Garland Journal by Cheryl Smith

I Messenger

August 10, 2018

CELEBRITY BOWL-A-THON

MY TRUTH By cHeryL smitH Publisher

DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!

Cheryl Smith Publisher

Love is... Now if there’s a smile on my face, It’s only there trying to fool the public, But when it comes down to fooling you, Now honey that’s quite a different subject -- “Tears of a Clown” I love that song by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Too often people will try to tell you how you should act, feel, look and speak. They want to criticize the parent screaming loudly at a graduation -- not knowing what that parent or child went through to get to that momentous occasion. Then there’s the person who thinks you should “let out the tears” at a funeral, not knowing that you’re crying inside. Or, what about the person who tells you to smile? That could be extremely infuriating, especially if you don’t know the person, because they don’t know your journey! Which brings me to my truth. I know how it feels to be judged and “dictated” to. I don’t like it and I try not to subject anyone else to what I call insensitive behavior. Now that doesn’t go for inappropriate behavior, like cussing, spewing hate, being disrespectful, or Atty. Andrew Wilkerson similar acts. I do like to find out the “why” with folks, though. So, as I watched court proceedings last week, I asked that question often. I needed to understand. Edward Thomas, sat quietly in Judge Hector Garza’s courtroom as defense and prosecution attorneys went back and forth over allegations of everything from failing to turn over “three pieces of evidence,” portraying bias, speaking out in front of jurors, and not adhering to proper courtroom decorum. Mr. Thomas was on trial for beating Muhlaysia Booker on April 12, 2019 at the Royal Crest Apartments in Dallas. Ms. Booker was later found shot to death, May 18, 2019. Emotions ran high as Judge Garza cited Atty. Andrew Wilkerson for contempt of court for an outburst in front of the jury. Refusing to remain silent, Mr. Wilkerson cited case law and told the judge that he would have some explaining to do. “Let them put us in jail for zealously representing my client.” While saying he would wait to say what the result of the contempt citation would be Judge Garza also threatened to issue a second citation if there was another outburst. He instructed attorneys to wait for his rulings on objections, before responding. Mr. Wilkerson told the judge that he was wrong for telling him “sit down” in front of the jury, saying it leaves a negative impression, that could reflect negatively on the case, painting the attorney as a “crazy, angry Black man!” For his outburst, the Thurgood Marshall Law School grad ended up in a jail cell in Lew Sterrett Justice Center. The judge gave him 14 days and a $500 fine; however he was released on a personal recognizance $500 bond. There were some who felt that Mr. Wilkerson was “over the top,” that he should have acted a certain way; while others said they appreciated the passion he displayed. His defendant was later found “not guilty” on aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a felony; but “guilty” of misdemeanor assault. Although Ms. Booker is a transgender woman, the defense said the fight was between two men. Attorney Larry Taylor of the Cochran Firm See MY TRUTH, page 4

QUIT PLAYIN’ By Vincent L. Hall Turnabout is fair play. Last week’s missive decried Black folks and emotionalism. As the Reverend Dr. Rudolph McKissick Jr. puts it; “We tend to get pissed without a plan.” The upheaval caused by the needless police murder of Atatiana Jefferson will subside

White folks, Trump and Symbolism A letter to Jerry Jones

emotionalism. There are myriad, various cHeryL smitHwhy , PUBLisHer and sundry reasons ProUd FamU GradUate Donald Trump is attractive to his base. Trump sautees symbolisms as the base of his political potions. That potent

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith Publisher

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

By BetHeny sarGent

help but to wonder what kind of principal she was? It seems Millennials can never catch a break from being the source of every generation (before us) complaints. Millennials do what make sense! If what we are involved in does not make sense, we move on until it does…Makes sense? While I’ll admit, our work ethic could use a little fine tuning, we work hard just the same. The majority of my educational career has been teaching in charter schools that serve underprivileged students coming from impoverished and low-socioeconomic backgrounds. My very first year of teaching was a test of faith. I was a 4th grade English Language Arts and Reading teacher. For those who are not aware this is a STAAR testing grade and subject. I remember feeling overwhelmed and overworked to say the least. Feeling these things made me want to give in but I knew I had pupils relying on me. What I found most baffling was how rare it was for those to ask questions and challenge the status quo. I knew there were complain-

By Hollywood Hernandez Entertainment Critic

October 30, 2019

Millennials and the Classroom: What we Face and Fear as Educators

felt the same as I did. I surveyed other millennial educators in the surrounding Dallas area, here is what I learned. Cameron Burwell, 26, a second year high school Chemistry teacher at R.L. Turner in Carrollton - Farmer Branch District, says one of his biggest challenges he faces in the classroom is that he is treated as an older peer. “I am relatively close in age to my students. What I ask my students to do is almost a suggestion.” Even when asked about classroom management and support Burwell holds the students accountable and says that ownership falls on the student when it comes to education. Another challenge Burwell mentions is student engagement. “I actively feel I am competing with my students’ phones.” Burwell mentions that most of the games/social media platforms students are interested in compete for their attention. When students come into the classroom, they expect the educator to compete as well.

Part 1

Recently, I was challenged by a young lady. She was about 40 years old and enjoying a successful career in corporate America. She wanted me to tell her about Black leadership, specifically, what were the elders doing to train, mold and grow future leaders? Unfortunately her question was framed in a way that could have seemed like an indictment because clearly she felt that we weren’t doing enough. Now there’s quite a bit of blame to go around but I am hopeful that by having candid discussions we can move forward and build a stronger foundation. It begins with respect. The foundation in our communities has a crack that continues to widen and with the further erosion of our families and institutions that crack will never be repaired unless we bring respect back as the basis for all interactions. I asked some students if they cussed in front of their parents and I was amazed at the many who answered in the affirmative. Talk about shocked! I cussed in front of my mother twice and both times I was in my 50s. The first time, I said “Hell.” I was so shocked I couldn’t talk to her for about two days. It was only after I talked to my good- tithing friend Debra, from Concord Church in Dallas, and she assured me that Hell wasn’t a bad word. The next time, about a year later, I said “Dammit!” And as soon as the word slipped out of my mouth, I threw my siblings under the

Actress Ptosha Storey is a Dallas,Texas native who's making it big in Hollywood. She'll appear in Tyler Perry's feature film, ACRIMONY, alongside Oscar nominee, Taraji P. Henson. The movie opens March 30, 2018 in theaters nationwide. She can also be seen in the upcoming season of Fox's hit series EMPIRE starting March 28, in her recurring role as Chyna. And she is also in Tyler Perry's popular television series "If Loving You is Wrong" on The OWN Network. So how did this young girl from the projects of Dallas make it to the big time? The answer is an inspiring story that actually reads more like a Hollywood movie script than real life. In high school Ptosha auditioned and was

ple to support my efforts. Along with rap group Public Ene-

In an article by former Principal, Kristen Barker, she talks about how she hired six brand new, straight from college educators for the upcoming academic school year. She mentions how they were Millennial and Generation Y teachers who were basically needy, required attention and expected much. Mrs. Barker gave some imperative feedback, but I just could not

Eric Men

ing, helicopter parents and micromanaging administrators waiting on my demise, but I could not afford to let them see me sweat. My principal at the time definitely had a part to play in that. For the record, I am not bashing my former principal or any other principal for that matter. This is a true testament of my experience in the classroom as a millennial educator. Wanting to know if there were any other millennial educators that

See EDUCATION, page 5

See TRUTH, page 11

See PTOSHA STOREY, page 14

Panel talks increasing diversity in the media and understanding of different cultures By Dorothy J Gentry Contributing Editor

A perpetual lack of awareness of different cultures, letting “laziness creep in” when understanding and dealing with different ethnicities and the on-going absence of nonwhites in the newsroom were all cited as reasons the media continues to have challenges with fair and balanced coverage of diverse communities. “There are huge misunderstandings of other people, other cultures, of people who are

Panelists discuss diversity at Society of Professional Journalists forum, moderated by veteran journalist Rebecca Aguilar

not like us,” said UNT Associate Journalism Professor Tracy Everbach, a former The Dallas Morning News reporter. “We need to open our minds and

infuse this (other cultures) into the newsroom and this is still not happening. “Naturally we gravitate to peoSee JOURNALISM, page 9

striking the 28-year-old. Just a week earlier, ExDallas Police Officer Amber Guyger received a 10-year prison sentence for unlawfully entering the home of 28-year-old Botham Jean and murdering him. Guyger claimed she had worked a late shift, was tired, and entered an apartment she thought was her own. She said she mistook the successful accountant as an intruder. Both Atatiana and Botham

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i messenGer

WWW.myimessenGer.com

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Artillery! The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, has once again shined a light on the lack of gun control legislation in the United States. Congress has presented numerous proposals and counter proposals of gun bills -- that the bills should have been written in pencil. Years later no resolution has transpired on the regulating of guns that would possibly prevent school shootings. No worries Americans, President Trump has provided Dr. Felicia Shepherd a solution to this ongoing debate. President Trump’s solution is to permit teachers to carry guns inside their classrooms. As I reflect on my time as a former classroom teacher and school counselor, I feel I can honestly say if the current educators are anything like me it would not be wise to allow them to carry weapons into the classroom. As a classroom teacher, my organizational skills were not very good. So, because I would not feel comfortable keeping a loaded gun in my classroom, the bullets would have been kept in a locked box with the gun. Now where I placed the box, and key for See DOC SHEP, page 9

cHeryL’s WorLd WWW.BLoGtaLKradio.com

320 soUtH r.L. tHornton FreeWay, sUite 220 daLLas, tX 75203

were Black. Dean and Guyger are White. A study conducted earlier this year by researchers at three universities concluded that African Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than White people. Researchers found that police will kill roughly 1-in1,000 Black boys and men during their lifetime. For White boys and men, the rate See OFFICER, page 6

NeNe Leaks

On From Marva with Love, the guest was the bold and beautiful NeNe Leaks, star of the reality series “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” which airs Season 12, Sunday, November 3, 2019, 8/7c on the Bravo Network. This weekend at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Ms. Leaks will be starring in the stage play “Confessions of An Exotic Dancer,” produced and written by Sharrod Rutland, Cheryl Adams and Thro London. Ms. Leaks talked about the play, how she got involved in it and just what “Confessions of an Exotic Dancer” is all about. NL: Mr. Sharrod Rutland came to me with the script. I read it and I wanted to be a part of it. It’s about an exotic dancer a male exotic dancer; who loved the fast life. He liked women, fast cars, money, all those types of things, married women. He became very manipulative, his life became like really crazy. And then later on in his life he started to realize that he needed to listen to his spiritual side and God was whispering to him. It’s about an exotic dancer that changes his life.

