I Messenger by Cheryl Smith

VOL X NO 12

NOVEMBER 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

LEST WE FORGET!

IMessenger

WILLIAMS: What Is Still Needed?

An IMM LLC Publication MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110

WAKE UP AND STAY WOKE DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ.

Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com S. Curet GENERAL MANAGER stewartcuret@myimessenger.com Jessica Hayden STAFFWRITER Marva Sneed EDITORIAL ASSISTANT EDITORIAL TEAM Allana Barefield Andrew Whigham III Anthony Council Ashley M. Moss Chelle Wilson Cierra Mayes Dareia Tolbert Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Dorothy J. Gentry Eva Coleman Monique P. Stone L. Diane Evans 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 CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION MB Distribution

Editorial submissions editor@texasmetronews.com

& E.Dallas

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

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.

November 27, 2020

Comments for the week must be preceded by congratulations for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Compared with most elections I have experienced, the wait for confirmation of their electoral victory seemed interminable. The wait was at times painful, but the outcome exquisite! As expressed during many television interviews, when the Biden-Harris ticket was declared victorious, I felt that our long political nightmare had ended. Whether relief is realized or not, their victory portends a reawakening of a movement toward national unity. At noon on Jan. 20, 2021, the fractious, divisiveness of the #45 administration will come to an end. I am not suggesting that oneon-one hostilities will immediately end, but I know that the bully pulpit of the presidency will no longer promote crosscultural animus. The never-ending expression of grievance politics will come to an end and I hope weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll then focus on what should be our commonalities. True to promise, the first act of the Biden-

I MESSENGER

Harris administration is a program to bring control to the Coronavirus Pandemic in the U.S. Nationally and for inhabitants of the rest of the world, COVID-19 has reshaped our respective cultures, methods of social interactions, and economies. Through words (encouraging COVID-19 best practices), actions (exemplary wearing of face masks), and a proposed national plan to control/end COVID-19, the BidenHarris administration has articulated an intelligent and viable approach to reducing the effect of or eliminating this disease. Unfortunately, my sense of relief lasted little more than 24 hours. I guess it was foolish for me to expect expressions of familiar norms or propriety from #45â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign or the Republican Party. No congratulations! No concession! The presentation of contrived non-evidentiary, legal objections to election outcomes came! Firing of the secretary of defense came and poses an immediate and existential threat to national security! Then came a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) before the Supreme Court, which could remove health insurance coverage for over 20 million citizens and for over one million citizens with preexisting

conditions! The nightmare continues! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a nightmare of negativity promulgated by maniacal, ego-driven psyche of insecurity. Like a petulant child, #45 has established handicaps that retard the ability of Biden-Harris to engage in the transition process as established by law. Through an agent of discord, General Services Administration Commissioner Emily Murphy, the Letter of Ascertainment that provides legal authority for the Biden-Harris transition team hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been issued. With the post-election behavior of #45 and his Republican supporters, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing that gives reason to believe that they have taken a more reasoned or conciliatory approach to governance. The remedy available to us requires that we reject conditioning that allows us to believe that we only have a right to challenge issues unique to our specific jurisdictions. Contemporary logic dictates that we understand our broader requirement for engagement. If we endorse the Biden-Harris agenda, we must work to eliminate impediments established by their opposition. Mitch McConnell and the majority-Republican Senate pose the greatest see WILLIAMS, page 30

myimessenger.com

INSIDE

Quit Playin’

Gratitude

Jesse James Hornbuckle, Jr.

You do the Hokey Pokey, and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about! – American Children’s song and dance. Amid his stand-up, someone in the crowd bellowed an interesting question. “What are you going to do if Trump gets re-elected?”

Curtistene Smith McCowan was elected the 21st Mayor of DeSoto on May 7, 2016, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She was re-elected to a second term on May 4, 2019. Previously she served on the DeSoto City Council 2012-2016 and as Mayor Pro Tem from 2014 to 2016.

Jesse James Hornbuckle, Jr. was a beloved husband, father, man of faith and a servant leader. He was born on March 28, 1941 in Trinidad, TX to the parentage of Jesse Hornbuckle, Sr. and Doris (Morgan) Hornbuckle. Jesse grew up attending Cedar Fork Baptist Church.

myimessenger.com

p12

November 27, 2020

MY TRUTH by Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Be A Blessing

Kimberly Sims (Lil Bit)

Farmers will tell you that every planted seed may not yield a return. When the fruits of your labor blossom, you can’t help but feel proud. Which brings me to my truth. Dorothy Gentry was my first journalism intern in 1989. The first of many who have come behind her, that University of North Texas student was talented and a quick learner. Then there was Diva (aka Trina Terrell), the young intern who walked up to me at a National Newspaper publishers Association reception in 1990 and told me she wanted to be a journalist. I invited the 14-year-old to join me at the Dallas Weekly for her Spring break and I gave her the same instruction that I had given Dorothy, who today is an educator and a sports editor who has the November 27, 2020

Trina Terrell-Andrews (Diva)

terview, she spoke matter-of-factly about the work of the Center. She told about thousands of citizens who were fed thanks to funding by The Mark Cuban Foundation, The Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, The Heroes Foundation and North Texas Food Bank. Poised and well-prepared, it wasn’t the first time I heard Diva talking about the great works and the many lives touched by the Center. She skillfully shared the message and mission of the Center. Recently I participated in one of a gazillion Zoom calls and I watched Lil Bit (aka Kim) at work. She was well-prepared, organized and confident. She led with grace and authority, empowering those on the call while encouraging them to move to action. I was impressed. Actually I was speechless, sitting in awe

respect of those she covers and works with. In a conversation with Dallas MAVs CEO Cynt Marshall, this summer, I was beaming with pride as she praised the second-generation journalist. After all, she is the daughter of the legendary journalist, Clarence H. Gentry. And I didn’t cut Diva any slack as an intern. Then when the Summer came Diva stayed on, joining others including Texas Woman’s University’s Kimberly Sims who rounded out the team of hard-working, enterprising, attentive, interns who wanted to learn and grow. Fast forward 30 years later and today these ladies are seasoned professionals. Earlier this year, Diva was named CEO of Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball Center. Last week, during an in-

I MESSENGER

as I watched how masterfully she conducted the meeting. I was full! Over the years I have benefited from great mentors. I’ve also learned from my mentees! I’m not saying that I’m the reason these ladies are successful; not by any stretch of the imagination. But, if I had a little influence, I am so happy. Interestingly, I see a little of me in each of the young ladies. Actually I think they are better than I am, and that’s a good thing. They’ve gotten advanced degrees, held and hold leadership positions, balanced careers and families, and they continue to grow. Even more important for me; they help others. Mentoring is not easy. The rewards are great. I believe everyone, no matter their age, benefits from mentoring. I also believe that we should all lift as we climb, bringing along others with us. Sadly, too often too many slip through the cracks. During a time when folks are reassessing their futures, I hope many will think about the positive impact they can have if their future includes helping others; being to someone what they wish someone had been, or is, to them. Talk about something to be grateful for! myimessenger.com

myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

Giving Thanks FAITHFUL UTTERANCES BY DR. FROSWA BOOKER-DREW

I am thankful. Is it that hard to believe that in the midst of a pandemic, economic uncertainty, apprehension about the unknowns of COVID and physical distancing that I can still find so much to be grateful about in my world? No matter what we might experience now, and in the future, it is imperative that we hold on to hope and remind ourselves of what God has done in our lives. One of my favorite books is Building the Bridge as You Walk on It. The book focuses on continuing to do the work with so many unknowns. For many of us, we are doing just that, we are walking in Faith because right now, we cannot see clearly. We are trusting God even when we are unaware of what next looks like. Gratefulness is about remembering, reflecting, realizing the goodness of God, and allowing those thoughts to give us revelation. Scripture constantly reinforces this: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9) It is about remembering what we’ve gone through but it is also who God has been throughout the process with us. Sometimes it does not make sense why we go through what we go through but we must know that God November 27, 2020

is ever present and with us. Taking the time to remember God’s goodness frees us from complaining and redirects our focus from lack to possibilities. Reflection is important. So often we pay attention to the negative in others instead of taking an account of ourselves. I remember having a conversation with someone who mentioned that people in a particular area tend to clique together and that finding people of substance can be problematic. Instead of paying attention to the

others could bring to us, but we also miss out on allowing those relationships to stretch us and pull us closer to our destiny. During this season as we remember and reflect, I hope we have moments of realization. We need an epiphany of God’s power, provision, and promise in our lives. I hope that we realize our passion, our possibilities, and our potential as we close the door on some areas of our lives and kick down those doors that lead to more love

“Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” (Isaiah 46:9) common denominator of each of those interactions, is it possible that we attract not only who we are but even what we focus on? Without having moments to reflect, we miss opportunities for growth and correction. Lamentations 3:40 ESV says “Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord!” Even before we go to God, it is important to review our intentions, motivations and explore how we are either preventing ourselves from real transformation or that we are projecting our beliefs, traumas, and perceptions onto others. Not only do we miss out on possibilities that

I MESSENGER

and living abundant lives. Lastly, if we really see God’s hands throughout our journey as a result of remembering, reflecting, and realizing, we should hopefully have a revelation. It is my prayer for you that something you did not know becomes apparent. We often see blindness as a physical issue but many of us are disabled in our spiritual and emotional vision. In John 5, the blind man at the pool had been there for 38 years. “When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well? Sir,” the

invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” (John 5:5-11) Stop waiting on someone to come to your situation to do something and know that God is already there waiting on YOU to decide to move! Even if others are ahead of you, it does not mean that you stop moving toward what you know is yours. I am hoping that in this season of revelation, you not only see again but you get up and finish what God has started in you. There is so much to be grateful for and no matter what your circumstances are, your God is bigger than any challenge you face. Knowing that should give you so much hope, joy, peace, and the excitement to know that this, too, will pass. No matter what, there is something that we can find to be thankful for when we have an attitude of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving and remember: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

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

In Memoriam

Jesse James Hornbuckle, Jr. March 28, 1941 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; November 13, 2020 Jesse James Hornbuckle, Jr. was a beloved husband, father, man of faith and a servant leader. He was born on March 28, 1941 in Trinidad, TX to the parentage of Jesse Hornbuckle, Sr. and Doris (Morgan) Hornbuckle. Jesse grew up attending Cedar Fork Baptist Church. During this time he found and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior. He attended Trinidad Public Schools and graduated from St. Paul Industrial Training School in Malakoff, TX. Jesse went on to attend Prairie View A&M University. While in college he met the love of his life, Dorethea Dell Nelson. The two were married on August 30, 1963 in Dallas, TX and to this union, two children were born, Delritta RenĂŠ Hornbuckle and Jesse James Hornbuckle, III. The young couple first joined Promyimessenger.com

gressive Baptist Church and later became members of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church. Jesse began his accounting career in Dallas, TX with Continental Trailways Inc., which is now Greyhound Lines. Later, Jesse and Dorethea relocated to Des Moines, IA and then moved to Montgomery, AL. After retiring and returning to Dallas, TX, Jesse and Dorethea resumed their membership and were faithful members of Mt. Tabor Baptist Church. In his spare time, he enjoyed listening to jazz music and traveling. He instilled the love of travel in his children. He was a member of Paul Drayton Lodge #9 F&AM, PHA and a member of Dunbar Social Club. He also supported his wife as a loyal Man of Iota

during her tenure in Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Jesse passed away peacefully on November 13, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Hornbuckle, Sr. and Doris Hornbuckle; his aunts, Flora Jean Black, Mary Micheaux, and Lois Greer; his uncle, Curtis Morgan; and his wife, Dorethea. Those left to cherish his memories are his daughter, Delritta (Tonya) Hornbuckle, of Fresno, CA and son, Jesse (Daphne) Hornbuckle, III, of Dallas, TX; his sister, Mary Hornbuckle of Corsicana, TX; his aunt, Louvenia Hubbard of Trinidad, TX; brothers-in-law, Henry (Annie) Nelson and Rodger Nelson of Dallas, TX; sisters-in-law, Lena (Carl) Sledge and Jessie (Lorenzo) Jackson of Dallas, TX; and a host of relatives, friends and other loved ones. November 27, 2020

It ain’t about Trump! QUIT PLAYIN’ VINCENT L. HALL You do the Hokey Pokey, and you turn yourself around. That’s what it’s all about! – American Children’s song and dance. Amid his stand-up, someone in the crowd bellowed an interesting question. “What are you going to do if Trump gets re-elected?” To which an ever-ready Dave Chappelle responded, “I’ll probably get a significant tax break.” The crowd roared. Nevertheless, it was the words that proceeded the joke that is worthy of your consideration. “You wanna know why I don’t talk about Donald Trump in my shows? Because Donald Trump is not the Hokey-Pokey…he is not what it’s all about! He’s singing poor White people’s greatest hits!” Dave mixes profanity with profundity. He’s my fave! Donald J. Trump is easily the most chicken-shit, backwoods, self-centered, myopic moron to have ever set foot on the planet’s surface, much less the presidential seal. However, the millions of his worshippers who hang their aspirations and aggravations on his every word are our problem now. Trumpsters will repeat his claims that there is no way he could lose after garnering 73,000,000 votes. So let me make it understandable. There are 257,000,000 registered voters in the United November 27, 2020

States. President-Elect Joe Biden gets 80,000,000, or seven million more than Trump. Another 104,000,000 did not bother to vote for Trump. In other words, 187,000,000 refused to cast a vote for Donald.

havoc on major highways or to threaten a bus filled with supporters of the other candidate. We don’t go into Election Day wondering if all the votes will be counted — or if everyone will accept the outcome. We don’t turn a deadly

My favorite living comic mirrored what my favorite living editorialist mused about. Eugene Robinson, a Pulitzer Prize winner and a giant in the opinion column world, laid out similar theses in his Washington Post column on Election Day Eve. “Boarding up storefronts in the days before an election isn’t something we do in this country. Supporters of one presidential candidate don’t use their vehicles to create

pandemic into a political issue. None of this happens in the self-proclaimed greatest democracy on Earth. Until now. It is tempting to blame all the chaos and conflict we’re living through on President Trump — and to hope that if Trump is defeated, things will snap back to the old normal. But Trump is a mere symptom, not the disease itself.” Both of these hallowed African-American sophists sang

I MESSENGER

the same tune. Trump ain’t the Hokey-Pokey. The teeming sea of Whites whose feelings of self-pity and loss have been magnified and misguided by Trump is our real issue. African Americans must now question everyday occurrences that once meant nothing. Which one of your neighbors, co-workers, friends, or ex-friends embraces the tribalism and xenophobia that Trump espouses regularly? What kind of America are we heading to? What can transform racial and political hatred into radical and prevailing harmony? Chappelle had one answer, though. He predicted that the only thing that’s going to save this country from itself is African Americans, as we have so many times before. The question he said, is should we do it? “Damn right, we gonna do it! This is our country too. Every able-bodied African American must register for a legal firearm.” The crowd erupted again. It sounded like a joke, but 52% of Trumpsters believe this election was rigged. You registered to vote, and it paid off. Let’s pray, Dave is wrong about that other registration drive. Eugene and Dave were lockstep in their revelations that Trump is not “what it’s all about. However, the prophecies of Dr. King echo behind them. “Where do we go from here; Chaos or Community?

Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist, and award-winning columnist.

myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

What I’m thankful for -- and why I WAS JUST THINKING NORMA ADAMS-WADE

O. K. I’m like you. I used to think it was kind of meaningless for a family to surround a table of tempting food and makeup pat answers for why they’re grateful on this day of Thanksgiving. I’ve grown much now. I’ve lived more life. I’ve witnessed more misfortune. I’ve watched more endless, depressing TV news reports. And I’ve come aboard the thankful train. Today on this Thanksgiving, November 26, 2020, the world is overrun with misery. And yet, I was just thinking... Is your glass half empty or half full? Somebody wise, and probably full of Thanksgiving turkey, said, “It depends on how you look at it.” For every negative, there is a positive. For every loss, there is a gain. For every death, a new life is born. For every tear, there is a bright smile somewhere. So here is my glass: 1. My glass is full of opportunity. I now realize that each morning when my feet touch the floor, I have another chance to make good what I messed up the day before, or at least to start anew. And I am thankful for it. 2. My glass is full of possibility. I have come to realize the simple truth in the saying “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” And I am thankful for it. 3. My glass is full of a madeup mind. When I was myimessenger.com

Wind blowing through trees

Sunshine

younger and even small than my current weight and height, I used to move my upright piano alone, from one wall to another while rearranging the

5. My glass is full of blind spots. I am blind to holding a grudge, blind to whispers behind my back, blind to who dug a hole for me but they fell in and I’m still

Family at dinner table

furniture. I told my mind: “I can do this.” And I did. I’ve always believed the mind is a computer and will follow the programming you install in it. And I am thankful for it. 4. My glass is full of hope. The opposite of hope is despair. Hope lifts up. Despair pulls down. Up is better. And I am thankful for it.

standing. And I am thankful for it. 6. My glass is full of sunshine. Even when it’s cloudy and stormy, I know the sun is shining behind the clouds. And I am thankful for it. 7. My glass is full of encouraging memories. I think back to all those who guided me along my way – teachers, preachers,

Bird flying

neighbors, kind strangers who extended a hand, no payment expected. And I am thankful for it. 8. My glass is full of the sounds of nature. Birds chirping, wind blowing through trees, early-morning rain falling on the roof before the break of day. And I am thankful for it. 9. My glass is full of regenerating energy. When I feel I cannot go on, that made-up mind I talked about kicks in. And I am thankful for it. 10. My glass is full of wonder. How did the one who rules the universe create it? How did this unseen power choose to place me in this vast realm of space and time? And I am thankful for it. So, when I hear the roundthe-table, seemingly pat answers for thankfulness this year, I can peel away the jaded doubt and realize: Gosh, they really mean it! Norma Adams-Wade is a veteran, award-winning journalist, Graduate of UT- Austin and Dallas native. One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), she was inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame

November 27, 2020

GRATITUDE celebrating a wonderful legacy

One on One On From Marva with Love with Cheryl Smith and Mayor Curtistene McCowan December 6, 2019 Curtistene Smith McCowan was elected the 21st Mayor of DeSoto on May 7, 2016, becoming the first woman to hold the office. She was reelected to a second term on May 4, 2019. Previously she served on the DeSoto City Council 2012-2016 and as Mayor Pro Tem from 2014 to 2016. She was the first African American elected to public office in DeSoto when she won a seat on the DeSoto ISD Board of Trustees, later serving two years as President. Mayor McCowan died on October 28, 2020. For many she lived a life worth celebrating November 27, 2020

because she shared her life and blessings. She made this world a better place and that is her legacy. In this interview on From Marva with Love, I Messenger Media publisher and veteran journalist Cheryl Smith talks to the Mayor about a number of issues including her works in education and challenges and successes as Mayor. During this time of the year, and especially this year; many are reflecting on things they feel grateful for. Read in Mayor McCowan’s own words, how she touched the lives of many and how she was grateful for so much. CS: I played I Am Every Woman (introductory song) because you are a person who lets her work speak for you. You lead with excellence.

I MESSENGER

Other people talk and you’re not waiting for things to happen, you make things happen and that is admirable. MAYOR: Cheryl, I thank you for that. I was certainly raised that way. I was blessed to have an amazing mom, although she only had an eighth-grade education. I tell anyone that she had a Ph.D. in wisdom. It wasn’t by being a show-off or always out-front talking. She said ‘hey it’s what you do people and not what you say because talk is cheap.’ She would always say, ‘Let the work I’ve done speak for me.’ And I have to admit, I thank God for having a mother like that and being raised by her

with my other siblings. My father died when I was eight years old. So, she just kept the family together. She instilled so many great things and I tried to carry forward and even pass on to others that I’ve come in contact with, especially sons and granddaughters, other members of my family. CS: Years ago, when they said we are naming a school after “Curtistene McCowan” now that’s an honor in itself because a lot of schools have not been named after living people. This speaks to you Curtistene McCowan. How did it make you feel when you were told it was going to see GRATITUDE on page 13

myimessenger.com

Gratitude, from page 12...

happen? MAYOR: Well, I was speechless. It leaked a little bit but I didn’t believe it. I just said ‘no, I don’t believe that.’ Because of the way the District did it, they asked for the community to nominate individuals for consideration for the naming of the new middle school which would become the second-largest school in DeSoto ISD. And so, I couldn’t imagine. All I knew was that I had served to

myimessenger.com

the best of my ability through some very interesting times when the demographics in the city did not look like me. I had done my best to have a seat at the table, especially as related to education. Our two sons are very successful graduates of DeSoto High School. I’m very grateful for everything that the district has done for them and of course our family. Although I had worked from the time, we had moved here in 1977, until they started taking those nominations. The school was named in January of 2007, so it was some time in 2006, as the completion of the school was growing near. The night that

they put it on the agenda to announce it, I could not bring myself to go. A little bird had told me they are going to name that school after you. I was like ‘no,’ but then it had me so rattled, I found something else to occupy my time with the case of nerves I had. But my husband and I with the older of our sons went to the meeting. And I am as I speak about it something balls up in my stomach and I get goosebumps. I am so honored. It’s the most humbling thing I think I have ever experienced in my life. And every time I

walk up to the school, I think about my parents, my family, and was sorry that they weren’t here for it (my parents weren’t), but yet I knew they were looking down. I knew Heaven was all up in arms because they were making so much noise, so anyway it’s just truly an honor and I’m thankful that here it is in 2019, almost 2020, I’m still alive and well and can go visit and interact with the students. And yet not be so selfish that all of my time is at McCowan. I am committed to DeSoto ISD, I am committed to education, period, at all levels. It’s just see GRATITUDE on page 14

November 27, 2020

Gratitude, from page 13...

a blessing Cheryl. I am truly blessed. CS: I was riding by Townview (Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center) and Stewart was driving and he asked me about Dr. Yvonne A. Ewell. I got a chance to talk about a wonderful person and she had a school named after her. You are walking amongst us. You continue to serve and you said you were committed on all levels. You were on the Board of Texas Southern. MAYOR: Yes I spent a little over seven years on the Board of Regents of Texas Southern University, which was another shock to get that call during Governor Rick Perry’s term. But I give credit to, of course, God is good all the time. Senator West has been a friend and we all know his work. I cannot tell you how surprised and thrilled I was to get the call from him saying Governor Perry had reached out to him for a name as to whom he thought would be someone from this area. I’m sure he had other names because there were other individuals in this area as well. But my name was one of the names submitted. I had just retired a year and

November 27, 2020

a half before. That was a call I never expected to get. And especially, I’m just going to be honest at that time, I had had no interaction with Governor Perry. And so to hear that he had asked the Senator for my name and not only asked but when my application was submitted, he accepted it and moved it on. So I was confirmed unanimously. I had to get confirmation and they didn’t even have me come to appear for the unexpired term. I did go down but I didn’t have to

I MESSENGER

say a word I was just there when it was time for the reappointment. I served until May of, I was appointed in 2007 and I served until 2015 I believe it was. But at that time I was also serving on the City Council and I was considering running for mayor. So the timing was perfect. CS: Your pedigree is long. I mentioned earlier that you’ve been married. It’s interesting I’ve talked to young people who are celebrating like several years. I was with the Honorable Ron and Matrice

Kirk; they’ve been married for 32 years. MAYOR: Ours is 53 years Cheryl. CS: I said you were a teen bride. A teen bride for sure. MAYOR: (laughter) Yes, that’s right I married my high school sweetheart. At the time I’m sure my mom, I thought how she would be all up in arms about it and she wasn’t because Leon was such a great guy, a young male growing up and had been around, and so she saw who he was and she see GRATITUDE on page 15

myimessenger.com

Gratitude, from page 14...

