Arts Today vol 2.7 by Arts Today Ezine

Vol 2.7 September 7, 2015

DANCE ST. LOUIS presents... PAUL TAYLOR Dance Company pg #71

I HAVE A DREAM

2015 TECHNOLOGY

View this and past issues from our website.

pg #36

VESTIGES/SLAVERY POLICE REFORM ADOLPHUS PRUITT pg. #8

DR. T. MCCARTHY pg. #22

CENTENNIALS DR. J. WARD pg.#124

IN THIS

ISSUE:

IN THE NEWS NABJ

6 OP / ED TBA

18 COME CLEAN - GOD’S PRESENCE SISTAH

128

FEATURED ARTIST LENARD HINDS

136

HEALING HEARTS FT: KEVIN ALLEN

KAWANSABA NORMAN JORDAN EUGENE B. REDMOND

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LIVE / WORK / PLAY NATE JOHNSON

VESTIGES OF SLAVERY ADOLPHUS PRUITT

SUPPORT OF THOMAS JEFFERSON PIERRE BLAINE

“I AM ME” INTERVIEWS ESG MODELS

“. . . for u, the sky’s the “unlimit”...” Baba Sherman Fowler,

Griot and Poet

Established 2014 Volume 2.7 St. Louis, MO www.the-arts-today.com/ Layout/Design www.bdesignme.com

NOTE:

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

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

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

In The News

Statement From NABJ on Washington Post’s Wesley Lowery Trespassing Charge While Covering Ferguson Last Year

The National Association of Black Journalists expresses concern with the decision by prosecutors in St. Louis County, Mo. to charge Wesley Lowery of The Washington Post with trespassing and interfering with a police officer. The charges stem from an incident that took place as Lowery, 25, was in Ferguson, Mo. in 2014 to report on the shooting death of Michael Brown, a black teen, by a white police officer. “Reporters have every right to do their jobs, pursue the truth and publish it,” NABJ President Sarah Glover said. The association is troubled by the action taken by prosecutors and believe it to be a direct assault on the free exercise of the First Amendment, which ensures journalists can practice their craft. Journalists understand citizens, including journalists, must respect the rule of law, but as the Supreme Court of the United States noted in its 1972 decision in Branzburg v. Hayes,”... without some protection for seeking out the news, freedom of the press could be eviscerated.” The organization believes Lowery acted reasonably in pursuit of news and information needed by the public in the aftermath of the shooting death of Brown and in light of ensuing unrest in Ferguson. The initial decision to release Lowery without filing charges also suggests that authorities themselves believed that his initial arrest could have been an abuse of power and discretion. The organization encourages local officials to drop the charges filed against Lowery so journalists can operate without fear that doing their jobs will lead to them being jailed. Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron called the charges “outrageous.” Lowery is a former NABJ board member. An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

OP / ED SECTION

ArtsTODAY NEWSZINE

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“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 NIV

We seek to impact the world with the love of Christ one life at a time! Hopelessness and desperation are on the rise in a world where the greatest segment of the population possesses the least amount of resources. We need your help! Please help us fight this epidemic by sending your tax deductible donations/contributions to: For His Glory Ministries of St. Louis P.O. Box 1942 Maryland Heights, MO. 63043 http://calvarychapelslc.com/homeless-ministry/ For other ways in which you can help please contact Pamela Ford at pamelaford98@gmail.com or 314-216-0744. Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

The

Adolphus Pruitt, II President, St. Louis NAACP

e have all probably heard at one time or another someone proclaim that a certain act or issue has vestiges from slavery, and in reality there are conditions that are strikingly similar - and as pervasive. During the height of slavery (1860/1861) there were four million slaves in the United States. But there were also four hundred and eighty-eight thousand free blacks in the United States during the same period - of which 3,572 lived in Missouri, and over half of them lived in St. Louis. And not unlike today, socially and economically they were middle-class and higher; married within their class; sent their children to elite schools; owned businesses and property; basically lived their lives in a ‘Black Aristocracy’ and sought to have a close connection with White America. But this ‘Black Aristocracy’ could not escape the slave codes, nor Jim Crow, and often found themselves relegated to some of the same conditions as the slaves they shunned. Missouri’s slaves were freed on January 11, 1865, on Sunday morning January 14, 1865 they rejoiced in the streets of St. Louis and Jefferson City; but the partying didn’t last long because just like today they were unemployed job seekers in a overcrowded job market. The racially hostile job market has reared its ugly head time and time again; in 1932 construction began on a hospital dedicated for blacks (Homer G. Phillips Hospital). It was part of the New Deal - a public works project using federal funds to create employment for both blacks and whites - ironically, white unions kept black laborers from helping to build the hospital. Even today this practice by white unions is a constant reminder; such as when the St. Louis County Council passed legislation in 2012 that states that bidders on contracts $25,000 or more must “maintain their own Department of Labor-approved apprentice program.” Union contractors are often the only ones that meet this requirement. The same was true for the St. Louis City legislation in 2014, sponsored by Alderman Joe Vaccaro, was largely written by an attorney who works with the labor unions. It mirrored the County’s 2012 legislation. To-date, blacks have been in a constant fight for equity on public works and publicly-incentivized projects. Disparity Study after Disparity Study has lament over the gross under-utilization of minority and women in construction and related expenditures. The foundation of Jim Crow is embedded in the landscape of slavery in the United States. Jim Crow is the systematic discrimination employed by whites against African Americans. Jim Crow imposed on pg.

e Vestiges of Slavery In St. Louis Missouri

black people clear tactical disadvantages and restricted economic possibilities; a prime example would be the hiring practices of the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) with respect to its $4-billion dollars public works project. Contrary to the recommendations of the MSD Workforce Study, MSD instituted hiring barriers to protect white union affiliated contractors and their workforce. According to MSD - “the District has a strong interest in promoting a safe working environment for those working on District projects and safety is a legitimate consideration when staffing a construction project with new, less experienced workers. When the new workforce goals were put in place all existing construction contractor crews with full-time employees were allowed to temporarily retain their race and gender composition.” In short, if you bid on a MSD contract, have a all-white work-crew, as long you made them a full-time employee you were exempt from the goals - this is retro Jim Crow. If Jim Crow imposed on black people clear tactical disadvantages and restricted economic possibilities, than the vestiges of Jim Crow quite possibly lay deep in St. Louis County; its Fire Academy (ran by the firefighter union) have graduated #501 recruits since 2008, a mere #24 were black; while Missouri has the second-highest rate of traffic cases per capita in the United States, St. Louis County’s rate is twice that of the state; St. Louis County’s 90 municipalities make up just 11 percent of Missouri’s population but bring in 34 percent of all municipal court fines and fees, mainly off the backs of blacks; in 30 of the 36 of St. Louis County’s police departments in cities where at least 10 percent of the population is African-American, the percentage of black residents is higher than the proportion of black officers; the same is true of St. Louis County’s #43 Fire Departments; St. Louis County’s mass incarceration on African Americans is also telling; African Americans make up 24% of St. Louis County’s Population, of the Adult residents in correctional facilities; 44% are black, compared to 35% white. St. Louis is among worst for income mobility of poor children --- St. Louis County was notable in that it does a bad job in helping low-income children on income mobility, but above average for high-income children. In other words, according to the New York Times map: If a child in a poor family were to grow up in St. Louis County, he or she would make $620 less than the national average at age 26. Rich kids in St. Louis County, meanwhile, would make $1,260 more than the national average. The Missouri Supreme Court vacated a execution order for a St. Louis County man --- His case is a perfect example, advocates say, of what can happen when an African-American faces Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

a jury that has none of his or her peers. It’s a problem that plagues St. Louis County, even though the county is 24 percent black, said Sean O’Brien, associate professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. Missouri courts have found that St. Louis County prosecutors have stricken black jurors because of race in five separate trials since 2007; There are currently 11 prisoners on Missouri’s death row who are from St. Louis County. Seven of those 11, or 64 percent, are African American – even though African-Americans comprise only 24 percent of St. Louis County’s population. That disparity exceeds even that condemned by the Department of Justice’s recent report on Ferguson. Recently, the Department of Justice concluded its Investigation of the St. Louis County Family Court --- The report says that adjusted for factors other than race, including nature of charges, black youths are 2½ times more likely than whites to be detained before trial and three times more likely to be sent to the Division of Youth Services on parole violations. A recent study concluded that metropolitan St. Louis is the ninth most segregated among the fifty regions with the largest black populations; Blacks today also struggle to get financing, experts say. Even when controlling for income, whites are approved for home loans at higher rates than blacks in St. Louis County, according to 2012 data published in the county’s fair housing analysis last year. According to a study by St. Louis University School of Law - Racial isolation is particularly acute for black students, who are overrepresented or underrepresented by 20% or more in twenty of the twenty-three metropolitan school districts.These trends reflect the discriminatory housing policies that have dictated the segregative character of metropolitan St. Louis, particularly the isolation of blacks. Lyndon Johnson put is best in his 1965 address to Howard University’s graduating class when he stated that Affirmative Action was the next and more profound state for Civil Rights; “We seek not just freedom but opportunity - not just legal equity but human ability - not just equality as a right and theory but equality as a “fact” and as a result.” The President was clearly making the argument that “freedom” was not enough; and that the mere passage of the Civil Rights Act and other civil rights laws would not create the equality that African Americans seek, because African Americans had been “hobbled” by chains - and even today are entrenched with the vestiges of slavery in St. Louis Missouri. www.the-arts-today.com

Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

LIVE WORK PLAY

Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Nate K. Johnson ABR,CRS,GRI Broker/Owner Real Estate Solutions nate@livingstl.com www.livingstl.com

I hope that you are doing well. September in St. Louis is one of my favorite times of the year. This is likely the last month of the year that we will be outside without a jacket. Like most months in St. Louis, there is no shortage of great opportunities to get out and enjoy our wonderful city. As usual, I have a few suggestions for you to get out and join me in celebrating this magical time of the year!

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Local Events SEPTEMBER

If you are looking for something to do tonight, aka Thursday, you can join the Young Friends of Forest Park Forever for happy hour at Sub Zero Vodka Bar in the Central West End. There will be cocktails and complimentary appetizers. You might also enjoy the Introduction to Zen Meditation class at the Confluence Zen Community in Maplewood.

SEPTEMBER

10 thru

SEPTEMBER

On Friday, you can stop by Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park, and then join me for opening night at the St. Louis Art Fair in Clayton. In Maplewood, Schlafly Bottleworks hosts their Annual Art Outside Festival over the weekend. You might consider heading over to Swiish for a laid back good time at Stress Free Fridays. Also, Music at the Intersection continues on Friday down in Grand Center, where you can enjoy live music, a couple of drinks and fun people! While you’re in Grand Center, you might catch the students of the Grand Center Arts Academy as they show their genius with a theatrical performance at the Pulitzer Foundation . Friday is also the opening night for St. Louis Artists Guild Galleries & Missouri Fiber Artists “Pairings” exhibit, which will feature the works of over eighty Fiber artists. Everyone will have a good time at The Magic House as they host their Grooving in the Garden Concert Series featuring the jazz group Just in Time. Finally, the Arianna String Quartet will be performing at the Blanche M Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. Join me and the 100 Black Men of St. Louis on Saturday morning for Community Health Day and the 12th Annual Prostate Cancer Walk at Harris Stowe State University. Later on Saturday, Loufest will kick off at Forest Park, this two day event will be the host to talented musicians, delicious food, great vendors, and fun events.They even have LouKidz, a section designated for kids of all ages to enjoy the music in a safe environment. Also on Saturday, the Saint Charles Riverfront Arts is hosting the 2nd Annual Riverfront Dance Festival . There will be dance companies, studios, and other organizations from around St. Louis. The American Arts Experience St. Louis presents Our People, Our Land, Our Images, an exhibit featuring 26 indigenous artists from North America, peru, Iraq, and New Zealand. Later on Saturday, join me for a Brazilian street festival at Brasil Day 2015 on the 2900 Block of Missouri Ave., across from Yemanja Brasil in the Benton Park neighborhood. The Street will be filled with festivities promoting the Brazilian culture through music, dance, food, art, and more! You might also enjoy the Fiesta on Cherokee celebration with great food, music and drinks on Cherokee Street! If you are taking your pup for a walk around Forest Park on Sunday, head down to the Boathouse for Paddle with your Pooch a “dog and master” boat race. You might find me back in Clayton checking out the Consuming Kinetics Dance Company and the other happenings at the St. Louis Art Fair. I may head over to Schlafly Bottleworks to wrap up the Art Outside Festival and head inside to watch the opening weekend of pro football!

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

LIVE WORK PLAY

SEPTEMBER

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Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find me and the babies in my beloved Forest Park on Tuesday for a couple great events. First, we have Twilight Tuesday at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park for a tribute to the Jackson 5! Feel free to bring a picnic, you can also check out the food trucks that will be on hand. While you are in the Park on Tuesday, head over to Art Hill for a free performance of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, along with a fireworks display to close out the evening! You can check out a different perspective as the Boathouse presents the St. Louis Symphony Moonlight Paddleboat Picnic.

Wednesday, the fourth Annual Shakespeare in the Streets presents Twelfth Night

, a performance by the students and residents of the Old North Neighborhood. Also on Wednesday, feel free to partake in the free Summer Yoga Series at BallPark Village taught by local instructors. Join me on Thursday, along with The Young Nonprofit Professionals for a Ted talk style, show & tell event down at T-Rex as they hosting their annual Blog Out Loud on Thursday. Afterwards, we can head to Midtown and join Atomicdust for the 4th Annual Midtown Alley BBQ, this event will be filled with BBQ, Beer, and more, and it will all be in support of Food Outreach St. Louis.

