K And 1 Mile Walk And Fun Run to fight ALS presented by Blue Owl Bakery; Rise Up Festival on Washington Blvd.; and Red White & Floyd - A Tribute to Pink Floyd at Pop’s.

The Biennial Faculty Exhibition will be on display at Craft Alliance through the 18th. Check out the creations of talented teachers, then consider signing up for a class yourself!

After a year off, The Moonlight Ramble returns for it’s 55th year on Saturday, the 17th! This St. Louis tradition is the world’s original nighttime bike ride.

Kicking off at Soldiers’s Memorial in Downtown STL near the full moon and attracting thousands of riders each year. Trailnet is excited to partner on this event which includes a leisurely bike ride through the streets of St. Louis, a Festival area, live entertainment, a commemorative event shirt along with with a post-ride party including snacks and drinks!

pg.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

The 20th is one of many Happy Hour Tuesdaysat Saint Louis Hop Shop. Stop by and check out the wide variety of craft beers -- you will not leave thirsty.

Slaying Dragons Theater, in conjunction with theMissouri History Museum, presents Voices in the Woods on the 21st. The dramatization explores a West Virginia family’s dealings with a matriarch›s mental illness. You’ll have to see the play to grasp a powerful message.

An inspirational teacher for many, Iyanla Vanzant offers words of wisdom atThe Touhill Performing Arts Center on Thursday the 22nd.

Your new tattoo is waiting to take form on the 23rd and 24th at Trader Bob’s 6th AnnualTattoo Flash Revival.This year’s them is “Born to Raise Hell”... Alright, I’m excited.

AUGUST

19 thru

My favorite festival of the year is upon us on the 24th and 25th, which is my birthday weekend! I can hardly wait to spend part of weekend in Tower Grove Park. We will enjoy everything that you would expect at our region’s largest multicultural celebration, the Festival of Nations! Me and my babies will try as much of more than 40 food booths as we can. We’ll participate in non-stop dance and music, arts and crafts, and an international bazaar with unique gifts from around the world!

On the 25th The Milk Carton Kids perform at The Sheldon. The duo has been likened to Simon and Garfunkel with their harmonious and soulful singing.

AUGUST

25

pg.

32

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

Two fun events are scheduled for Tuesday the 27th -- Poetry at the [Focal] Point and the UPC Heartland Wing Ding! St. Louis benefit.

The 28th is the last day to take part in Monarch Garden Maintenance at Hellrung Park in Alton, Illinois. Fun for kids!

Journey into the Wild and learn about Mexican Wolf Pups at Endangered Wolf Center. August 29th. Not just for kids!

Labor Day weekend, August 30th through September 1, may be goodbye to summer for some, but the Queeny Park Art Fair will send out the season with a bang. Be dazzled by spectacular artistic creations while enjoying food and drinks. Or if a full weekend of music is more your thing, the Big Muddy Blues Festival is the place to be. There will be indoor stages if you prefer to be out of the weather. Enjoy!

AUGUST

26 thru

Yes, we have another great month ahead of us. I look forward to seeing you out and about enjoying our wonderful St. Louis!

All the best. ~Nate P.S. Here is the latest Housing Report for St. Louis.

AUGUST

31

Let me know if there is anything that I can do for you.~Nate

Nate K. Johnson ABR,AHWD,CIPS,CRS,GRI,SRES Real Estate Solutions Group Redkey Realty Leaders 314-575-7352 Direct 314-514-9600 Office nate@livingstl.com www.livingstl.com

pg.

34

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

pg.

36

“Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LIVE WORK PLAY

Sept. 6-8th | CHAIFETZ - Disney on Ice

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Sept. 15th

Sept. 7th

| JAZZ STL - Brunch & Brass

| CAM - Artist Talk: Stephanie Syjuco pg.

38

Sept. 10 th

| FOX THEATRE - Lenny Kravitz

Coming In

EPTEMBER Sept. 20th | COCA STL - Adornment

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Sept.

27 th

| FOX THEATRE Boyz II Men

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40

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pg.

42

Ecumenical Presentation Religious Wars

Ephesians 6:12

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against power, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Movement: Race, Power and Culture in America is a political and economic primer on how race in America had undermined how democracy in America works and is supposed to work. It also shows how the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was disappointed in how the ecclesiastica’s lack of response to the implementation of racism in America forced him to call out pastors, rabbis, and shaman hiding behind stained-glass windows and not proclaiming the hypocrisy of racism in America masked in so-called religious belief.

He was particularly disappointed in his Christian brethren who shepherd every Sunday the most segregated day in America – religious services. I chronicle in the book how Dr. King had to respond to the clergyman of Birmingham, Alabama who chastised him for being there calling his presence there ‘unwise and untimely.’ You may recall that Dr. King and the Rev. Ralph Abernathy were put into jail in Birmingham to challenge the racist policies there and Dr. King answered an op-ed piece in the newspaper written by a coalition of white clergyman. These religious leaders were Episcopalian, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist. Dr. King answered their concerns with what is now considered a classic in American literature – Letter from Birmingham Jail.

King said in part: My Dear Fellow Clergymen: While confined in this Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities “unwise and untimely...”

to witness beyond the confines of “stained glass windows”. It was reminiscent of Martin Luther in 1517 who challenged the Catholic Church’s authority and elevated to the individual the responsibility to examine his or her own conscience. King explained that he was in Birmingham because injustice was in Birmingham.

It was the Church that used the Bible to justify the implementation of slavery in Ephesians 6:5 – “Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect and fear…”

But if they had read just a little further Ephesians 6:9 – “And Masters treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him”.

In writing the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson drew on notions of a social contract, being governed by the consent of the people evolving from the natural rights of man. In the editing of creating this organizing document of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, one of the members of the committee drafting the document, changed the original phrase – “sacred and undeniable” into the phrase – “self-evident”.

‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal’. According to author Walter Issacson, that change to “self-evident” made freedom a rational value of the United States of America rather than an assertion of religious dogma.

It is ‘We the people’ who have the power to avert any notion of another race war because - We shall Overcome…

Pierre Blaine is the author of: Movement: Race, Power and Culture in America available on Amazon.com and Progressive Bookstore.

Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that the individual could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths… so must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood…

Dr. King drew on his Christian beliefs and the recollections of Paul, the Apostle, when Paul wrote his letters to the early Christian church. King’s letter set out the foundation of what I call Kingism – the philosophy of the non-violent social change movement in America as practiced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It also articulated a “social ministry” to be applied by all faiths and denominations as a way for churches Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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pg.

44

THE TEARS OF MOTHER EMANUEL

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

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

COMEDIAN

Dave Jones

Is THE COUNTRY'S NEW #FavoriteSIDEcomic "YOU CAN KEEP YO MAIN!" Watch As He Receives Standing Ovation At The World Famous Apollo Theater in #NYC & Makes NBA All-Star Shaquille O' Neal Laugh!!!

pg.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

Power Grab is Not T

New

ake a moment and remember the Stakeholder As-

sembly, a group of citizens of St. Louis, assembled

Bert Walker, the cousin of former President George

H.W. Bush, former head of Stifel Nicolaus & Company

to determine what form the St. Louis government should

investment firm and U.S. ambassador to Hungary, was

take for the future. The assembly was 200 strong taken

the business person spearheading the reform effort to get

from all parts of the city of St. Louis to make sure that

charter reform on the November 2004 ballot. This was

its composition was representative of St. Louis in race,

not the first time that business and civic leaders had come

gender and geographic location. The Stakeholder Assem-

together to get the charter changed in St. Louis. On at

bly was organized by the Citizens For Home Rule, Inc.

least three other attempts, the voters of St. Louis reject-

a non-profit organization organized by business people

ed reform. Business interests on one side and workers

and four former Mayors of St. Louis who got petitions

interests on the other side represented by unions came out

signed to get the State of Missouri to get a statewide vote

on different sides of the issue. The result of the second at-

to enable the citizens of St. Louis the authority to change

tempt for reform resulted in the 1914 City Charter, which

the City Charter that governs how St. Louis government

is still in place. It diluted the Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power in reaction

is organized and run by city officials. They joined with

to what people felt were acts of corruption in city gov-

another non-profit group called Advance St. Louis who

ernment. The Stakeholder Assembly primarily dealt with

acted as the conveners of the Advance St. Louis Project.