MS: Is this any different than what you did in real life? Conyers,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said. “He worked with us on many civil rights cases as Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and helped lead the fight for the Martin Luther King [Jr.] Holiday.” “Most of us from Michigan loved our congressman. He was idolized and was absolutely an icon. Not only was he an icon of the civil rights movement but we looked to him for leadership. This is a massive loss. All of us in business, the clergy, the community, respected, admired and aspired to be like John Conyers,” said Hiram Jackson, President and CEO of Real Times Media. Mr. Conyers was remem-

I WAS JUST THINKING... By Norma Adams-Wade

I was just thinking about fear this week. And I was thinking about power. My brain has been reeling,

NEW FEATURE

Doc Shep speaks

WWW.GarLandJoUrnaL.com

MS: What is your role in the play? NL: I am a former dancer that is a part of his life. And I’m really a former exotic dancer in real life. (She laughs.)

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Coincidentally, this column was written one day BEFORE Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean fatally shot Atatiana Jefferson, 28, an innocent Black woman, in her own home, around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 12. A neighbor had made a non-emergency call to police requesting a wellness check on the home because the front door had been open for some hours and the neighbor had not seen the occupants for a while.]

WOMEN’S HISTORY

www.texasmetronews.com

See QUIT, page 5

Conyers remembered Former Congressman John Conyers, Jr. died Sunday. He was 90. The longest-serving African American in Congressional history, he was born May 16, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Detroit public schools, he earned his B.A. degree in 1957, and his J.D. degree in 1958, from Wayne State University. U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, who succeeded Mr. Conyers, wrote: “Congressman John Conyers, Jr. will forever be our Congressman in the city of Detroit. He was a civil rights icon, fighting for the people even before he stepped foot on the House floor... When I was elected to succeed Congressman Conyers, I knew that would be following a legacy of a man who fought for the people, fought for his district, and never wavered in the fight for jobs, justice, and peace.” “Sad to hear of the passing of former Congressman John

TEXAS METRO NEWS MARCH 21, 2018

Texas

MeTro News

VOL XVII ISSUE 21 JUNE 20, 2018

Nene Leaks stars in Confessions i messenGer media L.L.c.

White Ex-Officer is Working to Change the Culture A police officer’s bullet shattered a window and fatally struck Atatiana Jefferson as she and her 8-year-old nephew played video games inside her Texas home. Fort Worth Police Officer Aaron Dean, who never identified himself as a cop, and, without warning, fired into Atatiana’s window from outside the home, fatally

JOURNAL VOL IX ISSUE Dallas’ 5 Star A perspective on education

Betheny Sargent

Lady EMMA Rodgers

JUNE 20, 2018

teXas metro neWs GarLand JoUrnaL

in a few days, and unless we reverse history, there won’t be a plan. Black folks forget, but some White folks can never forget and this has always been America’s Achilles heel. White folks are as consistently embroiled in symbolism as Black folks are in

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent

GARLAND JOURNAL

Garland

When you have a good thing, you’d better hold on to it and treat it right. Isn’t that the recurring theme in a number of “love” songs? In preparation for the 24th annual Cheryl Smith’s Don’t Believe the Hype Celebrity Bowl-a-thon there were some moments of hesitancy. You see, in 1995 at the first scholarship fundraisers, comedian/activist/ humanitarian/nutritionist and all around good person Dick Gregory stood by my side encouraging peo-

Tulisoma honors

Volume 6, No.21

www.texasmetronews.com

WWW.GARLANDJOURNAL.COM

Don't Believe the HYPE!

MY TRUTH

OUR HBCUs!

bered for his leadership. “Congressman John Conyers decades ago held the first U.S. Congressional Hearings on RaciallyMotivated Police Brutality; led the House Judiciary Hearings on Criminal Justice and Prison Reform in America; was cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC); and was a leading congressional advocate for the freedom of Angela Davis, the Wilmington Ten, and all political prisoners in the United States,” remarked Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. “Con-

NL: Well in my real life absolutely as a dancer it was totally, totally different. This is not based on my real life at all. But I’m happy to play the part. In my life it was something totally different. I did not encounter any bad guys, manipulative people or anything like that, when I worked. I was in college and was a single mom and worked in the club life. After that I went back to being a single mom and a college student. MS: This play is centered around Freaknic in Atlanta. What will the atmosphere be like in the play? NL: I can tell you all about Freaknic. I went to it every single year. It’s centered around the Black Colleges, Morehouse, and Spelman & Clark Atlanta. It’s like a huge, huge Spring Break. This is where people came to party and

See CONYERS, page 3

See LEAKS, page 3

Speaking truth to power

trying to make sense of the fear -- and power -- that coil around each other and explode in violent outbursts, leaving someone or many dead, maimed or emotionally scarred in this contentious world we live in. A lot of the coiling of fear and power has happened during clashes between police and Black citizens across the land. We hear so often (too often?) from law enforcement: “I feared for my life,” so I aimed for a fatal mark and pulled the trigger. The power is in the status of the uniform and the weapon on the hip. The fear is that the person who

does not look like you – a different color, a different culture – is a threat that must be eliminated, a creature you do not understand, or worst – do not value. Does life matter? Black life? Young life in the hood? Fear and power clash also in the hood. I overheard a conversation recently that got me to thinking about that particular schism. One speaker said: “Kids with a beef used to fight.... Now, they kill!” In the hood, the fighting words “He dissed me” could lead to a death sentence. The value of a life being of little consequence. So how to get pass the fear – and

Dr. Haynes, addressing issues in nation’s capitol. Courtesy - Friendship West

See THINKING, page 5

GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

Mavs open season with eye toward Playoffs By Sports Editor Dorothy J. Gentry Photos by Charles Gbadebo

Luka Doncic shoots over his opponent in their 123-116 win over the Washington Wizards.

Playoffs. It’s the word and the theme on the court and around the locker room for the Dallas Mavericks who opened the 2019-20 NBA season last week and so far have a 2-1 record. “For sure, that is our goal; the playoffs this year,” said Luka Doncic, the Mavs star in his second year. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year has taken over the reigns of the team since the retirement last year of Dirk Nowitzki. He and Kristaps Porzingis, acquired from the New York Knicks in a trade last year, are forming an elite duo that just may propel the Mavs into the post-season for the first time in several years. They opened the season at home at American Airlines Center last week with a 123-116 win over the visiting Washington Wizards, in front of a sellout crowd of 17,027. In that game Doncic put up 34 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Porzingis added 23 points in his Mavs debut. “I’m glad we got a win. It’s the first one and I hope many to come,” said Doncic. Porzingis - who hadn’t played in a regular season game in over 20 months, since his surgery Feb. 13, 2018, to repair his tore left anterior cruciate ligament - shook the rust off and made seven of his final 12 shots; ending up with 23

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

points, four boards and two assists. “I feel great. I am ready to go and ready to help this team make it to the playoffs,” he said. Added Doncic about Porzingis: “He’s great. Almost a year and half he was out. He played amazing for having that much time out and I know he is going to be better and better.” Porzingis said: “We have so much more room to grow as a group, we just got together and we’re right there to be a very experienced playoff type of team. So I think we’re on the right path. We just want to keep going. “ This is the 40th season in franchise history, including the club’s 19th playing at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks are scheduled to play 13 nationally televised games this season – nine on ESPN and four on TNT. The club’s first nationally televised home game of the season will come against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers this Friday, Nov. 1 at 8:30 p.m. CT, and will also be shown by ESPN. TNT will have exclusive rights to Porzingis’ return to Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14 when the Mavericks play the New York Knicks, his former team. The team’s longest homestand of the season will be a six-game, 10-day stretch at the beginning of the 2020 calendar year (Jan. 2 to Jan. 11). Dallas

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Watson E.S. 2601 Dairy Rd. 9:15a. Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Abbett E.S. 2601 Dairy Rd. 1p. In the Gym.

Family Caregivers Month

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Luna E.S. 1050 Lochness Ln. 1:45p. In the Cafeteria.

Recurring Events

November 1-3

Feeding The Needy, Host: Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez, 1641 Corsicana St, Dallas. 3-5p., Sundays.

Directors Choice DBDT, Dee & Charles Wyly Theater, 2400 Flora St. 7:30p. & 2:30p. Tickets: www. attpac.org.