The St. Louis Antique Show and Sale will be held on Friday at the Greensfelder Rec Center in Queeny Park. Come out and purchase antique and vintage items with dealers from all across the US. Also on Friday, Sammy Hagar will be at Left Bank Books signing his new book Are We Having Any Fun Yet?: The Cooking and Partying Handbook. After you leave the book signing, grab the kids and head over to Forest Park for the Balloon Glow which kicks off the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. If you are a local artist or an art connoisseur stop by the MOSAICS Missouri Festival for the Arts in St. Charles. The Festival will feature new and upcoming artists of various mediums. The 55th Annual Kirkwood Greentree Parade starts this Friday, with a Circus theme, it will definitely be entertaining for everyone in the family. On Saturday, St. Louis Design Week kicks off their opening party at the World Chess Hall of Fame. You can also stop by Queeny Park for the Harvest Moon Festival, this adult only event will have live music, hayrides, bonfires, and food trucks! The Great Forest Park Balloon Race launches in the afternoon, with plenty of festivities for folks of all ages. Did I mention that my client is building a new home for sale, with a third floor rooftop deck that will have a perfect view of the balloon race, and the fireworks? Just let me know if you want more details on this or any other real estate needs :) shameless. After the balloon race, stop by the Science Center for a not so kid friendly event, Science Uncorked , which will feature over seventy wines and will host demonstrations of the science behind the creation of wine. You can head over to the South Grand Fall Fest where there will be DIY crafts, vendors, and live music at the Ritz park.Saturday afternoon stop by Schlafly Tap Room, for HOP in the City! With over fifty beer samples to enjoy this event is geared up to be a great time. You might want to head to Webster Groves as they kick off the Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival week. You can also check out Faust Park for their Heritage Festival, there will be hayrides, music, food, games and a lot of other great events. Later on Saturday, you can join me at the Kranzberg Arts Center for the DO314 App launch party ! On Sunday, head down to Family Free Day at Laumeier Sculpture Park, which is a fun event for all of our artists in training. This free event allows children to express their creativity through different mediums of art. Also on Sunday, you can join me at Trailnetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Share the Street Party will overwhelm the streets of the Old Post Office Plaza as we celebrate our healthy, active, & vibrant communities with food craft beer artist demos, and live music organized by the St. Louis Blues Society! Bring your bike and enjoy the all the fun that this event has to offer! Sloup, the monthly gathering of ideas over a bowl of soup is being hosted at Atomic Cowboy as part of St. Louis Design Week. Sunday is the last day for the Budweiser Taste of St. Louis at the Chesterfield Amphitheatre , so make sure to head down there and enjoy all the local eateries and vendors St. Louis has to offer!

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Enjoy Twilight Tuesday this week at the Missouri History Museum as Jeremiah Allen and Friends present a tribute to the talented Stevie Wonder. On Wednesday the first On Stage at Powell concert of the year will begin. The concert will feature Samuel Adams the SEPTEMBER musician, (not patriot or brewer) accompanied by St. Louis Symphony String Quartet.

Friday, The Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge will kick off at Purina Farms. This nationwide competition features your four legged best friends competing in categories like agility, diving dog, flying disc, and racing. St. Louis Scottish Games will be a great opportunity to experience all things Scottish, from sports to bagpipes hosted at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield.Jazz at the Bistro will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with a huge concert beginning on Friday. Make sure you head over to the Bistro for this mix of icons, local favorites, and rising STL stars. Also Friday, the Hispanic Festival will commence at Soulard. There will be low riders cruising the streets, authentic Latino food and dancers, and a Los Ninos Kids Corner. Saturday,The Lure of Mongolian Music and Dance will be hosted at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. There will be authentic singers and dancers that make you feel like you are right in the middle of Europe.The Honey Festival 2015 will be at the Sappington House Museum and the Barn Restaurant. Come out and enjoy Honey tastings, presentations, and even a little honey education. The Strange Folk Festival will be held at Union Station on Saturday and Sunday. Head out and shop from 200 specially picked artists, designers, curators, and crafters.There will also be live music, food trucks, and vendors! The Laumeier Sculpture Park will host Carts + Cocktails, an outdoor party where guests cruise in golf carts, stopping at multiple locations to savor the art and sip cocktails. Also Saturday, the 27th Annual Regatta of the St. Louis Admirals model boat race will set sail from the Boathouse in Forest Park, a fun outdoor event for the sailor in us all!

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SEPTEMBER

Sunday, the 5th Annual Folk School Fiddle Contest will be hosted at The Stage at KDHX Grand Center. It will feature a kids, adult, and senior category. Francis Park in the St. Louis Hills Neighborhood will host St. Louis Hills Art in the Park a fair showcasing art through mediums such as jewelry, pottery, textiles, and glass.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

LIVE WORK PLAY

SEPTEMBER

On Tuesday, the final Twilight Tuesday of the year will be upon us! Also, join me at Jazz at the Bistro for the family show Jean-Michel & The BeBop Kings, which will feature Metta Quintet and the captivating art from painter Jean- Michel Basquiat. Also on Tuesday enjoy ZZ Ward perform her new single Love 3X at the Pageant. Camp out at the Bistro, because on Wednesday, The 442â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s are blessing the stage as part of the Jazz at the Bistro Concert Series.

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Yes, we certainly have another great month in St. Louis to enjoy. Let’s make the most of it! As always, don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. All the best. -Nate Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Submitted by Sista Rev. Denita E. Robinson

Coming Clean in the Presence of God Looking through the Lens of Love-What it's NOT (for me): Not about money but a Good News message. Not about one's status but one's salvation. Not about position but the power of God. Not about personal glory but His prophetic story. Not about personal works but His permissive will. Not about sermonic development but Salvidic declaration. Not about our merely hearing but it's about His miraculous healing. Not about ecumenical dynamics but ecclesiastical deliverance. Not about religion but restoration. Not about fairness but favor and forgiveness. Not about our mistakes but His mercy. Not about our goodness but His greatness and grace. Not about our trials but trust in Him. Not about fear but faith in the unknown. Not about our popularity but His prosperity. Not about jealousy but joy in Jesus. Not about obsession but overcoming. Not about personal games but spiritual gifts. Not about being victims of circumstance but victorious over crisis. Not about zapping our energy but zealously serving the Lord. Not edification of self but exhorting God's Word. Not about looks but love. Not about a large portfolio but helping the least of these. Not about casual conversations but committed communion with Christ. Not about haughtiness but holiness. 1

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Submitted by Sista Rev. Denita E. Robinson Not about high and mighty but humility before God and man. Not about pitiful ponderings but powerful prayer petitions. Not about trite apologies but true repentance. Not about a force of wills but freedom of choice in Christ Jesus. Not about Pomp and circumstances but the price Christ paid on the cross at Calvary. Lest we forget...Look (to Jesus) and Live! PRAYER POINTS: 1. Don't be double-minded. Distractions attempt to drive us from our divine destiny. Don't be dismayed, but determined to dedicate ourselves to Christ's demands; so He can give us the desires of our heart. 2. When saved and in a state of singleness, be satisfied in our prayers so we are prepared in season and out. 3. Be cautious and careful with your communication because it creates chaos if it's the critics voice versus Christ's.

God's Grace is sufficient! Let His love envelope you!! Free yourself from guilt & pain! Jesus, just Jesus-Confess your Mess!!!

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

PO LI CE

ReFO Have We Gone Too Far or Not Far Enough

Police Reform: Have We Gone Too Far or Not Far Enough? Dr. Tracey McCarthy, Psy.D., DCFC, J.D., M.A. Psychologist/Attorney/Educator Webster University - Legal Studies Department Benchmark Organizational Learning and Development, LLC www.drtraceymccarthy@live.com

Over the past year, at the forefront of local, national, and international news coverage has been numerous accountings of police officers either assaulting or killing individuals in the communities in which the police officers serve. The victims of these police actions have often been African American and male, with the officers tending to be European American and male. Multiple citizen uprisings and protests have followed several of the police killings and assaults and police policies and legal standards for use of lethal force have been examined, questioned, and criticized. Other issues to emerge in the now worldwide examination of policing have been those of policing bias, racial profiling, poor police-community relations, adequacy of preservice police education and training, fitness for policing duty, policing leadership, Constitutional rights safeguards, utility of community policing, police oversight, and potential prosecutorial collusion in allegations of police misconduct. While the issues have been touched on by a minute number of commentators, the matters of pre-service psychological evaluation of police, police wellness, and community support for policing have only received scant attention. Cart before the Horse: Policing Solutions before Understandings Paramount solutions advanced to address the “policing problem” have included increased oversight via the use of body cameras, implementation of community policing, and post service training on everything from diversity and bias to tactical retreat. The problem is that many of the so-called solutions for the “policing problem” are highly reactionary and not well thought out in terms of actual policing missions, policing goals, and general policing realities. Not only are many so-called solutions reactionary, they are also unrealistic in terms of potential outcomes. Some solutions even create a risk of greater future harm for individual members of the communities served and for the police officers, themselves. Several of today’s so-called solutions are not initiatives which communities and police will want to live with even five years from now. Additionally, some of the so-called solutions are mere external pushes for band aiding and creating “reform” artifacts that say “At least we tried something.” Many do not seem to care about the potentially deleterious outcomes of what is pushed as quick-fast-and-in-a-hurry “progressive” police reform, because in the fear-driven crisis moment that is now, many are simply looking for simplistic five-minute solutions to problems which are actually centuries in the making. Some in the community are even insisting that an interim police chief can be brought in for six months to fully learn a metropolitan community, learn the people hired to serve this metropolitan community, oversee comprehensive policing reform, “clean house,” shake up the status quo, and completely turn around a city and an entire police force that

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ORM

is mired in crisis, constant media attention, and minute by minute public scrutiny. That is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;glass cliffâ&#x20AC;? set up. Likewise, countless individuals and groups are determined to see police officers transform almost overnight into model patrolmen and patrolwomen who meet the multifaceted needs of the communities served without error or malfeasance. These reformed model officers are expected to leave their home problems at home, to forget the multiplicities of histories which make up their lives, to keep their fears of a scary world at bay, to approach day to day policing situations with the knowhow of a seasoned clinical and social psychologist and judge, to robotically respond to individuals and situations without any ounce of bias or preconceive notion, and to satisfy the soft and hard policing demands of each member of each community at all times, with adroitness.

When police are not helping the elderly cross streets and responding to calls to resolve trespassing and noise disputes between neighbors, they are expected to perform consistent with officers on shows and movies such as Law and Order, Cops, CHIPS, Criminal Minds, Serpico, Beverly Hills Cop, Miami Vice, Die Hard, Bad Boys, Lethal Weapon, and CSI. That is unrealistic. As a citizenry, we are attempting to create policing solutions when policing problems, themselves, have yet to be fully examined, understood, and articulated. From this failure of articulation has emerged a current push to have police engage in both hard policing (e.g. criminal pursuit, maintaining strict social order and control through zero tolerance, coercion, and aggressively safeguarding the community from harm) and soft policing (e.g. negotiating, rescuing, mediating, community socializing, counseling, and marshalling social and human services) in equal measured by all uniformed officers, regardless of officer background, officer training, community served, officer position, or contextual factors. We are essentially asking that all police be all things to all people at all times and for all reasons. That is impossible. The Nature of Policing Police belong to the executive branch of government and, accordingly, their primary function is that of enforcement of law. This executive role also involves the quasi-judicial branch function of first knowing and interpreting the law. At times, as police seek to maintain communal order, such are also known for creating and giving situational directives which involve the basic creation of legal rules and mandates in the moment. Due to the demands of policing, officers have to, at various times, assume the role of more than one branch of government in a single context and moment in time. The basic policing executive role has also evolved over time, resulting in police taking on expanded executive branch functions such as those related to other executive agencies. This includes agency functions connected to child and elder protective services, homelessness oversight services, and public school resource services. At times, police are also expected to engage in third party neutral actions, where they moderate citizen disputes over civil law issues

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

POLICE REFORM cont.

and assist married persons, couples, parents, and community members with de-escalation and problem solving. At other moments, they have to respond to crises such as medical emergencies. In order to perform these ever growing demands, police have to evince ever growing bodies of knowledge, skills, personalities, character traits, and attitudinal dispositions. They also need to be provided enhanced resources consistent with these continually mounting expectations. They, however, are not. As a community, we cannot reform policing, or even intelligently discuss such, until we fully understand what is entailed in the role. We do not, however, as a community, fully understand the basics or the nuances of the roles of policing or the requirements of such. Police are tasked with conducting investigations, solving crimes, preventing crimes, providing court testimony, obtaining and securing evidence, examining and protecting crime scenes, writing incident reports, maintaining files, subduing suspects, handcuffing individuals, and utilizing surveillance equipment. Police are required to provide for the safety of the public, respond to crises, enforce vehicular laws, and foster healthy community relations. Officers have to identify, investigate, and report suspicious individuals and circumstances. They are responsible for responding to safety hazards and illegal activity. Officers are also required to pursue and arrest alleged perpetrators of crimes and respond expediently to calls for humanitarian assistance. Police are expected to know the local, state, and federal laws, court procedures, government regulations, executive orders, and executive agency rules. They are required to have knowledge of police and safety equipment, procedures, and strategies to foster efficacious security operations for the public. Officers must be able to use various computers, radio systems, and databases. Officers must know how to safely operate machinery, including motor vehicles. Officers must also know how to prudently use various objects of weaponry for offensive and defensive purposes. In order to effectively carry out the duties of a police officer, they must also have broad and deep knowledge of human development, human behavior, human performance, individual differences, personality theory, learning and human motivation, psychological and social science research methods, and the processes for evaluating maladaptive individual and groups behaviors. Even when engaged in hard forms of policing, officers are expected to be customer service experts. As community servants, they are required to have knowledge of citizen needs, to achieve standards for optimal service, and to strive for consistent citizen/customer satisfaction. This includes service to the courts. Officers must also be able to verbally communicate well in order to communicate information in an effective and complete manner. Officers must also exhibit active listening. To this end, they must be able to understand key points, pose relevant questions, and avoid interrupting inappropriately.

