Daytona Times - July 14, 2015

Flagler NAACP president responds to shootings SEE PAGE 2

EE FR

LEE A. DANIELS: Finding a peaceful way forward far outnumbers enemies of the people SEE PAGE 4

BLACK CLERGY ALLIANCE TO HOST COMMUNITY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL SEE PAGE 2

East Central Florida’s Black Voice JULY 14 - JULY 20, 2016

YEAR 41 NO. 28

www.daytonatimes.com

Saturday event to help kids with special needs

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

When her 11-year-old son Brenya Smith died five years ago after a battle with trisomy 18 – a rare chromosodal disease – Petrina Onwuemeli was motivated to help others and keep her son’s memory alive.

She created Brenya’s Love L.L.C., an organization that provides companion and homemaker services to the elderly and adults with special medical needs.

Brenya’s Love is expanding its services to collect items for families of special-needs children.

“I made a promise to my son and my daughter to start a business to put services in place that my family could have used. Brenya was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 1. He was expected to live for three years but lived much longer,” Onwuemeli told the Daytona Times.

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Residents stage a peaceful protest on Saturday over recent shootings in the country.

Local appeal for justice, unity Recent shootings spark peaceful march and rally in Daytona Beach

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

M

ore than 200 people took part in a “United We Stand’’ march and rally on July 9, organized by a Deltona High School teacher.

“I’m just trying to be a pillar of the community and unite some people,’’ said Carlos Harris about the event he organized in about 24 hours. The event started and ended at Cypress Park and the Midtown Educational & Cultural Center in Daytona Beach.

“We’re all are here trying to make a change and stand against the injustice going on in the world. We are united against oppression and united for our community. This is a promising start.

This was kicked off on Facebook with people passing the word,” he said.

See MARCH, Page 3

She is inviting the area residents to take part in the first Brenya’s Love Extravaganza on Saturday, July 16, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. It will be held at the Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural and Education Center, 100 Vine St., Daytona Beach.

“Everyone is coming together to help these families. People don’t realize how difficult it is to not only take care of an ill child but the child who is not ill. We just want to give an up to these families. Next year it will be bigger and better,” Onwuemeli stated.

The event will include family resources, food, games, crafts and prizes. Donations and care packages will be given to needy families at the event.

“We are in the process of getting to the point where we can offer case management services, counseling, skilled nursing services strictly to children who are mentally challenged. We are also working on non-profit status,” explained Onwuemeli, who also is a case manager at Halifax Urban Ministries.

More services needed Onwuemeli sees a dire need for services for both kids and adults with special medical needs in the area.

“Volusia County definitely needs more services. Most services are in Orange County. These services are for kids with special services like wheelchairs, those confined to beds, feeding tubes, etc. Many doctors don’t come here because of the low pay. Families here need more skilled services. They need not only nurses but case managers,” she said.

‘Tired of this’ Harris, who also is a personal trainer, grew up in Pine Haven Apartments, a community located in the heart of Daytona’s Black community.

Recent shootings by police that killed two Black men – Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philandro Castile in Minneapolis, Minnesota – sparked the march and rally. The killing of five officers in Dallas, Texas, also was on the minds of many during Saturday’s peaceful

Love Extravaganza

Supporting Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean that all lives don’t matter, some protesters pointed out.

What is trisomy 18?

Trisomy 18, also known as EdSee BRENYA, Page 2

Event honors victims of violence; brings together residents and officers

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

It was a timely event. The second annual “Gone Too Soon, Your Life Matters Basketball Tournament’’ held on July 9 in Daytona Beach was an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives to violence and for local youth and police officers to hang out together in a positive environment.

VITAS Healthcare of VolusiaFlagler County, Daytona Beach Leisure Services Department and the Daytona Beach Police Department teamed up for the event held at the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center.

“We want to acknowledge our youths whether it’s violence or terminally ill. We all have lost family members too soon. This is an opportunity for us to bring the community together,” Sandra Nobles-

ALSO INSIDE

Milton, senior general manager of Vitas Healthcare, said at the event.

She added, “Anytime that you have an opportunity to get local businesses, government and other entities together and provide something positive for our children, it’s a great thing. It’s an opportunity for us all to grow and heal together.’’

Friendly game The daylong event included both boys and girls basketball tournaments. The winning boys team later squared off with police officers in a friendly game.

Along with the basketball games, VITAS had a specially trained bereavement team on site to provide information and help those who were grieving.

The local event came just days See EVENT, Page 7

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Local officers and youth got a chance to hang out together on Saturday during the community basketball tournament.