overcoming the weak-Mayor system created by the 1914

The Advance St. Louis Project was a community plan-

Charter.

ning process-enabling citizens to debate and discuss what form of government is best for the City of St. Louis. In all, there were 16 assembly meetings planned, 2 citywide meetings and 5 town hall meetings. The planning process was organized to be inclusive meaning that black and white and all parts of the community were represented at the Stakeholder Assembly. It was designed to create the content that was presented to city voters on what kind of government they want within a process that recognizes the city voters as the ultimate decision-makers, allowing for input and feedback during the planning process, while

Opponents of Charter reform in 1911 and 1914 saw the process to create a strong-Mayor system as a power grab to take over the government of St. Louis. The public is fearful of a strong-Mayor because of the distrust of a power elite in St Louis. In fact, Lana Stein, political science professor and former chair of political science at the University of Missouri- St. Louis predicted that the new attempt to pass charter reform in 2004 would fail precisely for the same distrust of special interests and power grab to take over the governance of St. Louis city.

The public has heard the pre-text before â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that in order

allowing the Stakeholder Assembly to make recommen-

to have an efficient and effective government that the

dations for what the final product looked like.

Mayor needs to be held accountable. The Mayor can only pg.

48

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

POWER GRAB... cont.

The County offices functions in which the State im-

be held accountable if he has the power to implement the apparatus of municipal government in a dynamic and

posed on the city of St. Louis to elect in city-wide elec-

changing economy that necessitates being able to move

tions are: Sheriff, Circuit Clerk, Treasurer, Recorder of

quickly to exploit opportunities.

Deeds, License Collector, Collector of Revenue, Public

Professor Sylvester Murray, professor of Public Administration at Cleveland State University was invited to explain various forms of government in municipalities across the country. He explained that St. Louis’ form of government is an example of a Mayor/Council Non-Standard meaning that power and executive authority is dispersed away from the Mayor and the board of alderman/ council to other elected executive officials. The value in this form of government is that the dispersal of power acts as a checks and balances feature to restrain executive power. You will recall from your civics classes that the

Administrator, and Circuit Attorney. The Sheriff’s office provides security for the Circuit Court, serves Court papers and eviction notices, transports prisoners between detention facilities and the Courts, and isues gun permits and jury summons. The Public Administrator oversees the estates of people who left no will or survivors and serves as the guardian for incapacitated individuals. The Treasurer administers the parking services operations and the banking systems. The Recorder of Deeds serves as the repository of legal documents that affect title to real estate and issues marriage licenses.

The Circuit Clerk records the judgments, rules, orders

checks and balances feature is really a hallmark of the American federal system of government and the feature

and other proceedings of the Circuit Court En Banc. The

generally always finds expression at our state and local

Circuit Clerk also manages funds generated from Circuit

levels of government. The major criticism is that account-

Court fees.

ability is dispersed.

The License Collector issues 60 different types of licens-

St. Louis’ unique position goes back to 1876 when city fathers decided to divorce itself from the county and became possibly the only city in America that is itself a county and not located within a county. This anachronism forced the State government to impose on the city of St. Louis the requirement to elect executives to perform the

es and receipts of license taxes.

And the Circuit Attorney represents the people in prosecuting criminal acts. These elected County offices are not under the control of the city Charter and the State Legislature of Missouri has oversight responsibilities.

Arguably, the hardest part about democracy is the

county functions for the city of St. Louis thus making the city its own county. Many argue that it is this very disper-

process. Democracy is hard because how do you go

sal of authority that makes the city inefficient in grasping

about getting input from the participants/shareholders in

opportunities because the Mayor has to develop consen-

a community? In the case in St. Louis, the Citizens for

sus among these offices to make government work.

Home Rule created Advance St. Louis to coordinate the selection of a Stakeholder Assembly to be composed of pg.

50

concerned and dedicated citizens to determine what form

a strongâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Mayor system for the future? Certainly, the con-

of government is best for St. Louis. The members of the

veners spent some time thinking about process because it

Stakeholder Assembly were selected from individuals

is process in which the community failed so miserably in

who filed an application. It was also important to get

the past on charter reform.

individuals who represented businesses and other institutions that had a stake in the issues of governance. The most compelling criteria for selection were race, gender,

John Hoal, Ph.D., professor at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. and principal in

and geography. It is also very important to de-politicize

H3 Studio, Inc. organized the facilitation of the Assem-

the process, so elected officials were excluded in the

bly. The process as planned out by the facilitator was to

Stakeholder Assembly.

review city-wide and town hall meeting feedback from

During the first two sessions of the Assembly there was a lot of information about the structure of municipal government and information about the trends of municipal government change in other communities dissemi-

any citizen including elected officials that wanted to participate. Then the Assembly focused on best practices from other communities that had tackled similar problems in changing/reforming their communities.

nated. The process also provided for at-large town hall

The three major isues the Assembly focused on were:

meetings where anyone who wanted to participate could

Neighborhood Development and Economic Develop-

come and have input into the process.

ment; City Services and Administration; and Budget and

The information from these concerns was given to the Assembly to include in their debate and discussion for

Finance and Representation. Professor Murphy pointed out in the trends in organizing local government

change. Some of the feedback from some of the Stake-

that the purpose of city government is to provide for the

holder participants centered on the process itself in terms

health, safety and welfare of the city residents and the

of the beginning deliberations centering on issues raised

how that is accomplished is through the form and struc-

in town hall meetings. Others felt that the Assembly was

ture of your municipal government established through

being steered into a particular direction about how the

the City Charter. One of the key goals of examining

government is going to look. But these concerns were

neighborhood development is assuring equitable neigh-

only the beginning deliberations in the process. There

borhood development.

was some criticism that possibly we could be spending too much time on the specifics of issues of administration instead of looking at what form, what structure are we really interested in having? Do we really care that the Mayor is steward of a weak-Mayor system or do we need

It appears that in the early briefing discussions at the end of the third Stakeholder Assembly meeting that there was no consensus as to whether neighborhood development is equitable.

Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

There is a perception based on the history

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

POWER GRAB... cont.

and outcomes in the distribution of development dollars

appoint, a Recorder/Reporter

in St. Louis that the allocation of development has been

who will keep notes on the group’s ideas and writes the

uneven in North St. Louis when compared to the Central

answers to questions in a discussion

West End and Downtown St. Louis and South St. Louis.

In St. Louis, the race demarcation line is North St. Louis is predominately black, South St. Louis is predominately white although that has changed somewhat, and the Central West End and Downtown St. Louis is racially mixed.

exercise designed to get responses from the group participants on how they feel and think about neighborhood and economic development issues. The reporter also serves as the group’s spokesperson when the smaller groups reconvene into the larger group for de-briefing on discussions

The discussions in the Stakeholder Assembly appears to

in the smaller groups. We drew numbers as we arrived at

be developing a consensus that there is dissatisfaction in

this meeting, which assigned you to your breakout ta-

the way the Board of Alderman divides up development

ble. I was late getting to my outbreak table and thus was

dollars so that the alderman controls how the dollars are

chosen to be the moderator of the discussion, as it turned

allocated and what projects occur in the wards. Many

out that wasn’t so bad, since I have had considerable

Assembly participants articulated that the alderman has

experience in facilitating group dynamics. The exercise

too much power in deciding what development occurs in

directs the participants – based on your understanding of

the wards and many times this is at the expense of a more

the structure and organization involved in neighborhood

rational development approach for the entire City of St.

development in St. Louis to discuss the following issues:

Louis. This is causing some participants to favor reducing

Is authority too concentrated, dispersed or just right? The

the number of the Board of Alderman from the 28 Alder-

consensus of my group is authority is dispersed just about

man as is stipulated in the current City Charter. Many

right. One of the major points is that the Mayor already

black participants of the Assembly saw the reduction of

appoints the director of development, the director of

the Board of Alderman as a coup de taut of reducing the

CDA, the director of the training and employment agen-

power of blacks since expanding the boundaries of wards

cy, the director of personnel, the director of civil rights

would reduce the likelihood that blacks could be elected

enforcement agency, the city counselor, the director of

to office.

parks, recreation and forestry, the director of public utili-

The process used to discuss the Neighborhood and

ties, director of streets, director of public safety, the direc-

Economic Development isues by the Assembly focused

tor of health and hospitals, director of human resources,

the discussion in breakout groups of about 10 people per

the president of the board of public service, the assessor,

group. Each group was given a set of instructions. First,

the airport director and the medical examiner, the regis-

appoint a Group Leader. The Group Leader moderates the

trar, supply commissioner, director of planning and urban

discussion to keep the group focused on the issue. Next,

design and director of information technology.

pg.