The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, A. A. M. 3536 Grand Ave. 9-21-19 - 3-1-20.

2019 Women’s Conference #Not forgotten, St. Luke Community UMC, 5710 E. R.L. Thornton Fwy. Register Online: www.stlukesscwm.org.

Arthello Beck Gallery Presents: Nitashia Johnson The Self Publication, So. Dallas Culture Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave.

October 30

Dallas’ longest road trip in 2019-20 will be four games (twice). The club has a four-game trip from Feb. 26 to March 2 and a four-game Westcoast trip from March 16 to March 21. The Mavericks will travel to Mexico City to face the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 12. It will mark the third time in team history that Dallas will play a regularseason game outside of the U.S. or Canada (the Mavericks faced the Rockets in Mexico City in 1997-98 and the Suns in Mexico City in 2016-17). Dallas will play 13 back-to-backs this season. The club will play six back-tobacks that begin and end on the road, four back-to-backs to begin on the road and conclude at home, two back-tobacks that require no travel (begin and end at home) and one home-to-road Mavs guard Luka Doncic focuses on opponent back-to-back. in home opener against Washington Wizards. The Lakers will make two trips to American Airlines Center in 2019-20 homestand. (Nov. 1 and Jan. 10). Kawhi Leonard, Paul George The Mavericks will also play a four-game and the Los Angeles Clippers will also visit the homestand in November against the four AAC twice this year (Nov. 26 and Jan. 21). James franchises that have accounted for the last six Harden, Russell Westbrook and the in-state rival NBA championships – Toronto (Nov. 16), San Houston Rockets will make their two trips to Antonio (Nov. 18), Golden State (Nov. 20), and Dallas on March 23 and April 7. Cleveland (Nov. 22).

WHAT’S GOING ON!

Diabetes Awareness Month

West African Drumming and Dance Class, South Dallas Culture Center, 3400 Fitzhugh Ave. 11a-1p. (10-26)(12-7), Ages 5-18. Info: Marilyn Clark, 214-671-1998.

will face Brooklyn (Jan. 2), Charlotte (Jan. 4), Chicago (Jan. 6), Denver (Jan. 8), the L.A. Lakers (Jan. 10) and Philadelphia (Jan. 11) during that

November 1 Daylight Savings Time Ends

RBCA Year In Awards Gala, The Ashton Depot, 1501 Jones St. Ft. Worth. 7-10p. Contact: 214-565-8946. Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Sachse H.S. 3901 Miles Rd. 8:30a.

2nd We Can Do It Speaker: Jenna Quinn Connection Domestic Violence Conference 2019. Holiday Inn Trophy Club, 725 Plaza Dr. 9a-4p. Reg: Eventbrite.com. Dallas Homeownership Fair 2019, Bill J Priest Institute, 1402 Corinth St. 8a-3p. Register: Eventbrite.com. DeSoto VET FEST 5K, DeSoto Town Center 211 E. Pleasant Run Rd. info & Reg: kathy.jones@desototexas.gov. Delta Day @ The Grow DeSoto Market Place, 324 E. Beltline Rd. 1-6p. Dallas iUrban Teen Summit, UTD Computer Science Bldg. West, 800 W. Campbell Rd. 9a-3p. Reg: Eventbtrite. Wonderfully Made Health & Wellness Expo, Baylor Scott & White, N Dallas Bible Community Fellowship, 2801 E. Pres. George Bush Hwy. Plano. 9a-1p. DFW African American Author Showcase, Dallas Re. Center 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. 12-5p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Town Hall Meeting: Education, Host Terry Meza for St. Rep., Southlake South Campus, 1081 W. Shady Grove Rd. Irving. 10a-12p.

November 3

Nowitzki Way Street Naming Ceremony, 2500 Victory Ave. 12-1p.

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Armstrong E.S. 4750 Ben Davis Rd. Sachse. 9:15a. In the Cafeteria.

Breast Health Education, Moorland Family YMCA, 907 E. Ledbetter Dr. 8a.-1p. Monica Moran 214-266-3059.

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Sewell E.S. 4400 Hudson Dr. Sachse. 1:00p.

Mel Holder Saxophonist, Up Close & Personal, Eventfully Yours, 7640 NE Loop 820, #110, North Richland Hills. 5p. Info: 972-834-5936.

Wednesday Wine & Jazz, Box Garden in Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave. Plano. 6-11p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Hudson M.S. 4405 Hudson Dr. Sachse. 1:45p.

Cancer Survivor Celebration, Unique Visions, 324 S. Hampton Rd. DeSoto. 6-10p. Info: 214-290-6259.

Dallas Women’s Lawyers Association Annual Awards Reception, Omni Hotel, 555 S. Lamar St. 6-9p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Bishop Arts Theatre: Day of the Dead, Bishop Arts Theatre, 215 Tyler St. Student Matinee 10:30a. Sign up: Tiffany Jackson, 214-948-0716.

Black State of Emergency: Standing Up For Black Lives, Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex, 501 W. Felix St. Ft. Worth. 4-7p.

Oct. 31- Nov. 2 Sherrod Ruthland Presents: Confessions of an Exotic Dancer, Starring: NeNe Leaks, TBAAL, 1309 Canton St. 7:30p, 2p. & 8p. Ticketmaster.

October 31

MJCC Hallelujah Night trunk or Treat, Redbird Skateland, 1206 N. Duncanville Rd. 6-9p. Soul Jazz Thursday’s w/ Natural Change Band, Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. Dallas. 8p-12a. Harvest Carnival, Concord Church, 6806 Pastor Bailey Dr. 6-9p. Harvest Fest, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, 1808 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. 6-9:30p. YouthChella 2K19, Friendship-West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 7-10p. Halloween Happy Hour, Support Wendy Davis, Riveter, 3333 Welborn. 4:30-6p. Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Hickman E.S. 3114 Pinewood Dr. 8:30a. In the Gym.

The #1 Friday Night Social in Plano, Pepper Smash A Cocktail Kitchen, 7200 Bishop Rd. 6-10:30p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Mercado369, 369 W. Jefferson Blvd. 5-9p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

November 2 Black Women Buy Out: Harriet, Angelika Film Center, 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. #230. 2:30-6:30p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. 6000 Sisters Walk 6000 Steps for Hope, Brest Cancer Walk & Health Expo, Richland College, 12800 Abrams Rd. Register: www.sistersnetworkdallas.org.

November 4 Happy Birthday to Team Member and good friend Lady Lyfe Big Thought 30 Years Talent Recruitment, Big Thought 1409 S. Lamar St. #1015. 9-10:30a. RSVP: kiara. dismuke@bigthought.org. Grey Matters to Firefighters Golf Tournament, Las Colinas Country Club, 4400 N. O’Connor Rd. Irving. 8a. Info: www.greymatterstofirefighters@com. Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Parsons Pre-K., 2202 Rich Oak Dr. 1:00p.

Meet and Greet Senator Royce West, Host: O’Neil Wysocki Family Law, Al Biernat’s North, 5251 Spring Valley Rd. 5:307p.

November 5 Benjamin AlivinDrew, DOB 1962, NSA Astronaut

Veterans Town Hall on Suicide and Mental Health, Host: Congressman Marc Veasey, American Legion Post 275, 2804 S. Cockrell Hill Rd. 5:30p-7:30p. The Jazz Jam, Jazz BeCuzz Art Center, 9319 LBJ Fwy. Ste. #120. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Free Legal Aid, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, 1515 Main St. 4p. Info: 214-748-1159. HSE/GED Math and Science Class, Frazier House 4600 Spring Ave. Dallas. 12:15-2:45p.

November 6 ELECTION DAY Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” composed by James Weldon & J. Rosamond Johnson in 1900

Happy Birthday toTeam Member, Awesome Lady Dareia Tolbert-Jacobs 2019 National Pan-Hellenic Council of Dallas Meeting, A. A. Museum 3536 Grand Ave. 6:30-8p. The Great Love Debate World Tour, Hyena’s Comedy Club 425 Commerce St. Ft. Worth. 8-10p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. Wednesdays Swing Dance Class, Allure Jazz & Cigar Lounge 110 S. Cockrell Hill, DeSoto. 7:30-9:30p. Instructor: Lady Champagne. Free before 8p. Women of the West Bible Study, Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. 7p. The MLK Fresh Produce, Distribution Center, (Bldg. A) 2929 MLK, Jr. Blvd. 10:30a-1:30p.

November 7 Kendra Gives Back, Kendra Scott, Shops at Legacy, 5800 Legacy Dr., Frisco. 5:30-7:30p. RSVP: 214-299-5227. 410 Line Dancers Thursday Class DFW Sports Garden 1850 E. Beltline Rd. Coppell. 7-9p. Info: www.410linedancers.com.

Baylor Scott & White Health & Wellness Center Health & Wellness Expo, Juanita J. Craft Rec. Center, 4500 Spring Ave. 10a.-1p. Free Event.

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, N.G.H.S., 2109 W. Buckingham Rd. 1:45p.

Texas Giving Hope & Help 5th Annual Fem. Product Drive, So. Park YMCA, 2500 Romine Ave. 12p.

Garland ISD Students Honors Staff, Ethridge E.S. 2301 Sam Houston Dr. 2:30p.

Tongo Eisen-Martin, African Diaspora, New Dialogues, South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh. 7p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Project MLK, Invested In Your Success, 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Bi-weekly workforce and readiness training. 8a. Reg.: projrectmlk.eventbrite.com.