COMMENTARY: DR. SINCLAIR GREY III: ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER’ TODAY, TOMORROW, FOREVER | PAGE 4 NATION: DALLAS MEGACHURCH SERVICE INCLUDES VICTIMS’ FAMILIES, OFFICERS | PAGE 5

7 FOCUS

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JULY 14 – JULY 20, 2016

Flagler NAACP leader reflects on America’s tragic week Here’s an inside look at the top issues of the day and the latest happenings headlining this side of the globe.

Intolerance and the perpetuation of negative stereotypes resulted in the killing of two more Black men; one in Baton Rouge, the other in a suburb of Minneapolis. Videos of the incidents support the theory that Black males have an extraordinarily high potential for victimization by police officers that abuse their power and authority.

The nation watched in horror Linda Sharpe as the media reMatthews played the graphic videos of the killings for the public’s reaction.

Insightful or inciteful? Are we to look upon the videos and understand the pain and suffering of the families of the victim, and call out for equal justice, or are we to take from our viewing, anger and pentup frustration?

During what all agreed was a peaceful protest in Dallas, a sniper targeted police. Angered by the treatment of Blacks by police, the perpetrator declared war on White police officers. This act of violence resulted in the killing of five police officers and the wounding of seven others.

Will this happen again? Can this happen in our community?

Until the mistrust of those in power declines; until society recognizes that all lives matter, the potential for this type of violence exists.

Law enforcement agencies must improve their look in our communities by improving the training modules and increase the number of sensitivity training seminars, by the hiring of minority personnel, by stepping up

PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY

community police patrols, and by eliminating racial profiling.

The consequences of violence are devastating. We pray for those who mourn their loved ones. Our hearts are heavy for their loss.

Flagler County Branch NAACP President Linda Sharpe Matthews

‘Data Busters’ visit Fire Rescue Local high school students, participating in the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency’s “Data Busters” program, visited Flagler County Fire Rescue to learn about the department and were treated to a demonstration of its firefighting helicopter.

About 20 students looked up as Flagler County’s helicopter pilot, Todd Whaley, flew into sight and dropped a Bambi Bucket of water into the pond adjacent to the Emergency Operations Center.

“Wuppa, wuppa, wuppa,” sounded the French-built Airbus Helicopter, followed by a long, drawn-out whoosh as the water fell.

Vonitra Williams, manager of the Data Busters program, said the students were fascinated by the Friday morning classroom session – especially the paramedic portion – but watching Whaley, masterfully scoop up buckets of water, make a circle pass and drop the water precisely where

he wanted was the highlight.

“They were really amazed by this part,” Williams said.

Data Busters is a six-week program offered through Daytona State College.

Students have classes on Monday and Wednesday to learn the Microsoft Suite programs, including Excel and PowerPoint.

They work on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Flagler County Public Schools, Flagler County Senior Services and Career Source being among the regular employers.

Friday is field-trip day.

After landing, Whaley told the students more about the FireFlight helicopter and the 847 horsepower engine.

“We do fire reconnaissance, especially during this time of year looking for wildfires (when thunderstorms are frequent). If I see something, I contact the Bunnell District of the Florida Forest Service,” Whaley said.

He explained that Flagler County decided to purchase FireFlight in 2002 after the devastating 1998 wildfires that caused the evacuation of the entire county.

“Being an air ambulance is its second priority,” Whaley mentioned.

But it’s an important second.

Flight Medic Sean Walker went on to tell the students about the medical capabilities of the helicopter.

“This is where the patient would go,” he said, partially pulling out the flight stretcher. “The head would be here so the medic could incubate the patient or perform other procedures if necessary.”

Walker said that of his 24-hours-on shift, only 12 of them are spent as a flight medic.

“Otherwise, I’m in a fire station or regular ambulance,” he said.

BRENYA

Temporarily homeless As a divorcee, Onwuemeli said she struggled for awhile to take care of both of her children, especially with her son’s medical needs. Her daughter Taylore Smith, is now 13.

“I was married for the seven years but after the divorce things got challenging. My son didn’t talk and he couldn’t walk. I had to give up my car and rely upon friends and my parents for transportation,” she recalled.

“We were homeless for 10 days. I couldn’t afford

Fire Marshal Joe King, who has made the bulk of the Flagler County Fire Rescue presentations for the past three years, said that the students come away feeling differently about a career in fire rescue by the time they leave.

“When I ask them at the beginning whether they would consider it, no one ever raises their hands,” he said. “In the end, they realize this is a pretty cool job.”