52

economic development CDBG funds that were allocated Our group discussion centered on the fact that the Mayor already appoints the director of

specifically for their wards were actually spent elsewhere.

This occurred even though the federal government developed a needs test formula using U.S. Census data such

development and the director of the CDA –so doesn’t the

as poverty levels and unemployment statistics to award

Mayor already have control over the two departments

these funds to a community. What is the key idea in this

through which development flows in the city? Ironically,

dispute with the Southside ward alderman and the Cen-

the next two weeks after that discussion one of the black

tral West End alderman is that the Mayor and the deputy

weekly newspapers cited the history of the allocation of

Mayor for development compromised to include the

Community Development Block Grant funds. (CDBG)

language in the City Budget to allocate CDBG funds by

CDBG funds began under the Nixon White House. The

wards. The Mayor and the deputy Mayor of development

funds were designed to re-allocate federal dollars that had

solved the inequity of the allocation of development dol-

been allocated by President Lyndon Johnson during the

lars even within the current weak-Mayor format. (Mark

War on Poverty. Johnson’s White House allocated those

Wilson, St. Louis American, Political Eye, November 6,

dollars directly to community development non-profit

2003, p. A9)

organizations thus by-passing the state and local governments. This article further articulates that even though the allocation strategy benefited Democratic officials, some Democratic bosses complained that giving the money directly to these organizations challenged the elected officials’ power.

Once Nixon became President he convinced the dem-

The next area of study and focus in the Stakeholder Assembly is the area of Administration and City Services.

This was the area where the real fight was going to take place because the reason the business interests want to vote on the structural components of St. Louis government is to change how the county offices function. It is the control over the county offices that all four past May-

ocratically controlled Congress to bundle development

ors have said need to come under the Mayor’s authority.

dollars into grants to be allocated to counties and cities.

This is also where the argument is made that in St. Louis

That context provides an interesting support to the con-

– accountability breaks down because the Mayor does not

clusion of the stakeholders at my table that the current

have control over these offices. The general consensus of

Mayor even in its weak-Mayor format never-the-less

the Stakeholders agreed on this point. For the most part,

included language in the City Budget for 2003 that

the political science analysis supports the idea that in St.

allocated CDBG funds by wards for neighborhood and

Louis that is why the city is classified as a weak-Mayor

economic development instead of leaving the allocation

format. The Stakeholders agreed that there was too much

open-ended. The Board of Alderman/Council Northside

autonomy in the county offices. There was also some

Caucus had complained for years that neighborhood and Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

LADY J HUSTON SHOW CALENDAR (for more info, visit www.msjoyce.com) Sunday, August 4, 4:00pm – 7:00pm The Lady J Huston Show (Full Band) National Blues Museum 615 Washington Ave., 63101 Ticket: $15 at Box Office, (314) 925-0016 or order online.

Lady J. Huston SHOW CALENDAR

Thursday, August 15, 7:00pm - 10:00pm Lady J Huston Duo Evangeline's Bistro & Music House 512 N Euclid Ave, 63108 Ticket: No Cover, call to RSVP at: (314) 367-3644.

St. Louis Blues Society members get 15% off their bill with membership card.

LADY J HUSTON SHOW CALENDAR (for more info, visit www.msjoyce.com) Tuesday, August 20, 12:00pm – 1:00pm Lady J Huston (Solo) presentation: St. Louis Woman, Living the Blues National Blues Museum 615 Washington Ave., 63101 Private: St. Louis Oasis Group Members only.

ugust 4, 4:00pm – 7:00pm Huston Show (Full Band) es MuseumSaturday, September 7, 7:00pm – 10:00p The Lady J Huston Show gton Ave., 63101 National Blues Museum 615 Washington Ave., 63101 at Box Office, or order online.

Ticket:(314) $15 at Box925-0016 Office, (314) 925-0016 or order online.

Thursday, September 12, 10:00pm - 1:30am The Lady J Huston Show BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups 700 S. Broadway, 63102 Ticket: $5 at door, call to RSVP for 4 or more guests at: (314) 436-5222.

August 15, 7:00pm - 10:00pm on Duo Bistro & Music House Sunday, Sept 29, 2019, 12:00pm - 3:00pm d Ave, 63108 Lady J Huston Trio Fall Festival over, call to RSVP (314) 367-3644.

Saints Peter & at: Paul Church S. 7th St., 63104, (314) 231-9923 ues Society 1919 members get 15% offwiththeir with membership card Ticket: No Cover, neighborhood festival games, bill beer, brats & more with covered tents.

ugust 20, 12:00pm – 1:00pm on (Solo) presentation: St. Louis Woman, Living the Blues es Museum gton Ave., 63101 pg. 54 Louis Oasis Group Members only.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

POWER GRAB... cont.

feeling that the county offices with separate budgets

Executive Budget under the Budget Office managed by

should be consolidated. Ironically, but in grand St. Louis

the Deputy Mayor of Administration. The plan called for

style, another undercurrent has developed pitting two of

an independent office of City Auditor. The Auditor would

the major conveners at odds. One convener accuses the

be nominated by the President of the Board of Alderman

other of using the Stakeholder Assembly process to lay

and confirmed by the Board of Alderman. The Auditor

the foundation for a bid to run for Mayor in 2005. What

would be limited to two or three terms of six years each

was troubling about this spat was that they would allow

subject to voter approval at the end of term. The City

it to blow up in the middle of a delicate and precarious

Auditor would have the power to audit all city offices

moment in the process. The process was fragile because

included those positions performing county responsibil-

of the distrust that we have already articulated. The

ities. The current position of Comptroller would become

convener then also accused the other of trying to steer

the office of Deputy Mayor for Fiscal Management and

the Assembly to accept the policy objective of creating a

cease to be an elected position. The Mayor would appoint

strong-Mayor system.

this position.

The question concerning the county elected offices,

My assessment of this undercurrent of the two con-

Professor Wendel pointed out that these county offices

veners being at odds was that it stated the obvious. The

must continue to perform the current state-mandated

Stakeholders already accepted the caveat that the business

responsibilities because of the unique status of the city

interests want a strong-Mayor system. The real issue for

of St. Louis being its own county. He recommended that

the Stakeholders was to determine how St. Louis could

four of the county offices currently elected should be

evolve into a strong-Mayor system while maintaining

appointed by the Mayor and to position those offices as

a checks and balances feature in the system. The point

departments under the Deputy Mayor for Fiscal Man-

of contention was as old as the issue itself going back

agement. The other county offices – the Public Admin-

to 1898. My old professor now deceased Dr. George

istrator, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and Sheriff would be

Wendel of St. Louis University argued for a new govern-

under the authority and appointed by the Circuit Court en

ment format in the ‘90’s. Specifically, he identified the

banc. Another issue unrelated to the county offices that

inherent problems of the weak-Mayor system as weak,

the Assembly should have addressed was how the Po-

diffused, and divided. He recommended that the current

lice Department should be returned to the control of the

fiscal body of the city of St. Louis called the Board of

Mayor in St. Louis and to the City of St. Louis. The state

Estimate and Apportionment comprised of the Mayor, the

of Missouri controls the Police Department in St. Louis

President of the Board of Alderman and Comptroller and

and professors Wendel and Croft of St. Louis University

makes the city budget should be abolished. The respon-

point out that the organized enforcement entity of most

sibility of budget preparation would be the Mayor - an

American governmental jurisdictions report to the Chief

pg.