knew the family from where he was coming and supported the decision we made to get married. We worked hard in school and we carried that work ethic… By marrying at a young age like that, we had to be willing to balance raising a family and our higher education. So being the old school person I am, I understood my husband and supported that he would go on and graduate first. Then I would start school. It all worked out for us. And I tell young people you may not want to even consider doing what we did. It was hard, but fortunately, with our upbringing and commitment to the marriage and to the family, we were able to make it work. And when I tell you I have the most supportive, and amazing husband. You know that. You know him. The only reason I can do all the things myimessenger.com

I do. If I didn’t have him I wouldn’t be doing it. CS: He has embraced it and he is absolutely wonderful. I just think when people see, school board, city council, the board of trustees, and also you have been a president of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., you had a job. You were an investigator for the Federal Government. We kind of get leery of people. We don’t want to give you anything to investigate us. (laughter) So tenure, you went up through

the ranks. Your legacy is already set. Yes, you have some firsts, the first African American elected public office in DeSoto. We can’t disregard what is happening in DeSoto under you. There is a big boom. There is 70% African American, but there is a big boom in supporting and growing Black businesses. MAYOR: And you know I want to say this. I would be remiss if I did not ask for even greater support of our small businesses in the community and many are African

American businesses. One of the things I’m very proud of is that I initiated a small business incubator, a 26,000 square feet building left vacant in a shopping center. Rather than putting dollar stores, and stores like that we have so many, we have nothing against them. We just felt that DeSoto deserved something special and unique, and there had been some conversations I had with other leaders, ‘why doesn’t DeSoto have a small business incubator?’ The thought was to let me bring some people to the table, including the owner of that shopping center. To put that on the table, ‘why can’t we do this, why don’t you consider this?’ The Economic Development Corporation, I was so pleased that they embraced it. Our City Council embraced it. It is the “Grow DeSoto Market Place.” If you have not seen it please go by. It is located at 324 E. Belt Line Rd. During the holidays they would love and any time they would love to see you there. So please, please help us promote that business and our other small businesses here. CS: Definitely, that is so important. You are having a lot of events. The Arts seem to be really big. They seem to be high on your agenda, as well. MAYOR: Yes, Arts and

November 27, 2020

Gratitude, from page 15...

Entertainment is a priority, we want DeSoto to be a destination and we are for the Arts. We have events going on all the time in our community. Every Fourth Friday there is amazing entertainment and then we have special events that are coordinated in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department. The Arts Commission has special events working with Parks and Recreation collaboratively together and has the full support of the City Council to continue to make the City of DeSoto a destination for the Arts, very important. The City awards grants annually for the Arts. So the Commission has done its very best to make sure that the programming has diversity in the programs that are presented. And I tell you the quality has just been amazing. The Fourth of July last year was the biggest ever I think we had. We do the Fourth of July in partnership with Lancaster, Cedar Hill, and Duncanville, it’s called The Great Southwest

November 27, 2020

Initiative, and we rotate hosting that event. It is so much going on as it relates to the Arts so please, please watch our Facebook page as well as just go online to DeSotoTexas. gov and keep track of what’s happening in this City. I think that some people would really be surprised. CS: Definitely. I just want to give a quick shout out. You went to Dallas Baptist University, I just love that campus. MAYOR: Isn’t it gorgeous, incredible? CS: And El Centro College. Two grads from El Centro College you and Commissioner (John Wiley) Price. MAYOR: Yes, both of us have been honored as distinguished alums at El Centro College. I’ll just say this very quickly. One of the things I did when I was at the Federal Trade Commission, I initiated a partnership of my alma mater El Centro College to do some Consumer Education Programs there on Campus and it was the first of its kind at that time. Now since I retired the program did not continue, but it was something that we

I MESSENGER

were very excited about at the time. It was because of that initiative within a short period of time I was notified that I would be honored as one of their distinguished alums. And I’m very honored. Dallas Baptist yes, my school I’m very proud of. It looked nothing like it does now when I was there. It is something special right now. CS: There’s a lot of things going on. We are going to have to make sure we get together again. I’ll even let Marva in on it. Say hello Marva. MS: Hello Mayor Curtistene McCowan, how are you? MAYOR: Hello Marva, I am great. And I just want to thank you for arranging this interview. And I know when we talk again we can talk about some of the other initiatives that are going on in the community. Marva we are growing by leaps and bounds residentially, and very key economic development initiatives that are happening here, and we are doing our best to do what the citizens want and that is more retail, upscale retail and restaurants. It’s a challenge but it’s an opportunity for us to continue

to work on that so ya’ll keep in touch, please. CS: Yes and the thing about it folks were moving up north, but driving to DeSoto from downtown is a lot quicker than driving to Frisco. MAYOR: That’s right. CS: There are so many opportunities going on in DeSoto, you’re the mayor, and there is some strong leadership there, Black school Superintendent on the education front. So we have to support it. There are things happening with you being on the Advisory Board of Methodist Charlton Hospital Medical Center, providing health care. We can talk an hour ad nauseam about what we need to do about people, because folks have a lack of healthcare they use the emergency room as their Primary Care, so we can talk about that with Methodist Health Care System, and the concerns with DeSoto Citizens. We are going to do a much better job of keeping up with what’s going on in DeSoto. To hear the full interview, go to BlogTalkRadio.com link: https://bit. ly/39y5tYa

myimessenger.com

BIG MAMA SAID A HARD HEAD MAKES A SOFT... LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FLATTEN THE CURVE - STAY HOME! THE BLACK CARD BY TERRY ALLEN

I know way too many Big Mama(s) who used to say that during my lifetime. When it was said to me upon certain occasions as I was growing up, it meant somebody was about to feel pain from a tree branch switch, extension cord, or the back of a shoe. Everybody understood the actuality of punishment after choosing to do something that was not an approved item in the Big Mama playbook. That statement was always directed at undesirable child behavior and the severe

repercussions received afterwards. I allowed peer pressure; misinformation and personal desire to get me in a place where my decisions rendered undesirable outcomes! As a child that meant severe punishment for me. I survived the outcomes yet there were times when I was not so sure I would make it. I learned to take heed to instill actions that prevent those undesirable outcomes, and it worked. So here we are with the cases of COVID-19 in Texas and in the USA reaching unmanageable levels! Why? How did we get here? New words have entered our domain. The latest one is super-spreader. What is a super spreader? According

to MIT, the word is a generic term for unusually contagious individual or groups who have been infected with disease enabling the ability to infect 2-3 more individuals in contact and creating a multiplier effect when groups gather with a critical mass. Certain publics (citizens) decided not to social distance, not wear masks and more. Expert medical opinion as well as the facts of the death toll does not seem to impact behavioral change! CBS news reported that the coronavirus is surging across the country. For the first time, all 50 states are seeing a rise in daily COVID-19 cases, according to a CBS News analysis. A few governors across the country are practically begging resi-

dents to follow health safety guidelines. Texas is teetering between the first or second state on the list! It is the first state to top 1 million COVID-19 cases. I am left wondering if those individuals have a Big Mama that can bring them to reason and allow all us to have a collective effort to flatten the curve. Maybe Big Mama can give them the scripture she gave me--Leviticus 26:18-21. I am hopeful we will collectively slow the spread and save lives. What are your thoughts?

