I Messenger 7-23-21 by Cheryl Smith

I MESSENGER VOL X NO 44 JULY 23, 2021

The Year of The Woman

TWO EDITORS

Why Superb Women?

IMessenger An IMM LLC Publication MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110 Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com S. Curet GENERAL MANAGER stewartcuret@myimessenger.com Jessica Hayden STAFFWRITER EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Marva Sneed EDITORIAL TEAM Anthony Council Chelle Wilson Dareia Tolbert Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Dorothy J. Gentry Eva Coleman Monique P. Stone Lajuana Barton Rebecca Aguilar Vincent Hall MARKETING TEAM Carlton McConnell Terry Allen PR DESIGN/LAYOUT FzanStudio

Free - Take One

WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Alana King

.EWSSTANDS IN

Rowlett AT .EWSSTANDS IN esquite d,Rowlett ardson Mesquite chardson .Dallas

Free - Take One MB Distribution CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION

Editorial submissions

editor@texasmetronews.com

& E.Dallas

450-13971 Year 1 Year Subscription $45.00 3)(903) 450-1397 Subscription $45.00

IMessenger

Established 2011 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, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back. July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

Once Upon a Time WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ.

Once upon a time, there was a country called the United States of America. In the history of humankind, it was a relative newcomer. The United States was hypocritically established under a set of principles and laws that, upon their face, were worthy, but impractical to implement given the mindset of many of its citizens. Even the author of its most important documents, who exalted the God-given freedoms of MEN, enslaved men, women, and children, and ignored the rights of white women. Essential to its Declaration of Independence, the U.S. affirmed, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These were empty words for enslaved persons. Comprising 25% of the U.S. and a third of the Southern population, their dehumanization was codified in the Constitution as three-fifths human. They were denied rights given by God and, for most, the only man-given right was the right to work for free — no life beyond enslavement, no liberty, and no pursuit of happiness.

Nearly 90 years after declaring independence and 150 years before that, the U.S. established itself as world economic power on the backs of enslaved persons. Even after the emancipation, extra-legal maneuvers allowed former slaveowners to re-enslave formerly enslaved in a status that recreated systemic slavery. At a snail’s pace, social consciousness, mass guilt, and economic necessities eased the difficulty in the progression toward achieving various social amenities. In every U.S. war, enslaved persons and their progeny were allowed to fight and die for national interests. In percentages no less than that of whites, Black “citizens” made productive contributions to the national good. For their entirety in the U.S., Blacks and other “citizens” of color learned about the value of the vote. After all, the U.S. was a democracy operating on the premise of “majority rule.” Although they were locked out of the voting process by extra-legal procedures like counting beans or bubbles in a bar of soap, or by the indifference of futility and frustration, they witnessed and took note of the power and influence that others derived from voting. Taking note led to action, and Blacks and other citizens of color began to pursue an equal measure of participation and reward. It looked like their efforts would bear fruit until an Orange Ogre appeared spouting “Grievan-

ce Politics.” This Orange Ogre convinced a small, but active group that their lives were being unfairly imposed upon by people of color, or folks who spoke a different language, or folks seeking a better life in the U.S. The Orange Ogre convinced his followers that the remedy to their frustration of seeing others enjoying the fruits of the U.S. was to reject the principles of democracy which had shaped it and brought any greatness it had achieved. Under his tutelage, they developed alternate realities where truth and facts do not matter. He taught that the undemocratic theft of elections and the unfair retention of power were means to a positive end. And the world would, once again, be the great place for those not cursed with abundant melanin. This fairy tale is far too similar to our own reality. It’s not amusing or frivolous. We are at a historic crossroads and our children’s future is in the balance. Whether straight facts or fairy tales, you must understand the significance of the problem. Our voice and our right to vote are being challenged into oblivion. YOU must accept a sense of urgency that is proportional to the threat. You must beware of that “great” place to which the Orange Ogre wants to return. Dr. E. Faye Williams is National President of the National Congress of Black Women and Host of “Wake Up and Stay Woke” on WPFW-FM 89.3.

myimessenger.com

INSIDE

HOPE - At Last!

Faithful Utterances

Quit Playin’

Attorney and businessman Randy Bowman has a lot to feel proud about as he reviews the grades of students attending At Last! The innovative educational support program for at-risk elementary schoolchildren in Dallas just completed its first term, and the results demonstrate that its model.

As I get older, I recognize that feelings are real and yet, they can be dangerous. Our feelings, if unchecked, can wreak havoc and confusion. Just last week, I received a voicemail from an angry lady. She was livid about something that happened to her and spewed frustration about what others had done.

Martin King was right. Centuries of oppression and second-class citizenship cannot be hushed away. We needed more than a whisper to plead our cause. That must be why the Lord sent us a brilliant Black Prodigy named Richard Claxton Gregory.

p10

myimessenger.com

p14

p22

July 23, 2021

MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith Publisher

Why Superb Women?

As we were celebrating the election of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, I told my team that 2021 was going to be the “Year of the Woman,” especially the Black Woman! I believed that while many were celebrating this milestone, we were living in a false reality if we believed that everyone felt the joy that I was experiencing at that time. With that in mind, I committed to dedicating considerable editorial real estate to uplifting Black women, who I believed were constantly under siege, especially by those we love the most. I wanted to spread a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. With the beginning of Women’s History Month, in March, we began featuring Superb Black Women and I told you how I felt about the treatment of Black Women. So, we began by saluting our Vice President. It is important to note that these women are not chosen because of who they are married to, whose baby they July 23, 2021

The Year of The Woman - TWO EDITORS

Maria Reeve

Katrice Hardy

Tuesday, the Houston Chronicle announced that Maria Reeve is the new executive editor and on Wednesday, The Dallas Morning News announced that Katrice Hardy would assume their executive editor post. Read more at www.texasmetronews.com.

gave birth to or who fathered them. These women stand on their own merit. They bring their own receipts and they deserve to be recognized totally for their accomplishments. Some of these women are degreed, some are not. And while some are considered to be “celebrities” ALL have done work worthy of celebrating. Now once March was over, I couldn’t stop. Which brings me to my truth! I had so much fun finding out so much about so many dynamic women of all ages

I MESSENGER

-- the oldest has been 100 years old and the youngest has been 21! From time to time there will be one who has transitioned and others from across the country or around the world. What they all have in common is RECEIPTS! They are Superb! I hope you get as much joy out of reading about these women as I did writing about them. And guess what? They didn’t have a clue that they were being featured and I didn’t ask for information, or pictures. We do our homework and sometimes a reader will send

a nomination in. Surprisingly, every name that has been sent in was already on the ever-growing list! When will it end? I haven’t a clue. It brings me so much joy. I’m already thinking of other ways to celebrate Black women, to share love and also enlighten and inform. Join me in spreading joy. You can nominate someone by emailing me at editor@ texasmetronews.com. Also encourage people to like, click, share and subscribe. As we celebrate Black Women here, how about if we also celebrate all women? For everyone, whoever you are, let’s make a pledge that since it was your heart that pumped simultaneously with the heart of a woman; you will never, ever disparage a woman. Black women have been called so much, good and bad. We celebrate them and call them SUPERB! I hope you will too. Some will ask, “why superb?” To them, I say, “why not!” And my response is not a question, if you get my drift! myimessenger.com

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

Women Educators discuss Balancing the Classroom, COVID and Motherhood Like so many, Shanda Spears has struggled since the pandemic hit more than a year ago. So much so that her own personal self care has gone out the window. “I think I have focused more on making the pandemic easier on other people and not taken care of myself during the pandemic,” said the married mom of a 22-year old son, Noah and 12-year-old daughter, Olivia. “I have not practiced self-care and I think the stress has taken a real toll on me. I am having physical pain that I think is attributed to stress and I am having more stress headaches and muscle pain. I am not able to balance the need to make sure others are okay and still take care of myself.” What makes Spears’ case so special is she is an educator balancing teaching students both in person AND on Zoom daily, motherhood, a husband with health challenges and elderly parents. And she’s not alone. When the global COVID-19 pandemic hit over a year ago the education system was profoundly disrupted across the country and world. The pandemic changed what classrooms and learning looked like. Students if they were allowed back - wore masks all day, had to bring their own water bottles to school and in most cases, sat behind plastic and glass partitions to prevent the spread of the virus. July 23, 2021