56

Executive Officer.

By the 6th meeting of the Stakeholder Assembly, we were given a good dose of government/political science 101 for municipal administration by Advance St. Louis staff and consultants. The thought of the conveners was

cal machines controlled city government which corrupted politics. So, the progressive movement evolved to end business monopolies, protect working people, bridge the gap between social classes and end political corruption.

The sixth meeting of the Stakeholder Assembly

how do you bring together people from diverse back-

informed us about how the progressive movement helped

grounds, some with sophisticated knowledge about city

to shape the thinking of the citizens in St. Louis in the

government and others with no background at all? The

1900’s about city government. During the turn of the 20th

conveners presented the historical context of St. Louis

century, the reformers thought leaders should use scien-

government to help Stakeholders to understand the how

tific and professional ideas to solve the problems of city

and why St. Louis has the current type of municipal gov-

services, public health, and poverty. There was a clash

ernment. Alva Smith, research consultant with the Na-

between the upper-middle class, college-educated, Amer-

tional Civic League presented the problems of St. Louis

ican-born citizens opposed to the immigrant political

municipal government before 1914 – the date the current

bosses who had little formal education. Lincoln Steffens

charter for the City of St. Louis was passed by the voters.

wrote articles exposing corruption in city government

The problem of municipal government in St. Louis before 1914 was total corruption. The city legislature was corrupt as well as the executive branch and bribery was the way favors were passed to get legislative votes. Other problems that were cited such as the poor control of the city’s election process and the continued involvement of

which aroused the consciousness of citizens. These ideas began to take shape in reform themes for city government like cost-accounting measures, decentralized power, merit system for hiring, firing, pay and promotion, and public control of offices through direct elections to weaken “machine politics”.

state politics in St. Louis remained a problem that mani-

Thus, St. Louis’ third attempt at reform in 1914 was a

fested in the current control over the city’s police depart-

revolt by citizens from city leaders to in fact give more

ment by the governor.

power to the citizenry. The progressive elements that

The 1914 Charter for the city of St. Louis grew out of a local and national environment during the early 20th century progressive reform movement. The progressive reform movement born out of the muckraking movement by journalists exposing corruption in business and in city government created the context for this period. Big business became closely allied with government. Politi-

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found its way into the 1914 Charter for the City of St. Louis had extensive community involvement in its design. The current charter has a Board of Estimate and Apportionment to make budget control more difficult.

The division of the executive function into two offices – mayor and comptroller gave minimal control of finances to the Mayor.

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POWER GRAB... cont.

This process of the Stakeholder Assembly was touted

the community being the driving force in the change for

as the only such process in the United States which was

city government continued to be an undercurrent in the

designed to empower citizens to determine how its gov-

process. Some of the mistakes that were inherent in the

ernment shall reorganize itself. The Assembly had to de-

process was the decision to reduce the Board of Alderman

termine how to become a body of the whole – some 200

from 28 to 15 Alderman.

citizens to map out the shape of city government in St. Louis. The educational process – political science 101 on municipal government had taken roughly till December 12, 2003. The process to follow took on – head to head the sum total of all the apprehensions and uneasiness of taking on such a monumental task. All the undercurrents that are the context of changing city government took center stage as the Assembly met the enemy face to face.

Before the Stakeholder Assembly got to looking the

Unfortunately, this pitted the elected Alderman to be against the proposals being considered primarily because race was the backdrop in what appeared to be a power grab by white power brokers. Some Alderman were in support of the reduction of the Board of Alderman based on the argument that the population of St. Louis had declined from 800,000 in its hey-day to 330,000 residents.

Others cited the fact that the Board of Alderman needed to hire additional expertise to help it with its responsibil-

enemy face to face it invited the current officeholders to

ity providing oversight of the Executive – Mayor when

come before the Assembly to give their insights to the

dealing with budget issues. Finally, other cities were

current city system of government in St. Louis. There

cited with more population than the city of St. Louis that

were some critics who argued that this is a political ap-

had fewer representatives. The Black Alderman and most

proach to developing policy. However, as a Stakeholder

Black citizens were opposed to the reduction of the mem-

there was nothing political about hearing from the cur-

bers of the Board of Alderman because it would adversely

rent officeholders to gain insights that could contribute

affect their ability to become elected. Therefore, it is

to “unintended consequences” that could evolve from

perceived as a strategy to dilute Black political power in

a change in the City Charter. There was condemnation

the city of St. Louis.

about this process from some Stakeholders because it was felt that current elected officers had too much invested in the status quo to push for change in the system. On the other side of the coin, elected officeholders felt left out of the planning process and thought they had real insights to contribute to the change of government processes. The irony about the Stakeholder process was that the planning appeared to many participants to be a top down process.

The historical mistrust about the business interests in

pg.

If there is any doubt in the Black community’s mind about an effort to dilute Black political power in reforming municipal government, it became clear when it is proposed that the Mayor be given the power and authority to appoint the Comptroller instead of it being a city-wide elective office. Granted, one of the caveats given to the Stakeholders reviewing these ideas and making recommendations is that the discussions about offices were not

58

to become personally related to current officeholders.

who think this a great idea should remember this axiom,

The changes and recommendations were supposed to

“If you were not at the table to come up with this propos-

relate to the future of the structure of government and the

al – if you are not at the table maybe you will be on the

way in which those offices should function.

menu in the future?”

But some participants and the citizens at large hearing

Pierre Blaine is the author of: Movement: Race, Power

about the recommendations took them personally and

and Culture in America available on Amazon.com

assigned the changes as attacks on current officeholders.

As we have posited earlier, this mindset is the result of years of distrust that the Black community has observed in the power struggles of St. Louis politics.

The failure of the Stakeholder Assembly to fully embrace how significant the distrust of the white power structure is clouded the Stakeholder’s judgment in recommending that the Comptroller position be an appointed position.

We will never know if that recommendation had not been so central to the reform of municipal government, that maybe other aspects of the reform may have been more palatable to citizens in the community. The majority of the Stakeholders dismissed the undercurrent that permeated the perception of the why these municipal government changes were being made.

Ultimately, the voters rejected the proposal to give the Mayor more power and instead opted for a more decentralized form of government that placed inherent checks on executive power in municipal government in St. Louis.

This brief history lesson on changing government structure should be important guides for the discussion of Better Together. Should billionaires be the driving force behind so-called initiative processes, should the developers of the plan be more inclusive, and should changes of localities be decided by a state wide vote? All localities Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Black History Man

Black Archaeologist

a.k.a

uses his time machine to witness black history as it happens.

Dvd’s for season # 4, mid season finale, with five episodes (Two Unreleased) soon to be available, along with seasons #1,#2,#3 at, BlackArchaeologist.com http://kunaki.com/msales.asp?PublisherId=109447&pp=1 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/black-history-man-season-4

WONDERFUL GIFTS FOR BLACK HISTORY pg.

60

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

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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Featured

Cartoonist

Submission

pg.

62

Black God

{

Gray

NOTE:

More coming !!! Blackgodcomics is currently creating 2 long running comic book series for all my supporters to have great material to read whenever you have time. Strong black narratives and imagery so we can redefine how the world thinks we should create art. Please give me a follow on Instagram @ Blackgodcomics as well as facebook to follow the progress and future release of the work to come !!

Thank you!! ~Black God Gray

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Featured

Poetry

Submission

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74

“ Spitfire”

Susan

Liveley

…And He was Wearing Brown Shoes A tiny forlorn shoe; nut brown in color, well-traveled.

Touched by the road and hot 3 o’clock sun.

Looking lost and lonely; dwarfed in the warm, dark hand engulfing it.

Who knows where its mate is, probably blown to dust.

Perhaps buried in rubble with cybernetic lifeline, rumors of freedom, dying truth.

Strange in its striking singularity; reaching through time and space as if calling out to me.