Terry Allen is a multi-media journalist and board member of the National Association of Black Journalists.

www.grandpasecret.com myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

As a Black Man my Watergate hero was

Frank Wills

THAT STRUGGLE CONTINUES BY THOMAS MUHAMMAD

This is mainly for our young folk who have probably never heard of this outstanding man. He simply did his job and became the true figure that brought down an American presidency! Frank Wills was a security guard working on the night of June 17, 1972 when Republican Party operatives were attempting a break-in at the Democratic National Committee inside the Watergate complex in Washington D.C. Wills called the police after discovering that locks at the complex had been tampered with. Five men were arrested inside the Democratic headquarters, that they had planned to bug. The arrests triggered the Watergate scandal and eventually the resigNovember 27, 2020

nation of President Richard M. Nixon. Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein covered the story, eventually finding a person they nicknamed Deep Throat as their main source of getting their government inside information. 33 years later their informant was identified as William Mark Felt, deputy director of the FBI during that period of the 1970s, something Woodward later confirmed. But note Woodward and Bernstein never gave any credit to Brother Wills. Hailed as a hero, Wills later struggled with his celebrity and had difficulty keeping a job. He was even supposedly caught shoplifting trying to make ends meet, because no one would hire him. In fact in 1992, on the 20th anniversary of the burglary of the DNC headquarters, reporters asked Wills if he were given the chance to do it all

I MESSENGER

over again, would he? Wills replied, “That’s like asking me if I’d rather be white than Black. It was just a part of destiny.” That same year, Wills told a reporter, “I put my life on the line. I went out of my way.... If it wasn’t for me, Woodward and Bernstein would not have known anything about Watergate. This wasn’t finding a dollar under a couch somewhere. Everybody tells me I’m some kind of a hero, but I certainly don’t have any hard evidence. I did what I was hired to do, but still I feel a lot of folk don’t want to give me credit, that is, a chance to move upward in my job.” As a teenager growing up in Dallas, Texas at the time, I truly remember the story as if it was just yesterday. Coming out of the struggles of the Black Liberation Movement sandwiched between that and hanging out with grass-smoking hippies, a Black hero was extremely hard to find and

Brother Wills filled that void. The reason this story is of import today is that there are rumors that like Nixon, Donald Trump has been seen walking the White House halls talking to the portraits of dead presidents. Nixon’s was then seen in those final days drinking heavily as reasons for his delusions, The Donald doesn’t drink so it is assumed that his delusions are simply due to pure arrogance! Finally, in Nixon’s case top aides became so worried for his safety they gave strict orders that there should never be any large storage of pills near him and since there were no firearms in White House drawers, access was nil. Okay, The Donald will be gone pretty soon! Until then the Struggle Continues...

Thomas Muhammad is an activist and chair of the Dallas National Black United Front.

myimessenger.com

BET celebrates 40 Years with Alumni By Allana J. Barefield Staff Writer When Black Entertainment Television (BET) debuted 40 years ago the network ushered in an experience like none other, especially for Black people. That experience will be celebrated Friday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m., on BET Alumni Reunion YouTube channel, BET Worldwide Facebook page and HBCU GO TV; with a celebration where viewers will be able to reminisce and relive the brainchild of businessman Robert Johnson. Former BET on-air personality Angela Stribling will be hosting the event and she said she is ecstatic to be back at the place that sparked her career. “We were making history, and we didn’t even realize it,” Stribling said in an interview with Texas Metro News. In preparation for Friday’s event, Stribling said she has viewed a portion of the content that will air. “The producer showed me just a couple of the videos of people that I haven’t seen since the 90s and I got all excited,” she said. “People can expect to see some of their favorite television personalities from back in the day.” The virtual event will include several guests, including Video Soul’s most popular veejay Donnie Simpson, a longtime radio DJ and media myimessenger.com

personality who hosted BET’s primetime music video show, Video Soul, for 14 years. Debuting in 1983, Video Soul’s hosts have included original host Virgil Hemphill, Sherry Carter, Sheila Banks and Leslie “Big Lez” Segar. “You can’t really say BET back in the day without talking about Video Soul, so of course we’re going to see the green-eyed man himself, Donnie Simpson,” Stribling said. Another familiar face that will come on screen is Ed Gordon. The Detroit native was BET’s main news

Angela Stribling

day owner, Viacom. Stribling said she knew in the 90s that BET was a force and talent also knew their presence was remarkable. She reminisced about special memories

Television, we were going to do everything, to uplift Black people who are doing positive things.” According to former BET executive vice president, Curtis Symonds, the celebration is being held to empower and congratulate all BET talent and he wants to unite all alumni no matter how many years went by. “There is a unique bond all BET employees share regardless of how long they spent with the network, and that connection is truly on display for this celebration,” Symonds said in a release. As Stribling looks back at

“There is a unique bond all BET employees share regardless of how long they spent with the network, and that connection is truly on display for this celebration,” Symonds said in a release. anchor, then transitioned into hosting Weekly with Ed Gordon. He garnered interviews with big names including an exclusive with former pro football player O.J. Simpson, who was charged with murder. The celebration will focus on BET’s evolution, from being the only Black-owned cable network to the current

from her tenure and one that remains at the top of her list occurred while working the red carpet for BET and movie star Denzel Washington remembered her name. “I thought I was going to pass out,” she jokingly said. “It was because we were the only game in town, Black Entertainment

the 40 years, she said she is proud to be part of a legacy. She’s not sure where BET is heading but she believes the future is bright. “I don’t want to ever see BET go away because we definitely need the representation,” she said. “We’ve been calling it home for 40 years, so why stop now?” November 27, 2020

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!

November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

Dallas COVID-19 Resources

MO’ BETTAH WINGS

COVID-19 Call the hotline The bestHotline way to 24-7 protect yourself and others is to 214-670-INFO (4636) to get information regarding: stay at home. •Current COVID-19 Regulations & Testing Locations •Employment Assistance •Federal Relief Payment Information •Volunteer/Assistance Opportunities •Rental/Mortgage, and Eviction Assistance •Small Business Assistance •Social Services (food pantry, childcare assistance, senior assistance, unsheltered resident assistance and mental health resources) •Utility Payment Assistance

Slow the spread of COVID-19 The best way to protect yourself and others is to stay at home.

Safer at home

2860 E. LEDBETTER DR. (Inside Valero) DALLAS, Tx.75216 myimessenger.com

11am-10pm Monday-Saturday 12-8 Sunday

Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.

Keep your mouth and nose covered while out in public.

Visit dallascityhall.com/COVID19 for a list of resources and up-to-date information about COVID-19.

November 27, 2020

214-421-5387

Two Podners Bar-B-Que & Seafood 1441 Robert B Cullum Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75210 November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are open for carryout. We care about our customers and our community and we thank you for your business during this difficult time.â&#x20AC;?

Hours of business: Monday-Thursday 11:30 am-9:00 pm. Friday 11:30 am-10:00 pm. Saturday 12:00 pm-10:00 pm.

(469) 899-7927

140 S Clark Rd Cedar Hill, TX 75104

3309 S Malcolm X Blvd

Call orders in (214)-859-3472

Dallas, TX 75215

myimessenger.com

We run specials Monday-Thursday

November 27, 2020

EAT ZONE Best Food in Town The Hidden Secret of OakCliff 2 Burgers for $5 2 Pc Grilled/Fried Ă&#x17E;sh

3917 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. Suite 103 Dallas Texas 75237.

469-399-0096

Open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-8p. 3003 E. Illinois Ave,75216

214-376-9663

During this pandemic we are still open for call-in and pick up orders. We have specials Tuesdays $5 burger baskets with fries and Wednesdays $5 chicken strip baskets with fries. Our menu is filled with so many delicious items. We have Bar-B-Q plates, Crab boils and so much more. We would love to serve you.

6090 Bonnie View Rd Dallas, TX 75241 Hours of services may differ

Phone: (214) 372-6321

November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

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.

myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

“54 DAYS” WHAT’S ON MILES MIND

MILES JAYE 54 days from today, the 20th day of January 2021, the 46th President of the United States of America, presumably Joseph Biden, will take the 59th thirty-five-word, Presidential Oath of Office. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” Malarkey! Nonsense! Thirty-five meaningless utterances when spoken by less than honorable men. “I do solemnly swear?” A solemn oath or promise, is as serious a promise as one can make, and the right hand on the Holy Bible of a dishonorable man does nothing to straighten his crooked heart. His hollow promises remain void of any value, and his true nature renders such promises dead on arrival. Judge not the oath, but the man. A 35-word oath from the depraved, deprived of

Williams, from page 2...

threat to a successful BidenHarris administration. Just as they frustrated the efforts of the Obama/ Biden administration and tried to make it a one-term November 27, 2020

virtue, integrity, principles, and good-character, could bear no true solemnity, dignity or sincerity. A corrupted heart recognizes nothing as sacred. “I will execute the Office of the President of the United States” means exactly what? That’s a fancy way of saying I will do my job, but what precisely is the job, and might we add the

has known nothing but lies. But, where there is trust, oaths have their place and their power. Alexandre Dumas’ “Three Musketeers” made popular the famous 7-word oath, “All for one, and one for all.” It was a pledge of loyalty, allegiance and solidarity. Men throughout history have lived and died by oaths. Se-

Joe Biden

Donald Trump

word “faithfully execute?” Faithfully suggests loyalty, diligence, but what exactly is the job? In 54 days, we will hear another man recite the Presidential Oath, a promise to a nation not known for keeping its promises. Oaths mean nothing where there is no trust. Promises to a child have no meaning if the child

cret Societies and Gangsters pledge oaths. Popes, Cardinals and Bishops take oaths. Policemen, Judges, Prosecutors and elected officials swear oaths. New citizens all raise their hands and swear oaths. The notion that Donald Trump placed his hand on a Holy Bible and swore an oath is detestable to me.