National Aesthetic Spa Networking Conference, Noah’s Operation of Irving, 601 Campus Circle Dr., E. 9a-5p. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

All New Thursdays Ladies Night Soulful Soundz, Vinetti’s, 4833 Midway Rd. Addison 5-12a. Free Cover.

GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

Officer

continued from front page

is 39 out of 100,000. In the aftermath of the killing of Atatiana, an attorney and former detective spoke with NNPA Newswire about police shootings. Because of the sensitive nature of his current assignment, we will refer to the former officer as Detective Jones. Jones is working with several police departments to find better training solutions, primarily for situations when officers are interacting with individuals of color. DETECTIVE JONES: Among my friends who are police officers, I’m considered one of the more – let’s say liberal, as it were. I’m hoping we can bridge build and repair relations between my brothers and sisters of varying backgrounds. So, that’s where I’m coming from. From the police side of things, I’ve seen racist cops. Unfortunately, a lot of that is because of what the job can do to people. But I think that the key to the current problems, aside from the racial issue, is what the police chief in Fort Worth said. He used the best possible words when he said we need to hire people with a servant’s heart, not people with a warrior’s heart. A Soldier’s Mentality When I went to the police academy, which was some time ago, a lot of people were coming back from Iraq, and they were looking for jobs. These people were trained killers because they’re soldiers. And, now you’re putting them not just [on the street] and giving them tactical solider-looking gear. And, they feel like they’re back on patrol in frickin’ Ramallah or Bagdad. You know, when the soldiers are sent off to war, one of the ways that the government makes soldiers

more effective is by dehumanizing them — calling them names like bugs. It’s a good word to make to dehumanize them, and then they come home. And, it’s not hard for them to jump into things by taking back that concept and using it with minorities. Whatever the minority may be in that community. The minority could be White people. I know it’s not usually that, but it could be anybody. So then when they use that language that, you know, aggressive and derogatory language against minorities, it’s just what they were trained to do as soldiers. And, one of the things I can tell you from personal experience, and I mean, in the department that I was in when I started my law enforcement career in 1999, it was a small department. And there was only maybe one military guy in there. And he had all the knowledge and the tactical gear and everything. Scary. As soldiers kept returning home, that was easy pickings for police departments, you know, all over the country. They are hiring all of the time. So, then the department starts getting, you know, an increasing number of ex-soldiers. And, now they’ve got their own culture. And, within the department, they’ve almost created their own little thing. And the non-military cops see it, and they want to be part of it. So, they start to adopt the attitude a little bit. It Starts at the Top You know, here’s what it boils down to — the negative aspects of hiring are so much stronger than the positive aspects. If you hire bad apples, it’s so much worse than the good you get from hiring good apples. So, a lot of this focuses on hiring the right people. Because when there’s a hillbilly cracker in the office, guess what? That is your department. On the other side, cops are continually being taunted, and sometimes there are those purposefully

agitating elements from the community. And it makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for them to do their job. I think when it comes to hiring, police departments need to pay more attention to bringing in people who are servants. They need to pay more attention to training officers. Another thing, when I was in the police academy, we were trained on how to figure out when to shoot someone as opposed to not shoot someone. That’s a considerable distinction right there. In my career, I had a situation where I would have been justified in shooting and killing someone. If I had done that in that particular situation, it would have been perfectly justifiable. But I also had a way out of it, and I got out of it. I didn’t have to kill anybody. The training would have said, kill, it’s the ABC’s. Pull out your gun and pull the trigger. Training Not One-Size-Fits-All It’s not possible to train all departments across the country the same way. It’s not constitutional. It’s

not practical. The challenge is different from community to community. A national policy would not work as a state-bystate policy. And what happens is the communities end up electing their head law enforcement officer, unless they’re appointed by other elected officials. The department should be a reflection of the sentiments of the community. If you’ve got a community that is mostly White and they don’t like Black people or vice versa, then that may well be reflected in the department for sure. Incompetent Law Enforcement Practices Adversely Impact Us All The overwhelming majority of Americans

3 will never work for a police department or a law enforcement agency. Yet, law enforcement impacts all of us in one way or another. However, African Americans are disproportionately affected. So, everyone has a responsibility to do what we can to not only understand the culture(s) that influence police practices at the local level, but to also raise our voices as impacted citizens when we see problems. The killing of unarmed African Americans by officers that are sworn to serve and protect has reached epidemic proportions. No citizen, regardless of race or background, should fear being killed by police when he or she is sitting innocently in their home, or in any other nonthreatening situation. “Police shooting policies need to change, not only for minorities but for everyone,” said forensic psychiatrist and expert witness Dr. Carole Lieberman. “It is shocking that police still aren’t trained more effectively to shoot to disarm and not to kill. Their go-to automatic response seems to be, shoot to kill – especially where it concerns minorities,” Liberman stated. “This is not only tragic for black people and other minorities, but it is dangerous for the police themselves to cause these neighborhoods to become frightened and then act in a self-protective way which gets misinterpreted by the police. “To shoot anyone in their own home should carry a severe penalty,” Lieberman concluded.

Mr. Conyers made history when he was elected to the House of Representatives in 1964 on a platform of jobs, justice and peace. During his years in Congress, social justice and economic opportunity have remained focal points of Mr. Conyers’ platform. The list of his legislative accomplishments is long and impressive. Some of the bills authored or sponsored by Mr. Conyers include the Martin Luther King Holiday Act, the Alcohol Warning Label Act, the National Voter Registration Act and the Hate Crime Statistics Act. As the first African

American Democratic leader on the House Judiciary Committee, he attached crucial civil rights measures to the 1994 Omnibus Crime Bill, including the Racial Justice Act and the Police Accountability Act. Mr. Conyers generated the Justice Department’s national study on police brutality, and he conducted hearings in several cities on police violence, racially motivated violence, sentencing, whitecollar crime and other criminal justice matters. Mr. Conyers was re-elected in November 2006, to his 21st term in the House, presenting

Michigan’s 14th Congressional District. His district includes Detroit and the Wayne County communities of Dearborn Heights, Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Harper Woods, Highland Park and Redford. The longest-serving African American in the history of the House, he was the dean and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Conyers also was a jazz aficionado and was responsible for jazz’s classification as a national American treasure. “We recognize this brother as a leader,” said Dr. Julianne Malveaux, who joined with others who expressed their

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

a lot of different things happen. It was big and historical here in Atlanta and it went on for years and years. Black College students came from other HBCUs all over the country here to Atlanta, Georgia to party, strip clubs and Freaknic, oh yes I was very much a part of that. MS: Did you go to school in Atlanta? NL: Yes I went to Morris Brown College here in Atlanta. MS: What was your major? NL: Mass Communications as a major and Journalism as a minor. MS: Is Freaknic still apart of Atlanta and the HBCUs? NL: No, they don’t have Spring Break here anymore like Freaknic with Black Colleges.

Rep. Conyers remembered, continued from front page yers was a constitutional scholar and political visionary whose longstanding vision for freedom, justice and equality was unparalleled in the Congress of the United States,. May God bless the freedom-fighting memory and legacy of The Honorable John Conyers.” Before beginning a career as a private attorney, Mr. Conyers served one year in Korea as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was awarded combat and merit citations. In 1958, Mr. Conyers began his work in politics as an aide to Congressman John Dingell, whom he served until 1961.

LEAKS,

support of the Congressman as he prepared to resign his seat in 2017. Citing several of his accomplishments on Roland Martin Unfiltered, Dr. Malveaux said she cherished his memory. “He was very quick to praise and encourage the next generation,” said Mr. Martin, before announcing that there will be daily tributes to Mr. Conyers, daily; leading up to his celebration of life. Conyers is survived by his wife Monica Conyers and their two sons, John Conyers III and Carl Edward. Stacey Brown contributed to this report.

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY DEFEATED TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IN SECOND ANNUAL STATE FAIR SHOWDOWN

For more of the interview with NeNe Leaks go to BlogTalkRadio. com Cheryl’s World ‘From Marva with Love.’

Sherrod Ruthland Presents: Confessions of an Exotic Dancer, Featuring: NeNe Leaks at TBAAL, 1309 Canton St. Thu. & Fri. 7:30p, Sat. 2p. & 8p. Tickets: Ticketmaster.com & TBAAL Box Office Tune in to “From Marva with Love” Friday’s 11am1pm. on BlogTalkRadio.com Cheryl’s World.

GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

Disease of denial

THE LAST WORD

â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Brown Girlsâ&#x20AC;? (forbrowngirls.com) that lifted up and affirmed our brownskinned girls. Karyn was a colored girl whose mental issues were apparently so severe that she chose to take her By DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX own life while affirming those of others. From all accounts Karyn experienced depression. How many feel it and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t say it; Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m tired, my sister-friend says. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how many nod and just donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean it. How many how much longer I can hold on. As I hear her I exhale, inhale and really reach out to a brother or have a couple of choices. One is to tell her to get a sister to listen, have a cup of tea, take a walk, or with her pastor and pray; the other is to tell her to just â&#x20AC;&#x153;reach out and touch. â&#x20AC;? get real with her illness. The poet Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Running her to her pastor takes her to a wear the mask that grins and lies that hides our familiar place. Pushing her to help takes her out cheeks and shades our eyes. â&#x20AC;? For many in our of her comfort zone. When my beloved brothers nation, and especially for African Americans, we and sisters share that they are stymied in the wear the mask. way they live their lives, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mind praying When we peek/speak/tweet from behind the and encouraging spiritual counsel, but I do mind mask we realize, yet if we were real we would have ignoring the medicinal help that could assist my to acknowledge in the words of Paul Lawrence sister-friend. Dunbar that to make a poet black and bid her So my sister is sighing her pain, and I am sing is to challenge her and her two realities so wondering what to do. There are few that will hear that in the words of Dr. Maya, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know why the a black woman in a black community, strumming caged bird sings. â&#x20AC;? her pain, questioning her faith. According to the I chose to focus on this because in one scant National Associations of Mental Health more than week I have spoken to African American women four percent of who have experienced depression or feel African Americans have considered suicide. shackled by other mental health issues. Most of them are African American women. They walk like they hold the world in their Mental health is our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dirty little secret, hands; sway like they are hearing drums from and if it is whispered in the nation at large, it is a another continent, and cry behind closed doors, silent scream in the African American community. like they have the weight of the world on their We are afraid, ashamed, frightened to own up to shoulders. They are sad, ground down, depressed, it, using our own lingo (sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;kerd, shamed) to wrap and we play off their pain, trivialize it, instead of ourselves around the fear that goes with â&#x20AC;&#x153;coming responding to it. outâ&#x20AC;? on mental illness. We are losing too much genius when we play So we are silent, even when we loose a warrior. off the scourge of metal illness. We decide that it Karyn Washington was a 22-year-old Morgan is their problem, not the problem of a nation that State University sister who committed suicide, would inflict, rather than attempt to fix, mental last week. This young and brilliant one turned illness. her pain into power when she created a website,

MY TRUTH Continued from page 1

For all the care the Affordable Care Act has offered, we must ask if it has offered enough to combat mental illness, We in the African American community have paid more and received less to be perceived as â&#x20AC;&#x153;normalâ&#x20AC;? members of society. Despite injustices in Scottsboro, Groveland and other vile places in our nation, we have been expected to show up, with amazing dignity, ignoring the massacre of our sons or daughters with well-modulated emotion. Too many of us fear or fail to speak our pain. Poverty and mental health are correlated, yet the poorest of us see our pain as â&#x20AC;&#x153;par for the courseâ&#x20AC;? and we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t speak about it. Whether African Americans are wealthy or financially challenged, mental health is elusive for some. And faith without works is dead, which means fall on those knees if it comforts you, then run to the doctor who may help you with medication and therapy. Baby girl Karyn Washington motivated this column, and as I thought of her, others kept reminding me of their own pain and the ways it has been ignored. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get it read from Terrie Williamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Black Pain. And if you get it/read it, remind folks that this is not a sympathy issue; this is a public policy issue. So weep sister soldier, brother warrior. Those who bear the scars of mental illness have often fought longer, harder, and with the chemical imbalance that makes them feel it all so much more intensely. Mental health is not an embarrassment; it is a national health issue. It is a silent killer that we have yet to acknowledge. If you or someone you know is facing mental health issues visit Mentalhealth.gov Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist. Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www. juliannemalveaux.com

Fighting voter suppression By ANDREW GILLUM Andrew Gillum is the former mayor of

Tallahassee, Fl Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a major case before a federal judge in Florida that impacts our mission to register voters who have fallen out of the process, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m waiting with all of you for a ruling that could be handed down at any moment. If you arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t familiar with the case, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quick rundown. Nearly two out of every three voters in Florida passed Amendment 4 last November, giving ex-offenders the ability to restore their constitutional right to vote. Then, the Florida GOP-led legislature knew that this granted more than a

million Floridians who have had their voices silenced for years the opportunity to be heard at the ballot box -- so they passed a law to implement a Jim Crow-era poll tax denying people their right to vote, ignoring the will of

the voters. Next, Donald Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s buddy, Ron DeSantis, signed this backwards Jim Crow-era poll tax into law -- a blatant attempt to make it harder for people to vote. Now, after being challenged in court, a federal judge could rule on this important case at any moment. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how the judge will rule in this case, but we must continue to speak out. Forcing ex-offenders to pay a poll tax

harkens back to some very dark days across our nation, suppressing the vote from folks who the people in power wanted to hold down. Many could not afford to pay to vote, targeting workers just scraping by to survive, people of color, and specifically Black voters in the South. We need to send a strong message to leaders in Florida and across the country that the right to vote is exactly that, a right -- not a privilege. America has a long history of voter suppression, and now Republicans in Florida like DeSantis have decided to take up the mantle of this shameful legacy as they do Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bidding. They know how important Florida is to Trumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reelection and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want certain folks

to vote -- itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as simple as that. We need to send a strong message to leaders in Florida and across the country that the right to vote is exactly that, a right -- not a privilege. The more people that have a say in our democracy the stronger it gets. We are not sitting down as we await this ruling, our movement to register and reengage voters to flip Florida blue and defeat Trump is gaining momentum by the day, because accomplishing our mission is the only way we can ensure Trump is removed from the White House. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the cold hard truth. Every day Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m grateful for your support to power our movement -- and the people of our nation who are longing for the progressive future we deserve are grateful, as well. Forward.

considers Mr. Wilkerson to be a good person. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He really is a good person and he is very passionate about his clients and the law,â&#x20AC;? said Mr. Taylor, adding that his friend and mentee is correct that he is expected to walk a certain way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a 6 foot 1 inch Black man, I am Muhlaysia Booker careful not to raise my voice. even though I am at the same level as my counterpart, who is not Black. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The issue is that whenever you are in a courtroom thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fine line as to where you can go. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all kind of risks with alienating the court, even if you feel that you are not being treated fairly.â&#x20AC;? According to Atty. Taylor, there are certain â&#x20AC;&#x153;invisible rulesâ&#x20AC;? regarding actions and appearance. Such is also the case in my profession but thankfully times are changing. While we still adhere to certain levels of decorum and have to be cognizant of giving off â&#x20AC;&#x153;angry Blackâ&#x20AC;? vibes; now you see more women, especially on television, who wear their hair like I do, naturally. When Atty. Taylor wore his hair in corn rows, a young man came up and asked him if he was a lawyer. He replied â&#x20AC;&#x153;yesâ&#x20AC;? and the young man became excited because he said his mother told him that in order to be a lawyer you had to look a certain way. The young man had watched Atty. Taylor in action and was impressed by the way he carried himself and how people showed him respect. That exchange between the two encouraged Atty. Taylor to â&#x20AC;&#x153;buck the system,â&#x20AC;? and while he is always cognizant of lines, barriers, perceptions and misperceptions; he embraces change. Just think about it. Sadly Ms. Booker is no long with us. About two months after her fight with Mr. Thomas, she was found shot to death. Perceptions become reality. As I sat in the courtroom, thoughts of all the mis-perceptions and biases were swirling around in my head. For many, the only reality was what was in their heads, between their two ears. The thought that â&#x20AC;&#x153;yourâ&#x20AC;? reality is the only one that matters is why we have so many misunderstandings. Instead of inserting yourself into the equation, it might help if you asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;why?â&#x20AC;? Ignorance escalates and exacerbates situations that could otherwise be solved. Instead we run around, sometimes stuck on stupid, trying to run others lives when we can barely handle our own. No matter what, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have all the answers and sometimes we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even have the right questions.

Rep. Davis offers recommendations political subdivision could adopt for persons owning property in an area that was declared a disaster area by the governor.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS The Texas Legislature passed ten (10) joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution. Texas voters will have the opportunity on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 to decide on whether to approve the proposed constitutional amendments. In addition to the proposed amendments, several cities in Dallas County will also be holding local elections. Following is the wording of the proposed amendments as they will appear on the ballot and a suggested position for each amendment. Regardless of your position on the issues, I encourage you to participate in the process and exercise your right and vote. Remember, only with your participation can our great democracy work!

allowing a person to serve as a municipal judge in more than one municipality at the same time, regardless of whether the person was elected or appointed to each office. Proposition Number 2 "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an amount not to exceed $200 million to provide financial assistance for the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas." Vote Yes. Passage of this amendment would allow the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to sell bonds for the Economically Distressed Area Program (EDAP). The proceeds from the bonds would be used to encourage building water supply and wastewater facilities in economically distressed areas of the state.

Proposition Number 1 "The constitutional amendment permitting a person to hold more than one office as a municipal judge at the same time."

Proposition Number 3 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of certain property damaged by a disaster."