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Officers are required to engage in effective inductive and deductive reasoning. They must be able to identify strengths and weaknesses in arguments, draw conclusions, and solve problems promptly. At all times, officers must engage in self, organizational, and community assessment and be willing to work towards individual or collective improvement. This means they must have problem sensitivity in order to determine when a situation is likely to go in an adverse direction. It also means that officers need to be proficient in recognizing, categorizing, estimating, and organizing information as well as noticing alterations in people and circumstances. This all supports an officer’s decision making and problem solving abilities. Officers are in constant contact with others, many of whom are not at their best. Because of the basic nature of many aspects of the job, police officers, themselves, are many times not at their own bests. Nevertheless, officers must act, at all times, with integrity. Hence, a job requirement is that they be honest and ethical. Officers, to be effective, must be able to maintain their composure in very challenging situations. They must, therefore, be able to keep their emotions under control, whether such emotions be tears, fears, joy, or anger. Officers are expected to be able to avoid being aggressive in challenging circumstances and to be supportive and sympathetic when situations demand. Officers are expected to lay down their lives for the benefit of the community, if such a demand is ever made. Therefore, policing requires that officers learn to live in a constant state of apprehension, while simultaneously being calm, rational, and unmoved. Policing, particularly in urban areas, is generally exceedingly high stress work and such requires that an officer be able to deal with being constantly criticized for failing to perform and conform to the demands of the job with consistency. This ongoing critique is to be supposedly aided by all police, regardless of work records and communities served, putting the entire community under police surveillance through the use of “Google Glass” like body cameras. (Oddly, already highly surveilled minority communities and liberal politicians - which are purportedly so concerned with human rights and social justice violations - think this push for omnipresent citizen surveillance by police is a bright and forward thinking idea.) Policing is, clearly, not for everyone. Police reform initiatives and plans are, likewise, not for everyone to advance. Authentic Police Reform Police reform must start at the points of policing mission determinations and police officer selection. Instead of the federal government spending $75,000,000.00 on body cameras to record the public’s every move, itch, twitch, and sneeze, such funds should be reallocated for true police reform. Body cameras do nothing more than provide yet another level of dystopian community surveillance and invasion of personal police and citizen privacy when we already

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Click on Video link for The Community Health Day featuring the Prostate Cancer Walk below:

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POLICE REFORM cont.

have enough satellite and on the ground camera surveillance to monitor every single person at every single moment of their existence on this earth. General satellite, Google Earth, Planet Lab, and surveillance cameras atop and affixed to countless community buildings are more than enough surveillance of both police and the people. We already look dysfunctional, deluded, and naïve enough with all of this perverse and systematized social voyeurism and exhibitionism. Need we go any farther by making it an integral part of policing? No, we need not. Each community needs to determine, concretely, what is expected of its police in terms of social background, general and specific knowledge, cognitive aptitude, hard and soft skills, character traits, attitudinal dispositions, general abilities, personalities, social intelligence, emotional intelligence, and leadership. After these determinations have been made, each community must set about the task of developing screening measures to filter in and out those individuals who possess, or do not possess, the traits the community seeks. The process sounds simple, because it is. Undoubtedly, due to policing challenges that are at the forefront, the most important pre service screening is a comprehensive social and psychological one. While not everyone is cut out to be a police officer, not everyone is cut out to be a supervisor of such individuals either. Those seeking to supervise, manage, or lead police officers need to also be screened for the capacity to effectively do so. Therefore, communities must not only determine the traits desired in police officers but also the traits needed in those who will be positioned to actually mentor, supervise, and direct officers. What is meant by “concrete” evaluation is one that has preset and clearly articulated role criteria and one that includes a delineation of bottom line levels of policing role competence. Communities must know exactly what they are looking for and, then, set about the business of finding the very specific individuals who fit the clearly established preset demands. If integrity, social intelligence, compassion, and higher level problem solving abilities are deemed important, such should be screened for upfront. This type of screening would do away with the need to use body cameras to monitor an officer’s every move, word, burp, slurp, and nose blow. Such screening would also do away with the need for governments to videotape, via police body cameras, every single citizen an officer sees on the street. Appropriate preservice screening, versus the ubiquitous use of police body cameras, will allow domestic violence victims, assault victims, rape victims, child physical and sexual abuse victims, and gang violence victims to continue to freely approach the police for assistance, without victim safety and privacy being further compromised. Individuals who have information regarding crimes will also be more likely to provide such to police when they are not being filmed on “Candid Camera” for later potential release to TMZ, and the like, under freedom of information type court orders. For many reasons, putting body cameras on police to supposedly record police visual perception is going entirely too far and such is entirely too misinformed in terms of forensic reality. No one, however, seems to be able to convince the average laymen or scared senseless

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political or community leader of this glaring fact. Even in light of the extremely tragic events over the past year, and the supposed drops in complaints against police after implementation of body cameras, such is not the type of “Big Brother” 1984-like police reform any community in the U.S. needs. In addition to both quantitative and qualitative screening of potential police officers, supervisors, managers, and leaders, preservice standardized policing education and training need to be enhanced in strict keeping with the actual role of police officers. This is a tall order, but one that must be filled if the “policing problem” is to be effectively and proactively addressed. This means that every single aspect of a police officer’s role must be adequately addressed in preservice training. If police are to enforce all of the criminal and civil laws (both substantive and procedural) of the local, the state, and the federal governments, such laws must be fully taught to police officers before they are tasked with enforcing such. For instance, an officer is woefully illequipped to deal with a real property dispute between neighbors when an officer does not have basic knowledge of property entitlements related to fee simples, joint tenants, leasehold tenants, or landlords. Similarly, if police officers are expected to do rapid assessment of citizen mental and emotional states, complete courses on clinical psychology, human development, disorders of childhood and adolescence, adult abnormal psychology, trauma, abuse, victimization, social psychology, addictions, and counseling need to be provided for officers prior to any officer engaging in any form of policing. If police are required to engage in multiple aspects of social work, they need to be taught the basics of the field of social work. The fact is that society demands that police be effective social workers. Accordingly, police need to be learned in the discipline which seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and social groups…social work. In keeping with the field of social work, police need to be educated to understand the basics of policy planning, crisis intervention, and community development. Preservice police development must be directed towards assisting officers with understanding issues such as poverty, physical disability, social justice, human rights, and civil liberties. To fulfill the social work mandate, that is clearly inherent to community policing, preservice education and training need to focus on officer enhancement of the wellbeing of oppressed and marginalized individuals and groups. This includes the policing implementation of strategies for assisting various demographics to overcome challenges related to the various isms. Because police officers are required, from day one, to be community leaders, officers need in-depth preservice education and training in basic leadership, people management, social and emotional intelligence, and the cultivation of healthy community relations and engagements. Sitting and listening to someone teach for several hours on leadership, impartial policing and community relations is insufficient; police need in-depth education in these areas that includes hands on supervised and mentored practice in the actual community to be served.

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POLICE REFORM cont.

…And Miles To Go… Police cannot effectively give from a space of internal depletion. Police officers are no super heroes; they are simply human beings responding to the call to, sometimes, do the inhuman. We are asking the police to take care of the community. The question, however, is whether the police are being adequately equipped to fulfill this expectation of care. Moreover, are communities willing to do that which is necessary to “fill” police officers “up” in order that their ministering and policing cups may overflow onto the communities they serve? While education, training, and general development are crucial to policing reform, absolutely nothing is more important to healthy policing than the assurance of wellness and health in the actual police officers. As with the general population, police officers are dealing with their own histories of poverty, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence. They are reeling from personal divorces and child custody challenges. They are focused on trying to figure out how to make ends meet on their often mediocre salaries. Some are stressed over being passed over and seeing promotion as almost unattainable. They are having girlfriend and boyfriend and spousal breakup and make up issues. They are struggling with trying to find adequate child care or elder care. When at work, they are sometimes distracted with issues related to family and friends who have passed or who are hospitalized in serious or critical condition. They are struggling with having to deal with witnessing repeated traumas and human hardships, while having limited or no healthy outlets for dealing with such. They are dealing with their own struggles with alcohol use and gambling to drown out their problems, and some are losing the fight. They are frustrated dealing with the crimes that go unsolved, victims that go unaided, and the clear perpetrators that prosecutors cannot seem to effectively prosecute. They are dealing with trying to determine how to best help those in a world where they are often experienced as agents of injustice and oppression. They are struggling with how to make it home themselves as they work to make sure that others also make it home. They are divided in consciousness regarding focus on the job at hand and the recent medical report that delivered not-so-positive news to themselves or a loved one. They are riddled with constant role strain and the challenge of remaining mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy in the midst of an occupational context which necessarily threatens such. Hence, no plan for police reform is complete or usable which does not have at its core the very wellness and general health of the police officers themselves. When an officer is operating from a space of optimal wellness, they are most equipped to assist a community in operating likewise. They are also less likely to do that which would intentionally or inadvertently disserve the communities they serve.

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All police education and training, both pre and post service, need to take these wellness realities into account. Such education and training also need to include feedback loop assessments where the education and training are tied to the policing mission and role. The feedback loop assessment needs to also address training transfer and efficacy in terms of practical and real world action. Ultimately, reform needs to be sustainable. True police reform requires overall organizational assessment, development, and transformation. Hence, such takes time and should not be guided by chaos driven, ill-informed, and fear mongering individuals and groups (including politicians and the propagandist media) who are creating sociopolitical drama and repeated crises which overshadow and distract from the legitimate and original crises and tragedies that already exist. Communities in crisis do not need emotionality and propaganda; they need relevant, realistic, proactive, concrete, deliverable, livable, efficacious, and well thought out plans of action, that fully include the actual agents of necessary change in the planning process – the police officers, themselves. As reported by Toch (2008), police officers need to be included in police transformation processes. When they are not included in the restructuring and efforts towards improvement, they will tend to be resistant. This resistance means that their indispensable wealth of knowledge and experience will be lost in the process. No matter the angle one points a body camera, such will not address the true “police problems” which are being insufficiently attended, defined, and addressed. Authentic police reforms take significant human resources, complete overhaul of pre and post service police education and development, complete transformation of selection criteria and processes for both entry level policing and promotions, exceedingly high time investments, cognitive acumen, community and police buy in, and substantial economic capital. Communities can chant “Black lives matter!” day in and day out. In terms of effective police reform, however, the question is “How much?” do Black (or any) lives actually matter and what are we pragmatically willing to do to prove it. $75,000,000.00 spent to assure the use of omnipresent police body cameras is simply not that proof.

Source Cited: Toch, H. (2008). Police officers as change agents in police reform. Policing & Society, 18(1), 60-71.

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TheVillageCelebration radio show Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. on www.thevillagecelebration.com.

Call in at 1-855-525-5683

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S.L .A .M.

St. Louis Art Museum

ART COLLECTIONS

EXHIBITS

EVENTS

Admission to the Museum is free every day. Hours:

Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Friday, 10:00 am–9:00 pm

Closed Monday

w w w. s l a m . o r g One Fine Arts Drive - Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63110-1380 314.721.0072

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Digital Storytelling

The convenience of technology is being paired with the power of Dr. King’s “I Have A

Dream” speech delivered 52 years ago during the March On Washington.

The King Memorial Foundation is inviting the world community to create a message about hope using cellphones and computers. “We are more than enthused to launch this engaging and immersive campaign, which will allow many Americans and others to share their personal thoughts and reflections in honor of the legacy of Dr. King and other civil rights icons over a 30day period,” states Harry Johnson, President of the Memorial Foundation. The Celebrate the Dream…Share the Dream campaign is being rolled out during a time when social unrest generated by cases of police brutality involving African Americans has dominated headlines in much the same way Dr. King’s work for equal access to the ballot box and other civil rights commanded the nation’s social conscience decades ago. Johnson adds, “With the pressing social issues of the day and they include such tragedies as the death of Trayvon Martin, the deaths of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray, the Charleston 9, the Confederate flag issue and the social unrest that is occur-

ring around the globe, what better time to highlight the reason why we built the MLK Memorial.” The King Memorial Foundation is dedicated to keeping the spirit of Dr. King’s lifelong work alive by offering events designed to educate visitors in ways that promote democracy, justice and hope. The Memorial Foundation raised over $120 million to build the tribute memorial located on the National Mall where it is one of the most popular monuments. To participate in the message campaign, go to the Memorial’s website www.theMemorialFoundation.org. The ??? company is providing the technological support for the effort. “What better way to offer many from around the world a chance to share their thoughts about Dr. King and his speech than an immersive social media platform,” adds Alyssa Martina, President of Memloom. “We at Memloom are very honored to partner with the Memorial Foundation on this historical occasion and offer our unique insight and digital platform to enchance the experience of those visit the Memorial Foundation’s website.” Two years ago thousands gathered on the Mall in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. Founders of the Memorial recognize they are announcing their campaign without the emotional significance of a milestone observance. Johnson reflected, “Although the 52nd Anniversary does not have the same prestige of the 50th or the 55th Anniversary, we at the memorial Foundation believe that recognition of the “I Have a Dream” Speech is one of the key tenants of our mission.” What the campaign may lack in it more than makes up for with its play for an engagement with an audience that is younger and accustomed to connecting via social media.

“Allowing people to share their personal stories with today’s technology will continue to advance the unparalleled legacy of Dr. King, the March on Washington and the “I Have a Dream” speech for generations to come,” summarized Martina.

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Click image to

WATCH NOW! pg.

ST. JUDE HERO 2015 NYC Marathon for kids w/ cancer

Need your help! St. Jude and I just need 20 more of you to support kids with cancer. HEY EVERYONE! I am running the 2015 New

York City Marathon for the second time in November. I am raising money once again for St. Jude @ StJude, the great hospital for children with cancer. I am very close to my goal of $3500, and simply need 20 more of you to donate $25 each as soon as you are able, and then I am done and can focus strictly on training for the marathon. Can you please take a few minutes today to make a $25 donation? It would really mean a lot to me. Thank you so much in advance, and here is the link to donate: http://tinyurl.com/nb7p3e3 And if you have previously donated

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Featured

Artist

Submission

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Lenard Hinds Lenard Hinds, a local gospel singer, songwriter and successful visual artist resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife Cheryl. He began to paint seriously in 1985 using oils, acrylics, pastels and charcoals as his medium. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the United States including local galleries such as Litho’s Art Gallery in University City, Portfolio Art Gallery, Vaughn Cultural Center and 10th Street Art Gallery in the City of St. Louis. Hinds states that his desire is to help the youth visualize the positive opportunities in life and to encourage them to succeed and follow their dreams and goals. My paintings is my way of releasing things out of me whether it’s positive or negative. Whether relating to family, friends or the public, my true desire is to inspire, uplift and encourage others, especially the youth through my art and music. My art is life, filled with everyday situations frozen in time for today and the future generations to come.