Spears Family

Photo Courtesy

say they may change careers or simply quit. “Teachers have been feeling the brunt of how drastically this pandemic has changed our world,” said Colin Sharkey, executive director of the Association of American Educators, a national professional association. “The demands that are put on them are off the charts.” And Spears knows this firsthand. The 14-year English/ Language Arts/Reading teacher at Lady Bird Johnson Middle School in Irving, felt torn between meeting the needs of her students and of her own youngest child. “As a teacher, I felt like my students needed me at school. I

Ask any teacher; the last 13 months have taken an emotional toll on teachers across the board. Educators, in particular women teachers, were more likely to feel overworked and overwhelmed as a result of the pandemic mainly because they are also responsible for other duties at home including childcare, caring for elderly parents and maintaining the home. The challenges of teaching in-person or online have stretched educators to their limits. According to a report from Fidelity Investments and The Chronicle of Higher Education, after nearly a full year of either putting themselves at risk in a classroom or struggling to reach students remotely, many now

I MESSENGER

teach 6th graders and I feel like they have missed out on some milestones in education and growing up. I am experiencing this as a mother as well,’ she said. “My daughter is a 6th grader just like my students. They missed the end of their 5th grade year, their 5th grade graduation from elementary to middle school. I think there are grades/ages that the school side of the pandemic has been harder on.” Spears also watched her son, Noah, miss out on his college senior activities at SMU where he played football on an athletic scholarship. He missed his final season on the field, senior game and May graduation, although myimessenger.com

they did have a ceremony in late August. “I think these things had a big mental impact on students. As a mom, it was especially hard to watch both of my kids miss out on these activities,” Spears said. “As a teacher, I felt even more empathy for my incoming students. This was one reason I felt like I needed to be at school for my students.” COVID brought about a number of worries for Spears: worried about her daughter being in a classroom with students that might get Covid or be a carrier of Covid; worries about her health or her getting sick; worries about her elderly parents being exposed and getting sick and worries about her husband, Will, who is in the end stages of renal failure. “I have been constantly worried about myself or my daughter bringing home Covid from school.” Adding insult to injury, Spear applied to work from home and was approved but not notified until it was too late to accept the approval. “I was not contacted by HR or admin at my school to let me know I was approved to work from home until the day before my students returned to the classroom. At that time, I felt it was too late for me to make preparations in my classroom so I made the decision to stay in the classroom in-personIt,” she said. “It was very disheartening that not one person in admin let me know that I had the option to stay home and protect my family until it was too late.” So she returned to school and has been teaching all year. Yet she remains cautious and concerned more than a year into the pandemic and with vaccines out and states easing up on or entirely lifting precautions. “I am still afraid of a family member or close friend being exposed to Covid. I think people are prematurely easing up from CDC guidelines for health and safety and the result is added stress that I internalize,” she admitted. “As a Christian, I have spent many hours praying for the safety of my family and friends. I do think that God has protected my family and I think I am able to keep a good attitude at school because of the strength God gives me. I haven’t really turned to anyone for help. I talk to my husband about my concerns and I pray constantly.” myimessenger.com

Karonda Davis

Karonda Davis, an educator for eight years, experienced COVID-19 from an even more challenging perspective. The math teacher and Spears’ colleague at Lady Bird Johnson, was on maternity leave when the pandemic hit. “I felt helpless; I was stuck in my home for a long time because I was already on maternity leave and then everything shut down right as I was about to return back to work,” she recalled. “I felt scared for my new baby and my family, and I missed my students. I was unable to say goodbye to my students that were heading to high school and it made me feel cut off from my job as an educator. Davis received help from those closest to her; her husband who is also in education, and her mother. “I am so grateful for my husband because he has really been so supportive and an amazing leader in our household during the pandemic; being the voice of reason, being the brave soul that made sure we had groceries and supplies, and he was the sense of calm during this pandemic. Her mother has been “super helpful” David said, watching now 16-month-old Brandon while his parents are at work. “We are blessed to have him in the safest environment while we are at work.” Davis said she handles the pressures of being an educator, wife and mom during a still-ongoing pandemic by prayer, focusing her time and attention on her family, and “being as present as I can in my career and various relationships. I am focusing the

most on what I can control so that I do not feel so helpless as when the pandemic first began. I am leaning on my faith and being grateful for what is actually happening in my life.” Both Spears and Davis said they have learned a lot about themselves as mothers and educators throughout this pandemic; knowledge that will serve them the rest of their lives. “I have learned to be a more patient and grateful mother and person throughout this pandemic. Things do not always happen as we want them to, but all things work out for the good,” Davis said. “I have learned to focus on what is most important and that is my relationship with God, my family, friends, and my colleagues with whom I work because it keeps me grounded.” As she continues to juggle daily, Spears said she has learned her strength as a woman and has discovered her true passion for helping others. “I have been through the last 14 months and taken only one day off work. In my 14 years working in education, I have never had a better attendance record,” Spears said. “I think that my students need to know that I am available for them every single day and I think that passion created a big strength in me to show up every day and greet them with a smile and let them know they can truly count on me to love and care for them. “I have learned that my own children see me as a strong woman who really cares about others.” Both women offer advice for mothers who are also educators and are still struggling with the changes the pandemic brought to their lives. Spears advises those educators still struggling to “lean on God for strength. You have to take time to take care of yourself. You have to let your students know that even in a time of confusion and stress, they can truly count on you.” “My advice is to pray or meditate in order to maintain a sense of peace within yourself, stay active and involved in your community or career, and to focus on what you can control; your attitude, your faith, and your relationships,” said Davis. “We cannot change that we are in a pandemic but we can choose to love on each other and be appreciative for what we do have right now.” July 23, 2021

Join us at the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center at Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center for Diabetes Education Classes to learn the skills needed to manage your diabetes. Diabetes Education classes: • • •

214.865.3060

BSWHealth.com/HealthandWellness

4500 Spring Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

AT LAST! sparks 21 percent increase in grades of most academically challenged students Attorney and businessman Randy Bowman has a lot to feel proud about as he reviews the grades of students attending At Last! The innovative educational support program for at-risk elementary schoolchildren in Dallas just completed its first term, and the results demonstrate that its model achieves significant academic gains for kids with the most serious educational deficits and lifts performance across all levels of ability. The AT LAST! boarding residence opened its doors to students in March and completed its first semester June 17. Despite being in operation for only 14 weeks the “boarding experience” model achieved results from the first cohort that show major gains across the board, with the students seeing an overall improvement of almost 10 percent in their grade averages in their core classes. The results were even more impressive for students with the most ground to make up: Those coming into the program with the lowest grades notched an eye-popping 21-percent improvement. AT LAST! achieved these gains despite COVID-related constraints limiting it from implementing its full program which provides crucial educational resources that are standard fare for the home life of students from more affluent families but often absent for under-resourced students. AT LAST! is not a school. Students participating in AT LAST! are called its Scholars-In-Residence. They attend the schools chosen by their parents for daytime instruction but stay at AT LAST!’s resource-rich residence on school nights. There they receive tutoring, homework assistance, balanced meals, enrichment activities, and around-the-clock adult supervision in a spacious, secure residence designed specifically to enhance learning. The Scholars-In-Residence spend weekends, holidays and summers at July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