Website: www.milesjaye.net Podcast: https://bit.ly/2zkhSRv Email: milesjaye360@gmail.com

administration, it’s likely that they’ll do the same for BidenHarris. The most logical way for us then is to eliminate the Republican majority in the Senate. We can do that by supporting the Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff in their Georgia Senate run-

off elections. If we are not Georgia residents, we can donate to their campaigns and call every eligible voter we know in Georgia to encourage them to vote. Additionally, the voter registration deadline for the January run-off elections is Dec. 7. Once more, we must vote as though our lives

depend on it — they do! Williams is president of the National Congress of Black Women.

I MESSENGER

That he now, in defiance of the Constitution he swore to uphold, refuses to honor it by accepting his defeat in a lawful national election is an inexcusable breach of that oath. That William Barr, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and other Trump loyalists also pledged and breached oaths of office is not only disheartening but harmful to our Democracy. It is my hope, as it is my prayer, that in 54 days when Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris take their respective oaths of office, they prove to be more faithful to their oaths of office. I want to trust and believe they will keep their promises, honor their oaths, and more effectively preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States than their predecessors. That’s what’s on my mind!

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

We’re open and ready to serve you!

11-27 NOVEMBER

Elaine’s

Jamaican Kitchen

IS NATIONAL NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY myimessenger.com

(214) 565-1008 2717 Martin L. King Jr Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215

November 27, 2020

COVID-19 San Antonio Collaboration:

Dr. Amerson analyzes Dr. Crawford’s alopecia clients ABOUT YOUR HAIR BY DR. LINDA AMERSON

There are many collaborative opportunities taking place during the pandemic. Consumers are spending money on themselves in many areas, including seeking the expertise of a board certified Trichologist for alopecia and scalp disorder issues. Licensed cosmetologists, barbers and other beauty industry professionals have limitations when it comes to identifying and properly treating conditions and disorders of the scalp and hair loss. CEO Dr. LaTasha Crawford, of Crowned by Crawford Her Salon, contacted Dr. Linda Amerson in September, to discuss traveling to San Antonio in November to analyze her clients. Dr. Amerson joyfully agreed to this collaboration! This mindset shows the passion and concern Dr. Crawford has for her clients scalp and hair. By using Dr. Amerson as a resource, her clients truly know she has their best interests at the forefront of her business. We plan to continue this collaboration several times per year. After several years of referring her concerned clients to Dr. Amerson, many made consultation appointments and traveled to Pantego to LA’s Hair & Scalp Clinic. There were several other clients who were interested in a microscopic consultation from Dr. Amerson, however, had a November 27, 2020

Drs. Amerson and Crawford

challenge with traveling to her Pantego Clinic. Dr. Amerson invested in a portable tricholoscope in June, to add to her mobile polarized microscope for her educational classes and collaboration opportunities. Dr. Crawford is a creative makeup artist, educator and

I MESSENGER

song bird. She is on the Praise Team of her Church, Christian World Worship Center, with Bishop Michael Sides, and Pastor Jason Sides. Crowned by Crawford is located at 5148 Broadway, St., San Antonio, TX. 813 304 5836. Dr. Amerson is open to more road trip collaborations

with beauty/barbers industry professionals, as well as women’s church groups, conferences, expos and seminars. Help is Available! 817 265 8854 www.hairandscalpessentials. com #ScalpDoctor #40yrVeteran Dr. Linda Amerson, Board Certified Trichologist, 817 265 8854. #39yr Veteran Hairandscalpessentials.com

myimessenger.com

In Memoriam

David Dinkins,

New York’s First and Only Black Mayor, dies at 93 Dinkins was viewed as a compromise candidate during a time of turmoil in New York. Elected a year after the infamous 1989 “Central Park jogger” incident that led to the wrongful convictions of five Black and Hispanic boys, Dinkins proved to be a cautious and stoic figure who was a competent caretaker of the city, including its many fiscal, social and political challenges. Dinkins’ administration followed that of one of New York City’s most storied politicians, Ed Koch.

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Correspondent NNPA NEWSWIRE — David Dinkins was the stuff of political legend in New York’s Harlem. From 1990 to 1993, Dinkins served as the 106th Mayor of the largest city in America — New York. Dinkins was a historic figure as the first African American to hold the office. He often referred to the city as “a gorgeous mosaic.” Dinkins was part of Harlem’s Democratic Party machine that dominated politics from the late 60s and into the 1990s. He was part of a power base that was made up of businessman Percy Sutton, New York State Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, attorney Basil Paterson, and Congressman Charles Rangel. Dinkins won an Assembly seat, was appointed City Clerk and served as Manhattan Borough President bemyimessenger.com

fore being elected Mayor of New York. Dinkins was one of fifty Black investors who helped Percy Sutton found Inner City Broadcasting Corporation in 1971. Sutton also invested in The Amsterdam News. Dinkins was viewed as a compromise candidate during a time of turmoil in New York. Elected a year after the infamous 1989 “Central Park jogger” incident that led to the wrongful convictions of five Black and Hispanic boys, Dinkins proved to be a cautious and stoic figure who was a competent caretaker of the city, including its many fiscal, social and political challenges. Dinkins’ administration followed that of one of New York City’s most storied politicians, Ed Koch. Following violence in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn that many believed was not handled well by Dinkins, he lost his bid for re-election. Dinkins was a member of the 20,000

strong Montford Point Marines and served in the Marines from 1945–1946. In 1956 he earned a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He graduated cum laude from Howard University. On the night of November 23rd, David Dinkins succumbed to natural causes at his home on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. His death follows the recent passing of his wife Joyce, who died at their home on October 12th. Joyce Dinkins was 89. The former Mayor, and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is survived by their two children, David N. Dinkins Jr. and Donna Dinkins Hoggard. Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke. November 27, 2020

HOW TO CELEBRATE

THANKSGIVING DURING COVID 19

THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW BY VALDER BEEBE

2020 Is an unprecedented year and we do not have a traditional roadmap. Those whose lives are not governed by what’s happening now know that time is precious. Thanksgiving 2020 will only happen once and there are ways to celebrate and be thankful. To share from my personal journey, our Beebe Clan will have our first Thanksgiving To-Go. We believe in science, we are aware: COVID CASES IN TEXAS ARE ON THE RISE. We are protecting our family that is comprised of seniors, Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen X, and Gen Y. All members of our family since the pandemic began are encouraged to travel for only essential work and personal needs, wear a mask, wash November 27, 2020

hands with sanitizer, and social distance. Thanksgiving 2020 we have such a mixture of essential ages in our family, meaning those who could be A-symptomatic, pregnant, young children and vulnerable adults. We are committed to safety for all. Our Thanksgiving-To-Go is about love. My daughter and I will coordinate the celebration. The day before we will pick up prepared dishes from family members who want to contribute as they do each year with their “favorite dish,” then prepare all food in to-go containers right before individually scheduled pick-up on Thanksgiving day. Family members will make a reservation time to pick up Thanksgiving dinner.