For additional information please visit the following sites: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paintings-by-LenardHinds/398233986982010?fref=ts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ6ZIKPC9r8 http:// news.stlpublicradio.org/post/hands-exhibit-features-101artists-includes-city-ferguson-among-venues#stream/0 http://blackartinamerica.com/profile/lenardhinds746http:// fineartamerica.com/profiles/lenard-hinds.html http://www.stlamerican.com/religion/local_religion/ article_43b38a94-e6b2-5d84-8bba-6ffff4dd7b3a.html

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MUST- VIEW New Orleans and HURRICANE KATRINA:

10 Years Later

Click Here to WATCH NOW!

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Featured

Dance

Submission

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DANCE ST. LOUIS

presents...

PAUL TAYLOR

p c DANCE COMPANY

50 ANNIVERSARY SEASON TH

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ICONIC, LEGENDAR

orld-renowned choreographer Paul Taylor is the last living member of the pantheon of choreographers that established American modern dance. Few artists in recent history have had the profound impact on their art form that Paul Taylor has had on dance over six decades. Paul Taylor Dance Company, established in 1954, has long been one of the world’s most highly regarded and sought-after performing arts companies. The company is known for delivering dynamic and thought-provoking pieces. In 1954, Paul Taylor presented his first choreographed piece with five other dancers in Manhattan. Taylor has since claimed 60 years of unrivaled creativity becoming a cultural icon and one of history’s most celebrated artists. Taylor’s meticulously choreographed dances

draw from and comment on influential moments in American cultural history – such as war, spirituality, sexuality, morality and mortality – putting his comical spin on some of these tougher issues while embracing the beauty of movement.

“The American spirit soars whenever Taylor’s dancers dance,” states

the San Francisco Chronicle. The 16-member company performs Paul Taylor’s works around the world, and has appeared in more than 520 cities in 62 countries to date. On October 2-3, as the fall kick-off to its 50th anniversary season, Dance St. Louis presents Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Touhill Performing Arts

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RY AND UNRIVALED

Dance St. Louis presents PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY ~as part of its 50th Anniversary Season~

Center. The St. Louis program includes the following works. (Program is subject to change.) MERCURIC TIDINGS Music by Franz Schubert Choreography by Paul Taylor Date First Performed: April 20, 1982 The Greek god Mercury was the messenger for all the gods. He would bring information to both gods and men. The word “Tidings” is a word that best translates as information that is brought to you. “Mercuric Tidings” therefore refers to the information or messages that are being brought to you by the god Mercury. THREE DUBIOUS MEMORIES Music by Peter Elyakim Taussig Choreography by Paul Taylor Date First Performed: October 30, 2010 “Three Dubious Memories” is highlighted in Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

the recent documentary “Creative Domain” (www. paultaylorcreativedomain.com), which gives an unprecedented, in-depth documentation of how Paul Taylor creates a single dance and reveals how his work ethic has created some of the most iconic dances of our time. “Three Dubious Memories” explores the subjective nature of memory. The protagonists in a love triangle recall their relationships with each other differently, illustrating that various participants may recall events differently, each of whom believes in the accuracy of their own version. “The mind remembers facts the way it wants them to be,” according to Taylor. PIAZZOLLA CALDERA Music by Astor Piazzolla and Jerzy Peterburshsky Choreography by Paul Taylor Date First Performed: June 12, 1997

“Without a single authentic www.the-arts-today.com

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tango step, Paul Taylor captures the essence of tango culture…. Stunning. Taylor looks at the attitudes implicit of the tango – as sexual game, as social identity – and reshapes them. Seethes and flares with sexuality and develops a huge erotic charge. One of Taylor’s most astonishing (even for him) creations.” –

Clement Crisp, Financial Times of London

Also, in celebration of Dance St. Louis’ 50th Anniversary, Sally Brayley Bliss, past Dance St. Louis executive director and current Paul Taylor Dance Company board member will be honored on stage prior to the performance on Saturday, October 3.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see the works of an American cultural icon.

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p SIDEBAR

Dance St. Louis presents Paul Taylor Dance Company Fri., October 2 at 8 p.m. & Sat., October 3 at 8 p.m.

Touhill Performing Arts Center $30-50 for both performances.

Tickets are available at http:// dancestlouis.org.

http://dancestlouis.org

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http://dancestlouis.org

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

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In Support of

Thomas Jefferson By Pierre Blaine

left to future generations and solve them we must, what is the justification for Americans in the 21st century who still harbor and attempt to negate the progress made?

The words of Thomas Jefferson, a young man when he wrote them – 33 years of age – helped to lead 13 colonies out of the oppression from Great Britain and into the creation of the United States of America. Even as he penned the enlightened words of freedom and the foundation of American democracy, he was attended by his slave, Jupiter. Many do not know that Jefferson wrote in the original draft of the Declaration of Independence a clause that would have directed the abolition of slavery in America. The Continental Congress struck that clause out in order to keep the Southern delegation votes to pass the final version.

We as a country are in need of contextual understanding, and the people will perish if we do not insist on critical thinking in all of our institutions of learning. Jefferson was complex and he who is without sin cast the first stone. Historians will tell you that it is not accurate to gaze at history with a modern lens because sometime you have to take into account the times in which people live. Regardless, of the Jeffersonian hypocrisy, “all men are created equal” still offers the best hope for conquering the doctrine of white supremacy no matter what age you live. Jefferson’s warning that every generation must be vigilant in having a revolution when the dictates of government do not work in the best interest of the people.

ow do you reconcile a man – a founding father of the nation who upon his death owned 200 slaves? The same way that you reconcile a nation that in the Constitution of the United States of America defined Blacks as 3/5 of a person. Jefferson was schizophrenic on race and slavery just as the nation he helped to organize. Just as we are not going to leave America because of her original sin of slavery neither should we dismiss Jefferson because of his transgression of owning slaves. Jefferson’s vision and mission as articulated in the Declaration of Independence is the cornerstone upon which the whole American ideal rests. Just as we lost our way from the very beginning with the institution of slavery in every fabric of American life, Jefferson gave to us the way out to reconciling the transgression.

When our civil rights warrior Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. helped to lead our nation in the 3rd emancipation, he stood firmly on the words of Jefferson:

We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men yes, black men as well as white men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness-

There are some who attempt to marry the bringing down of the Confederate flag in the South and statues of the Confederacy to bringing down the memorials to Thomas Jefferson. Those two ideas are not equal because you cannot stand on the Confederate flag as representative of American ideals. I do not support hiding or taking the history of the confederacy out of history books nor burning the Confederate flag as if it never existed. The Confederate flag and confederate statues have their place in history museums and even parks as long as there is adequate coverage of why the North supported the eradication of slavery.

So, in the end Jeffersonian ideals continue to lead us where America needs to go if it is to be a great nation. The edit of do as I say and not as I do must prevail and we must do what we must do to make real the promise of America.

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed… It should be clear that once these ideals – this mission statement was imbedded into the Bill of Rights, Jefferson’s dicta of individual rights laid the mandate to end slavery, grant women the right to vote, grant blacks the right to vote, prohibit racial segregation, and sanction gay marriage. The fact that he himself was unable to free his slaves and move more forcefully for its eradication stains his legacy but not his statue. The reconciliation of the original sin was pg.

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Citizens must both guide and protect the Civilian Oversight Board process. Your participation is needed.

The process for ensuring an effective Civilian Oversight Board continues. As you probably know, the COB nominations have been presented to the St. Louis Board of Alders. At the September 10 meeting, we will plan a Meet and Greet for the nominees that CAPCR will co-host with Metropolitan Congregations United. We will discuss mobilization for the “confirmation” hearings as well as proposed legislation to strengthen the COB. If you need childcare, please arrive by 5:45 pm to get your kids signed in. Thank you for your support.

Find Your COB District Here!

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

MEDIA IGNORES

THE

Seventy-two things are racing to be finished before midnight, but I gave priority to only one of them this morning: attending “The Media Ignores Us: A Human Art Exhibit” at Crescent City Boxing Club, 3101 Erato, New Orleans. The title is intriguing. Curiosity demanded that I find out what an exhibit devoted to young, gifted, and Black youth in New Orleans encompassed. It is fashionable to demonize young Black people in the United States, to pepper Internet, television, and print media each second with negative, dehumanizing images and narratives about them. On a postKatrina Saturday morning, we needed positivity.

The exhibit, conceptualized by Kim Dilosa, founder and executive director of the YOUTHanasia Foundation, Inc., did not disappoint me. It featured twenty-six young people who stood silently under or in proximity to an awesome mural of Mohammed Ali at the Boxing Club. As I looked at them and read the placards which explained who each was and what she or he had done since August 29, 2005 and what he or she was determined to accomplish in life, I was deeply moved. They were the polar opposite of Herman Melville’s Bartleby. Their silence was very loud. They were brave, willing to risk a certain irony in “exhibiting” human aspirations. They were twenty-six stars forming a constellation against my usual blue-black cynicism. What I saw was unconditional, unmitigated hope and strength and the young lifting themselves in affirmation of what their ancestors, immediate and remote, lived, suffered, and died for. Their iconic faces spoke to me. Ashé. Amen. Chance arranged for a young man whom I’d met over a year ago when I spoke to Students at the Center to reintroduce himself and to give me some information about one of the exhibit participants, a future Icon of NOLA. Our conversation convinced me to make a small donation to the cause. I also asked Ms. Dilosa if any of the New Orleans newspapers planned to cover the exhibit. She told me they would not. The papers did not like the exhibit’s title. They refused to cover it. Ah, poetic justice. I intervened by calling and leaving a voice message for one of the best journalists in New Orleans. The media has the option of ignoring the exhibit, but the media ought not ignore the positive stories the twenty-six young people can tell to the United States of America and the world. It is criminal to ignore the storytellers and the stories during the anniversary of the Storm they survived. At the back of my mind, I hear a small, weird voice saying, “Fool, don’t you know by now that criminality is the modus operandi of choice at every social , mass communications, and political level in the City of New Orleans?” I answered, “Perhaps I do know that, but my work is to support the young, gifted and Black by speaking against the status quo and the media that ignore them. Jerry W. Ward, Jr. August 29, 2015 12:10 PM

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

The Universal African Peoples Organization

(UAPO)

Cordially Invites You To A

The Universal African P

(UAP

Cordially Invit

Press Conference Luncheon & Organizing Meeting In Preparation For The Upcoming National Black Peoples Political Leadership Conference (October 30 & 31)

Press Conference Lu Meeting In Pre Upcoming Natio Political Leade (October 30

Saturday, September 12, 2015 12 Noon William J. Harrison Educational Center 3140 Cass Avenue (East of Grand) St. Louis, MO Free Lunch

Saturday, Septem 12 Noo William J. Harrison E 3140 Cass Avenue St. Louis, Free Lun

Looking For Progressive Minded People Willing To Support A Bold Vision and Powerful Movement To Achieve Proportionate Political Representation

Looking For Progre Willing To Suppor Powerful Move Proportionate Poli

Be Sure You Attend! (314) 477-4629 Zaki Baruti President/General

Safiyah Chanvin Vice President

Be Sure Y (314) 4 Queen Ziah Treasurer

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Zaki Baruti President/General

Safiyah Cha Vice Preside

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

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t o o h S o t o Ph

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Beauty

And

Fashion

ESG MODELING AGENCY has officially completed out 2015 “Beauty Rocks the Beat” runway show in Atlanta, Georgia. After much hard work and determination we are excited to recap and interview all models that were able to be a part of the production and help our agency spread the LOVE of CHRIST through Art and Fashion!

Interviewed: ~Tirzah Russell ~Brittany West

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

| ESG INTERVIEW |

Tirzah

RUSSEL pg.

I AM ME! (My outside is not my inside) photo shoot. Interview questions: How did you enjoy shooting for the “I AM ME” photo shoot? I really enjoyed shooting. It was really unique. I’ve never done anything like that before. I will cherish that moment forever. How was it being on set with ESG modeling agency in the St. Louis division for the photo shoot? I started my modeling career in the St. Louis division, therefore I felt at home. I was able to portray my character in the best way possible and feel comfortable, because of the staff I was with on set. They are my family! How did the shoot differ from any beauty shoots you have attended with the agency? The words I would use for this shoot would be “RAW and EFFORTLESS!” We had to focus more on the mind and portraying a character than beauty. Our goal was to really think about how we would feel if we were homeless and portray that in the shoot. How did you enjoy having the acting instructor, Moses Weathers, on set to assist during the shooting process? I definitely enjoyed the classes! The acting classes put everything into perspective on what was expected for this shoot. It really helped me portray my character and was very beneficial. If you could change some things in this world that would assist with ending homelessness what would it be? That’s a good one! I would say selfishness. I feel people “on their feet” should not judge the homeless community. Sometimes, even those of us that could help, we don’t. I feel like more of us would help if SELFISHNESS didn’t exist.

I would love to apart of the event especially since I was apart of the photo shoot. It greatly impacted me just doing the photo shoot. So, I know the event would impact me on a greater level. I’m pretty sure my life will be different, because after the photo shoot I totally look at the needs of the homeless community different and I am more connected with assisting to help. I know the event will be a success, because we’re assisted people in need. Those are the people that appreciate everything no matter how small or big. This will be a blessing for them and for us! What do you hope this campaign will inspire other people in your community and nationwide to do to help the homeless community? I hope this helps stop the judgement and focus more on the homeless community as a whole. Hopefully, it will inspire other people to get more involved and open our eyes to a real issue that continues in our world. What should the public expect from the agency after the images are released? After the images are released, everyone can look forward to the event in Atlanta, Georgia. We are accepting donations of clothing for the banquet dinner. The event will be a 5 course meal with our celebrity chef, formal attire and any other donations to help the event be a success.

Interview conducted and written by: Nationwide Director/Business Motivator Kimberly Marie Produced/Sponsored by: ESG modeling agency esgst.louis@yahoo.com 1-800-300-1544 Division in Atlanta, St. Louis and Houston

Do you plan on traveling with the agency to Atlanta to assist in the first big event for the “I AM ME” campaign, and what do you expect the event to be like?