HOPE

Founder and CEO Randy Bowman during At Last! program

home with their families, who remain the primary relationship for their kids throughout the year. On the advice of experts like Parkland epidemiologist Dr. Carol Estelle and its CEO Dr. Fred Cerise, the program limited its initial participation to half its firstphase capacity – and also curtailed some of its planned educational enrichment components. AT LAST! founder and CEO Bowman, a prominent local businessman and civic leader, hailed the results as proof that the lives and fortunes of at-risk youth can be

improved by the innovative model. “Large deficits among elementary school-aged urban students are nothing new, sadly, and most educators say their most difficult post-pandemic challenge will be reducing the accelerated deficits in kids who were farthest behind before the pandemic,” said the native of Dallas’ Pleasant Grove community. “AT LAST!’s results indicate that we can help those kids, and we want to meet more of them.” The passion he feels is clearly evident s he talks about the future of At Last! “We serve a community of good parents and grandparents that value education, believe in their children’s ability to learn, and are willing to sacrifice to enable them to succeed,” said Mr. Bowman. “They need additional resources to help them live their values, and that is where AT LAST! comes in.” He also emphasized AT LAST!’s determination to address the broader needs of the child to facilitate academic growth. “We put in a massive amount of planning, research, development and support-building for a few years and resolved that it would be a mistake to ignore the role a child’s complete wellness plays in learning,” said Mr. Bowman. “We partnered with The Essilor Foundation to ensure that every child had vision testing and eye glasses, and we are excited to add preventative dental care in the fall. Ultimately, I am delighted for our scholars, their parents, our staff and our incredible community supporters that all the effort is paying off in such a huge way.” Mr. Bowman emphasized that AT LAST!’s leadership is not resting on its laurels. They are already hard at work reviewing and refining its components. They will expand to 16 Scholars-In-Residence in the fall, with available spots awarded by a lottery process. Interested families should go to www. atlastboarding.com to learn more and apply. myimessenger.com

ACLU Texas http://www.aclutx.org/ http://www.facebook.com/acluoftexas http://www.twitter.com/aclutx

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

Your Feelings CAN Fail You As I get older, I recognize that feelings are real and yet, they can be dangerous. Our feelings, if unchecked, can wreak havoc and confusion. Just last week, I received a voicemail from an angry lady. She was livid about something that happened to her and spewed frustration about what others had done. I immediately called her back and she began to apologize for being in her feelings and reacting too quickly. I called to inform her that it wasn’t something I was responsible for and after listening to the situation, I immediately informed her that she needed to reach out to a totally different entity. She continued to apologize after realizing that she had gotten upset without having clear information. She’s not alone—it is commonplace to witness individuals immediately respond based on how they feel. Many of our decisions are rooted in how it makes us feel. We immediately respond often without thinking things through and truly assessing what is going on. Relationships have been destroyed, trust broken, and jobs terminated because of the need to respond. If more people paused and thought of the consequences of their actions, they might be more apt to do things differently. According to Dr. Bryn Farnsworth, “…feelings are the conscious experience of emotional reactions. Originating in the neocortical regions of the brain, feelings are sparked by emotions and shaped by personal July 23, 2021

FAITHFUL UTTERANCES BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

experiences, beliefs, memories, and thoughts linked to that particular emotion. Strictly speaking, a feeling is the side product of your brain perceiving an emotion and assigning a certain meaning to it.” Your feelings become thoughts which can then become an action—they are all connected. Assumptions are the worst because they lead us down a path of no return because we can assign

his finances with no where to live. “17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.” His feelings based in bad thinking resulted in destructive consequences. When we make rash decisions, we are like this young man. Instead of consulting God (represented by the Father in this passage), we allow our feelings, bad

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:6-7

the wrong meaning to the emotion we are experiencing. Without having complete information and knowledge, we can make decisions that have far reaching consequences that began in our thoughts and our emotions. In Luke 15:11-32, we see an example of a young man who thought he knew more and requested his inheritance from his father. He probably allowed his feelings to validate his decision and instead of staying in a place of stability and comfort, he squandered

I MESSENGER

information, and other people’s opinions to sway us into choices that are not in our best interests. We make assumptions that others have it better than we do and if we just do it ‘our’ way, things would be better. So much grief could have been avoided if he had spoken with his father first. Are you talking to God about your emotions and feelings before acting? Are you allowing the presence and Word of God to inform your decisions, your feelings, and your thoughts

before reacting or seeking the advice of others? The Bible speaks about emotions and their power. “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV) It is okay to experience our feelings because they are a gauge. We cannot allow our feelings to control us in such a way that we make decisions that harm us and others. It’s not that you don’t pay attention to how you feel. You should but you cannot allow your feelings to be the sole indicator in your decision making. It is about listening to God to direct you, seeking wise counsel, and taking an inventory of what is going on objectively. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. Our emotions and feelings are real. They are data. And just as data doesn’t tell the entire story, your feelings don’t either.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is the Founder and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, specializing as a Partnership Broker and Leadership Expert for companies and organizations to thrive with measurable and meaningful impact. She also is the VP of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas.

myimessenger.com

Special Session bills toe the company line OUR VOICES BY SEN. ROYCE WEST

The so-called election protection or election fraud bill is not the only example of Texas legislators toting the water of a deposed and disruptive former leader of the free world. A quick comparison of the Special Called Session agenda can be called the platform for the re-election campaign of the state’s top elected official, which can be seen as parroting the marching orders or grievances of the 45th POTUS. SB5, on the agenda and now approved by the Senate, was reintroduced during this Special Session. It was SB12 during the Regular Session. The bill would threaten the ability of social media platforms to reject or remove what they consider as objectionable or false information from their sites. SB5 and SB12 considers that such would be censorship. Sound familiar? Could be because of recent lawsuits filed in Florida by a disgruntled user whose accounts were closed and access banned by Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and a list of social media platforms following the events of January 6, 2021 when myimessenger.com

hundreds of “visitors” and “tourists” overran the nation’s capital with malicious intent toward members of Congress and the former vice president. The lawsuits claim that the social media mega platforms violated the plaintiff’s First Amendment Constitutional rights by blocking, then closing his accounts; effectively censoring his right to free speech. But the courts have ruled consistently that the First Amendment provides free speech protections against government censorship, not private entities, while also protecting the editorial judgment of media entities. Their basis is a unanimous, 1974 U.S. Supreme Court decision authored by none other than Chief Justice Warren Burger, which included that, “…the First Amendment does not permit the government to usurp the role of editors in deciding what ought to be published.” Earlier this month, a Tallahassee federal district court judge blocked implementation of a law passed by the Florida Legislature this year, where fines could be imposed on social media platforms for exercising editorial judgment in their decisions to restrict content from political figures that they felt violated company policies. Judge Robert Hinkle made further distinctions favoring

social media entities by saying that they are less responsible for content carried on their platforms than newspapers. But the new law, he said, targeted “ideologically sensitive cases” where the social media companies should be allowed to exercise the same editorial judgement as news entities. SB12 and SB5 took a different approach, designed to avoid First Amendment implications. Instead, the bills would create strict procedures that must be implemented by social media companies. Violations of the procedures would expose them to civil liability. SB5 allows a company to reject content that would violate its acceptable use and illegal content policies. It permits posts to be banned that contain violent content that would threaten protected groups as defined by federal law. It includes that a social media platform can censor “unlawful expression” or other expressions that are prohibited by federal law. But the plain language of SB5 prohibits censorship of “the viewpoint of the user or another person” or “the viewpoint represented in the user’s expression or another person’s expression.” In other words if the content does not promote violence or depict acts of sexual exploitation or abuse

of children, a user can post whatever they wish; truth be damned! SB5 would require social media companies to post their use and complaint policies and produce and post a quarterly transparency report on those policies. Companies would also have to notify a user when any content is removed and the reasons for its removal. The user would be allowed to appeal the company’s decision. That said, social media entities bear great responsibilities to prudently manage the hundreds of millions of posts daily; a world of their creation. Critics say they could have done more to prevent open discussion on their platforms leading up to January 6. The U.S. Surgeon General has now called on these global influencers to help silence rampant misinformation that impedes the ongoing fight against COVID. But a law that will chill efforts to make sure that dangerous lies don’t continue to bombard undiscerning subscribers is in itself reckless. Whose fault is it when followers, without question, zealously attach to their leader? Royce West was first elected to the Texas Senate in November 1992. He represents the 23rd Senatorial District on behalf of the citizens of Dallas County.