So small; yet exuding a gigantic emptiness, a bitter serenity.

Sweet aroma of death blurs and blends: with harsh motes of white light, burnished amber grains of sand, and sky blue sky, cast against a shocking backdrop of burgundy.

Positioned oddly here and there, each pool of liquid pain an awful surprise; clinging parasitic-like to the scene on your TV screen.

The clothing of a very young Libyan boy who never had a chance.

When they spoke the word, crashing to an end came his world.

What had he ever done?

Now he has come undone.

His life a horrific painting, staining for all time his beloved land.

Insignificant, his shoe stands a testament, cupped lovingly in weeping hands.

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Coming Home Outside is in.

I shed my skin and melt into atmosphere.

Naked and unafraid, merging with sienna earth a new and better thing.

Warmth of a radiant sun guides my way.

The animal in me lives for life's promise; sharp, tangy scent of verdant grass, clean air, and vast blue expanse that takes away your breath and replaces it with joy so strong, you can taste the color yellow.

Outside is in.

I shed my skin and move into glittering, opaque cold.

A winter wolf on the prowl in the moonlit satin glow of shadowy tree sentinels and pure winter snow.

Outside is in.

I shed my skin, grow fins and plunge into salty, aqua flow I feel myself letting go blossoming with waves and wind, sun and sand.

In this liquid womb I am free again.

Outside is in.

I shed my skin, unfold my wings; defying death and gravity soaring into eternity on a cloud citadel of dreams where peace and love reign supreme for all of our humanity - outside is in.

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76

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78

So Goes the Heart Business wanted to go to war, and so we went.

You’re not coming back, and now I’m scared to death.

Why are we killing ourselves, why do we want to pursue this?

Why are we wasting ourselves, why do we wish to do this?

Morphing into, something old and something new.

Desiccated, decimated, blown apart, torn apart, ripped apart.

So goes the heart, of our nation, our worth, ourselves.

This is it, welcome to our hell: our proudest creation, our highest achievement, our personal bereavement.

Business wanted to go to war, and so we went.

We’re never coming back, and now I’m scared to death.

Why are we selling ourselves, for this meaningless prize?

Why are we killing ourselves, for this false paradise?

Turning into, something old and something new.

Imitated, elevated, blown apart, torn apart, ripped apart.

So goes the heart, of our nation, our worth, ourselves.

This is it, welcome to our hell: our proudest creation, our highest achievement, our national bereavement.

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PRE-ORDER TODAY::

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King death. Here is my new book "My Mother. Barack Obama. Donald Trump. And the Last Stand of the Angry White Man," honest look at America 50 years later on race, sexual violence, guns, more.

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Featured

Writer/Poet Submission

Elevator The Most Beautiful Boogie-Man pg.

82

Voice Elevator (The Most Beautiful Boogie Man) Global warming gifted us with a beautiful winter sun in the city. Beautiful enough for bare legs and jackets tied around waists or draped in the bend of an arm. It was the warmest December Sunday afternoon that my memory can recall. My only plan for the day was to leave the house and absorb as much sunlight as possible before returning home to prepare for the mundaneness of the upcoming work week. Beautiful days call for beautiful dresses or plain dresses draped on beautiful confident bodies.

This particular afternoon it was the latter, I stood waiting on the elevator in a white t shirt dress, loose enough for comfort and leisure but tight enough for intrigue. My eyes were focused deep into the false reality of my social media screen when I heard the ding and the doors of the elevator opened. I was greeted by a subtle, powerful scent. It was a combination of Creed, sandalwood, sage and upper echelon marijuana, the fragrance of trouble. I have always been a fan of trouble. When my eyes finally shifted up from my screen I met his gaze. The next 15 seconds felt like eternity as we made our very first mistake. We looked into the soul of each other before we took inventory of bodies and faces. He stood in the corner leaning against the elevator wall; 6’5 with smooth skin the color of brownie batter he had a deep, dark beard that grazed the collar of his Kente, print dashiki. He wore slim fit black joggers and red and black Jordan retro 12’s. His sight was a blessing. Everything about him appeared matte or maybe his eyes, teeth and eye of Horus piece and chain were shining just that bright that everything else seemed lackluster in that moment. I took all of this in and hurriedly shifted my eyes back to my screen as a distraction. My main focus at this point is to make it to the bottom floor of the building without breaking out into a nervous giggle or sweat. I feel his eyes on me. He was studying me, making assessments and I was becoming nervous under his gaze. I look over at him hoping to break his stare. He did not look away; instead he smirked, chuckled lightly and ran his hand down the length of his beard.

“Come here.” He summoned.

I am now in shock. I don’t know if my shock is connected with his request or the fact that the request did not scare me.

So, because I am habitually cool of course I say, “Excuse me?!”

He chuckled lightly again and then his features became serious and he reminded me that his initial statement was not a request but a command.

“You heard me.”

To this day I don’t know how my feet started moving because I don’t remember walking into his personal space. He owned me; and now we are close enough to synchronize our breathing. He leaned slowly into me with his head tilted ever so slightly to the side. I have no idea of what he is about to do but I do not flinch. I feel his beard on my neck. He inhales my scent and closes his eyes. I own him.

“Who are you?” I manage to whisper. He takes a step back to again look me in the eyes.

“I am the most beautiful Boogie Man, and you?”

“I am your favorite nightmare, nice to meet you.” I replied He then took my hand and gently kissed it.

“A woman who can quote Mos Def, nice.” He said as his eyes danced with what I can tell are thoughts of what the woman he has yet to see is like.

We are 3 minutes into the possibility of forever and the certainty of a really, really good time. We stood there taking each other in and contemplating what the next step should be.

Ding.

The doors open and we are greeted by the sunlight from the tall, windows that cover the entry way to the loft building. We had reached our destination. We were nowhere close to done with each other. The energy was thick and the chemistry was undeniable. He reached down and took my phone from my hand; I was loosely holding it throughout our exchange. It was taking him longer than the usual timeframe to enter a number. Once he finished, he hugged me as if we had known each other a few lifetimes and I had just returned from a long trip; he let me go, kissed me on the forehead, and gently Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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placed my phone back into my hand. He disappeared in the direction of the garage and I walked out of the front door to my car parked on the street.

As soon as I sat in my car I scrolled through my contacts to see if he added his name and number, but my contact list did not have any new entries. I am thoroughly confused. He was doing something with my phone but entering his number was obviously not it. My mind is blown. I sat in the car for 15 minutes checking my social media apps to see if he added himself as a “friend” or exactly what he was doing for the 3 minutes that he was operating my phone. Before I gave up on the search for his information and the prospect of “the most beautiful Boogie Man” I accessed my notes.

The most recent note was added to my phone 20 minutes prior and it read: “See me, want me, give me, trust me, feed me, f*ck me, love me, touch me. This world is cold and ugly. What we are is low and lovely.” Unit 4422, 9:30 tonight. Wear a long black dress, the door will be open leave your shoes at the door. Do not wear any jewelry. 314-xxx-9311. You will get the rest of my number and anything else you want from me tonight. See you later my favorite nightmare. The most beautiful Boogie Man…

pg.

84

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| BIO

Voice is a writer, poet and storyteller hailing from St. Louis, Missouri. Her catalog includes pieces that empower those who find themselves cemented in the throes of heartbreak. Her work also reflects the undeniable beauty of blossoming love. She is most known for her erotic poems and short stories. Her mantra is, “Make love to the mind and the body will follow closely behind,” and her work epitomizes that sentiment. Voice has performed at Poetic Justice Open Mic; the regions’ largest recorded monthly open mic, as well as at the regionally acclaimed Hustle and Flow Open Mic series. She has also been a featured model and muse in several conceptual visual art pieces. She owns her Voice and seduces her audience with sultry, visual lyrics with her distinctive cadence. She will add to her accolades come July 27, 2019 as the curator of Noir: An Erotic Art Event in south St. Louis, making her debut as a host and showcasing the talents of other creatives in the area. Her vibe is truly unforgettable and one of a kind. When asked to describe herself, she said the following; “The pause and stillness before a storm. The last piece of coal in the fire pit that always hints at reigniting; smoldering and quiet.” A self- described “word witch”, she appreciates the magic and power in words and storytelling and is passionate to share that power with all who desire to see and feel the magic.

