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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Women don’t get a break. Especially Black Women. I hope you’ve paid attention to the chatter following the “bombshell” announcement by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has decided not to seek another term this Fall. Full disclosure. I have mad love for the Mayor. On a number of fronts our lives parallel: roots in Crawfordville, GA; attended Florida A&M University; Journalism majors; pledged the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and, we are both mothers, but not by birth.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms
So, some may want to stop reading now because “Cheryl is going to be biased” and to those critics, I have two things to say: first if you think the majority of stuff you read and see does not have biases embedded within, well I say “chile please” and; secondly, the longer I live and the more I have to live with things like COVID, Trump, and self-haters who tear their people down, I say, “don’t come for me unless I send for you!” In three words: I’m not apologizing. In another eight words, I’m sick of people tearing Black women down. We’re too strong, weak, mean, angry, et al. I can’t go on because I get sicker with every adjective. Black women catch hell from all sides and angles and then the ones who should be the most supportive are the biggest damned critics! OTHER WOMEN! No, let me call it like it is — OTHER BLACK WOMEN! Which brings me to my truth. It was frustrating to hear and read comments as folks far and wide speculated about why Mayor Lance Bottoms would not seek another term. There was talk about President Biden, a large drugstore chain job, pursuit of another office, etc. Atlanta’s rising crime rate, jail issues, investigations of previous administrations, and more were fodder for those needing something to say. There was also talk of her being “tired, angry,” and yes, “salty.” In her video, the Mayor talked about challenges and triumphs. She definitely had to face some situations that no one could have prepared her for because there’s no one else alive who has encountered a pandemic of the magnitude of COVID-19 and it is so disingenuous to hear people try to reason that COVID -19 is not having an impact on everything. It’s been challenging for leaderSee MY TRUTH page 7
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
THURSDAY MAY 20, 2021 VOLUME X
Rhone achieves sergeant rank in Mesquite Police Department From Staff Reports
Since 1953 the Mesquite Police Department has never had an African American to attain the rank of Sergeant, or hold a management position since its inception. Police Chief David Faaborg said, “I am proud of everything Torrey has achieved. He has been a leader in our department spearheading many public outreach efforts to improve our community. Torrey has performed his duties in an exemplary manner. He is highly respected by his supervisors and peers. Sergeant Rhone is a model officer who exhibits excellent character and unselfish service.” Despite the attempts of the few African American police officers employed at the agency, no one has been able to shatter the glass ceiling within the department until today. “I am overwhelmed, overjoyed, and humbled to announce that the glass ceiling has finally been shattered and history has finally been achieved,” said Sgt. Torrey E. Rhone. “I have served at the Mesquite Police Department for 14 years in various capacities. Despite the internal battles, conflicts and achievements, I will move into my next role as the first African American police sergeant in the history of the Mesquite Police Department in the City of Mesquite, Texas. “And despite those who tried to stand in the way, block the progress, or stop the process for whatever nefarious reasons, intentions, or senti-
- Part II
Sgt. Torrey Rhone (c) makes history in Mesquite.
ments, God had the final say.” Sgt. Rhone’s Promotional Ceremony was held at the Mesquite Arts Center on Friday. A Crime Prevention/Community Policing liaison officer for the Mesquite Police Department in the City of Mesquite. Sgt. Rhone works with community partners and citizens to educate them about personal safety and security along with empowering youth and young adults to look beyond their present-day circumstances and achieve their dreams of a brighter future. After a decade of working in law enforcement as a patrol officer, field training officer (FTO), certified teacher instructor, criminal scene investigator, and hostage negotiator, Sgt. Rhone has experienced and overcome life obstacles, and personal tragedies while growing up in the streets of Inglewood, California. He obtained an academic scholarship to Fisk University, in Nashville, TN. After joining Kappa Alpha Psi
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
Credit: Photo courtesy
Fraternity, Inc. and the subsequent murder of his fraternity brother, Sgt. Rhone moved to Mesquite, TX and dedicated his life to the pursuit of law enforcement. He went on to complete his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT-D) graduating Summa Cum Laude and continued on his academic journey to obtain his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the UNT-D. A husband and father, Sgt. Rhone is a decorated law enforcement officer and public servant with numerous meritorious awards and community achievements. He is also an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department of his alma mater at the UNT and Texas A&M University-Commerce. “I want to extend a special ‘Thank You’ to those whose prayers covered me during this journey and ask for your continued support on this new endeavor,” said Sgt. Rhone.