Vote Yes: Passage of this amendment would make it easier for smaller municipalities to have qualified municipal judges by

Vote Yes. The passage of this amendment would allow the Legislature to create a temporary property tax exemption that a

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Proposition Number 4 "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual income tax, including a tax on an individual's share of partnership and unincorporated associated income." Vote No. Passage of this amendment is unnecessary because the Texas Constitution does not permit imposing an individual income tax and sets a high bar for imposing a tax by requiring approval by a majority of registered voters in a statewide referendum. Proposition Number 5 "The constitutional amendment dedicating the revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes that are imposed on sporting goods to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to protect Texas' natural areas, water quality, and history by acquiring, managing, and improving state and local parks and historic sites while not increasing the rate of the state sales and use taxes." Vote Yes. Passage of this amendment would automatically appropriate the sporting goods sales tax to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission. The Legislature would maintain the ability to determine the specific uses of the funds and their allocation. Sustained and predictable funding through the automatic

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editor@myimessenger.com

appropriation of the sporting goods sales tax would help state parks and the historical commission plan better for repairs, projects and new parks. Proposition Number 6 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase by $3 billion the maximum bond amount authorized for the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas." Vote Yes. Passage of this amendment would increase funding of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute (CPRIT) to $6 billion from $3 billion. CPRIT provides grants to support institutions of learning, advanced medical research facilities, and others in the process of finding the causes of all types of human cancer and developing cures from lab research and clinical trials. Proposition Number 7 "The constitutional amendment allowing increased distributions from the available school fund." Vote Yes. Passage of this amendment would improve funding for public schools by doubling the constitutionally authorized annual distribution from the School Land Board to the Available School Fund (ASF) from $300 million to $600 million. Proposition Number 8 "The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the flood infrastructure fund

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to assist in the financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects." Vote Yes. Passage of this amendment would create the Flood Infrastructure Fund to provide financing for a drainage, flood mitigation, or flood control projects. The fund can be used for planning and design activities; to obtain related regulatory approval; or construction of flood mitigation and drainage infrastructure. Proposition Number 9 "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository located in the state." Vote Yes. Passage of this resolution would allow the Legislature by general law to exempt from property taxation precious metal held in a precious metal depository in the state. Texas currently exempts certain precious metals from sales and use tax. Proposition Number 10 "The constitutional amendment to allow the transfer of a law enforcement animal to a qualified caretaker in certain circumstances." Vote Yes. Passage of this amendment would let police dogs and other law enforcement animals retire in their old age and live with their handler or another qualified caretaker. Currently, the state constitution prohibits law enforcement agencies from transferring valuable property to a private person or organization for free.

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, !VAILABLE .EWSSTANDS the Black Press strives to help ATevery person inINthe firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyoneGarland,Rowlett is held back.

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GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

PERSPECTIVES

Saluting a National Hero

FROM THE CAPITOL BY CONGRESSWOMAN EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON (D-TX)

Were he alive on October 12th, Dorie Miller, the Waco, Texas-born naval hero would have celebrated his one hundredth birthday. His selfless heroic deeds for our nation on December 7th, 1941, when he was only 23-years-old, will live in history forever! Miller, who served in the United States Navy as a cook, because non-white sailors were not allowed to participate in combat, risked his life during a Japanese aerial attack to save a number of sailors from dying. He even commanded a

machine gun to deter attacking enemy planes. Miller should have received the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest military award, for his efforts but racial prejudice prevented him from receiving the honor that witnesses to his heroics, including the senior surviving officer aboard his ship believed that he should have been awarded. The ‘Medal of Honor was stolen from him, many believe. Dorie Miller loved the Navy. He was offered non-combat -duty after Pearl Harbor by the military, but he insisted

that he return to sea where unfortunately he was killed during another attack in the Pacific on December 24th, 1943. When he died the nation lost one of its greatest heroes. Congressional efforts to secure the Medal of Honor for Miller began as early as 1944 when former Michigan Representative John Dingell Sr. introduced legislation to right a grievous wrong. Other members of Congress who championed Miller’s cause included Congressman John Dingell Jr. and my former Texas State House colleague Mickey Leland who died in a plane crash in Africa in 1989 while a member of Congress. I have attempted to secure the medal upgrade for Miller since becoming a member of Congress.

Dorie Miller

He and my late father, who also served in the Navy, were personal friends. As a small girl I joined my father as he called on neighbors and friends in Waco to contribute money to purchase

an appropriate gift for our hometown war hero. In previous cases where military medals have been upgraded advocates for recipients had to show one of two items, new evidence of valor or racial bias. In Miller’s case both can be shown. In the new evidence standard the After Action Report by the senior surviving officer of the ship that Miller defended details numerous acts by him that were not included in his original medal citation, as is the practice in the military. The public writings and statements of Frank Knox, the Secretary of the Navy while Miller served indicated that he was opposed to integrating the Navy, and that he did not believe that non-white seamen were capable of functioning as

quality sailors. When he first was alerted about Miller’s heroics, Knox, a civilian appointee, only awarded a letter of accommodation to Miller, even after reading the After Action Report which detailed acts of valor that included Miller risking his life to save the lives of others. The Navy Cross was awarded after Admiral Chester Nimitz, who had personal knowledge of Miller’s heroics and President Franklin D. Roosevelt intervened. Both of these fair-minded men, no doubt, believed that Miller should have received the Medal of Honor. But it appears that a compromise was reached to save Secretary Knox from press scrutiny and embarrassment for only giving Miller a letter for all that he had done!

Flow of Ci and Co: Life’s Challenges Cierra: “A lot of people aren’t satisfied with her sentenced because they say, she wont serve that full sentence.She would most likely get out earlier than that”. “People also feel like the judge was too nice to Amber, giving her a hug after her sentencing and also giving her a bible.” Courtney: “We have Black people in jail right now who didn’t get that same treatment, who committed the same crime or possibly something not as extreme but was given a longer sentenced. It would be different if the same treatment was given to her and others but that’s not the case unfortunately.”

Cierra Mayes and Courtney Roden began their podcast with a quote of the week. Both of their quotes speak about life challenges and having willpower to keep going. Courtney: “Turn I wish into I will.”

Next, these lady’s voice their opinion on the tragic death of Joshua Brown whom testified for Mr. Jean in the Amber Guyger case. Joshua Brown was shot and killed Friday October 4, 2019. Just 10 days after testifying,which makes you wonder if it had anything to do with his testimony in the case or possibly something in regards to his personal life.

Cierra: “The Universe gives you what you deserve not what you want. “ Their first topic of discussion was on the Amber Guyger Sentencing. She is sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of Botham Jean. Many people are questioning if that was a fair charge or if she should have gotten a lengthier punishment.

Courtney: “Why is everyone trying to get rid of our black men; I just hate that another

black man is dead from gun violence. Where he was shot is specific; it was a meaning towards that which makes you wonder, was it because he testified? By them shooting him in the mouth, that’s like saying, you should not have opened your mouth and testified.”

all,I just honestly think somebody was out to get him and they did; they shot him in the mouth and chest.”

Cierra: “Joshua Brown was so emotional when he was testifying because it could’ve easily been him; And now it is him, he is another victim of gun violence. They ambushed him first of

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potion is mixed with an acute case of myopia and…“Voila!” Trump was remixing the callous cadences of George Wallace when he came out of the gate with all that separatism bullshit. “American First today, America First tomorrow, America First Forever!” These days he questions why we would protect Syrian borders from their Middle Eastern enemies while neglecting our own Mexican border. Now don’t get it twisted, the eight or nine Negroes in his Dallas rally screenshot are proof that “me-isms and us-isms” are not exclusive to race. “Trump Blacks” holler and scream the same foolishness. “Them Mexicans is taking all our jobs!” Truth is, anyone who ain’t working these days is either drug-addicted, mentally incapable, retired or just lazy.

THINKING,

After myopia, me-ism, and usism, Trump relies on the power and traditions of American racism. Every other emerging immigrant population has had to suffer it at some point, but today it’s reserved for Brown people. Black people have “grandfathered” status thereby always useful for racist and stereotypical tropes. Black people are unfairly construed as America’s mascot for welfare crime and wanton waywardness. However, Trump’s proficiency in code-switching and his eye for evoking hatred makes him a powerful switch-hitter. Everybody hates somebody and no one can detect and direct hate like Donald Trump. When he pledges allegiance to the police, first responders and vets, he uses the lens of race to make them feel like part of his team. It’s not a new tactic.

Rich Whites have always controlled poor Whites by making them feel better than their “colored” counterparts. Slave-Catchers protected “The Man’s” property too. Trump outlasted the stigma that stayed with most VietNam “draftdodgers.” He resisted induction into military service by medical fabrication. However, he has managed to make 95% of Republicans believe that his heart can go where his feet wouldn’t allow him to. The power of visual stereotypes is an American phenomenon that exists as an extension of our “exceptional” brand of racism. When Trumpettes hear welfare recipients, they imagine a Black woman, even though White women collect the highest number of welfare checks and White farmers get the biggest monetary outlay.

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Rev. Haynes, on a radio program. Courtesy - Friendship West

power run amok? I received some clarity on the matter when I attended the 2nd Speaking Truth to Power Conference October 10-11 at Friendship West Baptist Church where community violence and confronting power were part of the discussion. Overall, the conference was a powerhouse of unapologetic defiance of a long-standing system nationally of

accommodation, apathy, and lack of planning in African American society. Conference speakers said these deficiencies have caused the lion’s share of social ills that currently plague communities of color that lack economic resources, political power, and mentors for a developing generation. Right away Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, conference founder, host and Friendship West

senior pastor, acknowledged that the people who attended from here and across the country were that proverbial choir as in the adage “you’re peaching to the choir.” “I’m aware that I’m speaking to a conscious group,” the minister and local and national community activist said; then using a hip-hop term, added, “You are woke,” meaning as opposed to some people who