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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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Past Issues

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Rise. Revolt. Redemption.

Brother Nat (Book/Lyrics by Liana Asim/Jabari Asim with Music by Allyssa Jones and Damien Sneed)

A sung-through musical inspired

by Turner’s historic slave insurrection. As our hero, Nat toils and dreams of freedom, an Angel arrives and issues a divine directive: Rise and revolt! The sign Nat has been waiting for appears: a solar eclipse. In the darkness, he gathers his forces and seizes the day. Against all odds, Brother Nat dares to RISE above injustice, REVOLT against oppression and believe in the REDEMPTION of all humankind.

'It belongs on Broadway and in the great works canon. I am blessed to be able to witness the production process.

It is witnessing history in the making.'

— Diana Lu, The New

England Theater Geek

pg.

90

Subscribe

"It Has Begun. . ." The Angel (Carolyn Saxon) delivers a prophecy to Brother Nat Past Issues Translate (Duane Moody). Oct. 2018

The New York Musical Festival When you commit to developing a new musical, you gotta be in it to win it. You must be down for the long haul. No other serious way around it. So we’ve been taking small steps to try to ensure a greater possibility for long-term success. That’s what the New York Musical Festival is all about. It’s an important developmental step to a possibly larger platform or creative forum.

Last year, we staged a well-received concert performance at the Paramount Center.

The production was made possible by a generous grant from the Boston Foundation.

Afterward, we decided to submit BROTHER NAT to several developmental workshops and theatre companies with a reputation for producing new works. We waited

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92

ART OF BEAUTY

and a

D

Healthy Body

id you know that drinking water everyday is beneficial to your health?

Keeping our bodies well hydrated is key to a myriad of health benefits ranging from the regulating of our body temperature to the flushing out of toxins which aids in stregthening the immunie system.

Since our bodies excrete fluids daily, there is daily water loss

which requires replenishment. We've heard years ago that drinking eight 8oz. glasses of water a day is ideal. But keep in mind, every body is different. Water intake might need to adjusted according to personal activity levels and environments.

High levels of activity cause increased sweating which increases the effects of exhaustion. And those living in more humid and warm climates will lose more water than those in cooler climates.

Failure to keep our bodies properly hydrated could result in dehydration. Symptoms of include:

â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Feelings of Fatique Feeling Dizzy or Lightheaded No Tears Dry Mouth Extreme Thirst Dark Colored Urine Dry Skin and Lips

Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

â&#x20AC;˘ Less Frequent Urination â&#x20AC;˘ Confusion Spring has now sprung, and will soon usher in Summer heat and humidity so it's time now to start increasing water intake to make sure your body is operating as optimal as possible.

Even when you do not feel thirsty, drink a small bit of water.

BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER include:

â&#x20AC;˘ Aid in Weight Loss â&#x20AC;˘ Balance of Bodily Fluids â&#x20AC;˘ Clearer Skin â&#x20AC;˘ Clearer Thinking â&#x20AC;˘ Energizes Muscles â&#x20AC;˘ Maintains Normal â&#x20AC;˘ Bowel Functions â&#x20AC;˘ Keeps Kidneys Working

But as wilth all things too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Meaning, do not drink so much water that urine is clear, it should have an amber color to it. Too much water can cause water toxicity or water poisoning which can be fatal.

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Featured

Photography Submission

pg.

94

Eric

Adeleye

Ed su itor bm ia is s l s u ion bm Tit f o is s i l Ph e: r A on rts fr M oto Nu To om Ca ode gra bian da Er m l/M ph G y E ic er o e a: UA r: E dd zin H. Fu /S ri ess e M Ad jif tyl c H e ilm is . ag ley A t az e.

X- : Ai de ine B T3 es le . elo hia ye w Di @e is ck ric th ey ad ec @ ele re aie y dit sh e inf ia_ or dic m at ke ion y_ ph ab ot ou os tt his

ed

ito r ia

l

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96

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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.

pg.

106

September 12, 16, 18, 23 & 25: Sullivsn in St. Louis Series American architect Louis Henry Sullivan is considered the father of skyscrapers and modernism. Join us for a series of discussions examining the work and impact of this influential architect.

September 19: Not So Quiet! Live on The Road Javier Mendoza's Hobo Cane SLPL proudly presents NSQ! Live On The Road featuring Javier Mendoza’s HOBO CANE. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy this free, outdoor concert.

September 21: Play Date Theater Presents St. Louis Arches Join us as Circus Harmony’s presents “St. Louis Arches.” See the acclaimed youth circus troupe perform juggling, tumbling, object manipulation and more.

September 28: Combatting the Local Opoid Crisis This adult program will educate the community about the opioid crisis in St. Louis and spotlight a few of the organizations addressing the crisis each day.

St. Louis Public Library 1301 Olive Street St. Louis, MO 63103 314-241-2288 slpl.org

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For Miss I want to say thank you Miss Shirley LeFlore

Shirley LeFlore busted open

your womanhood and your Blackness and your purple majesty

for being a supernatural word

as the queen

warrior who

you were ordained to be

allowed your poet laureate tongue

the way

to be baked and bronzed by

your momma and your grandmommas

the smoke-y laughter of

were queens

sister-girl hair salons

the way

and the ham-hocked hallelujahs

your daughters

of ancient Black churches with

are queens

Black Jesus in their ancestral bones

the way

just means you

Black girl magic

done seen some things

is Miss Shirley LeFlore

that you knew

swinging and bebopping

as a little Black girl

from World War 2

resurrected there in the gumbo pot

through the soul struts of Vietnam

of African soul they

and Civil Rights

baptized Saint Louis

to the boom baps of hip-hop

that you were born

and orange monsters in the White House with crooked eyes

to witness the weary blues of a people who made high ways from no ways just means you is fearless Miss Shirley you is mad cool Miss Shirley you is forever Miss Shirley like the sugary taste of a ripened watermelon busted open the way your poetry Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

yes, the way Ella Fitzgerald Gwendolyn Brooks Billie Holiday Nina Simone The wash lady The numbers runner and the school teacher were magical ‘cuz magicians dare, Miss Shirley like you dared you made a march to Washington you made a commitment to poor people and the arts and the telling of “it” like it is because you dared to believe

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that art was for the people

Shirley, yes, same name of my birth momma

all people

you are

your people

Black

your beautiful lightredbeigebrownchocolatedarkblack

you are

people

Beautiful you are

“I am the Black woman”

Powerful

you said, Miss Shirley and the people’s church said a-women a-men ashe go on with your bad self, Miss Shirley LeFlore teach us how poetry is

you are Unapologetically free a caregiver and a caretaker to the very end I cried Saint Shirley when I was told

Buddy Bolden cutting a rug with the blues of Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey while Miles Davis and John Coltrane

you left us On Mother’s Day but then I smiled

blow segregated nightmares into the wind

because Black women

move us, Miss Shirley from Saint Louis to New York and back again embrace the young poets of my generation and the young poets of today’s generation like they are your equals make me feel like you are one of my mommas

like you are the mothers of this nation are the mothers of this universe

you Audre Lorde Sonia Sanchez Nikki Giovanni

if there were no you

Mari Evans Amina Baraka Camille Yarbrough Maryemma Graham

there would be no us

sister-girls who survived

none of us so take your bow

sick and tired of being sick and tired

and your grand exit, Saint Shirley

to become, like that God they call her,

I see you with your pressed and creased angel wings

sacred healing women

hovering over

keepers of our culture

Saint Louis

protectors of our sanity

hovering over

believers in the spiritual voodoo

America

we call freedom songs

hovering over

Miss Shirley LeFlore is not

our sobbing hearts

good enough for you any longer

reminding us

you are now dancing with the ancestors cool jerking and twisting your woman-child around the sweaty nostrils of the sun

to kiss laughter daily reminding us that when we channel

and you are now Saint Shirley

rivers of women

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we must drink slowly from their eyes we must swallow the juice from their tears so that we can be free free free as you Saint Shirley always were—

© Kevin Powell 2019

Kevin Powell is a poet, essayist, blogger, screenwriter, journalist, activist, public speaker, and author of 13 books, including his autobiography, The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood

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Connect with us

Facebook link has been updated

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A RADICAL AGEISM MOVEMENT IS AFOOT

Ageism

is the last frontier of discrimination.