The first filibuster occurred in 1837 and was used infrequently until after the Civil War when minority parties employed the measure to stop civil rights efforts. Credit: Stock/NNPA
licing Act, the voting rights and ethics measure, D.C. Statehood, and other causes near and dear to some Democrats and most African Americans. But Democrats do have a rare
opportunity to get rid of the filibuster, a Senate cloture rule requiring 60 members to end debate on a topic and move to a vote. NNPA Newswire has reached out to all 50 Senate Democrats and Independents seeking their position on the filibuster. While some responded, others have held their positions close to the vest. “If we want to get things done in the Senate, then we must abolish the filibuster,” declared Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). “It is an antiquated, Jim Crow rule that overrides the majority and halts progress. It’s got to go.” See FILIBUSTER page 2
John Lewis Voter Advancement Day of Action Votercade By Texas Metro News Team
As hundreds gathered at Dallas City Hall to kick off the John Lewis Voter Advancement Day of Action Votercade, Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III of Friendship-West Baptist Church decried voter suppression efforts by legislators and urged citizens to become engaged to fight against those attempting to continue a long history of disenfranchising voters. Joined by UNT Dallas College of Law Professor Cheryl Wattley, who spoke of the legacy of Congressman Lewis, and law student Ideisha Shanklin, ralliers carried signs and stood in solidarity as speakers provided a history lesson on the
By Norma Adams-Wade
Diane Ragsdale: A Life of Service
Racist past of filibuster and why it should end The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and a voting and ethics bill passed the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives, but neither stands a chance in the evenly divided Senate. President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan faced fierce opposition in the Senate, but ultimately a slimmed-down version passed using the reconciliation procedure. Reconciliation is used only in rare cases. Lawmakers cannot use it for the George Floyd Justice in Po-
I Was Just Thinking...
Cheryl Wattley
voting rights of America’s Voters of Color and Youth Voters. Organizers of the event collaborated with about 100 like events across the nation addressing how voting rights are under attack nationally by state legislators introducing and pass-
ing laws to suppress their participation in elections. They also called for passage of the For the People Act (H.R. 1), the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), D.C. Statehood and address the filibuster to do so. Dr. Haynes also called attention to big business involvement in funding efforts to suppress the vote and said money should not be spent with those businesses that support and fund legislators and legislation that suppresses the vote. The press conference at City Hall was the beginning of the efforts which was followed by the “Votercade” to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center, for the Empowerment Celebration.
Diane Ragsdale, has retired as ICDC managing director. Credit: LinkedIn
This is Part II of Diane Ragsdale’s story – detailing visions of police reform and enhanced community services in her future. Ragsdale is founder of the original nonprofit South Dallas/Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corporation. (ICDC). Part I explored her professional achievements and creation of ICDC from which she retired as managing director in early April after 35 years at the helm. The South Dallas native and graduate of Madison High School and Dallas Baptist University here, with studies at Texas Woman’s University, also is a noted community activist and former Dallas City Council member who was Dallas Deputy Mayor pro Tem. In several lengthy conversations with Ragsdale over a few days, we discussed many highlights of her life: her youth; parents and family; entering public service as an activist and community organizer; proud moments and frustrations involved; why she is retiring now and that her “what’s next” involves volunteering as an ICDC adviser while volunteering as organizer of policy and advocacy operations – a new trend emerging across the country in urban areas. We also discussed her passionate take on a wide swath of current events, particularly those that impact African-American life and communities – police/community relations, and benefits that contribute to quality of life: jobs, home ownership, transportation, access to food, education, public safety, retail complexes, community services, and so on. Venus Cobb will succeed Ragsdale at ICDC using the title executive director whereas Ragsdale preferred managing director. Cobb is no stranger to ICDC, the South Dallas community, and managing huge amounts of federal funding. She is a 30-year veteran in community affairs and has worked with the City of Dallas Office of Economic Development for more than a decade. She has collaborated with community partnerships – including with ICDC -- and was a Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce board member. She grew up in Chicago and Gary, Indiana, graduated from Purdue University in Indiana and the University of Colorado at Denver, and has lived in Dallas about 11 years. Cobb said she seeks to take Ragsdale’s exemplary achievements with ICDC even higher. “First, I seek to enhance existing programs, and then development comprehensive new ones,” said Cobb, who spent her youth in the midst of the economic decline of northeastern See THINKING page 4