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Nationwide Model: Tirzah Russell Makeup provided by: Lisa Stylez Hairstyling provided by: Darryl Keith Image by: AG photography pg.

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pg.

| ESG INTERVIEW |

BrittanyWEST I AM ME! (My outside is not my inside) photo shoot.

Interview questions: How did you enjoy shooting for the "I AM ME" photo shoot?

The "I AM ME" photo shoot was a very excited experience. It was truly humbling. It was great to hear the stories of the characters we created read to us on set by the management team and embody that. We embraced the stories and really tried to understand the variety of reason homelessness occurs and bring that across on set.

How was it being on set with ESG modeling agency in the St. Louis division for the photo shoot?

Anytime I work with the ESG family, God always shows up and shows out. I can say having Jasmyne one of the models selected from the ESG's Boys and Girl club was a touching way to introduce her (as a new model) to this issue of homelessness. It was also a great way to creatively express that this issue effects children and adults. Overall, it was a life changing experience.

How did the shoot differ from any beauty shoots you have attended with the agency?

This was difference because we weren't promoting beauty, clothes and products. We were brining awareness to a bigger issue that affects millions worldwide.

Why do you have a passion for helping the homeless community?

My passion is because my family and I know other families that have come so close to experiencing homelessness. It really does hit home from my ďŹ rst hand experience. If I can ever do anything to help, I will!

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

How did you enjoy having the acting instructor, Moses Weathers, on set to assist during the shooting process?

The acting classes were really fun and informative. I learned how to express my character in a non verbal way. We used our eyes, hand motions and gestures to dig deeper and make this shoot a real success.

If you could change some things in this world that would assist with ending homelessness what would it be?

I would create more programs to educate on the topic.

Do you plan on traveling with the agency to Atlanta to assist in the ďŹ rst big event for the "I AM ME" campaign, and what do you expect the event to be like?

Yes, I am very excited and have been praying about it as well. I know God will be in the midst of everything. I am praying for God not only to take us to Atlanta, but to other cities and hopefully other countries to raise awareness or volunteer our services.

What do you hope this campaign will inspire other people in your community and nationwide to do to help the homeless community?

I praying this inspires others to volunteer, donate and be more loving toward the homeless community.

What should the public expect from the agency after the images are released?

After the images for the "I AM ME" photo shoot are released, we will start using the images to promote and advertise the 1st formal dinner event that will be held in our Atlanta, division.

We will be collecting donations for men, women and children which include but are not limited to elegant dresses, gowns, suits, slacks, dress shoes, heels, etc.

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We will be looking for sponsors and partners to help us make this dream come true with our celebrity chef, Mark Davis from Portraits on a plate catering.

We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to make this event a success for the homeless community, but our goal is to spread the love of Christ and build an event with love and resources. We pray God will use our organization for his perfect plan!

Interview conducted and written by: Nationwide Director/Business Motivator Kimberly Marie

Produced/Sponsored by: ESG modeling agency esgst.louis@yahoo.com 1-800-300-1544 Division in Atlanta, St. Louis and Houston

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Redefine the Life in Your Lifestyle I know that it’s been a while since I’ve e-mailed you, I truly hope that all is well! I also hope that you’ve been able to stay up to date with all the happenings via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Between my recent trip to Mexico and the latest additions at the Meditation Lounge, there’s been way more to share than there is time, but I do the best I can! Healing Spa is Back!

So I want to tell you quickly that right after Journey Meditation this Sunday, the Healing Spa starts at 5:15pm! I haven’t offered this experience since October so I know that many of you are super excited about this. If you haven’t yet been, it’s a beautiful experience... You will be in a group setting with soothing, healing music to help you relax while you focus your intentions on the clarity or healing you seek. I’ll spend 15-20 minutes per person laying hands and sharing the spiritual insight that I receive for you. Please Register in Advance Our standard classes no longer require advance registration, however due to the nature of this experience, I’ll need to limit how many people attend so advance registration is required in order to attend. You can sign up online HERE or call 314-441-6929 to get signed up over the phone.

www.selenaj.com

Classes Offered 5 Days a Week In case you’re out of the loop, we now have meditation and yoga classes at the Meditation Lounge 5 days a week and our rates are still in the introductory phase! A single class is $10, but you can save by signing up for a Monthly Membership (starting at $35 p/m), or Pay-As-You-Grow Class Passes (starting at $40) - either way you save! Check out all of your options and view the class schedule and all of the services that we’re offering at www. selenaj.com! I’m looking forward to seeing you in classes this Sunday!

Peace, Love & Light, SJ

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

WATCH NOW!

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RUSH HOUR SPECIAL TICKETS - $25.00 Call The Black Rep Box Office Thursday between 12 PM and 2 PM to purchase tickets for Thursday,and Friday between 12 PM and 2 PM to purchase tickets for Friday.

Presented by THE BLACK REP

Fall in love to the music your parents fell in love to.

This popular, critically acclaimed stroll down memory lane starts with street corner a capella doo-wop and ends in hip-hop. Yes, there will be dancing in the seats. Now - September 20, 2015 Edison Theatre, Washington University in St. Louis For tickets call The Black Rep Box Office, (314) 534-3810 from 10 am - 4 pm Monday - Friday or visit theblackrep.org

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

ART OF FOOD

SCRAPING the

When Hunge you’re starving, want something to eat really fast but you feel like there’s nothing in the house. But you also don’t feel like going to grab

We’ve all had those days when

something to eat, cause you’re having one of those lazy days! I have these days all the time, and I rarely feel like cooking because I don’t want to wait forever to cook it. So what do we do? We go straight to the refrigerator, freezer and pantry to see if we can throw something together. Welp that is exactly what this recipe is this month.

Here’s what I had to work with: I knew I had fresh tortellini in the fridge that hadn’t been touched yet but no pasta sauce anywhere in the house. The next best thing would be to make a wine sauce, but I had no cream, no milk, no nothing! Not to mention there was no red or white wine in the house. The only thing I had on hand at the time was a small bottle of White Zinfandel, a sweeter version of a rosé. (What I used was 1 bottle from a 4-pack of Sutter Home.) It was my

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e PANTRY

- 1:

er Strikes

first time cooking with it, so I was a bit nervous on how it was going to turn out & what the flavor was going to be. Along with the pasta and wine, I had a small bag of fresh cherry tomatoes that we got from my church’s community garden. They all varied in size, but they were plump and delicious. I thinly sliced half an onion that I had in the pantry, sautéed (almost caramelized) them and set them aside. Added the wine to the same pan, blister the tomatoes & toss all the ingredients together. It’s an extremely simple, fast and delicious dinner. You can even throw in some fish in the oven for 15–20 minutes and Voila! it will all be finished at the same time.

Pasta with White Zinfandel “Sauce” 1½ handfuls of Cherry Tomatoes, halved ½ Yellow Onion, thinly sliced Trader Joe’s Fresh Spinach Tortellini (10 oz) 1 bottle of Sutter Home’s mini bottle of White Zinfandel (187 mL) 2-3 Tbsp Butter (gradually added) to taste Salt to taste Garlic Pepper (+ your choice of herbed seasoning) for garnish Parmesan Cheese & chopped Parsley In a small pot, bring water to a boil and add pasta. Cook for approximately 10 minutes. While pasta is cooking, heat a pan with a light coating of olive oil on medium-high. Add thinly sliced onions and sauté (or caramelize, your prerogative) with 2 tsp salt. Once they are to a light-golden brown, remove and keep warm. In the same pan add the small bottle of wine and cook a little bit of the alcohol off. Check pasta, if it’s done strain and keep warm as well. Add 1 Tbsp of the butter to the reducing wine. Once melted add halved cherry tomatoes to the mixture and add pinches of salt, garlic pepper and whatever other seasoning you may like. (Do not a lot of spices at the point, because you don’t want to add too much until all ingredients are together.) When the tomatoes are beginning to slightly blister add cooked pasta and onions to the pan. Gently toss all the ingredients together and add another tablespoon of butter. You will not end up with a “sauce” per say. It will resemble more of a light (but flavorful) coating. Garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. others like to pour their sauce on top. However you want to plate it, do that. There is no wrong or right way! Add the chicken into the sauce, sprinkle the pieces on top as a garnish or even layer it between the pasta and the sauce. Either way it’s delicious & you won’t regret it.

Doré

Bon Appétit,

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CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK ARTS MOVEMENT | 1965-2015

Black Arts Movement Southern Style Black Lives and Black Art Matters Conference Sponsorship Proposal Dillard University www.dillard.edu September 11-13, 2016 Need Statement The year is 2015, the 50th Anniversary of the Black Arts Movement, a movement that saw the transformation of what it meant to be Black in America. And yet, for many African Americans there is a feeling that we have regressed, that it is the 1950s and 1960s all over again. African Americans are living in an era of high unemployment, and without the programs intended to uplift those in poverty. Many are asking themselves has American really changed. Are we in need of a third reconstruction? When we examine the dismantling of the Voting Rights Acts of 1965 has America really changed? Aaron Blake’s October 27, 2014 Washington Post article “Do I need an ID to vote? A look at the laws in all 50 states,” notes that “onefifth of the 50 states will be requiring some form of ID at the polls on Nov. 4. And seven are requiring photo ID.” What does this have to do with the Black Arts Movement? One of the main tenets of the Movement was self-determination. Without the ability to vote, that selfdetermination is null and void. Students represented one of the strongest voices of selfdetermination and social change during the Black Arts Movement. As much as the Black Arts and Black Power Movements were needed in the 1960s and 1970s, today these movements are vital as a means of providing historical context and to awaken our youth to issues of voter disenfranchisement, and inequalities within our social system. We need more than signs that say, “Black Lives Matter.” What is needed is a social framework that allows Black lives to flourish. This is why the New Orleans Black Arts Movement Conference taking place, September 11-13, 2015 is important. The conference is designed to educate the public about the contributions of the South, the very heart of the Black Arts Movement. Why does that matter? The heart pumps blood so that the entire body operates. Without the south, the heart of the Black Arts Movement, there would be no Black Arts Movement. The Civil Right and Black Power Movements gave birth to the Black Arts Movement, and that birth took place in the south.

February 21, 1965 when Amiri Baraka moved from Manhattan to Harlem to establish the Black Arts Repertory Theatre after the assassination of Malcolm X. The west coast saw the emergence of the Black Panther Party and the Black Power Movement, and authors Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Nathan Hare and others developed the first Black Studies Department at San Francisco State University. In this mix, many of the important contributions of the south were overlooked. And yet, the south was home to authors Nikki Giovanni, Toni Morrison, Askia Toure, Pearl Cleage Jerry Ward, Eugene Redmond, the Free Southern Theatre, the beginnings of the Black Panther Party, and the Black Power Movement . Consequently, there is an urgency to this conference in that these important voices of the south responsible for initiating both the Black Arts and Black Power Movements are dying out. These authors have a wealth of knowledge that needs to be disseminated to our youth before people are asking, “What did the South contribute to the Black Arts and Black Power Movements?” . These griots of African American arts and culture will not be around forever. Recently major BAM figures Amiri Baraka, Wanda Coleman, Maya Angelou, and Jayne Cortez passed. These artists are libraries of African American history. Before more cultural libraries disappear, it is paramount that they be acknowledged on a larger scale. The emphasis of this conference is the South because of its rich legacy of literature, and social activism. If you ask the public what the Black Arts Movement was and when it happened, most people will not be able to answer. Yet, (BAM) historian and author Dr. James Smethurst states that “BAM was arguably the most influential U.S. arts movement ever.

The history of the Movement is considered to have begun after

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Black Arts Movement - Southern Style Certainly no radical cultural movement reached such a large American audience. Black Arts cultural groups, writers’ or artists’ workshops, theaters, book stores, study circles, dance companies, schools, journals, small presses, reading series, galleries, museums, and so on, sprouted up wherever there was a black community, large or small.” Dr. Smethurst’s words sum up the enormous impact of the Black Arts Movement. Yet, how does a movement that is responsible for public funding of the arts and birthing black identity remain, for the most part, invisible and forgotten? This is one of the questions that the New Orleans Black Arts Movement Conference will answer. Not only is the Black Arts Movement unknown to the majority of Americans, but the contributions of the women of the Black Arts Movement are virtually hidden from view. Why is this important? One of the reasons is that people of color, women, and those that have been marginalized need to have the belief that their lives, their worlds matter, and that is what the Black Arts Movement did. It stated that not only was Black Art beautiful, but it was and is vital to our very existence. Art was for the people, and the people were the art. This conference is stating unequivocally that Black Lives Matter. From September 11 through 13, 2015, The New Orleans Black Arts Movement Conference offers opportunities to document the voices of acclaimed playwright Pearl Cleage, and authors Sonia Sanchez, Mona Lisa Saloy, Quo Vadis Breaux and other African American female authors scheduled to speak about the role of women in the Black Arts Movement. When discussing the Black Arts Movement, it is the literature of the men that is examined. The Black Arts Movement New Orleans Conference will change that. The voices of the women, particularly the southern women writers will rise in unison as one voice committed to rectifying history. Conference Highlights The conference will open with a historic concert that highlights New Orleans’s history as a music capital. Saturday, September 12 will have programming dedicated to the achievements of women during the Black Arts Movement as well as a Theatre Workshop, presentations by John O’Neal, the Founder of the Free Southern Theatre, and other noted playwrights, scholars, musicians, and actors, such as Chakula cha Jua, John Bracey, Jr., Tarika Lewis, and Charlotte O’Neal (Mama C). With the conference taking place in New Orleans, food is front and center. Dillard University has the privilege of being the home of the Ray Charles Chair, an endowment that seeks to showcase the rich culinary history of New Orleans. As such, Saturday’s program includes a lunch with well-known chefs and culinary scholars discussing the changes in African American