The Trumpettes aptly accept that all Gays are pedophiles, and all NonEvangelicals support abortion up to the date of delivery… All feminists are butch, bitchy or both… All Mexicans work for cheap…All African nations are backward shitholes that choose dictators over democracies. All Asians are shrewd and tech-savvy…All Muslims are terrorists… All Native Americans are aimless alcoholics. All Jews are money hoarders and obsessed with control. If you love the NBA or NFL you must be Black. If you love NASCAR, the NHL or Rodeos you gotta be White or at least sympathetic to “White plight.” If you hug the flag you’re a patriot, because to question it is treasonous. If you question whether America should strive for better, do better or be better, you are an infidel;

are clueless and silent in the face of injustice. The nearly dozen speakers – including U. S. Sen. Eddie Bernice Johnson -- dissected topics that included how important the 2020 census is for moving forward people of color, why reparations do make sense, how public policies make or break Black communities, how to train youth for social justice work, combating the resurgence of white supremacy as well as the rise of violence in communities, and how Black churches must play key roles in economic development and social and environmental justice for Black communities. The much-acclaimed Dr. Kevin Cosby, minister and college president, of Louisville, Kentucky, spoke convincingly about reparations and pursuing social justice. He said Friendship West is “the Vatican of social justice” and is making a positive impact. He gave many Biblical references to reparations and named many

or worse…A Liberal Democrat! That’s why Trumpettes harp on terms like Socialists and the like. You couldn’t get a handful of decent essays defining Socialism from a bank of registered Republicans, although 99% of them will tell you how bad it is. We wrestle with the cyclops of the NRA to ban assault weapons when the goal should be to create a world where civilians don’t need a Glock. Emotionalism is bad, and Black folks gotta fix that problem. However, symbolism is vile. If you doubt me, follow Trump’s Twitter feed, which is an endless stream of unfiltered ignorance, stratified in symbolism. White folks, Trump and symbolism are a toxic blend and non-White Americans must concoct a new formula.

modern cultures that have received it. “Why is it that everybody gets it, but we have not received it,” Dr. Cosby asked. “Reparation is ‘making things right for those you have wronged. ...’ In the Bible, liberation from slavery always comes with reparations.” Speaking truth to power allows no fear. And there was no fear or abuse of power at the Friendship West gathering. The atmosphere was hopeful. “We’ve been called for such a time as this,” Dr. Haynes concluded. Norma Adams-Wade was the first African American full-time staff reporter for The Dallas Morning News. She is one of 44 founders of the National Association of Black Journalists. An award-winning journalist, Adams-Wade is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

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GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

From Marva with

Hollywood’s Review: Dolemite Is My Name

BY HOLLYWOOD

HERNANDEZ

Dolemite Is My Name is an homage to Rudy Ray Moore. It’s an amazing story about a man who refused to quit. When he was told he couldn’t make it as a comedian, he became an iconic one whose material is still alive today. “The Signified Monkey” and “Petey Wheatstraw, the Devil’s Son-in-Law” remain as comedy classics in African American culture. The entire movie is a history lesson in the 70’s black culture that was a part of the “Blaxploitation movement.” The movie gives you a real insight into the man called Dolemite. He developed his

character as a pretend pimp by listening to stories told by the neighborhood winos. His entire career was based on those stories and his sharp dressing, fast-talking character was what he based his entire act on. His “street” chatter was loved by audiences. Moore also learned early in his career that no one was catering to the black audience so he made a very successful living giving the black audience what they liked. Without Rudy Ray Moore there would be no Tyler Perry. Again, learning that the African American audience was underserved, he started making his own movies, acting in and financing them himself. Moore learned how to seek out talent in his movies when he didn’t know how to complete a task. He hired a

writer, Jerry Jones (Keegan Michael Key), a director, D’Urville Martin (Wesely Snipes), and a finance man, Theodore Toney (Titus Burges). Eddie Murphy does a wonderful job of showing the kind and gentlemanly man who was as far as possible from the “pimp persona” that Rudy Ray Moore portrayed publicly. He was kind to his fans and was respectful to his female co-stars. Finally, we learn about the real Rudy Ray Moore. He was an entrepreneur who succeeded against all odds. Because of his on-stage style delivery, he was known as “The Godfather of Rap.” He continued to perform up until the time of his death in 2008. Dolemite Is My Name is rated R for nudity and strong

By Marva Sneed

language. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I give Dolemite Is My Name a JUMBO.

Join Hollywood Hernandez every Sunday at Feeding The Needy 834 South Ervay Street, Dallas 3-5 pm

Support for Africa BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

Dr. Belinda Babila, a native of Cameroon, is actively involved in delivering aid to the thousands fleeing the country of Cameroon because of the current genocide. In December she traveled to the area and saw the atrocities firsthand as the CEO of The BBF (The Belinda Babila Foundation-Heal The World Afrika BBF). They are the biggest provider of medical aid in the area of Adagom and OgojaNigeria. As a US-based NonGovernmental Organization, Dr. Babila launched a food drive immediately after her outreach to refugees in Nigeria, December 2018. During her three-day outreach which ran from December 14 through 16, 2018, Dr. Babila noticed amongst other necessities,

the urgent need for the refugees to get food. Many refugees complained of going for days without food as the quantity given by the United Nations High Commission Refugee (UNHCR) is never enough. They told Dr. Babila it takes sometimes six months for supplies to come from UNHCR. Dr. Bablia promised to come back in the not too distant future with food. She also promised to get in touch with partners who would help to get a huge quantity of food that would be enough for all refugees. According to Dr. Babila their needs in Africa are overwhelming. “We are currently doing Livelihood Sustenance Programs in Bonaberi Douala

Cameroon and Uyo NIGERIA. We need non PERISHABLE local food items like rice, beans, Garri, salt, and oil monthly in Cameroon and Weekly to the Cameroonian Refugees in UYo.” She continued, “We also do menstrual hygiene management where we distribute 10,000 pads to girls and women yearly. *We do hygiene and sanitation management where we give out basic hygiene needs like toothpaste, toothbrushes, body lotion, body wash or Soap, deodorant, diapers/wipes, and slippers. “We also provide educational assistance to the over 2000 children currently in NIGERIA. “We do a Medical Outreach and do basic preventive health education to the Refugees and

IDPS.” BBF’s team on the ground in Africa does the best they can with the refugees in the area. BBF has a black-tie event planned for November 9, 2019, at 8 pm at The Nirvana Event Center, 9550 Skillman, in Dallas, to raise funds for the refugees who are fleeing the country. Donations can also be made at:

Tia Mowry-Hardrict is a multi-talented actress, producer and author. She has been in the public eye for over 20 years, gaining initial fame and becoming a 90’s pop culture icon in her teens starring opposite her twin sister Tamera in the hit comedy, Sister, Sister and more recently in Tia Mowry at Home, which ran for three seasons on The Cooking Channel. Tia currently stars in the Netflix Series Family Reunion alongside Loretta Devine and Richard Roundtree and she can be seen this holiday season in Lifetime’s A Very Vintage Christmas. Other recent projects include: Instant Mom, which ran on Nick at Nite for three seasons, partnering with KIN Community on a YouTube channel titled Tia Mowry’s Quick Fix, and her first cookbook – Whole NewYou, which became an Amazon #1 seller. When not acting, Tia spends time working with several charities including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Partnership for a Healthier America, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and the Elizabeth

Listen to the entire interview at BlogTalkradio.com/CherylsWorld. Mrs. Johnson is still in the fight. She said the judge denies her right to file an appeal unless she pays a $1000 bond that he placed on her. For more about Mrs. Johnson and her story you can contact her at businesswomenllc@ gmail.com

Tune in to From Marva with Love on blogtalkradio.com/cherylsmith Fridays 11 am-1 pm.

Make Checks Payable to and Mail to Belinda Babila Foundation* 10935 Estate Lane No 238 Dallas TX 75238

Quaker and Tia MowryHardrict

ValderBeebeShow.com

JLJ: In November of 2018 I signed a 1 year fixed term lease with a commercial landlord for my business, from December 1, 2018 – November 30, 2019. But before I signed I read the lease. I let the sales manager know that I would need to be able to come in the building at early hours because I worked at El Centro and sometimes it would be three or four o’clock in the morning before I go to work. He said that was OK because I would have 24 hour access into the building. I could come in and out as I needed to do my business. Three months into the lease is when things started to take a down spiral concerning the lease and access to the property. The assistant property manager after my son left came into my office and went through my files taking pictures of my personal papers. This was on March 28, 2019. My son called me and let me know what was going on and I immediately left work. I went to her office to find out why she was going through my files. That meeting did not go so well. I tried to negotiate or correct what was wrong or fix the problem several times. On April 3, 2019 is when she tried to do an illegal lock out. I had to call the police to stop the assistant manager from locking my doors with my equipment

and everything in there; I was working on a project. The police told her she could not lock a tenant out without going through the court. I have never been late paying my rent, defaulted on rent, or breached the Lease. Everything in the contract I have followed to the letter. I filed an Intrusion upon Seclusion/Invasion of Privacy case against them in J P Court. I have several court cases against the company, but the company filed a wrongful eviction against me. MS: What is the reason for the eviction? JLJ: The eviction notice says that they wanted possession of the property. They have terminated the lease. In the initial case the attorney wanted no money just for me to vacate the property. MS: Are you still in the property? JLJ: No. I moved out September 1, 2019. The case to evict was August 22, 2019 in Justice Of The Peace Precinct 1, Place 1 Judge Thomas G. Jones’ court. They terminated my lease in April 2019 before the lease was up. I did research in the area of Texas ontract Law and you can only terminate the lease after the term of the lease is up. After three hours and the jury had not decided the judge told them to vote for the plaintiff. There was no monetary value attached. I appealed that same day.

Cashapp:Bbabilafoundation.214-296-7209* PayPal:belindababilaf@gmail.com

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW

BY VALDER BEEBE

On From Marva with Love, Jeanette L. Johnson was my guest. Mrs. Johnson is the owner of Business Women, LLC/ dba World Fashions by Jeane’. “My fascination with the arts and ability to create things lead me to fashion and design at an early age.” After graduating college, she began “Faith in Action,” her first sewing alteration and bridal business, in 1985. She moved to Cedar Hill, Texas, July 2000 and reopened the business in 2015. She renamed it in 2017 to World Fashion by Jeane. She works at El Centro College and will complete the Paralegal program in 2020. Mrs. Johnson is dealing with some issues.