Cole performing again at Gospel/Jazz Café Chanteuse Linda Cole will be making her way, paying tribute to vocalists from the Great American Songbook. This is happening at the Gospel/Jazz Café, July 15, 7 p.m.

Cole’s performed with the Temptations, Count Basie Band, Chuck Mangione, Maynard Ferguson, Bob Newhart, Spyro Gyra, the London Symphony Orchestra, among other sensations.

She hails from Freeport, Ill, making home at different stages in her career before settling in

Central Florida in 1991. Cole is the cousin of the late, prominent jazz singer, Nat “King” Cole. She has captivated audiences, headlining some of the poshest establishments in the nation.

The ticket price is $15.

To order tickets, call First Church at 386-446-5759, where the Rev. Gillard S. Glover serves as pastor. The Gospel/Jazz Café is located inside of First Church at 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast. The show will precede with a fish fry to eat in or take out, beginning at 5 p.m. The cost is $8 for the fish fry, prepared by Chef Tracy Calhoun.

••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.

Celebrations Birthday wishes to Sidney Honeyghan, July 17. Happy anniversary to Henry “Smitty” and Thea Smith, July 15; and Ivor and Loida Dehaney, July 20.

Special thanks

from Page 1

wards syndrome, is a genetic order that is caused by an error in cell division known as meiotic disjunction. Instead of a normal pair of chromosomes, an extra one appears. This causes normal development patterns in babies to be disrupted. It is life-threatening even before birth.

Trisomy 18 occurs in about 1 out of every 2,500 pregnancies in the United States and 1 in 6,000 live births.

Todd Whaley talks to students about the FireFlight helicopter and its 847 horsepower engine.

Petrina Onwuemeli is shown with her son, Brenya, who died five years ago. to pay his medical expenses and the rent. I couldn’t pay my light bill. It got up $7,500, but I want to thank FPL for not turning off my power. They put me in a program that helped pay the slate clean.’’

Onwuemeli also wants to thank the nurses and doctors for all their help.

She said, “They often paid my rent and electricity bills behind my back. I was sacrificing to take care of my son’s medical expenses.

I couldn’t have done a lot of it without them. I also want to thank his primary care doctor, Andrea Thorpe. She did so much; she was wonderful.”

Back to school After her son’s death, Onwuemeli went back to school. She earned an Associates of Arts degree in general education in 2012 and a Bachelor of Arts in business supervision management with a concentration in project management in 2015. Both degrees were earned at Daytona State College.

“It was another promise that I made to my kids. I’ve always taught them the value of education. I finished my AA degree 20 years after I first started it. Brenya’s Love L.L.C. was also a project that I did in pursuit of my bachelor’s,” she said.

Saturday’s event is being sponsored with the help of the City of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Police Department, Halifax Urban Ministries, Easter Seals, Maxim Home Healthcare and others.

“I am hoping to put some smiles on the faces of these families and allow them to be able to connect to different organizations that we have in the community that could assist them,” commented Onwuemeli.

Onwuemeli said the City of Daytona Beach donated to this Saturday’s event, and said Mayor Derrick Henry along with Commissioners Patrick Henry and Paula Reed also contributed.

“If not for the help of our city leaders, the sponsors and the Order of the Eastern Stars Management 565, this wouldn’t be possible. I want to give them special thanks,” she added.

For more information, call 386-262-0720 or email brenyaslovecs@yahoo.com.

Black Clergy Alliance hosting Vacation Bible School A community-wide Vacation Bible School presented by the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance is scheduled July 18-22 at various churches in the area.

The Vacation Bible School is for 4 years old and up. The time is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Participants are asked to meet at the central location – Master’s Domain Church of God in Christ – to be transported to the age-designated sites.

Master’s Domain is located at 511 Fremont Ave., Daytona Beach.

Ages and sites Ages 4-5, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Ages 6-7, Hope Fellowship Church Ages 8-10, New St. James Baptist Church Ages 11-12, St. Paul, Holly Hill Ages 13-14, New Mt. Zion Church Ages 15-17, Master’s Domain Ages 18-25 Divine Deliverance Ministries Ages 26 and up, Master’s Domain For more information, call Master’s Domain at 386-254-8800 or mdcogic@aol.com.

JULY 14 – JULY 20, 2016 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

M A YNEWS OR

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MARCH from Page 1

event in Daytona Beach.

“Every time that we think this is over with, another one occurs. We are all tired of this happening in our community. For some reason, this happens in Black communities nationwide far too often. We want to bring attention to it and let those families know that they have support,” Harris noted.