cuisine during the Black Arts Movement, many of the changes brought about by the Black Panthers’ Free Lunch Program, and African Americans seeking healthier lifestyles. Food stations displaying culinary delights and the history behind the cuisine are a part of this luncheon. The final day of the conference, September 13 will focus on the contributions made by Southern writers, and artists. Dillard Professor and author Jerry Ward will celebrate African American southern writers in a roundtable discussion. Sunday will also include a jazz brunch, poster presentations and workshops on the Black Arts Movement, and conclude with a Town Hall forum that is open to the public as a means of discussing issues of importance to the African American community and New Orleans’ residents. The California coordinating staff for the New Orleans conference include: famed Black Arts and Black Power Movement photographer, Kathy Sloane; Black Panther and co-founder of the United African Alliance Community Center in Tanzania, Charlotte O’Neal; poet and activist Genny Lim; actor, spoken word artist, activist and innovative video director Osage; filmmaker, Don Starnes; PR Advisor Necola Adams; historian and PR Advisor Keith Orlando Hilton; UC Merced graduate student and Black Arts Movement Conference Coordinator, Kim McMillon; disabled poet and award-winning jazz musician, Avotcja; Poet Laureate of East Palo Alto, Kalamu Chache; and Director of Diversity at Notre Dame de Namur University and Menlo College Adjunct Professor, Lakiba Pittman. The artists chosen to take part in this tour have specific skills and connections to the Black Arts Movement. Genny Lim, Kathy Sloane, Charlotte O’Neal, and Avotcja played major roles in the development of the music, art, and poetry of the Movement. Why is the BAM Conference at Dillard University Dillard University represents the rich roots of African American culture. Dillard was founded in 1869 with the support of the Missionary Association of the Congregational Church (now the United Church of Christ) and the Freedman’s Aid Society of the United Methodist Church, Straight University and Union Normal School. Later, they were renamed Straight College and New Orleans University. In 1930, New Orleans University and Straight College merged to form Dillard University. The Black Arts Movement similar to Dillard University is rooted in the South. Thomas Dent. John O’Neal, Gilbert Moses, and Doris Derby founded the Free Southern Theatre years before the 1965 official birth of the Black Arts Movement. Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) members Askia Toure, Stokeley Carmichael and James Forman were leading voices in the charge towards civil and voting rights for African Americans, using their platform to create a profound body of work that stated unequvicolly that Black Lives Matter. With 141 years of

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Black Arts Movement - Southern Style academic excellence to its name, Dillard University continues its historical commitment to excellence in education and strives to position itself as one of the nation’s premier centers for undergraduate research. Goals, Objectives and Outcomes The Black Arts Movement revolutionized how Americans approached the idea of community and changed perceptions of what it means to be a person of color in the United States. Theatre from the 1960s through the 1970s had its roots in community building where theatre became a means of developing black identity, and a connection to the African Diaspora. Images of African Americans as “other” were negated as playwrights August Wilson, Amiri Baraka, Ntozake Shange, Ed Bullins, and Lorraine Hansberry voiced a blackness that encompassed family, community, history, and a heritage rooted in Africa, and welded with the power of the African American voice. Henry Louis Gates Jr in his October 1994 Time Magazine article, “Black Creativity: on the Cutting Edge” spoke of the Black Arts Movement as being the most “short-lived” of all the movements. One of the most important outcomes of the New Orleans Conference is to show on a national level that not only has the Black Arts Movement not ended, but it is thriving. The Black Arts Movement is alive and well in community centers, college campuses, family homes, and theatres across America. The movement has morphed into a more inclusive and openended expression of Blackness. The Hip-Hop Movement, local and community theatres represent the creative spark that allowed a people to escape from the misery of slavery as evidenced by “sorrow songs,” such as “Wade in the Water.” That same ingenuity kept African Americans alive through Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, and now legislation that would see the dismantling of major civil rights laws. This indomitable spirit is why the Black Arts Movement has never ended. The voices of the Movement, Amiri Baraka, Nikki Giovanni, Sonia Sanchez, Avotcja, Umar Bin Hassan, Genny Lim, John O’Neal, Jerry Ward, Kalamu y Salaam, Eugene Redmond, Judy Juanita, Askia Toure, and others did not stop writing and publishing in the 1970s. Each of these authors has produced vital literature and art in the twenty-first century. This conference will illustrate how the elders are passing the baton to the next generation by mentoring them through the literary and expressive arts. One of the major goals of this conference is to use art, history, and literature as a tool to address negative cycles of oppression and ultimately to provoke positive social change on a national level.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday, September 11, 2016 Registration (Fees collected on campus) Location: PSB Atrium Time: 2:00pm Set-up required Concert & Exhibitor/Vendors Set-Up (with Cash Bar to include beer and wine) Location: Union Circle for music & Union 1st Floor for exhibitors Concert Hosts: Mona Lisa Saloy, Kalamu ya Salaam, Mwende Katwiwa Time: 7:00pm Saturday, September 12, 2016 Registration (Fees collected on campus) Location: PSB Atrium Time: 7:00am Keynote Address: Sonia Sanchez and Askia Toure Time: 9:00am - 9:45am Breakout Sessions Locations PSB Georges Auditorium, 131-135, 151, 167, 169, 136*, 164* Where do We Go From Here: (Roundtable) A Women’s View of the Black Arts Movement (Pearl Cleage, Sonia Sanchez, Mona Lisa Saloy, Quo Vadis Breaux, Charlotte “Mama C” O’Neal, Avotcja) – other speakers to TBA Time: 10:00 - 11:15am Black Studies Roundtable Jerry Varnado, Moderator John Bracey, James Smethurst, Dr. Jimmy Garrett, Ishmael Reed, Eugene Redmond, Jerry Ward, Askia Toure, Kalaam ya Salaam Time: 10:00 – 11:15 am Book Discussion: S.O.S. Calling All Black People Book author discussion on the Black Arts Movement with John Bracey Jr., James Smethurst, Sonia Sanchez and authors excerpted from the anthology. Time: 11:30 – 12:30pm

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Black Arts Movement - Southern Style Poetry for the People Workshop Mwende Katwiwa, Jewel Marie Bush, Charlotte “Mama C” O’Neal (African Instruments) Tarika Lewis (Violin), Avotcja (Percussions), Poetess Chache Kalamu, Genny Lim, Haki Madhubuti, Askia Toure, Eugene Redmond Other Poets (TBA) Time: 11:30 – 12:30pm Lunch: Kearny Dining Hall Ms. Linda Green, “Yakamein Lady” and Food Network Chopped Winner will make classic Creole dishes and a few lost New Orleans recipes. Zella Palmer, food scholar and the Ray Charles Chair, will discuss the changes in cuisine brought on by the Black Arts and Black Power Movements. Menu: Courtbouillon Gumbo Z’ Herbes (Vegetarian) Yakamein Red Beans and Rice Crawfish Etouffee Oysters a la Poulette Mac & Cheese Calas (Dessert) Time: 1:00pm – 2:15pm Theater Workshop Location: PSB Georges Auditorium or Cook Theater Chakula Cha Jua, and John O’Neal Discussion on Southern Theatre – Attendees may participate in short scenes Time: 2:30 – 3:45pm Women’s Workshops/Papers and Panels Papers and panels on the Women of the Black Arts Movement Room 131 - 40 | Room 135 - 40 Time: 3:00 – 4:00pm Theater Night Location: PSB Georges Auditorium Excerpts from the theatre of the Black Arts Movement Playwrights Chakula Cha Jua’s Ritual Murder (Excerpt) John O’Neal (Free Southern Theatre) Ishmael Reed Sonia Sanchez Jimmy Garret Time: 4:30– 6:30pm Dinner & Dancing (w/Cash Bar) Location: PSB Georges Auditorium or Cook Theater Time: 7:00pm

Dinner & Dancing (w/Cash Bar) Registration – PBS Location: PSB Georges Auditorium Time: 8:30am Sunday, September 13, 2016 Registration – PBS Location: PSB Georges Auditorium Time: 8:30am Southern Writers Roundtable Moderator, Jerry Ward Panelists: Kalamu ya Salaam, Askia Toure, Eugene Redmond, Quo Vadis Breaux, Haki Madhubuti, Mona Lisa Saloy Time: 10:00 - 11:15am Academic Poster Sessions Location: PSB 131-135 & Hallways Time: 11:30 – 12:30pm Race in America – The Black Arts Movement and Now! Chair: John Bracey, Jr. Panelists: Keith Orlando Hilton, Jerry Varnado, Akinyele Umoja, Mona Lisa Saloy, Sonia Sanchez, and Jimmy Garrett Time: 11:30 – 12:30 pm Papers Panel Sessions Location: PSB 136* & 164* Time: 11:30 – 12:30pm Jazz Brunch With Mimosas and Live Entertainment; Mardi Gras Indians/Raion Ramsey Location: Kearny Dining Hall Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm Town Hall Meeting (Open to attendees and all community members) Location: Lawless Chapel* Time: 3:00pm

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Portfolio Fundraiser Moves to Artist's Studio

Janet Riehl's "Women & Wardrobe: The Riehl Collection" exhibit has finished it's successful run at The Portfolio Gallery and Education Center. It brought in $2,000 to help with much-needed building repairs. Many people went home with framed ($150) and unframed ($50) prints they love, and a good time was had by all. Folks have said they would have loved to have seen the show, and were sorry they missed it. Janet has decided to host At Home evenings on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. so you can! Come visit, enjoy the work, and of course buy whatever calls to you. Any profit realized will continue to benefit Portfolio Gallery. If you'd like to come, please contact her at janet.riehl@gmail.com. Janet and Robert Powell, director of Portfolio Gallery and Education Center appeared on Fox 2 news. http://fox2now.com/2014/07/29/women-wardrobe-and-art-on-a-cell-phone-atportfolio/# Janet and her art was featured in the Alton Telegraph. http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/home_top-lifestyle-news/50095336/Artists-workmakes-Riehl-results#.U-Tbf1Ao7qC

Come on out! Meet some new people and enjoy some playful, colorful, and sensuous art inspired by African Women.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES pg.

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Black Arts Movement - Southern Style Black Arts Movement New Orleans Conference 2016 The BAM 2016 New Orleans Conference is estimated to cost $85,000 due to the cost of travel, space rental, drivers, food, filming, honorariums, hotels, and the cost of exhibiting the research, film, and photographs from this conference. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES The Black Arts Movement – Southern Style Conference 2016 in New Orleans is an opportunity for supporters to become part of a historic event that will have a lasting impact on not just arts and literature, but American history as well. African American history is American history. This is an opportunity to become a part of something greater than ourselves. This conference seeks to showcase on a national and international level the enormous impact of the south on a movement that has been deemed “one of the most influential U.S. arts movements ever.” By becoming a sponsor of the BAM New Orleans Conference, you become a part of history, and the acknowledgment of how important this movement still is to the continual promotion, research, and celebration of African American literature, arts, and culture. SPONSORSHIP PAYMENT INFORMATION Please select your sponsorship level: o

Title Sponsor .................................$15,000

Presenting Sponsor ........................... $5,000

Supporting Sponsor ............................. $500

Southern Style Sponsor .................... $1,000

Community Sponsor ............................ $100

COMPANY OR INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION Company Name____________________________________________________________________________________________ Company Contact or Individual Sponsor’s Name __________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone ____________________________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Payment Amount Included __________________________________________________________________________________

Checks should be made payable to Dillard University and mailed to: Erica Durousseau Development Officer, Corporate Relations Rosenwald 306 Dillard University 2601 Gentilly Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 70122

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SPONSORSHIPS TITLE SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE - EXCLUSIVE

SOUTHERN STYLE SPONSORSHIP

EXHIBIT NAME: As the title sponsor, you have the exclusive right of having your corporationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name appear prominently before the title of this event SPONSOR: As the title sponsor, your company will be acknowledged in all radio and television commercials 1. MEDIA EXCLUSIVITY: As our title sponsor, no other similar business will be acknowledged in any event promotional materials. No direct or primary competitor will be permitted to be a sponsor of this event in any way. 2. USE OF LOGO: Your company logo will be on all event posters and fliers. as a title sponsor. (5000 Posters and 20,000 postcards). Recognition on website, event program, and all advertisements. 3. ADVANCE MEDIA: As the title sponsor, your logo will appear prominently in all appropriate media. This includes print advertisements, radio, internet, TV, posters, t-shirts, and other collateral materials, including brochures, flyers, and programs. Your name or logo will appear in conjunction with the event logo in all instances. 4. ON-SITE PRESENCE: As a title sponsor, you will be given an exhibition space and may display promotional materials, distribute literature, or otherwise promote your services during the conference at Dillard Unversity, and the exhibition at the Merced Multicultural Center. You will also be given prominent placement of your company banner at Dillard University. 5. WEB-SITE TIE-IN: Our interactive website will also prominently acknowledge your support. TOTAL INVESTMENT: $15,000

1. USE OF LOGO: Your company logo will be on all event posters and fliers as a sponsor. Recognition in event program. 2. ON-SITE PRESENCE: As a sponsor, your banner will be prominently displayed. 3. WEB-SITE TIE-IN: Our interactive website will acknowledge your support. (Sponsorship Value: $5,000) TOTAL INVESTMENT: $1,000

SUPPORTING SPONSORSHIP 1. RECOGNITION: You will receive recognition in our event program. 2. ON-SITE PRESENCE: As a sponsor, your banner will be prominently displayed. 3. WEB-SITE TIE-IN: Our interactive website will acknowledge your support. (Sponsorship Value: $5,000) TOTAL INVESTMENT: $500

COMMUNITY SPONSORSHIP 1. RECOGNITION: You will receive recognition in our event program. 2. WEB-SITE TIE-IN: Our interactive website will acknowledge your support. TOTAL INVESTMENT: $100

PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE 2. USE OF LOGO: Your company logo will be on all event posters and fliers. as a title sponsor. (5000 Posters and 20,000 postcards). Recognition on website, event program, and all advertisements. 3. ADVANCE MEDIA: As the title sponsor, your logo will appear prominently in all appropriate media. This includes print advertisements, radio, internet, TV, posters, t-shirts, and other collateral materials, including brochures, flyers, and programs. Your name or logo will appear in conjunction with the event logo in all instances. 4. ON-SITE PRESENCE: As a title sponsor, you will be given an exhibition space and may display promotional materials, distribute literature, or otherwise promote your services during the conference at Dillard Unversity, and the exhibition at the Merced Multicultural Center. You will also be given prominent placement of your company banner at Dillard University. 5. WEB-SITE TIE-IN: Our interactive website will also prominently acknowledge your support. TOTAL INVESTMENT: $5,000

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The

New African Paradigm Study Group (NAPSG)

is an organization dedicated to the empowerment and education of our community through book study and our lecture series. We have brought many African scholars to St. Louis to awaken our people and to get on one accord to face the challenges in our community. The NAPSG is in need of your help so we are currently seeking new members to help us continue to be able to meet the demands of our lecture series and our study group. Our study group meets every 3rd Sunday at Sabayet, 4000 Maffit, St. Louis, MO. at 4:00 p.m. Please join us on our journey for knowledge of self, our gods, and our Ancestors. Contact James Steward at (618) 977-8191 for more information. Also, Like us on FaceBook.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

CENT Thanks to the troublesome “magic” of instant communication which informs us about what happened prior to its spatial and temporal manifestations, we might welcome the rest and recuperation that a centennial can offer. Yet, remembering and reassessing what happened one hundred years ago can only make going from the new frying pan to an old skillet a paradoxical exercise in hopeful despair. Consider this year’s Margaret Walker Centennial, the shuttling between the strengthening message of “For My People” and the agony-laden news of “Jackson State, May 15, 1970.” Implacable, absurdly hungry Death triumphs over the godless trinity of class, race, and gender in the twenty-first century. Rereading Walker is to suffer knowing our young are “Not rich with gold but priceless truths of life and death, of/ giving self and sharing love for this is all there is.” Lives of all colors matter, with or without hash tags, dog tags, car tags or tags period. Margaret Walker was one of many poet/bridges between the oral traditions of the enslaved Africans and Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and the multiethnic break beat voices of 2015. All, including refugees straight out of Syria, Palestine and Iraq, are compelled to voice and revoice Walker’s closing stanza from “Jackson State...”: Now all may see their faces in a marble monument, and not

walk this plaza where they died in vain; but we will

forget, for nothing is the same; never ever be the same

since that blue-reddened night.