July 23, 2021

The Movement for Justice Will Not Be Deterred

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson The right-wing majority on the Supreme Court just undercut the Voting Rights Act again. Having gutted the section that required pre-approval of state voting laws to protect the rights of minorities to vote in Shelby v. Holder, Republican-appointed justices now have castrated the backup clause — Section 2 — which bans racial discrimination in election practices in Brnovich v. DNC. The result will open the floodgates even further to the wave of partisan laws that Republicans are pushing in states across the country to suppress the votes of African Americans and other people of color. The right-wing jusJuly 23, 2021

tices continue their assault on the meaning and power of the Voting Rights Act, a triumph of the civil rights movement that Justice Elena Kagan, writing in dissent, noted represents the “best in America.” The reaction against the civil rights movement continues. Every movement for equal justice under the law in this country has been met with a brutal reaction. When reformers tried to limit the spread of slavery into new states coming into the republic, the slave states seceded, launching the Civil War, the deadliest war in American history. After losing the war, when

I MESSENGER

the federal government began reconstruction to free the slaves and guarantee equal political and economic rights to all, the reaction was brutal, with lynching and terrorism — led by the Ku Klux Klan and others — spreading to suppress the newly freed slaves. In the end, segregation — America’s version of apartheid — spread through the South and the hope of the civil rights amendments was crushed. Now, after the civil rights movement, the Voting Rights Act and the election of Barack Obama, the reaction has been fierce. Across the country, Republican legislators have sought to make it harder for African Americans and other people of color to vote. The long lines that mark inner-city voting sites are a graphic demonstration of the success of those efforts, for many people can’t take the hours off from work to cast a ballot. In each era, the lawless reaction — and blatant violations of the Constitution — have been ratified by disgraceful decisions in the Supreme Court. The court ratified segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson, inventing the doctrine of separate but equal — a concept that existed only in the judge’s imaginations, not in the realities of any of the former slave states. Voter suppression following the civil rights movement was ratified in Shelby v. Holder and now in Brnovich

vs. the DNC, that have essentially gutted the Voting Rights Act, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. The so-called “conservative” justices on the Supreme Court are rewriting the laws passed by Congress to serve their own partisan purposes. Now the excuse is to limit voter fraud, even though there is no evidence of such fraud other than in the ravings of partisan politicians. This struggle will continue. Clearly, Republicans across the country have decided that rather than seeking to win the votes of African Americans and other peoples of color, they would rather pass measures to suppress their vote — from discriminatory changes in voting practices, to gerrymandering of districts, to (most dangerously) empowering Republican legislatures to overturn the results of an election. Once more people of conscience must stand up and organize to protect the right to vote and to counter those who would suppress it. Once more, right-wing justices have written another shameful chapter of judicial ignominy that must simply be overturned. Once more Congress must act to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to counter the brazen efforts of the court’s right wing to neuter it. Once more, those standing in the way of equality under the law will find that the movement for justice will not be deterred. myimessenger.com

New Mount Zion 75th Church Anniversary The New Mount Zion 75th Church Anniversary 3-Day Celebration will be Friday, July 30; Saturday, July 31; and Sunday, August 1: • Friday, July 30 – 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m. – Will feature NMZ Youth groups (Mime, Praise Dancers, and Steppers); Gospel Artists: Stellar Award Nominated Vincent Tharpe & Kenosis and Antwan Jenkins & Campfire Music; Gospel Rap Artist, Herschel Jorden; Spoken Word Artist, Monica Daniels; DJ Warren Brooks; games; food and fun; we will also be featuring a Black Greek Fraternities and Sororities Step Show and Stroll; and locally well-known food trucks. • Saturday, July 31 – 4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. – Will include an old-fashioned picnic on the grounds; Grammy Nominated Gospel Artist, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise; Local Gospel Artists: Eric Houston & Stronger, Kim Washington, and Pastor Chris Wesley & Undignified Praise; Actress and Spoken Word Artist, Sha Bailey; more food and games; Dominoes, Spades, Bible Bingo; a Rock-Climbing wall and Zip- lining. **Note: Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, tents, grills, fish fryers, and picnic baskets filled with your favorite foods. • Sunday, August 1 – 10:30 a.m. – Will feature Actress and Spoken Word Artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sha Bailey; Guest Minister, Pastor Chris Wesley, Senior Pastor of Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas; and Gospel Artist, Antwan Jenkins & Campfire Music from Indianapolis, Indiana. myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

Amir Windom creates partnership with Jarvis Christian College

President Lester Newman and Amir Windom

FAMU Rattlers Cheryl Smith and Amir Windom at JBJ Management.

Like at all HBCUs, leadership has been able to make great things happen for their students and great things keep happening for the HBCU located in Marshall, Tex., Jarvis Christian College (JCC). Whether it’s bringing people of note like the late journalist George E. Curry, or commencement speaker Jamie Foxx; President Lester Newman is opening up the world to his students and the presence of Grammy Award-Winning Executive Amir Windom is just par for the course. Mr. Windom has been teaching courses at Jarvis for the past two years and he is now partnering with JCC to bring his experience, a network of business leaders, and high-profile creatives to the campus to reach more students interested in the various fields of entertainment. In addition to exposing students and executives, Mr. Windom will teach a master class, and also help in the creation of an Arts and Entertainment Institute at Jarvis. “My partnership with Dr. Lester Newman and Jarvis will help build the Jarvis brand,” he said. “And my motivation is in our campaign slogan, Don’t Forget About Us, which means we have to help the smaller HBCUs with the needed resources to help students build careers.” During a recent visit to Dalmyimessenger.com

las, Mr. Windom talked about the wonderful experience he has had teaching at JCC and the respect he has for the work that Dr. Newman is putting into the growth of the school, student, faculty and staff.

lege more appealing to students” There will also be Masterclasses in Sports Marketing and Cybersecurity in addition to the Entertainment Master Class. A native of Atlanta, Mr. Windom

Jarvis team of Edwards, Dr. Newman, Dr Pruitt; Willis Johnson and Amir Windom.

The two have a mutual respect that it evident when they discuss the school and one another. “We are excited about expanding our partnership with Mr. Windom. It is great to have someone of his caliber to interact with and teach our students the entertainment business, conduct the Master Classes for students and community members who are interested in the entertainment industry and help lay the foundation for an Arts and Entertainment Institute at JCC,” said Dr. Newman. “A concerted effort is being made to enhance our academic offerings to make the col-

is perfect for teaching the Entertainment Master Classes, having worked with some of today’s biggest stars including Bruno Mars, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Lupe Fiasco, and Trey Songz; to name a few. He is currently a television and film music supervisor, producing and playing music, creating original scores and designing creative strategies for major film companies such as Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, and Lionsgate Films. His projects include feature films including Despicable Me 2, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, Why Did I Get Married 2, and

Credit: Carol Vig

television shows Bigger and Being Mary Jane to name a few. His love for marketing has allowed him to assist in creating marketing campaigns for Coca-Cola, Puma, and ESPN. Last year, Mr. Windom made history as part of a collective that launched Black News Channel, the first major television network that airs 24-hour news and original programming that specifically catered to the African American audience. The network is viewed in over 80 million homes and devices through Direct TV, Comcast, Dish, Charter/Spectrum, Roku, Amazon Prime, and others. No stranger to HBCUs, Windom is a graduate of Florida A&M University and was honored with their prestigious “40/40” award which is presented to alumni under the age of 40 who have made outstanding achievements in their careers. He was named one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s 50 Top Business and Modern Man and was penned as a Top 40 under 40 music executive by Billboard. He is a featured speaker around the globe and on numerous colleges and universities including Harvard University, University of Southern California, Howard University, New York University, South Africa Music and Entertainment Symposium, and the Grammy Foundation. July 23, 2021