Youth speak out Those who participated were of different races and age groups. The young participants had plenty to say.

Rickkiria Mann, an incoming freshman at Bethune-Cookman University, called it “a motivational movement for everybody of all races. I feel like history is repeating itself and things will get worst if we don’t do anything.”

Added Jamari RobinsonNelson, “I am tired of Black people getting killed, especially Black men. I am trying to help make a difference for our community.

It seems that we are just getting killed for just anything if you’re Black. Robinson-Nelson is a student at Flagler Palm Coast High School.

‘Bringing awareness’ Participants had a message for critics of the Black Lives Matter movement.

“Supporting Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean that you don’t support All Lives Matter. We are bringing awareness to the injustices and the flaws in our justice system when it comes to Blacks, especially Black males and minorities. All of us are the human race so if you support Black Lives Matter you’re supporting the human race,” commented Naquisha Gibson.

Harris echoed, “We also must come together as a people. All lives matter but we must emphasize that Black Lives Matters. We are a part of this nation as well.’’

Bomani Akil Amen-Ra talked about economic empowerment.

“I came to support our people. We need to unite.

We need to stop spending our dollars with those who don’t care for us,” AmenRa said. “The only way that things change is if we built our own communities economically and create our own wealth. We need our own schools and we need to control the politics of our own community.’’

Candidates weigh in Local officials also were on hand as well as others seeking public office.

“This is great for the community to come together. Our citizens have concerns. Our police department takes sensitivity training and our officers will soon all have body cameras. Every city knows that we are one event away from such incidents, said Daytona Beach Commissioner Patrick Henry, who represents Zone 5.

Henry is running for the Florida House of Representatives District 26 seat.

His opponent, former City Commissioner Steve Miller, also was there.

“It’s good to see the community come together to address injustices they face in society. We need to also hold our elected officials

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

accountable,” he said.

Zone 5 City Commissioner candidate Willie Williams added, “I came to be a part of the solution. This is good for our community. This is to unite our community for the better. Carlos is my nephew. I want to be a commissioner because I hope to make my community the best that it can be.

This event was encouraging with the peace and love shown here today.’’

Peaceful event The event began with a prayer followed by a march

that went west on George Engram, south on Nova Road, west on International Speedway Boulevard and north on Adams Street.

Traffic was stopped during certain periods of the march at the intersection of International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road as protesters lined up on all four corners of the intersection.

Protesters chanted, “What do we want? Justice! When Do We Want it?

Now!’’ as well as “No Peace!

No Justice’’ and “No Justice!

No Peace!’’

Most drivers-by honked and pumped fists while others held signs out of their cars showing support. Some spectators even joined in.

One motorcyclist was pulled over by a police officer for revving up his engine at an intersection but was let go. There were no other major incidents at the march or rally.

The event ended with patrons being treated to free pizza courtesy of Monique Reed.

Reed is from Daytona but now lives in Dubai, United

Arab Emirates, where she teaches.

“I live in Dubai, but I am always on social media. I attended Campbell Middle and Mainland High. I am always representing my city and I love when others do it. I had to come home to show my support,” she said.

Committee forming Harris said more events are in the works.

“We are in the process of forming a committee.

We want to go to the city about some of the issues that we need solved in our

community. We lack programs for our youth, especially our adolescents. We also want to become more of role models in our communities, especially Black males,” Harris remarked.

He sees problems in the Black community at home tied to issues in the Black community nationwide.

“The system has injustices that seem to break up our families more than any other. We must unite as a people, especially Black males and come together and do good things in our community,” he added.

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7 EDITORIAL

JULY 14 – JULY 20, 2016

Enemies of the people In the hours before the 25-year-old Army veteran Micah Johnson launched his, in the words of President Obama, “vicious, calculated and despicable” attack on White officers of the Dallas police force, something simultaneously remarkable and ordinary occurred.

Department officials took advantage of the peacefulness of the early-evening demonstration there – organized to protest the killings of two Black men by nonBlack police officers in Louisiana and Minnesota – to post pictures of it.

Protecting protesters “Men, women, boys & girls gathered @BeloGarden Park for the demonstration re: recent police involved shootings” read the caption to one photo that in other circumstances might have suggested a crowd gathered for an evening outdoor music concert.

Who could have imagined those photos would within hours become part of the evidence of what Johnson sought to destroy – the attempt in Dallas to find a pathway out of a troubled past and a difficult present to mutual trust and cooperation.