It’s more than a number; it’s real.

Furthermore, it’s a socially constructed idea. These views were put forth by author and activist Ashton Applewhite, recently featured at a book event put on by STL Village, The Harvey A. Friedman Center for the Aging and The Novel Neighbor, a St. Louis bookstore.

The event took

place at Washington University Medical School -- 7 PM, March 27 at the Connors Auditorium in Farrell Learning Center.

Applewhite is the author of This Chair Rocks:

A Manifesto Against Ageism.

In

introducing her, Madeline Franklin, executive director, STL Village, a non-profit organization for older adults to age in community, said:

“The anti-aging

movement is going strong, incorporating a new generation of ideas.”

Applewhite has been featured in such news outlets as the New York Times, the New Yorker and NPR (National Public Radio). She’s also written for a number of publications including Harper’s and the Guardian. She confided that the catalyst for writing the book was “being afraid of getting old” and her views “had been so negative.” Now, she’s found her cultural voice and launched a movement into orbit.

A personable and persuasive speaker, she pointedly told the audience of about 100 mostly older adults that “Everyone in this room will become old,” adding pg.

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Ashton Appplewhite | Author & Activist

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A RADICAL AGEISM... cont.

that there could be a fear of reckoning of “ending up in some grim institution.”

Yet, “only 2.5 percent of those older than 65 live in nursing homes. There’s also a fear of dementia or falling and some may assume that old people are depressed.” But contrary to conventional notions, “none of this is true and most older people are happy.”

Adding a bit of levity to her remarks she chortled:

“I’m still worried about the shoes.”

Despite some occasional humor, she kept her remarks evidenced-based and serious, filled with important facts and figures. She defined ageism as primarily discrimination and stereotypes based on age. These socially constructed concepts are “how people in power assign meaning.”

Hence, it’s not so much about

prejudice and biology but more about power to maintain the status quo.

An

example she gave would be pitting young people against old people -- used to divide and rule, keeping both under control.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines ageism as the stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination towards people on the basis of age. Ageism cuts across the life-course and stems from the perception that a person might be too old or too young to be or to do something.

A barrage of negative messages about old people – from media and other institutions -- have resulted in pernicious social ethos and because of this: “We are all ageist,” she asserted.

We internalize negative messages that old people

are unattractive; wrinkles are unattractive and that the aged have little-to no social-redeeming qualities. We also internalize these images about ourselves and begin to act on them. So, we “dye our hair and leave off certain information on our resumes (that might reveal our age). She compared it to Blacks passing for Whites or older passing for younger.

pg.

118

Yet, it can have a devastating impact if these messages are not challenged. To wit: “Ageism cuts work lives short.”

This is problematic because older people

want “accessibility and flexibility.” So many are beginning to question: why do we have to retire at 65? There’s also a unretirement movement afoot. Ageism harms our health and effects our brains at the cellular level.

She noted that doctors

spend less time with older people and more time with younger people.

Huge

social problems fester such as five out of six elder abuse incidents go unreported.

Additionally, like any institutionalized bias, it marginalizes the elderly and disempowers them.

In 2016, the WHO developed a global action campaign to tackle anti-aging.

Australia launched an anti-aging campaign last year. Not surprisingly ageism disadvantages women and advantages men. There is a saying among women in the film industry that speaks to this about aging White male actors: “I’ll know there’s gender equality when Sean Connery makes love to a woman his own age.”

She went on to explain patriarchy where in this country it’s ruled by White male corporate elites who seek to control public discourse and ideological debate (while promoting ideological self-interest).

Therefore, if a group’s interest does not support the agenda of the ruling-class, they’re less likely to help address that group’s problems. worsens.

In fact, many times it

Thus, something as horrific as elder abuse can go unchecked and in

effect legitimized.

The same thing goes with segregating older adults from the

rest of the population.

What’s more, she said “an ageist culture is a hyper-

capitalistic and hyper-consumer society.”

So, therein lies the rub.

As older

people move into lower and fixed incomes, scaling back on expenses, that is, spending less, the profit-motive dissipates for big business thus they’re not as Copyright © 2017 - All rights reserved.

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Socks that heal broken a he a rts DONATE Socks for Courtney is a fund-raiser/Sock Drive in memory of Courtney Adavia Kemp

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A RADICAL AGEISM... cont.

interested in them as consumers.

Big Pharma is probably the exception and

other industries that specifically target the elderly.

Next Applewhite, enumerated action steps to offset institutional practices and policies that perpetuate discrimination against older adults. It included: • • • • • •

Tap into what we know to enrich us.

Look more generously at each other and ourselves.

Help younger women be less apprehensive about aging. (There’s also a move to eliminate anti-aging/wrinkle products and makeup.)

Insist on being seen and valued.

Build a solid social network and make friends of all ages.

Join forces for positive liberation.

This radical rethinking will “shift the power dynamics,” she said.

“First you’re

blind to it, then you start seeing it all around you.” In her materials, she’s also declared “age pride,” noting: It’s time to create a world of age equality by making discrimination on the basis of age as unacceptable as any other kind of bias. Whether you’re young or old or hoping to get there, this book will shake you by the shoulders, cheer you up, make you mad, and change the way that you see the rest of your life. Age pride!

Her clarion call for age pride is strikingly similar to the anthem of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown’s, “Say it loud. I’m Black and I’m proud.” The 1968 song electrified a critical mass of African Americans – old and young -- and like a rocket, shot to the top of the rhythm and blues charts, spawned a new genre of racially progressive songs and credited with influencing the Black liberation movement.

Whether they’ll be a cadre of “gray power” activists galvanized and

mobilized to not only change attitudes about the derogation of aging but also drilling deeply into embedded systemic bias and injustice is yet to be seen. pg.

122

Ageism is said to be drawn from the tactics and techniques of the civil rights movement, which has shown to have some degree of success, albeit gradual. In that vein, the movement should continue to gain momentum, particularly with up and coming groups such as STL Village, a nationwide group that started in St. Louis just five years ago with activism as part of its DNA. The Friedman Center for Aging “… works toward a global society where all older adults have maximum opportunity for health, security and engagement.”

“It’s time for a radical age movement,” she proclaimed, or else “ageism will oppress us all.” Her book’s subtitle states:

A Manifesto Against Ageism – which

connotes a movement that will change the course of history with how we think and behave towards older people and how older people make their voices heard.

“It’s the perfect target for collective advocacy,” she said.

“Make the world a

better place to grow old in and dismantle ageism in the process.”

She continued: “Age is not just a number, it’s a real number.

Aging in place is

a nationwide movement and it can be problematic if it’s not aging in community.

Unfortunately, most people are not prepared for this stage of life. So, make sure you have community services and people who come check on you.”

Applewhite’s work can be found at the following social media platforms: Facebook.com/This Chair Rocks https://oldschool.info/resource/this-chair-rocks (her blog) ashton@thischairrocks.com (email) @yoisthisageist (Twitter)

Malaika Horne, PhD, is a book author, journalist and academic writer. She is also a board member of STL Village.

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Volume 5.10 September 2, 2019

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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124

Available -

NOW!

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ART OF FOOD

Summ

pg.

126

mer'sBounty A

s summer slowly winds down, those that garden might run into the yearly dilema of what to do with the abundance of harvested items. Creating meals that highlight herbs and vegetables that you've worked all summer feeding and nurturing is not only satisfying, but is also very appetizing. And, it gives good reason to use some of the harvest while it is fresh.

Specifically the cherry tomatoes, basil and rosemary that are peaking in abundance right now. Yes, sit some aside for canning, freezing and giving to family and friends. But make sure you enjoy some of the harvest while it is fresh-picked during lunch, dinner and the final summer holiday coming up soon (Labor Day)!