OBITUARY

Joe Kirven

Joe Kirven passed away on July 5th, 2021 at the age of 90. He graduated from Booker T Washington High School and earned an athletic scholarship in football and track from Wiley College where he graduated with a Bachelors in Science. After college, Kirven started his own business with only $500. He built ABCO Maintenance Company into a million-dollar

company, acquired J & S Chemical, and acquired real estate investments. He was the youngest president of the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Dallas City Council and ran for the Dallas School Board. He served as a Special Assistant to Governor William Clements, a groundbreaking appointment where he steered black candidates to appointments on Texas state commissions. He liaised between the Governor’s office and Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M University, and all Texas HBCUs. He worked on minority business issues with two US Presidents. In 1968, The Texas Chamber of Commerce named him as one of “Five Outstanding Young Texans,” and in 1972

Ebony magazine named him as one of the Outstanding Businessmen of the Southwest. He was a trustee and deacon of the St John Missionary Baptist Church and involved in many civic activities. He was the first Black member of the Board of Trustees for the Hockaday School in Dallas and a member

of the Board of Regents of the University of North Texas. He was most proud of his endowed scholarship at Wiley College. He was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Devoted to his family and friends, Kirven helped countless people obtain jobs. He was a true pioneer and inspiration to all. He is preceded in death by his parents Lafayette Kirven and Derutha Kirven and siblings Lafayette Kirven, Jr., Howard Kirven, (sister-in-law) Mary Lou Kirven, sisters Alverine Taylor, Helen Waurine Spencer, and Jessie Mae Johnson. Joe Kirven is survived by his wife Gloria Kirven of 63 years, his daughter Josette Valtierra, her husband Gregory Valtierra III, and his grandsons, Gregory Valtierra

IV, Michael Valtierra, and many friends and relatives. He will be missed by all. Services will be held July 24, 2021, 2PM at Laurel Land Funeral Home. Visitation will be on July 23, 2021 from 4 PM to 8PM at the same location. Masks are strongly encouraged by the family. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Wiley College for the Joe Kirven Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to Wiley College and note the Scholarship Fund in the memo (Mail to: Wiley College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 711 Wiley Ave., Marshall, Texas, 75670) or contribute digitally via https://www.wileyc. edu/donate in memoriam to Joe Kirven.

IN MEMORIAM: BYRON KEITH BROWN,SR. Byron Keith Brown, Sr. was born on May 13, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri. He transitioned to eternity with his Lord on July 9, 2021, in Richardson, Texas. Byron graduated from East St. Louis High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. He went on to attend Illinois State University where he majored in Medical Records Administration. In 1977, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and began his career at Medical City Hospital in Dallas, Texas. After working there for 15 years, Byron pursued a career change which led him to enjoy a longtime career in management at American Airlines where he was highly respected by those he managed and by corporate leadership. After 25 years of dedicated service, he retired in 2020 and became a full-time caregiver to his parents. At Illinois State University in 1976, Byron met the love of his life, Comfort Denise Hopson. The two married in 1980, and July 23, 2021

three children were born to their union - Miya R. Brown, Marcus K. Brown, and Monica S. Brown. Byron and Comfort enjoyed a lifetime of happiness. A model husband who loved his wife for 41 years like Christ loves the church, Byron affectionately called his wife, “My Niecy!” Everyone witnessed and knew the love he had towards “His Niecy”, and all witnessed her love and dedication for him. They were best friends and “a team” with an exemplary respect, honor, and support of each other which was evident to all who crossed their path. Baptized during his college days, Byron remained a faithful member of God’s church throughout his life. For 15 years, Byron served as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park. He later joined the body of Christ at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship where he served for over 25 years until his transition. While

I MESSENGER

Byron was not called to preach the gospel as a preacher, he delighted in working the ministry of service. His empathy and care for others was deeply rooted from the lessons and example of his parents for whom he deeply cared.

erosity will forever impact the lives of many. Even upon his transition, he gifted someone with improved vision through being an organ donor. Byron’s incredible gift of friendship and thoughtfulness will be fondly remembered and treasured. Among many hobbies, Byron loved to travel. With his wife and family, he enjoyed traveling to places around the world, including Australia, France, New Zealand, Italy, and China, to name a few. He was also a marathon runner. After he no longer ran, he coached others to run in marathons. He often used a runner’s training to teach life lessons. His personal mantra was “Run your May 13, 1955 - July 9, 2021 own race!” In the 1980s, Byron Byron was an encourager launched the Dallas Striders with a giving spirit. He was Club, a running club to inspire known for sending daily and others towards running and weekly inspirational texts, and walking. He also organized he consistently called to check church health fairs and was an on his family, friends, and advocate for health and fitness especially the elderly. His gen- as part of the wholeness for

body, mind, and soul. He could also be quite the “cutup” and was known to “pull your leg and talk noise!” Those left to cherish precious memories and continue his legacy of service and love include his wife, Comfort Denise Brown; four children - Byron K. Brown, Jr. (Rasheedah), Miya R. Brown, Marcus K. Brown (Ashly), and Monica S. Brown; eight grandchildren - Faith Jones, Jada Jones, Makayla Brown, Madison Brown, Kendall Green, Devin Simms, Rashad Brown, and Bry’Lynn Brown; great-grandson, Quincy White, Jr.; parents, John Lee Brown and Loretta Ora Lee Brown; father-in-law, Pastor Clarence W. Hopson (Lennis); and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alliance for Greater Works, a 501c3 tax-deductible organization very near and dear to Byron and Comfort and in which they served. myimessenger.com

IN MEMORIAM: Biz Markie, Clown Prince of Hip Hop, Dies at 57

Biz Markie performing. Taken at SXSW 2016. By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor

The world is mourning the loss of rap legend Biz Markie who passed away Friday at age 57 at a Baltimore hospital. Lisa Respers France, senior writer for CNN confirmed the Hip-Hop icon’s death. Nicknamed the “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop,” Biz Markie gained fame through his collaborations with Big Daddy Kane and Marley Marl. Born Marcel Theo Hall, the Harlem born rapper burst onto the scene with his classic 1988 album “Goin’ Off,” which featured the hit songs, “Nobody Beats the Biz,” “Vapors,” and “Make the Music With Your Mouth Biz.” Biz Markie formed the legendary Juice Crew with Marley Marl and released the album on the Cold Chillin’ rap label under the guidance of leg-

myimessenger.com

Credit: Daniel Benavides / Wikimedia Commons

endary hip-hop DJ, DJ Mr. Magic. In a 2008 interview with Hip-Hop A3C, the rap legend said, “When we did pick the Juice Crew, it was about people being different and dope in their own way.” Always in on the joke, the beloved rapper created a persona of a happy go-lucky jokester and kooky rapper with funny and clever lyrics and videos like “The Vapors” amid a sea of rap personas wrapped in machismo and conflict. Biz Markie’s collaborations gave Hip-Hop some of its most iconic hits. Biz followed up “Goin’ Off,” with 1989’s “The Biz Never Sleeps,” album which produced the iconic hit, “Just a Friend,” which went platinum. Biz Markie lamenting over a love interest openly cheating on her boyfriend while singing loudly and off-key was pop culture gold, catapulting the beloved rapper into the pop culture

stratosphere. There was even a popular dance named “The Biz” and “The Biz Markie.” The good times wouldn’t last forever. Biz Markie was sued for his follow-up 1991 album, “I Need a Haircut,” by musician Gilbert O’Sullivan, for sampling his 1972 hit song, “Alone Again,” on Biz’s song with the same name. In what would become a landmark case, O’Sullivan won the lawsuit changing the way samples were licensed in rap music going forward. Biz Markie learned from the experience, naming his next album, “All Samples Cleared,” as a nod to the game changing Hip-Hop in the process. In 2009, Biz Markie appeared in a Radio Shack commercial parodying his smash hit, “Just a Friend.” Over the years, Biz Markie continued to work as a producer and traveled the world as a DJ, DJing sets or parties for celebrities, many of whom were close friends like Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. In 1999, Biz Markie was featured on Will Smith’s song, “So Fresh,” along with rap legend Slick Rick and appeared in the music

video directed by Jada Pinkett Smith. Over the years, Biz Markie appeared on numerous television shows and films including The Meteor Man, Men in Black II, “Eve,” “Crank Yankers,” “Empire,” “Yo Gabba Gabba,” “Sharknado 2,” “Mad TV” and “Black-ish.” In recent years, Biz Markie suffered from diabetes and had been hospitalized for the past few months following a stroke. In early July, it was reported and confirmed the Hip-Hop legend had been moved to hospice care, after false reports of his death surfaced online. Hall is survived by his wife Tara Hall, who reportedly held his hand as the rapper transitioned. The “Clown Prince” is now the “Crown Prince” of Hip-Hop. Biz Markie was 57.