The specific “where” in the stanza is Lynch Street (named for John R. Lynch not for an obscene verb). The name bleeds, however, in the fates of Jesse Washington in Waco, Texas (1916) and Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi (1955); it casts a lurid gloom on daily violence and death in the streets of the United States of America, in the global landscape. Death must be proud of how effective it is in making our remembering of the past an uncanny projection of our futures as it

clobbers John Donne’s Holy Sonnet X: “Death be not proud.” After December 31, 2015, centennials may provide hours of hope and ancestral celebration for some African Americans and twelve months of anguish for others. We can use what is left of free will to select angles of vision and revision. 2016 is time for remembering Alice Childress, John Oliver Killens, Frank Yerby, and John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and the founding of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The population of ancestors to remember will be increased in 2017 by Gwendolyn Brooks, Ossie Davis, Thelonius Monk, Jacob Lawrence, John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, Lena Horne, Bruce McMarion Wright, and Ella Fitzgerald. I beg the unnamed and forgotten to pardon my lack of omniscience. The spiritual centennial locus for 2017 shall be near Ferguson and its hypertension-inviting conditions --- East St. Louis, July 1917, replete with democratic American hatred, riot, and death. There people will be saturated with music, visual art, theatre, and poetry yoked the prose of Killens and Yerby from 2016. People will recall how jazz swept the United States in 1917; that Freud published “Introduction to Psychoanalysis” and only 38 Negroes were lynched; that migration was in motion as the Original Dixieland Jass Band made the first jazz recordings for somebody’s Jazz Age, and F. W. Mott proposed a theory of shell shock to account for the odd behaviors of some WWI soldiers. If we are lucky, we may be renewed and empowered from observing centennials. May!!. As with all things influenced by time and the emotional gravity of moon and sun, absolutely nothing is guaranteed. Dr. Jerry W. Ward, Jr.

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September 4, 2015

TENNIALS 100 YEARS

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Art of Healing

Your Ad or Article could be here!

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Copyright © 2015 UrbArts, All rights reserved. UrbLife provides regular updates about UrbArts and our upcoming events. Our mailing address is: UrbArts 2600 N. 14th Street | St Louis, Mo 63106 Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

"HEALING HEARTS" "By I. Lynn Squires"

Featured Artist:

Kevin Allen “Then into it He blew the breath of life, And man became a living soul. Amen. Amen.”

he God given breath of life that James Weldon Johnson wrote about in The Creation is the same breath of life that Eric Garner fought for as he wheezed out his final words “I can’t breathe” - a plea not just from a mere man, but a living soul. Perhaps “the powers that be” should consider man as a creation of God when making decisions that impact the lives of others… Think with your head But act with your heart; Put your ego aside And make a new start.

On several occasions I have had the “wind knocked out of me” and was left gasping for air and clinging to life or at

least a reason to live. I thought if I could just keep breathing, I could get through this. My primary focus would be securing my next breath long enough to allow God to move through the moment and provide healing. The years have taught me that no one makes it through life without these moments; the blessing comes when the storm passes, our hearts and bodies are healed and we can once again, breath freely. Committed to Breathing: The United States Reconstruction Project is Howard University’s response to the Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown murders and the legal, social, and political events resulting from such. Inspired in title by the work of Dr. Tony Medina, a professor in Howard University’s Department of English, the project began on January 22nd with pg.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

KEVIN ALLEN cont.

a campus-wide discussion on citizenship -both aspirational and as actually lived, economic wellbeing, dignity and community in all aspects of life and the University’s role and responsibility to give meaning and substance to such. The discussion continued on March 17th in St. Louis, MO when the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ St. Charles Lwanga Center and the local National Black Catholic Congress Implementation Team welcomed over 100 Howard University Alternative Spring Break students and their faculty advisors to St. Augustine Catholic Church for a Conference Around Howard University’s “Committed to Breathing: The United States Reconstruction Project” - What this might mean for our region in light of Ferguson? The evening began with a sprit-filled Ecumenical Prayer Service followed by dinner and a panel discussion. However, the highlight and healing of the evening was provided by a member of St. Augustine’s Youth Ministry. Kevin Allen is 12 years old and in the 7th grade at KIPP Inspire Charter School. He is a talented young man who takes his academic career seriously which is exemplified by his 3.29 GPA. Having endured more than his fair share of life’s hardships, Kevin was eager to respond in spoken word to that which he has experienced and to share his aspirations for healing for the young hearts of his generation.

Tears of a Blue Tiger By Kevin Allen This city is a mess. I see little boys getting robbed of the little change they had left over from the chips they bought from the corner store. I see Black boys getting shot left and right but the sad part about it is they get left alone and forgotten like the moldy cheese on Diary of a Wimpy Kid. So I ask you, is there a such thing as a Blue Tiger or is it just a myth? You know, like make believe? It seems to me like I see them every day. I watch the news almost every morning and I see little boys and girls getting kidnapped,

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raped, beat or even killed. See, you’re giving those ignorant white people, notice I said ignorant white people, because not all white people are bad, a reason to call us monkeys or animals instead of joining arms and standing against them. You want to rape, kill and beat your own kind when we could be taking those republicans out of office who think we aren’t worth much more than a dime. So I ask you again, is there a such thing as a Blue Tiger or is it just a myth? You know, like make believe? It seems to me like I see them every day. All sharp claws and deadly fangs hooked into the spines of youth and it’s the youth who suffer proudly ‘ cause ignorance is bliss and you can’t miss what you don’t understand. No commitment to themselves ‘cause no one ever showed them what that looks like. All they know is prey but won’t pray that we are that Blue Tiger – with no commitment to religion, self preservation, won’t commit to the future and all the beauty that it holds. And we could be beautiful too in the midst of a rugged jungle; just commit to learning and read, and read, and reading but before all of that …just commit to breathing. The St. Charles Lwanga Center’s Mission is to promote Christian spiritual formation and leadership development within the African American Catholic Community and for all who collaborate with them in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the tradition of the Catholic Church http://archstl.org/lwangacenter. For additional information on Howard Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

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“Acting White” Share your Story

Dear friends: I have been asked to write a chapter in a book that will address colorism in education. My chapter will focus on “acting white.” Specifically, when I was growing up, I was a “smart” student. My top performance in school, doing homework, raising my hand to answer questions, etc. often drew the accusation from my African American classmates and friends that I was “acting white.” Now, I know there are psychologists out there who say this is not true and does not exist. But alas, it was absolutely true for me. I have written about this in past works. I will do so again for this new book. I do know that many young folks today who continue to have such allegations hurled at them so feel free to share this email with whoever and have folks email me directly. I did a survey on this very question about 7 years ago and the results were consistent with my experiences decades ago. I’d like to update my earlier survey. I would love to hear from anyone out there who has a similar/related story either involving yourself or someone you know. I would like to include your story in the chapter. I will conceal your identity if you request. Do you have a story to share? If so, please email to me at: norwood@wulaw.wustl.edu. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead Kimberly Norwood , Professor of Law | Washington University School of Law Copyright © 2015 - All rights reserved.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

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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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Kwansaba for Poet Norman Jordan (1938-2015)

Natural/astral like “Ankh” Dumas, Norman piloted Extra Sensory Poetics, parted waters of history to undam/n our hurts & WHOLES (ala Langston, Gwen, Trane). Dug, exhumed, assumed preancient Nommo stances, drum-trances. His “Muntu”hoodoo vessels--voice-evoked--choreo’d, soulo’d & & Leo’d line-ages of village love. Eugene B. Redmond

Texto y Contexto. Fall 1969: Painter Oliver Jackson, poet Quincy Troupe & I left the Middle Mississippi Valley (East St. Louis, IL & St. Louis, MO) for Ohio where we met Cleveland poet Norman Jordan (playwright-in residence at Karamu House). Common thread of this quartet: Black Arts/Black Power Movement & writer Henry “Ankh” Dumas (1934-1968), with whom Jackson & I had taught at ESL’s Experiment in

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Do Black Lives Matter? Not as said by text books!

The old adage “The more things change, the more they stay the same” seems more suitable for the St. Louis African-American community than anyplace else that I know. We seem to face the same problems year after year. It has grown from “the Black Power Movement ‘and The Civil Rights Movement” to the ‘Black Lives Matter Movement’. I would like to see a ‘Truth in Textbooks” movement and a ‘Truth and Revelation in History Movement’, particularly in the institutions that instruct and educate. We have seen ‘Rush Hour’, ‘Ride Along” and “She’s Gotta’ Have It”, and finally “Selma” and “12 Years a Slave”. Now we must contend with “Straight out of Compton”. How sick are we? Since most text books taught in the area’s public and private schools are not written by Africans or persons of African descent, and few movies have any relationship to the achievement or accomplishments of people of color, I thought I would generate a list of books, videos and films that will help you become the bearer and giver of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. From the Cinema Guild, there is the video. ‘John Henrik Clarke: A Great and Mighty Walk.’ It tells of more than 5000 years of African history and presents a delightful, comprehensive view of Afrocentrism. And there is ‘By Any Means Necessary.’ This video examines the reparations movement and claiming a “fair share” and redefining the black identity. Other videos include stories and biographies of Ida B. Wells, Paul Robeson, Richard Wright, Charles Drew, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. There are videos on African-American entertainers, civil rights pioneers and others who were and still are involved in the struggle for and about black people Also, there is an entire book of films and videos made totally by women. It’s titled ‘Women Make Movies’, and included is ‘Black, Bold and Beautiful: Black Women’s Hair.’ It describes the development and social messages of styles such as ‘naturals’, corn rows, relaxers and other fashions and methods. Then there is ‘Black Women On: The Light, Dark Thang.’ This one explores the politics of color within the African-American community. There are several movies and videos that you will enjoy. Because most history textbooks briefly refer to Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and slavery, that is just not enough. The history of African-Americans in this country cannot be limited to a few individuals, and the inventions of Garrett A. Morgan and Dr. Charles Drew among others. How much space is dedicated to Paul Robeson and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.? Very little, because they demanded their rights and fought for dignity, thereby offending the power structure of the day. Marcus Garvey is mentioned solely because he was convicted on trumped up charges by a government that was against any gains in the African village. You might read a little about Ida B. Wells, but nothing about journalist John E. Bruce who was fighting for equal rights for Negroes in 1889. You know of the deeds of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott, but nothing about the evening of May 12, 1871 when young black youths staged a sit-in in Louisville, Kentucky protesting segregated horse-drawn streetcars.

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There are thousands of stories to be told and the factual and exact accounts of African-Americans and Native Americans must be incorporated if this country ever hopes to have an improved and superior educational system. Take note that American history courses are now the same as White or European history. That is not good for white people or black people because it is depriving an entire nation of the truth. Reality and accuracy should be the basis of historical publications. Not the fiction and brainwashing that is included in nearly every textbook circulated by most public and private education system. And African-American women are often overlooked for their contributions and offerings. Some names are familiar such as poets Phillis Wheatley, Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya Angelou, and Rita Dove. And writers Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Terri McMillan, in addition to playwrights Ntozake Shange, and Lorraine Hansberry. But only on special events or occasions will you read or hear about 1850-freedom warrior Sojourner Truth, or Ida B. Wells, who in 1892 was denouncing lynching in the Memphis Free speech Newspaper, and “the woman called Moses”, Harriet Tubman. You won’t hear about Harriet E. Wilson who was writing about racism in the North before the Civil War. How much have you read about Mary Church Terrell who in 1896 became the first president of the National Association of Colored Women or Julia Hayden, an African-American schoolteacher who was killed for teaching black children? Performing artists and athletes typically will receive plenty of media coverage. Aretha Franklin, Josephine Baker, Marian Anderson, Mahalia Jackson, Cicely Tyson, Leontyne Price, and Grace Bumbry are often in the news, but it took the nation more than 50 years to acknowledge and to publicize the accomplishments and actions of Althea Gibson by placing her picture on a cereal box. And you will hardly ever hear of Shirley Chisholm, the First African-American woman elected to Congress, or Carol Moseley-Braun, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate. And what you do hear is usually something negative by a conservative reporter in the so-called mainstream media. Only on special occasions will you hear about Mae Jemison, the first African-American female in space. Former congresswoman Barbara Jordan, civil rights pioneer Fannie Lou Hamer, Professor Angela Davis, attorney Anita Hill, Daisy Bates, who led the assault on the segregated schools of Little Rock, and Patricia Harris who was Ambassador to Luxembourg, should all be household names in the village and in textbooks. Thelma Mothershed Wair, one of the Little Rock Nine lived in the East St. Louis area. Rosa Parks has secured her place in the civil rights movement by her 1955 stance against the Montgomery, Alabama transit system, and more should be discussed concerning the actions of Irene Morgan. In 1944, she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Greyhound Bus. Her deed led to the U.S. Supreme Court striking down segregation in interstate transportation. How much have you read about or heard about her? Volumes could and should be written about women’s history, and more than a few should be devoted to the achievements of African-American women. They have been in the forefront of every great effort and struggle this nation has faced; yet their contributions are very seldom acknowledged, and usually they are attached to the actions of men, or simply revealed in Women’s History Month. We must do better. ~ Bernie Hayes

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

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

What is

CREATIVITY anyway? By Janet Grace Riehl

Life is art? Art is life? You bet!

moments, played his fiddle, and wrote.