Here are a couple recipe ideas that you could tweak to use some of that fresh produce. (note: Recipies will also work if you purchased the produce from the grocery store :-)

Basil is a powerful aromatic herb, a little goes a long way. Once it starts growing it continues to produce as long as you're taking cuttings from it.

Which can result in more Basil than you could use. A good way to use and/ or store basil is to create a pesto with it. This pesto can be used immediately in a dish, or frozen in plastic wrap lined ice cube trays for use later. Once frozen all of the pesto cubes can be put into freezer bags. (note: if freezing, do not add the cheese)

Copyright Š 2017 - All rights reserved.

~

Pesto ~

Pesto darkens when exposed to air so make sure that plastic wrap is covering the pesto tightly. The recipe below is a basic pesto, adjust according to your taste.

INGREDIENTS 2 cups fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup Romano or Parmesan-Reggiano cheese 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/3 cup pine nuts 3 cloves of garlic 1/4 teaespoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper Pulse basil and pine nuts in food processor several times. Add garlic and cheese and pulse several times more. Using a spatula scrape down the sides of the bowl/container for consistent mixing.

Slowly stream in olive oil while processor is going to keep olive oil from separating. Scrape down sides as you go along. Finally stir in salt and pepper to taste. (if basil is too strong, spinach can be added to taste.)

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ART OF FOOD... cont.

~Baked Chicken Caprise ~ 6 servings 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 cup pesto 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 12 pieces 3 tomatoes, thickly sliced 1 pint cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper 12 ounces spaghetti 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Chopped fresh basil, as needed for finishing 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an oven-safe skillet generously with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Place the chicken breasts in the prepared skillet. Dollop 1 tablespoon pesto onto each piece and then rub it all over to fully coat the chicken.

3. Top each chicken breast with 3 mozzarella slices and a few tomato slices. Arrange the cherry tomatoes in the skillet around the chicken.

Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, the tomatoes are soft and the chicken is fully cooked, 20 to 22 minutes.

5. While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add the spaghetti and cook according to the instructions on the package. Drain the pasta and then toss with the remaining pesto.

6. To serve, divide the pasta among four plates and top each serving with a piece of chicken. Drizzle each plate with ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar and garnish with fresh basil. Serve immediately. ~PureWow.com

pg.

128

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or try...

ART OF FOOD... cont.

Rosemary is a woody, fragrant herb, that is a small evergreen plant of the mint family (with others like organo, thyme, basil and lavender). It is easily grown and widely used for cooking and some costmetics. Rosemary can be sued in everytihg from grilled vegetables and roasted lamb to savory marinades and coctails.

While Rosemary can continue to grow year round, if you live in areas that experience winter, like Missouri, pots/ containers will need to be brought indoors at least 2 weeks before the first frost. Clippings can be frozen and placed into freezer bags, or dried. pg.

130

~ Rosemary Garlic Steak ~

divascancook.com/rosemary-garlic-steak/

2 servings 2 Porterhouse Steaks Kosher or Sea Salt 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon black pepper (preferably fresh cracked) 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1 teaspoon Oregano 1 Tablespoon Rosemary ½ Onion Olive oil

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

Generously coat the steaks with salt.

Let them sit out for about 15-25 minutes.

Rinse the steaks off really well, removing all traces of salt.

Dry the steaks completely.

Combine the seasonings a bowl.

Coat the steaks with olive oil.

Sprinkle chopped garlic onto the steaks. Press the chopped garlic into the meat to hold them in place.

Sprinkle on the seasonings evenly over both steaks.

Place each steak into a zip lock bag.

Toss in some onion rings in each bag, if desired.

Refrigerate the steaks for three hours.

When the steaks are done chilling, let them sit out on the counter to bring them to room temperature before cooking.

Put a cast iron skillet into the oven and preheat the oven to about 500 F. When the cast iron skillet is hot remove it from the oven and add a bit of vegetable oil.

Place the cast iron skillet on top of the range and turn it to high.

Add in your steak and cook 15 seconds per side. Flip to cook the other side for about -15 seconds.

Place the steaks back into the oven and cook for 1 minute per side, depending on how you like your steak. Use a meat thermometer and flip only once.

When done, place the steaks on a plate and cover with foil. Let them sit for about 5 minutes. Sauté onions if desired.

~ Steak Cook Times ~

• • • • • • • •

Rare- 120- 125 Medium-rare- 130-135 Medium- 140-145 Medium-well-150-155 Well done- 160 and above

• • •

Less than 1-inch steak: 30-45 minutes 1 inch thick steak: 1 hour 1.25 inch steak: 1 hour and 15 minutes

~ Salting Steak ~

~Divascancook.com

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A digital dispatch from your friends at Forest Park Forever

View this email in your browser

Meet the New & Improved Emerson Central Fields

Photo by Steve Jett

Emerson Central Fields, the 30-acre Forest Park site that has long hosted community events and competitive sports, has undergone $5.8 million of donorsupported improvements since it went under construction in June 2017. From completely rebuilt fields to a new pavilion, concession stand and new restrooms, the improvements have transformed this 'central' Forest Park site.

CLICK TO VIEW IMPROVEMENTS

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DISPLACED

&ERASED

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

pg.

134

Walking the Blue Line: A Police Officer Turned Community Activist Provides Solutions for the Racial Divide

By Terrell Carter Bettie Youngs Book Publishers

$15.00 paperback

“As I recall my experiences, I find it incredulous that people in law enforcement honestly believe and say that a racial divide and racial profiling don’t exist. An officer’s mind is divided: first, between the police and the general public and second, between the police and minorities.”~ Terrell Carter Walking the Blue Line follows the author’s experiences growing up as a black child in St. Louis, MO, a racially charged city still trying to overcome its divided past, and his five year journey as a law enforcement officer which led him to reevaluate his views on citizens and police alike. Readers are taken on a compelling journey as he details personal stories of the challenges of navigating this new world, including how he had to testify against a former partner for falsifying a major drug arrest.

Terrell details the thoughts and tactics of police officers based on their training in the police academy and lessons they learn on the streets and how this information can help citizens better understand why officers do what they do while still holding them accountable for protecting and serving their communities.

Walking the Blue Line can be ordered from www.terrellcarter.net, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and traditional booksellers.

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ART OF HEALING Your Ad or Article could be here!

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

pg.

136

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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#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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Read Article Elaine Young ­ Artist

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Experience You Can Trust.

Our products and services have helped millions of American families and businesses prepare for life’s major events and their related expenses.

As a licensed agent,* I can help you: • Meet your everyday needs • Save for your children's education • Save for retirement • Preserve your estate • Prepare for the unexpected • Care for elderly parents

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Photo: AfroPunk.com pg.

142

Black Male H

ey this is Kevin Powell. I am partnering with folks like the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, actor/comedian Bill Bellamy, Jemele Hill of ESPN fame, and Akoben Cinema in supporting a new movement for Black men and Black boys.

It is a short film and major social media campaign I am writing, directing, and producing that is an open letter to Black males, given all the challenges so many of us continue to struggle with. Its purpose is to inform, inspire, and motivate Black males of all backgrounds to become more actively engaged in our communities, to take things like mentorship, education, financial literacy and empowerment, reading, voting, the development of life skills, mental, spiritual, and physical health, peace, nonviolence, and support and love for each other more seriously.

BROTHA MAN is about seeing each other as brothers, as allies, not as enemies.

BROTHA MAN is a call to action, no matter who we are or where we are, to step up, to show up, in our communities, to represent the best of our culture, the best of our history, the best of us, using the tools of social media, technology, music, film and video, networking, and the sharing of ideas and resources to help us to help ourselves. We want the support of all people for this campaign, but I especially want Black males involved in this project.

I am asking you to make a donation of any size to BROTHA MAN as soon as you can, at this link:

HE AL

ING

https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-first-filmbrotha-man

Thank you so much, Kevin

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OPPORTUNITIES

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CAREERS

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Over 30 Issues Published

Thank You!!

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