I MESSENGER

My husband will coordinate curb-side pick-up. This is truly a family Thanksgiving. We’re sharing a few ideas as life, holidays and celebrations come only once a year. This first holiday celebration done safely, with precautions that have been given by the CDC, we can successfully show love to our family during this pandemic. You simply determine what is safe and doable for your family. We are all aware that the traditional Thanksgiving is not a safe option in 2020 (why risk spreading COVID19?). Here are few other ideas for 2020 Thanksgiving celebrations. Throw a Thanksgiving picnic or backyard bash for close relatives. Everyone wears a mask, physical social distance and use hand sanitizer. A nocook idea; in advance, order Thanksgiving To Go from a favorite restaurant. Make a list of what you will be ordering, then go on line to coordinate. Many sites may

have discounts and coupons for the holidays. If you do not want to cook but want to give back to others, the holidays are a time of giving, volunteer prethanksgiving at a church or local food bank. Food Bank’s in advance prepare specific boxes of foods with volunteers loading the prepared Thanksgiving dinner items into client’s car. This is a low impact way to volunteer. CDC Thanksgiving guidelines amid COVID-19 pandemic • Having a small dinner with only the people who live in your household • Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family • Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home Valder Beebe’s voice is heard on KKVI DFW, KRER FM, 411 RadioNetwork, CFNBPN Radio, Jazz Jamz, Gospel Inspirations and read in Texas newspapers: IMESSENGER, Texas Metro News, TX Garland Journal News.

myimessenger.com

Virtual and liVe community calendar

National Gratitude Month

November 27

Nebbie Williams Toy Drive Benefiting Helping Hands Host Nebbie Williams PTA. Nebbie Williams, 350 Dalton Rd, Rockwall, 12 pm. Collection Boxes will be at schools front entrance.

Valder Beebe Show KKVIDFW.COM FM 89.9. Lung Cancer Awareness Month November 30 12 pm. Dr. Bob Arnot, Emmy Award-winning Marvelous Marriage Mondays at FriendJournalist, author and November 25 ship-West Baptist Church Register for Virprevious Chief Medical tual event, online at friendshipwest.zoom. Correspondent for NBC Ask Dr. Amerson Show at 11am CST us/.../upcpcOmhqz4rqNU 7-8 pm. and CBS News. Sponsored by Salon pas, Dr. Arnot talk about September is Alopecia Awareness Month. Dr. Linda discusses healthy hair reliving Baby Boomer aches and pains. Vitruvian Lights Hosted by Vitruvian Park. Vitruvian Park 3966 and scalp talk, and alopecia talk, on FB Vitruvian Way, Addison. 5-11 pm. FREE PARKING & ENTRY. Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant Hosted by Dallas Zoo. Live and DfwiRadio.com. Dallas Zoo 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 6:30-9:30 pm. Tickets: December 1 zoolights.dallaszoo.com/guests (thru 12-31) Walk-In Wednesdays Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care health centers offer flu vaccines. Dallas County Radiance! Frisco Hosted by Radiance Dr. Pepper Ballpark Cen- DFW News & Tings with Jirah residents can get their flu shot without an appointment. 9 am- ter, 7300 Roughriders Trail, Frisco. 5:30-11 pm. Tickets: https:// Nicole. From 11 am-1 pm. CST Tuesday’s on Facebook Live/@ 12 pm. & 1 - 4 pm. on Wednesday’s. Parklandhospital.com. www.radiancechristmas.com/buy-tickets. TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com. Call in and join the conJoin Michael “Hollywood” HerOnline Spiritual Care Sessions Hosted by Friend- versation at 646-200-0459. nandez Live on his Facebook ship-West Baptist Church. 1-2:30 pm. Tickets: https://zoom. Podcast at 2 pm CT Tune in and join us/j/8567036848 . Drive-Through Christmas on the conversation with his guests the Square Hosted by Downtown Mesquite. Heritage Square Guests Actress, Kellae Renea, SingNovember 28 Downtown Mesquite, 233 W. Davis St. 6-8 pm. This is a driveer, LaConda Davis & Opera singer through-only event. Jasmine Xavier. The FREE COVID-19 Testing Site at Paul Quinn College 3837 SimpSafe Santa! Hosted by Hillside Village Hillside Village, 305 November 26 son Stuart Rd. 10 am-4 pm. Food W. FM 1382, Cedar Hill. 10 am-9 pm. Tickets: https://www. box giveaway from 10AM - 12PM shophillsidevillage.com Info: 214-548-0610. Parkland also offers drive-through flu or while supplies last. https://bit. shots and COVID-19 testing Monday – ly/31anTfq. December 2 Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 South Polk Empowering The Masses Disaster Relief Drive Through Join Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez St., Dallas and at the Eastfield College Food Pantry at 3314 Detonte St. Dallas. 10 am-12 pm. www. Live on his Facebook Podcast at 2 pm CT Campus, 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite. empoweringthemasses.org. Tune in and join the conversation with his guests. Dulaneyland Thanksgiving On4th Annual Light Up Lowest Greenville Hosted by Lowest line Experience. Featuring Stella Greenville Collective. Lowest Greenville Collective Lowest Award Winning and Grammy Greenville Ave. 4-8 pm. Our goal is to make this super safe and American Association of University Women, with support Nominees Todd Dulaney, Travis for everyone to have a good time. from the Coca Cola Foundation, invites HBCU Alumni, faculty, Greene, Jabari Johnson & Gramand students to Work Smart salary negotiation workshop. 6–7 my Award Winner Smokey Norful. Natural Change Hosted by The Attaché Cigar 4099 W. Camp pm EST. Zoom Reg: https://bit.ly/2FVWEwY. 8 pm. Online with Facebook Live Wisdom Rd. #101. 8- 11:45 pm. Ask Dr. Amerson Show at 11am CST ALL BLACK AFFAIR 11th Annual Hosted by Heroes Lounge at Drive-Thru Food Pantry Hosted by St John the Apostle United September is Alopecia Awareness Heroes Lounge 3094 N 35 Fwy. 7 pm-2 am. Eventbrite.com. Methodist Church (Parking lot) 9 am-12 pm. Month. Dr. Linda discusses healthy hair and scalp talk, and alopecia talk, on FB Prairie Lights Drive-Thru Holiday Light Experience. Lynn November 29 Live and DfwiRadio.com. Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie 6-10 pm. Tickets; https://prairielights.org/tickets. SoulJazz Thursdays Featuring FUNKTRAIN Hosted by Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 8 pm-12 am. Visit www.sandaga813.com

Nov. 27-29 A Tribute to Toni Morrison Song of Solomon Marathon Reading. Tickets: https://litpartners2020. org/toni-morrison/ 27th at 8-11 pm ET, 28th at 2 -6 pm ET, 29th at 2-6:30 pm.

myimessenger.com

CELEBRATE LIFE “UHAMBE NAMI” Celebrating Life, Love & Hope through global music. By Pan African Connection, 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 1:30- 5 pm. Tickets: orizon. ticketleap.com/celebrate-life.

Walk-In Wednesdays Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care Health Centers offer flu vaccines. Dallas County residents can get the flu shot without an appointment. 9 am12 pm. & 1 - 4 pm. on Wednesday’s throughout the winter months. Locations, visit https://www.parklandhospital.com.

BLACK LIVES MATTER Andrew’s World with host Andrew Whigham III on BlogTalkRadio.com 8 am.-10 am. CST. Sundays Tune in for thought-provoking, enlightening, informative, and entertaining news and commentary. Join the call 646-200-0459. on In The Middle with Ashley Moss. “Talking about topics that Matter” Join in on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio. com at 11 am-1 pm. CST. Mondays. Join the conversation call 646-2000459.

Doc Shep Speaks Show! A fresh perspective, but still entertaining! Welcome to The Doc Shep Speaks Show!!!. Tuesdays at 11 am. CST Live on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews, @ fnsconsulting, and YouTube Live @ docshepspeaks.