July 23, 2021

Another Dick Gregory! QUIT PLAYIN’ VINCENT L. HALL Martin King was right. Centuries of oppression and second-class citizenship cannot be hushed away. We needed more than a whisper to plead our cause. That must be why the Lord sent us a brilliant Black Prodigy named Richard Claxton Gregory. Showtime apparently understood how profound our brother was and has recently released a documentary entitled “The One and Only Dick Gregory.” This is how they describe the 113 minutes odyssey featuring America’s greatest soothsayer and griot. “Feature-length documentary examining activist, a pop-culture icon and thought leader Dick Gregory, whose work as a selfdescribed ‘agitator’ shaped a generation demanding justice. As a renowned Black comedian, Gregory had a platform to take on the most incendiary battles of hunger, gender equity, and civil rights – stirring trouble and making headlines in the service of social justice.” The film also includes a few artists Dick influenced, including Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Wanda Sykes. Writer and Director Andre Gaines does an excellent job of telling the storyteller’s story. The internet is full of Dick Gregory’s lore and laughter, but he left a lot right here in Dallas, Texas. Thanks to my close proximity to my editorial boss Cheryl Smith, I had an audience with him on lots of occasions. There was one very memorable July 23, 2021

TalkBack Liberation radio appearance with Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. It was just before the ball dropped to introduce 2000, the new millennium. It was a crazy time. American capitalists were in rare form, and y’all was buying everything from extra insulin to computer insurance for fear

will guide the planets…And love will steer the stars. This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.” The Age of Aquarius has always held a modicum of mystery in the astrological sciences. Dick Gregory pronounced profusely that in the Age of Aquarius, there would be no more mysteries. Anything you conspired to do in the dark might

“Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find a voice in a whisper.” — Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can’t-Wait.

of what might happen. Some of y’all still got potted meat, peanut butter, and a bundle of one-dollar bills in your stash! Dick Gregory declared that 2000 would unleash the “Age of Aquarius.” Some of you are old enough to remember that 1960’s hit. “When the moon is in the Seventh House…And Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then peace

I MESSENGER

just as well be done in broad daylight. Dick laughed about the cultural saying that a “Hit dog would holler.” He said that in the Age of Aquarius, you might see the dog get hit! Either by happenstance of circumstance, Dick’s messianic message marked the beginning of an age when social media and social outlets would replace crystal balls and Ouija boards.

“There ain’t no use to ducking and hiding now, it’s all going to come out, and everybody’s going to know about it.” If you were ashamed of whom you were with, where you were going or how your hypocritical habits might look…you better quit because, in the Age of Aquarius, all of your secrets were going to be laid bare before the world. Your paramour would be no more, and your giftedness can’t hide your shiftiness. At the last Don’t Believe the Hype Bowl-A-Thon he attended, he dropped another bombshell. Dick Gregory told us hurricanes prove the power of the Black Woman. My mouth dropped. He whispered the words, but the voice of his admonition was so loud until it thundered. Dick explained that all hurricanes start at the exact spot in West Africa where the slaves were placed on the ship. Not almost there, the same place. Hurricanes stay underwater and follow the same route as the slave ships. No slave was offloaded until they reached the Caribbean. No hurricane jumps above the water until it reaches the Caribbean. A hurricane catches this country and comes all the way up the East Coast to Maine. Maine is close to Canada, but Canada never had a Hurricane. Canada never messed with Black women, and that’s why they don’t get hit. The storm turns North and heads outward. Hmm! We have suffered at least 402 years of humiliation, abuse, and deprivation. We don’t need another whisper. We need another Dick Gregory! Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

myimessenger.com

The One that Got Away ASK ALMA BY ALMA GILL

Dear Alma, I’ve been married for over 10 years and I’m very happy with my husband and two kids. My husband is very kind to me. My kids are very well behaved and we have a good life. Before I got married I was in love with a man who said he would never get married and he didn’t want any kids. I always hoped that he didn’t mean that and would marry me but he never did. After more than a year and a half, we broke it off and I met my husband and got married. After I got married I would see him from time to time and he stayed in touch with my brother. When he and my brother would go out, he would always ask about me to see how I was doing. Recently my brother told me that he said he should have married me. I know you’re

myimessenger.com

gonna think I’m crazy but I can’t stop thinking about him. I think we need to have a conversation because I have so much I want to say to him. I am trying to figure out my best option. I could email him or reach out on Facebook. I was thinking I could ask him to meet me. How should I contact him in a way that’s the most respectful? Name withheld Excuse me, Did you say respectful? What exactly is respectful about a married woman trying to reconnect with an ex? Because that’s basically all you’re trying to do. You wanna know how I know – cause I thought the same thing. And when I did, I asked my BFF Neasy about it. Yep, I wanted to contact my old “here he comes, I can’t breathe” high school crush named Poopie. Girl, it was a crush like no other, LOL. Like you, I was happily married, life was good, and all I wanted to do is let him know just how

much I truly loved him. I did my best explaining and exasperating my heart and soul to Neasy and you know what she asked me: Why? Yep, just that simple. So now I’m asking you. Why? What if he misunderstands your actions? Is it worth your marriage, the love of your husband, the happiness of your children? If he wanted to marry you, he would have. Ain’t no truth in shoudda, cudda, wudda. Stop romanticizing over what you wish could have happen and live in what is happening. What is happening is that you have a loving husband and father to your children. If circumstances were the other way around and your husband wanted to have a conversation with an ex, girl pleez, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. You’d be accusing him of all kinds of disrespect! Turn your twinkle toes towards what’s real and watch the video,

live version of Whitney Houston, “All the Man I Need” and fall back in fabulous love with your husband. My favorite is the one with her in a beautiful red gown, Kirk Whalum’s on the sax. It’s the concert she did for our troops. Girl, rewind it two or three times if you need to. All the romance and attention you’re looking for is already living inside your home. You just need to breathe new life into it. Let that other man go, that conversation and action of sharing words, just isn’t worth the risk of losing your happy home. I never contacted Poopie and I’m perfectly fine with that decision. Give it some time and you will be, too. If not, go find a BFF you can confide in, who’ll keep you on track named Neasy! Alma Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and twitter @almaaskalma.