Johnson’s murderous rampage that took the lives of five White officers was the work of an enemy of the people. He wasn’t acting “on behalf of” Black Americans in any way. Instead, he was acting out the demons within him he could no longer even partially control. It is striking and revealing that he acted amid a demonstration that had shown police,

LEE A. DANIELS GEORGE CURRY MEDIA COLUMNIST

whose task was to keep order, and a multiracial throng protesting instances of police wrongdoing could occupy the same space respectfully.

Mirror image Just 12 months ago, much of America was horrified by another murderous rampage committed by Dylann Roof, Micah Johnson’s mirror image across the color line.

Johnson apparently held some Black separatist notions and declared he wanted to kill White people, especially White cops.

Roof, trying to find an excuse for his sense of worthlessness, latched on to the pathetic ideology of White supremacy and talked of wanting to start a race war.

Johnson, armed with a semiautomatic rifle, hid under the cover of night in a downtown garage to snipe at police officers whom a day of peace had given no reason to suspect trouble.

Roof chose a house of worship to commit his crime against humanity, concealing his true intentions behind a meek countenance and the welcoming embrace of the congregants of Charleston, S.C.’s Emanuel AME Church.

After this latest tragedy, it would be easy to surrender to the

‘Black Lives Matter’ today, tomorrow, forever Whenever Black Americans use the term “Black Lives Matter” (BLM), many (but not all) Whites cringe because they believe Blacks are calling for the hatred of Whites and police officers.

That’s absurd.

BLM is not a slogan. It’s a movement by which Black Americans must remind this world that we, our lives, our families, and our future matter. Does BLM diminish the lives of other groups? No.

‘Less-than’ Any rational person who reads and studies history understands that Black Americans have been used and abused by people, institutions, and systems who regard us as being inferior and less

DR. SINCLAIR GREY III GUEST COLUMNIST

than human.

Even though Black Americans have made and continue to make progress in these so-called United States of America, it’s important to realize that we, as Black Americans, must work to find solutions by whatever means we can. Does that mean violence?

No. It does mean we cannot include oppressive groups in the planning process.

When will all lives matter?

No one in her or his right mind would expect to leave home and not return alive. Those engaged in warfare and in other special circumstances may contradict this. But under normal conditions, people expect to return home in the same or better condition as when they left home.

I’ve always been respectful of the concept that police officers have the right to expect to return safely to their homes and their families after each shift of duty.

The horrific scene in Dallas was a stark reminder that some police die trying to serve and protect. For them we are grateful, but there are so many who need to find other professions.

‘Dream for fools’ We’ve come to believe that we have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We were taught that in basic civics. Unfortunately, for far too many, the expectation for a safe return home becomes a “dream for fools.”

The tragedy for two more Black

DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. TRICE EDNEY WIRE

males, Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, was that two officers sworn “to serve and protect” them were the ones who snatched the dream of a safe return home from them without a trial to determine guilt or innocence. There are no simple answers to why these events occurred.

Gun lovers and those sympathetic always to the police – and never Black people – are surfacing reports that each of these men was armed and gave justification to being shot. Never mind that based upon available video, Alton Sterling in Louisiana had been subdued by the police and that an officer drew his service weapon with his finger on the trigger, clearly indicating intent to shoot.

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: WHITE POWER

dynamic of hatred and violence and despair swirling furiously in American society.

One could note the vile cover the New York Post posted even before Dallas police officials had finished securing the crime scene there. “Civil War,” it screamed – giving vent to the eternal fear-fantasy of White racists of a “Black uprising” against White people.

Revealing reactions And one could note the revealing reactions of the National Rifle Association to the police involved killings of Alton B. Sterling, in Louisiana and Philandro Castile and the Dallas massacre.

The NRA’s statement, issued soon after the Dallas gunman had been killed, expressed the “deep anguish all of us feel for the heroic Dallas law enforcement officers who were killed and wounded, as well as to those who so bravely ran toward danger to defend the city and the people of Dallas. With heavy hearts, NRA members honor their heroism and offer our deepest condolences to all of their families.”

What the NRA had to say about the two other tragedies was starkly different. It was completely silent about Alton Sterling’s death.

Nor could the NRA leadership bring itself to even mention the name of Philandro Castile – who was licensed to carry a gun and, according to his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, had told the police officer who was to shoot him to death that he had a gun in his car.

Instead, the brief NRA state-

Politicians who create laws and policies to keep us down need to be excluded from the discussion.

Crooked politicians and those who support them must be exposed. We must financially boycott any and all businesses that contribute to White supremacy, directly and indirectly.