I Was Just Thinking with Norma Adams-Wade “History Class is in Session” Join in on Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio.com at 11 am -1 pm. CST. Wednesdays. Join the conversation call 646-200-0459. The Bare Truth with Allana J. Baredierld. “Always Audacious, Accurate and Authentic” On Facebook/@TexasMetroNews and Blogtalkradio.com. at 11 am-1 pm. CST. Thursdays. Join the call at 646-200-0459

From Marva with Love with Marva Sneed from11 am -1 pm. CST, Fridays on Facebook Live/@ TexasMetroNews, and BlogTalkRadio.com. Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

December 3

The EPIC Return of BeatStreet Poetry Live Sunday Social. Hosted by Verb Kulture Ent., The Free Man and BeatStreet Poetry Live. The Free Man 2626 Commerce St. 5-8 pm. Tickets: Linny Nance Network Hosted by https://www.verbkultureevents.com/ The Free Man, 2626 Commerce St. 7-10 pm.

Nov. 30-Dec. 4

November 27, 2020

Budding Entrepreneur Six-year-old Garland girl starts business Photos and story By REBECCA AGUILAR Senior Correspondent

It’s hard to miss six-yearold Jayleen Molina when you drive by her house in southeast Garland. As she sits typing into her laptop computer in her front yard, right next to her is a wooden display with about a dozen of her paintings. On small canvases, she has painted characters known as “Crewmates” of the video game, Among Us. She has become a young entrepreneur with her father’s encouragement, Ruben, who noticed Jayleen’s artwork was getting attention on his social media. “We love arts and crafts, so we started with one of the AmongUs characters,” said Molina. “And one turned into another one, and then we started collecting them, and people started seeing them on our social media and wanted to buy it, so we started selling them.” It’s hard to predict whether Jayleen’s artwork will go viral, but she already has more than 200 followers on a TikTok account her father started in her name. There she shows how she draws the Among Us characters, all short humanoids wearing spacesuits. She meticulously paints between the lines, and her father adds the finishing touches of paint splatter surrounding the characters. Jayleen has only been in business for less than two weeks, but Ruben who works November 27, 2020

at a dispatch courier service thinks this is a good teaching opportunity. He says Jayleen will learn the value of a dollar and how hard work can be fun and pay off. “Just be a little business lady and do whatever she wants and to enjoy this,” he said. But to the little girl with the

I MESSENGER

cute pigtails and big smile, this is a fun time with her dad. “I love him. He’s good to me,” she said. And Ruben understands that there is a lesson for him too. “It’s all in the heart. I love her so much,” said the visibly proud father. The paintings sell for $20

each and while Ruben said he plans to let his daughter buy whatever she wants with her earnings, she has different plans. “I’m gonna share it,” said Jayleen, referring to the money she makes, but before she shares, she plans to buy herself a new video game for Christmas. myimessenger.com

myimessenger.com

November 27, 2020

Exhale. Inhale. Roll your sleeves up THE LAST WORD BY DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX

It took five days for the 2020 election to be called for former Vice President Joe Biden. Five days with me peeled to the television and the internet. Five days holding my breath. Five days, meditating and praying for strength. I could not imagine four more years of Trump. I actually started going through my belongings, trying to decide which one would make the cut for my move to Ghana (yes, if the Chump had won, I was seriously considering a transcontinental move). At 11:34 on Saturday morning, the good news trickled down. Biden won. Kamala Harris is Madame Vice President (MVP). People were sending funny and smart text messages. From one friend – ‘ladies keep your shoes on, there is glass on the floor. Exhale. Savor the feeling. Kamala’s win is a “dancing in the street”

November 27, 2020

victory for Black women, for all women, for our nation. From Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” Well, on November 7 joy came in the morning, the afternoon, the evening. All around the country, people celebrated. Some of us were buoyed by the celebrations, especially their intergenerational, multicultural, masked participation. But as horns honked, people hollered, and people hoisted “you’re fired” signs outside the White House, some of us wondered how much change, exactly, we could expect from Biden-Harris. Inhale. Inhale the fact that Donald John Trump was an extreme symptom, but not the cause, of the structural inequities that plague our nation. Inhale the fact that all the executive orders in the world can’t fix the racism that is baked in the cake we call the United States. Inhale their names, the disturbing roll of Black folks killed by white so-called “law enforcement” officers. Inhale the macro and micro aggres-

I MESSENGER

sions that impact our lives. I will not be pessimistic in this optimistic moment, nor will I ignore the amazing history we experienced in this election. I will simply say, as I often do, that voting is not the most, but the least we can do. This election reminds us that Black Votes Matter, that Turnout matters, that, in the words of Rev. Jesse Jackson, “the hands that picked peaches can pick presidents.” There was no blue wave, this was a scrappy contest, with margin, in some cases, less than one percent. There was no takeover of the Senate (yet), and Democrats lost seats in the House of Representatives. And more than 70 million people affirmed Donald Trump, which reveals the stark division in our nation. Exhale (relief ). Inhale (recognition). And then just roll your sleeves up and get to work. Yes, there is much work to do. There are two elections for Senate seats in Georgia. They’ll be decided on January 5, and if Democrats can pull both off, President-elect Biden will have the Senate he needs to make policy changes.

Meanwhile, 45 has 70 days to wreak havoc on our nation. He can randomly fire folks, mismanage agencies (more so than he already has), develop harmful executive orders. As of this writing he has yet to concede the election, even though he has no possible chance of winning. His refusal to smell the coffee slows the transition process, but since this is about him, not about our nation, he really doesn’t care. Yes, we have work to do. We need to roll up our sleeves and get to it. Civic engagement is not a seasonal thing, it’s an all the time thing. We get the government that we choose to participate in. So kudos to the folks like Melanie Campbell (National Coalition of Black Civic Participation), LaTosha Brown (Black Voters Matter), Stacey Abrams (Fair Fight) and the many others who raised awareness, got the vote out, and then protected it. Inhale. Exhale. Get to Work!

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an author, economist, and social commentator.

myimessenger.com

Bad Butt Kid Dear Alma, I know this may sound mean, but I can’t stand my sister’s son. He’s three years old and he talks back and never listens to what I tell him to do. He comes to my house and breaks up my stuff, and she just sits there like nothing is happening. She doesn’t even say stop. When I try to

myimessenger.com

correct him, she says, “Don’t talk to my son like that.” No, I don’t have any kids, but I have friends who have kids, and they are not as bad as he is. I don’t want her to bring him to my house anymore. What do you think? Angie, Baltimore Omgoodness Angie, You’ve got me scrolaurin! (Screaming, laughing and hollering all at the same time) Come on, Auntie; he’s only three. You can’t be hatin on him like that. I’m ready to revoke your “Auntie” card. Don’t you know we aunties are the best thing next to moms. My nephew Corey and I have such a special relationship. I can’t wait for you to have this experience. Honestly, I think you are barking up the wrong tree.

What’s up with your sister? You should be putting her on blast. Why isn’t she correcting and teaching her son? That’s her responsibility. Somewhere along the way we evolved into this “mama-isyour-friend” revolution. I can remember, back in the day, my mama didn’t want to be my friend. How do I know? She told me so, LOL. If I showed out, she would discipline me and not have a second thought about it. Let me clarify: I didn’t get whoopins, but I was aware of them. I had a clear understanding that she was in charge. Her look, voice and firm tone let me know she was not to be challenged. Carol, my mother, (God rest her soul) could talk, teeth clenched tight, only her lips

moving, and you understood every word she said. LOL. Old skool Mamas are the best! Look, future favorite Auntie of his: Instead of cutting him off, try a new approach — help him. Give your sister a copy of Ain’t Misbehavin: Tactics for Tantrums, Meltdown, Bedtime Blues and Other Perfectly Normal Kid Behaviors by Alyson Schafer. She’s authored a few great books on motherhood. Also suggest that she goes online and check out some new mom blogs. Maybe she’s overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Don’t give up on him from the start. Give him a roadmap to becoming the best that he can be. He’ll strive to make you proud. Alma

♥

November 27, 2020

FEBRUARY 8, 2019

I Messenger

Do you know this man?

POLICE have not apprehended “Pookie” the serial rapist. We know he has attacked members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers.

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?

877-373-8477 November 27, 2020

I MESSENGER

myimessenger.com