Always there when you need us!

Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, actor Cory Hardrict, and their two kids, Cree and Cairo.-Text provided by Tia Mowry publicist

VBS: Tia you are one American’s favorite sisters, a most recognized twin and a foodie. Now you have partnered with Quaker Oats sharing new oats recipes of your own. TMH: Yes I’ve partnered with Quaker and we’re talking about one of my favorite and America’s favorite meals of the day breakfast. VBS: Tia, it’s no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Tell my audience more about America’s breakfast trends and what’s your favorite breakfast dish for your family? TMH: At our home pancakes is our family favorite. Our two kids Cree and Cairo are big fans. My favorite meal of the day is breakfast and I’ve always had Quaker Oats in my pantry’. I’ve learned other Americans are as nostalgic about breakfast as I am inspired me to create my Banana Chocolate Oat Pancakes recipe that combines two of my favorite things – oats and pancakes. Cooking pancakes as a family on the weekends is one of my best

childhood memories, and I’ve carried on that tradition with my family now. You can find my recipe quaker.newsmarket. com. Valder Beebe hosts the Valder Beebe Show on FM and streaming TV: ValderBeebeShow.com; SoundCloud. com/ValderBeebeShow; FM Broadcast: KKVI FM 89.9, KRER FM 102.5; Streaming on ROKU & Amazon Fire:YouTube/ValderBeebeShow; VBS affiliate broadcasters; PChatman Network [Roku TV]. Listen On-Demand @ 411RadioNetwork.com and SoundCloud.com/valderbeebeshow.ValderbeebeShow. com, 411RadioNetwork.com, Youtube.com/ valderbeebeshow, 411RadioNetwork.com; Podcast audio: Soundcloud.com/valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud. com/kkvidfw, 411RadioNetwork.com, PChatman Streaming TV Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters.

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GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

DeSoto native Von Miller has jersey retired

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The only three players to have their jersey's retired at DeSoto High School: Miller, Cory Borner and Byron Hanspard.

Story and Photos By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor

(personal record of 14.38 s), triple jump (PR of 12.65 m), and javelin throw (PR of 37.24 m). He was considered a fourstar recruit by Rivals.com and was listed Gloria Miller recalls the as the No. 15 weakside defensive end DeSoto City League saving in the nation in 2007. He chose Texas a parking spot for her so she A&M over offers from Florida, Ole Miss, could run a Nebulizer from her Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Suburban to the bench to aid her Mr. Miller has consistently supported son, Von, who suffered from a the DeSoto ISD and the City of bad case of asthma. DeSoto through various contributions “He’s been through so much including a vehicle for the DeSoto Police growing up. He’s cleared a lot Department and a donation to refurbish of hurdles and obstacles that a the football team’s locker room. His lot of people don’t realize,” she annual Von Miller Day, held at a park said, adding that when he would directly across the street from the high express frustration at being school, is a designated day of free food, moved to various spots on the games, and fun for the community team, including quarterback and which draws thousands. wide receiver, and at times, just “The things he has done for this practicing and not playing, she city, this school is amazing. He has DeSoto High School Head Coach Claude Mathis, Von Miller, would tell him, “Son, just hang contributed so much on and off the field. DeSoto ISD Superintendent De’Andre Weaver in there,” while his dad – Von Sr. It’s one of the reasons we are retiring - would remind him, “You can’t his jersey,” said Coach Mathis. “This hide talent.” all speaks to his character. He is always His dad’s words rang true Friday night as Mr. giving back to our community and our athletes. Miller, Class of 2007, Super Bowl 50 MVP and And not just here but in College Station and NFL pro bowler, returned to his alma mater Denver as well. He is one of the best to ever DeSoto High School - where school officials come thru DeSoto.” retired his football jersey number, #40, during Mr. Miller’s is the third jersey to be retired halftime of the Homecoming game. in the high school’s history. The others are “It’s an honor and a privilege to be here and Byron Hanspard (#4) and Corey Borner (#24). to have #40 retired,” Mr. Miller said. “DeSoto Both were in attendance at Miller’s retirement is who I am. I bleed green and gold (school ceremony. colors). DeSoto has meant so much to me and A special tribute video was shown during was influential in the type of football player I halftime of the game before the official am on the field and type of person I am off the unveiling of a large framed #40 jersey and his field. high school picture. “Being here at DeSoto taught me about “As a mom it’s heartwarming,” Mrs. Miller mental toughness, work ethic and it taught me said. “It’s surreal, I’m proud of him; happy for about adversity,” he continued. “I feel it helped him. As a parent, to see things come full circle, me build the type of character I have today.” it’s just a heartwarming experience.” Sen Royce West with Von Miller When asked how emotional the evening was And as he sat back reflecting on the moment, for him, Mr. Miller responded: “I’m going to her son said, “Never in a million years did I Univ. and professionally as a member of the cry when I get in the car. It’s a great feeling.” think about having my number retired. It is a Denver Broncos where he began his pro career On hand for the jersey retirement ceremony true blessing. I feel completely blessed. I’m just after being drafted were numerous school and district officials No. 2 overall in the including Desoto ISD Superintendent Dr. 2011 NFL draft. De’Andre Weaver, Head Football Coach Claude While at DeSoto, Mathis and State Sen. Royce West. Mr. Miller ran track “Von has his beginnings right here in DeSoto as well as played and he is a great example of what we want our varsity football. In students to be able to do when they leave here,” his junior year, he said Dr. Weaver. “This is where he started, this recorded 37 tackles, is where his roots are and we are honored for 14 tackles for loss, him to come back, to think of us. seven sacks and 12 “He has been a partner of this district for quarterback hurries. years. He has given of his time, his resources As a senior, he was and he cares about this city. So it is an honor to named the District retire this legendary number today.” 8-5A Defensive Von Miller, with his brother and parents Mr. Miller achieved numerous accolades MVP after making including setting district, regional and state 76 tackles, 14 awards while a student at DeSoto and continued trying to be the best Von I can possibly be and tackles for loss and six sacks. In track & field, he to excel at the collegiate level at Texas A&M DeSoto has helped me do that.” competed in events such as the 110m hurdles

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HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community. Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother? aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU?

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I emerge from this darkness changed. Leaving behind so much of what was me; whole but with missing parts. Pushing myself through a realization that does not include you, physically. Your transformation complete.

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DeSoto High Cheerleaders with Von Miller

GARLAND JOURNAL - OCTOBER 30, 2019

Eric Hale of Burnet Elementary named top educator FROM STAFF REPORTS AND THE HUB Eric Hale is full of energy and love for his students. His work is not going unnoticed because the Council of the Great City Schools and McGraw-Hill Education has selected the Dallas ISD teacher as the recipient of the 2019 Annual Queen Smith Award, which recognizes a top educator in the country working in an urban school district. Mr. Hale, who teaches kindergarten and first grade at David Burnet Elementary School, received the award at the council’s conference Oct. 25 in Kentucky. The award comes with a $5,000 check and plaque to honor his significant contributions to urban education and the children he serves. Mr. Hale is an active advocate for his school and community. He participated at almost every major educational event, raised money for technology and school trips

Eric Hale for students, and spoke at the State House of Representatives on strategic compensation for teachers, among a long list of achievements. “Every year I push myself to the next level in order to do more for my students,” he said. In his ninth year teaching, Mr. Hale does not take all the credit for receiving this achievement, but shares it with the Dallas ISD community.

“I have grown and become a better educator thanks to some of the initiatives that have been implemented,” Mr. Hale said. “I am blessed to work for a school district that isn’t scared of doing what is best for children.” He said he also credited the teachers and administrators he works with daily. “There is a collection of Dallas ISD educators that are dominating the national scene, whether it be in policy, writing books, or in other areas.” But winning the Queen Smith Award is not the endgame for Mr. Hale. He wants to help his school become a lighthouse for the community and show his students that against adversity, if they work hard, there is power in expecting to be the best. “Every year I teach I expect to win, and I expect my kids to love being in my classroom,” Hale said. “That is the energy I would like to put out there, and the kids gravitate to that.”

Remaining HBCU Homecoming 2019 dates: Alabama State University Visitor: Prairie View A&M University ASU Stadium, Montgomery, AL Date: Nov. 28, 2019 | 2 PM

Norfolk State University Visitor: Morgan State University William “Dick” Price Stadium, Norfolk, VA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 2 PM

Southern University and A&M College Visitor: Alabama A&M University A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 4 PM

Grambling State University Visitor: Texas Southern University Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 2 PM

North Carolina Central University Visitor: Norfolk State University O’Kelly–Riddick Stadium, Durham, NC Date: Nov. 9, 2019 | 2 PM

Tuskegee University Visitor: Miles College Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, Tuskegee, AL Date: Nov. 9, 2019 | 1 PM

Livingstone College Visitor: Fayetteville State University Alumni Memorial Football Stadium, Salisbury, NC Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 1:30 PM

Saint Augustine’s University Visitor: Johnson C. Smith University George Williams Athletic Complex, Raleigh, NC Date: Nov. 2, 2019 | 1 PM

Winston Salem State University Visitor: Shaw University Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC Date: Nov 2, 2019 | 1:30 PM