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Serving North East Texas
My Truth Publisher Cheryl Smith
MARCH ON WASHINGTON www.GarlandJournal.com
VOL IX ISSUE 26
If Only You Knew
Chadwick Boseman
I’ve always cared about others’ feelings. Or at least that is what I thought. As a child I remember playing the “dozens” where we talked about one another’s big head, lazy eyes, siblings, big ears, slew feet, pigeon toes; you get the picture. But I also know that if I ever got wind that I was hurting someone’s feelings, or if the laughter moved someone to tears, I immediately backed off. For me I just didn’t find any pleasure in making people feel bad about the way they looked and as I grew older, I developed a practice of not talking about things folks have no control over. After all, “Bucky Beaver” got braces and his teeth are beautiful today, but Peanuthead’s dome never caught up with his body so 50 years later, he is still, “Peanut” and we know why. We were kids and sometimes, actually most times, we were lacking in compassion. However, as adults we should have, and use, more common sense. We should be mature, but sadly, many will never get past that stage, “when I was a child…” Which brings me to my truth. Several months ago, in April a video was released by actor Chadwick Boseman on Instagram. From that video emerged the mean girls, bullies, trolls, passive aggressive and totally unhappy folks who have nothing better to do than to tear another person down. Sure there were those who expressed concern about his health while still others surmised that he was losing weight to prepare for another role. Since Mr. Boseman’s death from stage IV colon cancer on August 28, 2020, there has been an outpouring of love for the Howard University graduate. Some have expressed regret that they were so callous. One person posted, “Little did we all know he’d die 4 months later.”
see MY TRUTH, page 4
Inside
Let’s get counted
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My hair has taught me this p4
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
OP-ED: Black Riders Matter By BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS, JR., National Newspaper Publishers Association, President and CEO The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is the nation’s oldest and largest trade association of Blackowned newspapers and media companies. Our NNPA member publishers hire employees, but we also hire a large number of independent contractors across America to accomplish the work and success of the Black Press.
On August 28, 2020, Kimberly King (center) from Louisville, Ky raises her fist in support of the Commitment March in Washington, D.C. King holds sign “say her name” with face cover of Breonna Taylor, a women who was killed in Louisville by police. King, a Louisville resident knew Breonna Taylor because she attended high school with one of her children. The march celebrates the 57th anniversary of 1963 March on Washington led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In the background is the Washington Memorial.
On left is Audrey Di’ Martinez from New York City. Also, Aliya Small center) with her father Darrell Small (on right/red hat). The Small family is from Savannah, GA, at the Commitment March in Washington, D.C.
We have a fundamental right to participate in the emerging gig-economy. Black independent contractors who drive as a means of entrepreneurship do matter.
Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA
Johnathan Peck raises his fist in protest at the Commitment March in Washington, D.C.
In center with raised fist is Audrey Di’ Martinez from New York City. She is joined by her granddaughter, Eliysia Lever on left with sign “hands up-don’t shoot” at the Commitment March in Washington, D.C.
In the tradition of African American business development, many independent contractors in our communities subsequently become the proprietors of their own businesses. The point here is that today, across the state of California (and for seemingly counterproductive reasons), public policies, laws and regulations are being passed to prevent companies such as Lyft and Uber from having independent contractors drive and conduct related business across the state. This is another glaring example of good intentions causing bad consequences, specifically for Black Americans, Latinx Americans and other people of color who are trying to work as independent contractors on a legitimate path to becoming
see BLACK RIDERS, page 4
Whose Superhero Will You Be?
Credit Photographs by----Milbert O. Brown, Jr. Email: oeditorbrown@gmail.com
In-Person Enjoy Fair Fare School Begins on the Square Tuesday, Sept. 8: Sept. 1-30 Remember to September in North Texas Observe School normally means Big Tex, midway fun and fried food galore. Zones This year, area residents can still As Garland ISD students prepare to return to school Tuesday, Sept. 8, the City reminds all motorists to observe school zones and stay alert near schools, crosswalks and playgrounds. Here are a few reminders to keep motorists and pedestrians safe this school year: • The school zone speed limit is 20 mph. • Use of cellphones in school zones is prohibited. • All vehicles must stop behind the painted white crosswalk line. • Vehicles and pedestrians must obey the direction of crossing guards. Questions regarding school zone safety? Call 972-205-2438.
get their fix of “fair fare” all in one convenient, walkable location – Downtown Garland’s historic Square! Enjoy fare “fit to be fried” from 13 eateries situated near the Square. Make a progressive meal of it, order lots to share, or come back on multiple days to sample even more. There’s no admission fee, food items are reasonably priced, and everything can be enjoyed outdoors. When placing an order, simply request a free “Square Meal” kit that includes a red-checkered table cloth, plates, utensils and napkins, and then head to one of the Square’s socially distanced, umbrella-shaded café tables. Check out participating restaurants and get full details at VisitGarlandTX.com.
Labor Day City Holiday Hours and Services: Sept. 7 In observance of Labor Day, all City of Garland offices and the Utility Customer Service Drive-Thru will be closed Monday, Sept. 7. All libraries and recreation centers, as well as the Charles M. Hinton Landfill and City of Garland Transfer Station and Recycling Center also will be closed. City pools, Surf and Swim and senior centers remain closed due to COVID-19. Garbage, recycling, and brush and bulky pickup schedules will not be impacted. You can find more information about the current availability of City resources and facilities at GarlandTX.gov. DART will operate on an adjusted Labor Day weekend schedule. DART route and schedule information can be found at DART.org.
Oh, how he entertained us! Little did we know Our superhero was dying slow. On the 57th anniversary of The March on Washington, With “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks“ As the 2020 theme, He met his fate. While so many in the world are Trying to push a warped narrative Of how to “Make America Great” His character was the force behind A fictional world that gave us pride. A shield of defense against hate. And unite, even if momentarily, we did. He fought a four-year battle alone. Yet, it ended with so much clarity. Reminding us that cancer Doesn’t give a f**k about celebrity. Wakanda forever. It’s real to me. Chadwick Boseman, You are free. Whose superhero will you be?
By EVA D. COLEMAN