Whites who dismiss the BLM movement as being racist are delusional because their comfort level is being threatened. Many Whites will never know the feeling of shopping, driving, working, creating your own business while Black.

Pandering speech Hillary Clinton’s recent speech after Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were both killed asking Whites to put themselves in African-Americans shoes was a joke. Here’s another example of a White politician trying to pander Black Americans for a vote

This intent is understood because traditional law enforcement training dictates that unless the intent is to shoot, the officer’s trigger-finger is to remain outside the trigger guard.

Never mind that, based upon available audio and video, Philando Castile in Minnesota was reaching upon his person to present his concealed-carry weapon permit to the officer who detained him in a ‘routine’ traffic stop. The question “Why?” remains unanswered.

Proximity matters Simplistically and based upon a false equivalence, some try to explain these events away. They suggest that instead of focusing on homicides committed by cops upon Black Americans, we should instead focus on Blackon-Black murders. They argue that until there’s as much outrage about B-on-B crime, criticism of the police is unwarranted.

Dick Gregory dispels the myth of B-on-B crime by pointing out that proximity of the races (in our segregated society) creates what appears to be disproportionate B-on-B crime. He also points out

PAT BAGLEY, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

ment meekly read: “... the NRA proudly supports the right of lawabiding Americans to carry firearms for defense of themselves and others regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation. The reports from Minnesota are troubling and must be thoroughly investigated. In the meantime, it is important for the NRA not to comment while the investigation is ongoing. Rest assured, the NRA will have more to say once all the facts are known.”

Quick response Yes, callousness, hypocrisy and outright bigotry still play a significant role in the dynamics of America’s “conversation” on race, be it about police-community relations or anything else.

But, one should also note how vigorous, and, thanks to social media, swift was the condem-

by saying the right thing. Let’s put her on the spot and have her address the policies during her husband’s administration that saw an increase in the number of Blacks entering the criminal justice system.

Many Whites don’t have a problem with Black Americans until race and race relations becomes a topic of discussion. If animal cruelty happens, they will speak up and speak out. But when Black men and women are unfairly treated by systems, you don’t hear a word. That’s why it’s critical to always uphold BLM. If we don’t take pride in who we are, no one else will.

Just because Black Americans promote BLM it doesn’t mean we are anti-police, anti-White, or anti-American. We can be proBlack and pro-American at the same time. Common sense tells us you won’t find Whites telling a Jew, an Irish, or a Latino not to be

that Whites are never identified or condemned for their disproportionate crime against other Whites, and we never hear about White-on-White crime.

Some suggest that the recent racist, sexist, and xenophobic rants of Donald Trump in his presidential race have emboldened bigots to emerge from their sewers of intolerance. This too does not offer a more complete explanation.

In 240 years of existence, the United States has not yet dealt with its filthy little secret. That secret is that intolerance – racial and otherwise – has been woven into the fabric of our nation and

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Sales Manager

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Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members

Lee A. Daniels, a former reporter for The Washington Post and the New York Times, is also a former editor of The National Urban League’s The State of Black America. Contact him at leedanielsjournalist@gmail. com.

proud of their heritage.

We have power However, Whites feel the need to tell us not to be too Black or pro-Black. Any White person who asks us to “tone down” our Blackness is intimidated as well as threatened by us. Why? Because they know our power and our greatness.

To get spiritual – the enemy will always try to get us to forget our history, our culture, and our greatness. As long as the enemy can keep us divided, he wins.

That’s the job of those who disavow the BLM movement.

It won’t work because Black Americans are too resilient to give up. Black Lives Matter today, tomorrow, and forever.

Dr. Sinclair Grey III is a speaker, business trainer, writer, and success coach. Contact him at www.sinclairgrey.org.

In 240 years of existence, the United States has not yet dealt with its filthy little secret. That secret is that intolerance – racial and otherwise – has been woven into the fabric of our nation and how we interact and do business. The devaluation of others is accepted as long as we are not affected, and those in control are rarely affected.

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

nation from many quarters of the New York Post’s racist cover headline and of the NRA leadership’s callous, cowardly behavior – including from some NRA members.

Those reactions are evidence, one should take hope in believing, that those committed to finding a peaceful way forward – symbolized by the photos of the protest posted by the Dallas police force before tragedy struck – far, far outnumber Micah Johnson, Dylann Roof and all the other enemies of the people.

Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director Cassandra Cherry Kittles, Willie R. Kittles, Circulation Andreas Butler, Staff Writer Duane Fernandez Sr., Kim Gibson, Photojournalists

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how we interact and do business.