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

What is Fantasy? WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND

MILES JAYE Fantasy is fiction, the imagining of things not real, things that are improbable or impossible. Fantasy is an idea with no basis in reality. Make-believe is a child’s fantasy. Creativity is the artist’s fantasy. Vision begins as fantasy. Daydreaming is fantasy. Hope is fantasy. Nightmares are fantasy. To desire is to fantasize. To covet is to fantasize. To wish is to fantasize. To lust is to fantasize. Fantasy is belief in that which does not yet and may never exist. Fantasy is illusional or delusional pie in the sky. Equality is fantasy, justice is fantasy, and peace is just a dream-- make believe. The Nigger is fantasy. It’s not a real thing, it’s someone’s fantastic nightmare. The Nigger is a boogeyman created to justify fear, paranoia and brutality. We’ve been convinced that it’s real… but it’s not. There are only good and bad Black men, women, boys and girls. The Nigger is Frankenstein-- he’s not real. The American social, polit-

ical and economic dynamic is predicated on the existence of a Nigger class, but the Nigger is a fictional monster, absent any function but to generate fear and justify brutality. America has a long and uninterrupted history of creating boogeymen, who, if not destroyed, will wreak havoc on and bring destruction to the American family and the American way of life- the American dream. Cowboys and Indians is an American classic depicting courageous red-blooded Americans fighting to protect the land against the savage Nigger class-- the Indians. Today, it’s Muslims, Mexicans and Asians who join the Black population in this underclass. It is we, who are collectively undeserving of respect and decency much less kindness and caring from our neighbors. It is we, who are collectively undeserving of justice and equality much less inclusion and access to our institutions. So, we continue to wish and dream. Rev. Jesse Jackson’s well-intended slogan, “Keep hope alive,” innocently but perfectly portrays the impotence with which we see and address our lot in this, our unintended homeland. Is keep hope alive not inherently powerless? Is keep hope alive

not inherently helpless? Don’t give up the dream? Don’t give up the fight? Don’t despair? Then what’s left? Keep marching, keep praying, keep waiting on the dream? In Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Son,” Walter Lee pleaded to Mama, “Now you tell that to my boy tonight when you put him to sleep on the living room couch. You tell it to him in the morning when his mother goes out of here to take care of somebody else’s kids, and you tell it to me when we want some curtains, or some drapes and you sneak out of here to go work in somebody’s kitchen. All I want is to make a future for this family. All I want is to be able to stand in front of my boy like my father was never able to do to me.” That was Walter Lee’s dream! He went on to say, “I want so many things Mama. It’s kinda driving me crazy.” Wishing, waiting, dreaming and fantasizing can take its toll. Helplessness can drive you crazy. He said, “Money is life!” We teach our kids luxury cars, expensive jewelry, and designer clothes are life. King famously declared, “I have a dream, that one day my four little children will be judged, not by the color of their skin, but by the con-

tent of their character.” He would still be dreaming, but “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun, or fester like a sore - and then run?” Harlem by Langston Hughes. Today, we judge not by character but by Kors, Chanel and Gucci. James Baldwin debated, “Until this moment, there is scarcely any hope for the American dream, because the people who are denied participation in it, by their very presence, will wreck it.” The monster, the creation, Frankenstein will bring the whole house down, laboratory and all. That’s the nightmare! I too wish! I too dream! I wish there were a true, direct, and unfettered through line between freedom, potential and opportunity. I wish I didn’t have to dream that one day things would be as they should be right now. I wish it had not been necessary to spend a lifetime wishing. Nina Simone sang, “I wish I knew how it would feel to be free. I wish I could break all these chains holding me.” That’s my fantasy! That’s what’s on my mind! Website: www.milesjaye.net Podcast: https://bit.ly/2zkhSRv Email: milesjaye360@gmail.com

Your Ad belongs here, Contact: 214-941-0110 myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

Briefs Drew Pearson items to be auctioned

NFL greats Drew Pearson and Roger Staubach

Credit: Carol Vig

The play that launched “Hail Mary” into mainstream sports vernacular – the famed last-second prayer of a pass from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach to Drew Pearson lifting “America’s Team” to a 17-14 playoff win over Minnesota in 1975

– is a true 1/1 in the history of sports. Now, a firstof-its-kind partnership between Ellipsis Digital LLC, Staubach and Pearson will present one of the most unique offerings yet in the world of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).

Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love! myimessenger.com

On August 21, Heritage Auctions, in conjunction with Ellipsis Digital, will auction the official NFT release by Staubach and Pearson memorializing the play. The offering is part of Heritage’s 2021 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, set for August 21-22.

FAMU COACH visits Dallas

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Head Football Coach Willie Simmons will visit with alumni, students and friends, Friday, July 23, 2021 at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, 2700 Ann Williams Way, Dallas at 6p.m. FAMU recently joined the SWAC and they have a strong alumni base in the D/FW Metroplex. July 23, 2021

Dr. Amerson adapts to Temporary Business Closure Dr. Linda Amerson, Board Certified Trichologist, has adapted to the temporary closure of LA's Hair and Scalp Clinic. We continue to offer our award-winning products to consumers. Our exclusive products are manufactured by a facility in Garland, TX. Premium quality natural ingredients are used to assist with dry, oily, itchy, flaky, inflammed scalps, as well as hair breakage, hair thinning and regrowth. Everyone may order from our website, and we will ship your product order to you. http://www.hairandscalpessentials.com We need your support. In addition, we offer Video Consultations globally! We will schedule an appointment, give a diagnosis, them make a recommendation. We are available to serve you in the comfort of your home. Call us today - 817.265.8854 http://www.hairandscalpessentials.com We need your support.

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

Nena’s Finds Boutique A Uniquely Stylish, Fashionable Boutique for women of all Sizes! Ranging from Pretti and Petite to Pretti and Plus! Nena likes to be a bit edgy, blingy ... But she keeps it Chic with Sophisticated Style!

Nena’s Finds is your one stop shop for an Eccentric flare!

214.623.7314

nenafinds17@gmail.com Schedule your Sip n Shop, Trunk Show, Girls Nite Out or Wardrobe Revamp with Nena’s Finds today!

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

AT THE MOVIES BY HOLLYWOOD HERNANDEZ

Director Malcolm D. Lee, who directed Girl’s Trip, Night School, and The Best Man, tries his hand at his first animated feature and creates a movie that has all of the elements of the previously mentioned films, but is set in an animated world. He gets a top-notch performance from Lebron James, the reigning King of Basketball and Don Cheadle, the Academy Award-nominated actor, who plays a computer algorithm named Al G. Rhythm. Cheadle is the bad guy who kidnaps Lebron’s son and makes King James team up with all of the Looney Tunes characters to play a game against a fantasy team whose powers were created in the computer. Bugs and crew are a scream! They bring plenty of that Looney Tunes magic to the movie with plenty of fun little puns that will keep you laughing. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but there’s a lot of contemporary culture references that will keep you giggling. Besides Cheadle, young Cedric Joe, as Lebron’s son Dom, has the biggest part in the movie. He’s a young man who prefers designing video games over basketball., which causes him and his father to constantly be at odds. The riff between father and son makes him decide to play against his dad in a video game he designs with Al G. Rhythm. With the help of the Looney Tunes, Lebron discovers that his son needs a father who supports his passion, rather than a basketball coach. The two mend fences and in the end, Dom decides to join his father in an attempt to come back and defeat The Goon Squad. Space Jam: A New Legacy is a great family film. It’s funny, heartwarming, and mostly it’s a movie about a family’s love for each other. It is a winning combination. It’s rated PG for cartoon violence and a martini drinking granny. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate the movie a LARGE. myimessenger.com

SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY

July 23, 2021

Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

Minority Mental Health Month UV SAFETY The Black Church Month

In Remembrance of Santos Rodriguez 2021, host Santos Vive, at Pike Park (Little Mexico neighborhood) 8:30 -12 pm.

NWHM Presents: The 2021 Summer Educators Institute, host National Women’s History Museum. Reg: https://bit. ly/36tgRno 8 am. CDT.

JULY 22 Happy Birthday to Jihad Muhammad The Connection with Debra Brown-Sturns. Guest: Gail Phills On Facebook@TexasMetroNews & BlogTalkRadio.com. 7-8 pm. 646200-0459. Next Level Business Hour. Host LiftFund US (DFW Women’s Bus. Center) at 6-7 pm CDT. Online at: https://bit.ly/2VDXupT.

Enlighten Tours Food Festival at Reverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave. 11 am-6 pm. Vendors email: enlighten@enlightenmentapp.com. My College Life Safety Fair, at Dallas Police Headquarters, 1400 Botham Jean. In-person workshop. Contact: Ms Foster; 214-671-4035. 10 am-12:30 pm. Reg: https://bit.ly/3B3Nh67.