Because, what is creativity away but the life force that runs through nature and through us — all of us.

tucked in the bib of mud-caked overalls

In my hardworking country family creativity was a given — though I never even gave this word a thought until I was long out of the nest. Practical creativity made our living-on-a-shoestring daily life possible — as we supported and anchored an extended family. We grew, canned, froze, made pickles and jams, and bought the bare minimum at the grocery store. Clothes? Mother cut down my older sister’s clothes to fit me. We sewed and wore hand-me-downs. Mother even knitted me an entire outfit!

and scribbled words that still mark mine.

What of artistic creativity? Mother’s flower arrangements from her garden, chests of quilts, and elaborately decorated cakes certainly were art forms. Later in life, when time favored such activities, she plotted gardens worthy of Monet, and painted landscapes. My father? He could do anything, fix anything, and make anything. He whittled little critters in odd

Pop wrote 40 books in intermissions of a life of toil. A mechanical pencil

marked cuts on boards

—from “Sightlines: a Poet’s Diary” “Creativity” is the by-word of our age — almost impossible to escape. But I must have been in my 40s (some time ago!) before it came into our culture as a thing in itself. Up until that point I only knew that I made stuff, wrote stuff, played music in the parlor, and told stories for fun. All of this was just something I did — in the no-fuss tradition of our family. Then, in my early 40s art came full force into my life. I underwent major surgery, left a corporate job, and surged through the big San Francisco earthquake. I began to write a book “Seasons of the Soul: Moving Gracefully through Uncertain Times.” I never finished that book, but oh, how I did my best to live it! Life lived me. After than art in all its forms became my steadfast companion. pg.

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But how was I to support myself and this demanding companion? Luckily I’m a generalist. A generalist will try anything and knows when to quit to get help from a specialist. This forms the root of all collaborations. Fortified by my family training in perseverance and practical creativity, I knew what to do. I did anything that came my way to make a buck: temp work, substitute teaching, telemarketing for the Oakland ballet, setting up a family literacy program, and teaching after-school art classes. My best bet came from now-and-again well-paid consulting work developing workshops, manuals, and curriculum for an internationally known consultant. Art is where you find it. We are Makers. That’s a given. As human beings we cannot help ourselves. We must make or die. That’s what creativity really is. Janet Grace Riehl is an award-winning author, blogger, conference presenter, and visual artist. “Sightlines: A Poet’s Diary” and its companion audio book “Sightlines: A Family Love Story in Poetry and Music” tells the story of her family and life on the bluffs above the Mississippi. Visit www. riehlife.com to learn more.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

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Black In Time pt . 6

COMING THIS WEEK!

Animated WEB SERIES Starring The Black Archaeologist.

http://blackarchaeologist.com/ Black Archaeologist Group Facebook pg.

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AfroWorld is an African-American owned and operated cultural and fashion center located in St. Louis. It was founded in 1970 and has been a space where the community can come to learn, share, and shop! In 2015 we are proud to celebrate our 45th year of service to our customers. AfroWorld needs your support so we can continue to have the funds necessary to market, operate, and sustain high quality cultural education programs that support our network of authors and artists who participate in our ongoing community empowerment series. We also want to purchase computers and materials to increase the efficiency of our outreach efforts, educate the next generation of community entrepreneurs, and upgrade the tech equipment used to produce our events and programs. Your financial commitment allows AfroWorld to continue its legacy of bringing people together in a space that celebrates and uplifts the African-American experience.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Gianis LalSandhu, Realtor

Alexander Realty | St. Charles, Missouri | ph: 636-669-1717 | 314-437-8576 The first of a two part article for renters who want to become homeowners.

Everything First-Time Home Buyers Need to Know You Can Not Afford To Procrastinate: BUY NOW! Buying a home costs money. Lots of money. There’s the down payment and the monthly mortgage payment and the maintenance and taxes and the insurance and… Are you overwhelmed yet? It might seem like so much that you just want to put off the house hunt and sign that yearlong lease with your landlord (even though he upped your rent 25% and will likely do the same next year). But this is going to blow your mind: Even with all of those costs, you still stand to save more than $200,000 over the next 30 years if you buy right now.

purchase Postpone for one year, and you’re losing out on an esti mated $18,672 in savings. Delay for three years, and that figure jumps to $54,879. “We’re at a critical juncture: Rents, home prices, and mortgage rates are all expected to rise significantly over the next several years. No matter how you slice it, you can’t deny a few key facts that make the case for buying: Nationally, it’s cheaper right now to buy than to rent, home prices are expected to appreciate, and, while renting is subject to inflation, homeownership costs are locked.

“But that’s over the course of 30 years!” you say. “I’m thinking about my money right now!” you say. Well, get this: Wait just one year, and you throw nearly $19,000 in savings down the drain. The penalties are so high because mortgage rates are forecast to increase and because home prices are rising quickly, according to real estate industry chief economist, Jonathan Smoke. Don’t be mistaken! There is definitely a financial benefit and, similarly, a financial penalty—for every single day you pay your landlord instead of your mortgage company. At a national level, the 30-year financial benefit of owning today is $217,726, according to our economic data analysts, who crunched the numbers to determine the relative merits of buying vs. renting. This analysis does not consider qualitative advantages such as more control over your living situation, flexibility with pets, and, generally, more options. These are all things that potential home buyers, especially first time home buyers consider important when deliberating whether to

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FE PR AT OP UR ER ED TY

Alexander Realty St. Charles, Missouri | ph: 636-669-1717 | 314-437-8576

AU CT I O N 11534 ROSARY LANE,

LAST BID: $278,000 (REJECTED)

Saint Louis, Missouri 63136

QUALIFIES FOR

$1,000

BUYER PURCHASE CREDIT

5 Beds 5 Full baths 5,588 Sq. Ft. Property ID 5060620 DESCRIPTION: Spacious all brick two story home in lovely Francis Farm Estates. This brick Colonial has 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, a 4 car side entry garage, and 5,588 square feet of luxurious living. The 2 story grand enter center hall separates the formal living room from the formal dining room. The huge kitchen has a large center island with seating for 5, custom counter tops, custom cabinets, spacious pantry, and ceramic tile flooring. The breakfast room allows for additional seating and has a built-in desk, and more custom cabinets. The master bedroom suite has a coffer ceiling, huge bedroom with a jacuzzi tub with a separate shower, a walk-in closet with custom organizers, a gas fireplace, and an adjacent office that could double as a nursery. The master bedroom overlooks the beautiful backyard that is a park-like setting. ***SPECIAL INCENTIVES: 1) Buyer will receive a purchase credit of either $1,000 or 3% of the final price.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

PRESS RELEASE

September 10, 2015–

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE St. Louis’ Poet Laureate Michael Castro’s Unity Community presents The St. Louis Brick City Poetry Festival September 17-21, 2015.

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WHO: The “Unity Community” series brings St. Louis’ diverse poetry communities together for honest-talk, spirit-talk, and playful talk in a spirit of unity; and in doing so the poets project a microcosmic model for the macrocosmic dialogue between its communities, which is much needed in St. Louis..

WHAT: The Unity Community is proud to present the St. Louis Brick City Poetry Festival, a celebration of a diverse poetry community, with a legacy proud and unique as St. Louis’ distinctive brick— prized among builders all over the world since the 19th century. WHERE: The City of St. Louis will experience its first poetry festival, inspired by St. Louis’ first Poet Laureate, Dr. Michael Castro from September 17-21. The St. Louis Brick City Poetry Festival will spread throughout the city, taking audiences to different venues from North City to the Delmar Loop to Cherokee Street as we introduce and celebrate up-and-coming poets and word warriors that have contributed to St. Louis’ rich literary legacy. WHY:

It’s time for St. Louis to plant a stake in the ground for the people of the city and the world to see the amazing lineage of poets and writers that have either come from this city, have had roots in the city, or made this city home. From Maya Angelou to T.S. Elliott to The Black Artists Group (BAG) to River Styx to

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Tennessee Williams to the young poets of UrbArts and the 7th Grade Poetry Foundation, when it comes to our poetry and literary community our poets and literary artists are solid and constructive like the "red brick" of our city. And like our red brick, St. Louis's wordsmiths are distinctive, prized, and carry stories within them that are world renowned. WHEN: THURSDAY, September 17, 6-9 p.m., Contemporary Art Museum, 3750 Washington: Opening Reception & Panel discussion St. Louis Brick City Poetry Festival, Festival Opening Event: “The Power of Poetry," moderated by Rabbi James Stone Goodman, 6:30 Panelist: Mark Lipman: winner of the 2015 Joe Hill National Labor Poetry Award; Marcellus Buckle: The Ferguson Poet; Shirley LeFlore, Darlene Roy, M.K. Stallings, Steve Schreiner, Sahara “SistaSols” Scott and Freeman Word. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------THURSDAY, September 17, 8 p.m. On the corner of North 14th and Montgomery The 4th Annual Shakespeare in the Streets: The World Begun, an original play by Nancy Bell, based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The play is directed by Jacqueline Thompson. FRIDAY, September 18, 8 p.m. On the corner of North 14th and Montgomery St The 4th Annual Shakespeare in the Streets The World Begun. FRIDAY, September 18, 9 p.m., UrbArts 2600 N. 14th St. Urb Arts: “Lyrical Therapy” featuring Verbquake Youth Poets. Hosted by: Richard Washington & Byron Keaton. SATURDAY, September 19, Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar, 2nd floor, Conference Room B Night Writers STL, Writers Workshop and Reading Series Workshop 1: 11am-12:30p.m., Instructor, Mark Lipman Workshop 2: 1pm-2:30p.m., Instructor, Jason Vasser Open Mic Reading: 3-5p.m. Hosted by: Susan “Spit-Fire” Lively SATURDAY, September 19, 7:30 p.m. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar “Celebration of the Book,” featuring recently published St. Louis authors.

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Volume 2.7 September 7, 2015

Alex and Maria Balogh, Aja La'Starr Owens, Shirley LeFlore, Richard Newman, Darlene Roy, Allison Creighton, Cheeraz Gormon, Howard Schwartz, Carter Revard, Maurice Minor, Jane Ellen Ibur. SATURDAY, September 19, 8 p.m. On the corner of North 14th and Montgomery. The 4th Annual Shakespeare in the Streets: The World Begun. SUNDAY, September 20. Regional Arts Commission, 6128 Delmar Blvd, 2nd floor, Conference Room B Night Writers STL, Writers Workshop and Reading Series. Workshop 1: 11am-12:30p.m., Instructor, Jaye Willis Workshop 2: 1pm-2:30p.m., Instructor, Jane Ellen Ibur Open Mic Reading: 3p.m.-5p.m. Hosted by: Pacia Anderson SUNDAY, September 20, 7 p.m., Foam, 3359 S. Jefferson (Cherokee Street District) “Five Poets” Hosted by: Sean Arnold & Michael Castro. Readings by: Nicky Rainey, Treasure Shields Redmond, Elizabeth Vega, Mark Lipman, Jason Vasser. MONDAY, September 21, 7:30. Tavern of Fine Arts, 313 Belt “Two Poets Laureate”, presented in collaboration with River Styx. Featuring: St. Louis' Poet Laureate, Michael Castro and East Louis' Poet Laureate, Dr. Eugene B. Redmond with music by Tracy Andreotti and Henry Claude. For more information contact Michael Castro at 314.541.2491 Or go to: www.stlouisbrickcitypoetryfestival.com

Sponsoring Partners

01creative 10th Street Art Gallery Alchemy 7 Publishing All The Art Magazine A Call to Conscience Contemporary Art Museum Eugene B. Redmond Writers Club Foam Left Bank Books Night Writers STL project+gallery River Styx Salon 53 Shakespeare Festival St. Louis St. Louis Art Museum St. Louis Poetry Center St. Louis Regional Arts Commission Subterranean Books Tavern of Fine Arts UrbArts pg.

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Black In Time pt . 6

COMING THIS WEEK!

Animated WEB SERIES Starring The Black Archaeologist.

http://blackarchaeologist.com/ Black Archaeologist Group Facebook pg.

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OPPORTUNITIES

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The Bernie Hayes Show Talk and interviews about affairs of the day with a St. Louis slant. The Bernie Hayes Show can be seen: Friday’s at 9 A.M. Saturday’s at 10:00 P.M. Sunday’s at 5:30 P.M.

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Closing in on my goal for “Fire this Time” - if everyone would do two things 1) support the making of this film with just a $20.00 donation and 2) encourage 2 of your friends to do the same - it will allow me to license some additional footage and photos - you can donate now by going here: http://www.cmt-tv.org/#!join-the-team/c1195 CMT-TV.org is a 501c3 non-profit organizations thus your donations are tax deductible - thank you - the making of this film will help me attract more resources which will allow real community filmmaking in STL -Phillip W. Johnson Producer of the #Ferguson Film Fire this Time

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CAREERS

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A big Thank You to our CONTRIBUTERS