The devaluation of others is accepted as long as we are not affected, and those in control are rarely affected.

My heart is broken for the families of Alton, Philando and the Dallas police. When all lives begin to matter, maybe we can end senseless violence of all kinds.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.

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5 7

M ANATION YOR

JULY 14 14 – JULY 20, 2016 DECEMBER - 20, 2006

PHOTOS BY BARBARA DAVIDSON/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

Worshippers come together for a service and town hall meeting at the Potter’s House Mega Church in Dallas on Sunday, July 10. Bishop T.D. Jakes told the mostly Black congregation that the city’s police officers “have done an incredible job” in honoring the law enforcement officers who were shot on July 7.

Dallas megachurch takes time to reflect Sunday service at the Potter’s House includes family members of people killed by police as well as officers.

BY NIGEL DUARA LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

DALLAS – Behind candles and lights dimmed to near darkness, their faces flashed across the screen. A bootleg CD salesman in Louisiana, a cafeteria worker in Minne-

sota, a 17-year-old in Sanford. Then the face of a police officer, and a second, a third, a fourth and a fifth.

It wasn’t necessary for the pastor of the Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas to identify the dead projected on a screen behind him. All the faces with light

skin were police officers.

All the faces with dark skin were citizens killed by the police.

On Sunday at 11 a.m., which the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once called the most segregated hour in America, the Black-majority congregation of Pot-

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Saundra Sterling, an aunt who raised Alton Sterling after his mother died, is welcomed by worshippers who came together for a service and town hall meeting at the Potter’s House Mega Church on July 10. ter’s House took time to reflect on a wrenching week of race-related violence in America.

‘Trying times’ “These are trying times in our nation, but we believe that God can do the impossible,” said associate pastor Onterio Green, pacing the vast stage at the front of the church. “Hallelujah! Halle-lujah! Hallelu-jah!”

The week had begun with the shooting deaths of two Black men at the hands of police in Minneapolis and Baton Rouge, La. Then on the night of July 7, a Black Lives Matter march in Dallas ended in a few terrifying moments when a sniper disrupted the peaceful protest by shooting 14 people, 12 of them police officers.

Five officers were killed.

Seven others and two civilians are expected to survive. In an instant, this city became the locus of the nation’s continuing conversation with itself on race, discrimination and justice.

“We are ground zero today,” said state Sen. Royce West.

Officers, families honored West spoke from the stage on Sunday, July 10, joined by a dozen others, including family members of people killed by police, and police officers themselves, who pleaded for patience and understanding.

“I wasn’t born a robot,” said Dallas Police Department Cpl. Justin Brandt.

“We are human.”

Brandt, dressed in full uniform, said he has to travel the country to find acceptable recruits for the police department, and said he wished qualified applicants from Dallas would consider joining.

“I can get you all a job tomorrow,” he told the congregation, to laughter.

Sometimes, the reception in church to the police was icy. After all, the protest last Thursday was meant to bring attention to incidents of police brutali-

ty, and some of the marchers were in the pews on Sunday.

Not all sympathetic When Brandt suggested that the solution to racial tension was giving the police more resources, including money for training, the room was silent.

This city has not been touched by the kind of slow-boiling violence that rent Ferguson, Mo., and erupted last week in Baton Rouge, between protesters and officers in riot gear. But some protesters, including James Ali-El, 36, found the presentation in church to be more show than substantive dialogue.

“They’re missing the whole point of what’s really going on,” said Ali-El, who said members of his family are current and former members of the Los Angeles Police Department.

“It’s camouflage (to) shut down the Black community by coming out here and saying, ‘We have to have sympathy for the police officers.’

“Of course we have sympathy for the officers. But it’s convenient. Now they want restraint, now that it’s them (who are) hurt.”

Seeking answers Mayor Mike Rawlings, who has sought to make inroads with Dallas’ Black community, sat in a frontrow pew and spoke briefly of fighting “the battles of tomorrow instead of the battles of yesterday.”

Frustration with the police sometimes boiled over during the on-stage dialogue. Potter’s House Pastor T.D. Jakes, who held a microphone and asked questions of the assembled group on stage, complained that police officers never truly face justice.

“They’re always exonerated,” Jakes said.

Jakes then introduced a series of people whose loved ones were killed by police. Saundra Sterling said her nephew Alton was like a son to her, and she had worried about his decision to return to sell-

ing bootleg CDs in Baton Rouge. He was killed on July 5 by police.

“He suffered, he suffered,” Sterling said.