JULY 23-24 Desperate For Jesus Women’s Conference, at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Worship Center. 23rd-7 pm & 24th-9 am. Visit ocbfchurch.org/watchparty.

JULY 23 From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed. 11 am -1 pm. CDT, Fridays on Facebook Live/@ TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459. Jam to Give - Rob Holbert Band/ Cedar Hill Shares, at Hillside Village, 305 FM 1382 #590. 7-9 pm.

West End Association Outdoor Market, Host The West End, 607 Corbin St, Dallas. 1 am-5 pm. Texas Voter Suppression 101 Forum Facebook Live. Host DFW Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Moderator Cheryl Smith 3-5 pm. CDT. Info: http://www. deltasigmatheta.org/

Key’s 50th Chocolate & Champagne Souree. Host Keisha Williams-Lankford at 316 Cooper St, Cedar Hill 7-10 pm. Full Moon Meditation, “The Spirit Within.” Host Spiritual Unity Movement. 9 pm. CDT. Online: us02web.zoom.us

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade. From 11 am -1 pm. CDT On Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459. Wine Down Wednesday with National Recording Artist Andre Cavor. Facebook Live. @andrecavor.com. 6-7 pm. CDT. Drop-In Hours with Dr. B! Online Event. Hosted by Not A Host. Reg: us06web.zoom.us 5 pm. CDT.

JULY 29

Dallas County Justice Tour. Host Democracy Tool Box. At Saint Rocco’s at Trinity Groves, 3011 Gulden Ln. #100. 3-6 pm. RSVP: https://bit.ly/3B35UXM.

The Connection with Debra Brown-Sturns. On Facebook.com/@TexasMetroNews & BlogTalkRadio.com. 7-8 pm. 646-200-0459.

SUNDAY FUNDAY POP-UP EXPO. Host HypeGirl Pop Up Events DFW Free• At 360 E Beltline Rd. Desoto. 1-5 pm.

Delta GEMS Informational Session, host Eastern Panhandle Alumnae Chapter. 5:30 pm. CDT. Online: us02web.zoom.us. Info: Carla Hunter at levernhunter@comcast.net.

$300 Poker Tournament at Texas Billiards Grand Opening 6651 Watauga Rd. #117.Watauga. 7-10 pm. ahlpoker.com. CCBCC Business Blueprint Program - Now Accepting Applications by July 26, 2021 The program begins August 14, 2021. APPLY HERE: https://bit.ly/bizblueprint2021 Job Training: Bank Works Free Training by Dallas College At Mountain View. Mon, Wed. & Fri. 9am-4pm for 8 wks. Contact: Elishima Myles; 214-860-8550. Apply: https://bit.ly/3xJ5NP2.

JULY 27 THE DOC SHEP SPEAKS SHOW! From 11 am. CST on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, @fnsconsulting, and You Tube @docshepspeaks

JULY 24

July 23, 2021

JULY 28

West End Association Outdoor Market. Host The West End, 607 Corbin St, Dallas. 1 am-5 pm.

FAMU Athletics Strike Tour 21, host Ann Williams, at Dallas Black Dance, 2700 Ann Williams Way. 6 pm.

Love, Dating and Kingdom-Marriage, host The Temple of Restoration. 6-7:30 pm. CDT. Reg: https://bit.ly/2TRDvn5.

Global Water Center’s Mobile Discovery Center at Grapevine Mills Mall, 10 am-7 pm. globalwatercenter.org.

Coffee with the Mayor, host City of Duncanville at D.L. Hopkins Senior Center, 206 James Collins Blvd. 8:30-9:30 am. CDT. In-person or via Zoom https://bit.ly/3wEqJFv.

JULY 26

Happy Hour Fridays Live DJ. Host Off The Cuff, 2901 Elm St. 5-8 pm. RSVP: offthecuffdallas@gmail.com

JULY 28-AUG 1

Hepatitis Awareness Day

The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, informative, & entertaining news commentary. Call in 646-200-0459.

AMOC Presents: Amplify at Arts Mission Oak Cliff, 410 S. Windomere. 8-9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3xyS5yp.

Happy Hour Fridays Live DJ. Host Off The Cuff, 2901 Elm St. 5-8 pm. RSVP: offthecuffdallas@gmail.com

“Dallas Love Field’s Lead with Love” Live. Feat: Veletta Forsythe Lill, Benjamin Espino, Viola Delgado. 12:30 pm CDT. On the Love Field’s Facebook and YouTube page.

JULY 25

Cardio Dance Party! Main Street Garden Park, 1950 Main St. Dallas. 7-8 pm.

The Zan Holmes Outreach Center “Food Saved Me”: Health & Wealth Lunch & Learn at Food Saved Me, 535 S. Nolen Dr; #400, Southlake. 11 am. CDT. www.foodsavedme.com.

DFW/ABJ Summer Media Meet & Greet, at N’awlins Sports, Seafood, Daiquiris, 1400 High Line Dr. 6:30-9 pm. RSVP bit.ly/dfwabjsummer2021.

Uncorked - Wines of the World Tower Club - 1601 Elm St. 48th Floor Dallas 6-7 pm. RSVP: 214-220-0403.

I MESSENGER

Small Business Savvy – Market Research & Competitive Analysis, host SBA. Reg: https://bit.ly/3eDJHWU. 11 am. SoulJazz Thursdays Feat: Natural Change Band. Host Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 8 pm-12 am. sandaga813.com.

JULY 30-31

Fedoras & Cigars: 4Tarrant Meet & Greet, host MarQ Clayton for Judge County Criminal Court 7 at Fedoras & Cigars, 12853 Cabela Dr, Fort Worth, 5:30-8:30 pm.

JULY 31

Quentin Moore and The DaxTones Live at Ridglea Theater, 6025 Camp Bowie Blvd. 7 pm. Eventbrite.com. AMOC Presents: Amplify at Arts Mission Oak Cliff, 410 S. Windomere. 8-9 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3xyS5yp. 4th Annual SECC Inc. Back-to-School Backpack/School Supply Giveaway. 10 am-1 pm. Info: 214-997-4240. Mesquite ISD Drive Through Back to School Event-at Mesquite High School, 300 E. Davis St. Mesquite. 8 am-11am. Reg: https://bit.ly/36xPicQ. DFW Small Business Expo at Music City Mall Lewisville, 2401 S. Stemmons Fwy. Eventbrite.com. Rapper’s Delight Family Comedy. By Fran Harris Filmmaker/Writer/ Producer/Director, at Bishop Arts Theater, 215 Tyler St. 5:30-7 pm & 8-9:30 pm. 32nd Texas Black Invitational Rodeo, Presented by African American Museum, at Fair Park Coliseum at the Grand Entry Parade begins at 6 p.m. fairparktix.com.

AUGUST 1 The World According to Drew, host Andrew Whigham, III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8-10 am. It’s thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news commentary. Join the call at 646-200-0459. SUAF-Dallas Vendor Pop-Up Day Party, Host Southern University Alumni - Dallas Chapter. The Daiquiri Shoppe, 816 Montgomery St, 1-7 pm. Tickets: https://bit.ly/3yNOBZ6. Morris Day and The Time, El DeBarge & Klymaxx. Host Ryman Auditorium Nashville. Free-Online Event Tickets: TicketSmarter.com. 7 pm. CDT.

Women Winning in Ministry, host Dr. Jasmin Sculark. It’s an online event. 6:30 am-12 pm CDT. Reg: iamdrjazz.org.

Fantasy Draft Party at Tower Club, 1601 Elm St. Dallas. 6 pm. Info: 214-220-0403.

JULY 30

BLACK LIVES MATTER

From Marva with Love, with Marva Sneed.11 am -1 pm. CDT, Fridays on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Join the conversation at 646-200-0459. Jam to Give – All Funk Radio/ Cedar Hill Shares, at Hillside Village, 305 FM 1382 #590. 7-9 pm.

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

www.grandpasecret.com July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

July 23, 2021

ARRESTED

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?

Crimestoppers 877-373-8477 July 23, 2021

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com