Girlfriend’s regret Diamond Reynolds watched her boyfriend, Philando Castille, die after he was shot several times

by St. Anthony, Minn., Officer Jeronimo Yanez on July 6.

“The officer was scared, I heard it in his voice,” said Reynolds, who livestreamed Castile’s final moments on Facebook and spoke at the service on a phone line connected to church speakers. “It clicked to me. This is much bigger than myself.”

Jakes asked her what she wonders about when she thinks about that day.

“If I could change anything, it was never to take that route,” Reynolds said, her voice breaking. “None of this would have happened.”

‘We’re with you’ Finally on stage was Dallas County Sheriff’s Lt. Steven Gentry, who has had a troubled history with his own department. He was fired for filming female inmates in the shower, but reinstated due to a technicality.

Gentry said he was abandoned at a police station by his birth mother and brought home by a sympathetic police officer, whom he regards as his father. He saw one of his friends and fellow police officers die in front of him.

“Whether you like police or you don’t, whether you’ve had bad interactions with us,” Gentry said, “we’re not over you, we’re with you.”

Jakes, the pastor, clutched Gentry to him.

“I’m holding Steve and he’s trembling right now,” Jakes said.

He turned to Gentry.

“You look alive,” Jakes said.

Gentry collapsed onto the pastor’s shoulder, tucked his head into Jakes’ lapel and wept.

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JULY 14 – JULY 20, 2016 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

M A YNEWS OR

Dwayne Myers and Terry Johnson are shown with the youth who participated in the tournament held at the Midtown Cultural & Educational Center. Johnson works for the city’s Leisure Services Department and owns Baldy Athletics, a nonprofit that provides sports activities for youth. Myers is his assistant.

EVENT

ABOUT THE CHAMPIONS

from Page 1

after a horrific week of tragedies, including the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Philando Castile in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and five officers in Dallas.

At the Daytona event, city leaders stressed the need for community and law enforcement cooperation to stop violence and prevent crime.

“We all want peace in our community, but we cannot have it without justice. We let things go on.

We have people that know who have committed crimes but people won’t tell. If we see things happening, we need to notify authorities. We need confidence in our police department and we need to be able to communicate with them,” said Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry.

Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood noted, “There are too many people dying in the streets.

We must stop it. There are too many crimes going on with no one saying anything.”

The 2012 murder of Rayshad Mitchell, who was found dead near his family home on Verdell Street, was mentioned.

The 23-year-old died from a gunshot wound. His death remains unsolved.

There is a $25,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to solving this case.

Mitchell’s mother, Jennifer Chord, spoke at the event.

“It’s just hard. His birthday is on the 21st of this month.

Most people don’t understand what I go through. I think some haven’t spoken up because it’s not their child.

This could happen to anybody. If anyone knows anything, I ask you to speak up,” she urged told those in attendance.

Chitwood remarked, “In this one case, we had at least 20 witnesses but still no one has come forward.

No comments were made in regards to recent incidents between law enforcement and the Black community.

“We don’t want to get into that. Here at VITAS, we just want to let the community know that we are here to provide them with a service,” NoblesMilton said.

About last week’s tragedies, Chitwood only stated, “Unfortunately there are things going on between law enforcement and their communities which isn’t what it’s about.

That’s extremism.”

The champion of the girls tournament was the Sharks. The team is made up of girls from the Atlantic High School basketball team.

They are Da’Jhai White, Zaria Pope, Symara Moore, La’Cheri Postell, Cecaria Bankhead, Shania Pope, Jon’Keria Patterson and Heaven Gould.

Atlantic High assistant coaches Roy Lee, Mike Ebert and Erica Babcock coached the team at the July 9 event.

The boys championship team was coached

by Johnson and Dwayne Myers. The players included Jordan Sears (Atlantic High), Kevin Beans (Atlantic), Brieon Beans (Mainland), D’Warren Bolden (Atlantic), Johnny Brown (Mainland), Devin Devarse (Seabreeze) and Devon Robinson (Atlantic).

Following the basketball tournament, a block party was held in Cypress Park. Free swimming and free swim lessons also were given at the Cypress Aquatic Center.

David Howard Sr. referees the girls’ game. He also is a basketball coach for the boys at Atlantic High and Campbell Middle schools.

Shelton Willis, left, remembers his mom during the event.

Young men practice their hoops skills outside of the Midtown center.

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./ HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Girls got a chance to show their skills too during the tournament.

Volunteers help to organize the free food for the event. Hot dogs, burgers and chips were given away to participants.

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7JULY 14 – JULY 20, 2016

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