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THE NEW
Continuing our fight with COVID-19
National Geographic’s Sonia Monzana
by Eddie Bernice Johnson
That Celebrity Interview by Valder Beebe
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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Until I See You Again These are the times that will try the strongest of souls. People I know who are introverts or almost recluses who enjoy being alone are having a hard time with social distancing and self-quarantining and some actually want to get out and be with people. Others who are extroverts, and real touchy-feely are trying to cope with having to scale back, not being able to be the life of the party because there are so few parties — well actually, while there are some parties, we really could follow the science and avoid them. Each person is dealing with this COVID-19 pandemic different ways, in their own way; some healthy others not so healthy ways. Which brings me to my truth. Whether it was at the first day of class, virtually with Dallas College, where I am an adjunct professor; or in an editorial meeting with my team or The Dallas Morning News who we are collaborating with; I stress the importance of wellness checks and I share a little bit of me. That’s right, while some might say that women, especially in leadership, must not show any type of vulnerability because it is seen as weakness. Well, I am an “In spite of ” person instead of a “because” person. In a nutshell, yes, I am challenged at times and like falsely-enslaved Solomon Northrup whose life was chronicled in the movie, “Twelve Years A Slave;” I, too, tell myself “I will not fall into despair.” Admittedly I feel as though my life has been filled with pandemics. When you consider being a Black woman in America; the maternal morbidity rate among Black women; mass incarceration of Black men; infusion of guns and drugs into the country’s Black communities; and, institutional racism, we are in a state pandemonium. So here comes coronavirus. In my head, I’m saying, ‘just add it to the list!” I could become an underachiever, a person who does See MY TRUTH, page 5
THURSDAY OCTOBER 8, 2020 VOLUME X
Garland NAACP
partners with Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery By Gwendolyn H. Daniels NAACP Garland Unit Historian The NAACP Garland, Texas Unit has a new corporate sponsor with support from the family business in the city square of downtown Garland, Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery. Cary and Molly Hodson, the founders and operators of Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery presented $7,000 to the NAACP during a press conference last week. This first of several pledged donations will further enable the Garland Unit to continue its stellar work ensuring equal opportunity and sound community relations in the tri-cities of Garland, Rowlett and Sachse. Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery has been in operation for almost five years. Its grand opening at 509 W. State Street was intentionally held on December 5, 2015 to spotlight the December 5, 1933 repeal of prohibition in the United States. Cary and Molly are graduates of South Garland High School and became sweethearts during their college years. Since the inception of their business the Hodson’s have been instrumental in promoting the downtown summer concert series and the ever-popular Urban Market. Plans were underway for expansion in early 2020 when the
From left to right: Annie Dickson, Garland NAACP VP; owners Molly and Cary Hodson; Christopher Balanciere, friend of owners
Fotocredit: Gwendolyn Danielss
COVID-19 pandemic was revealed. The young couple persevered during these difficult months and say they are most proud of avoiding layoffs of their 18-member staff. A simple “Friend Request” on Facebook is what led to Intrinsic Smokehouse and Brewery’s interaction with the NAACP Garland Unit. Christopher Bal-
anciere, a close friend of the owners, sent former Garland councilwoman Annie Dickson (vice president of the Garland NAACP) the Facebook request. From that connection, a meeting was scheduled between the NAACP and Intrinsic. President Ricky C. McNeal shared the history of the Garland NAACP and its numerous community programs, includ-
ing decades of working relations with the City of Garland and the Garland Independent School District. During the initial meeting on September 15, President McNeal and Vice President Dickson sealed the partnership with Intrinsic Smokehouse, all made possible through the glue that brought them together, former Garland Fireman Christopher Balanciere.
Judge Monica Purdy
Democrat for the 95th State Civil District Court My name is Judge Monica Purdy. I am a lifelong Democrat and I am running for the 95th State Civil District Court in Dallas County. With the 2020 General election less than 30 days away, I want to take this opportunity to tell you why I am running for this bench, illustrate the differences between my qualifications and judicial experience compared to that of my Republican opponent and remind you how critical it is to exercise your right to vote. WHY I AM RUNNING I am running for the 95th State Civil District Court to ensure justice is served in every case that comes before the court and to guarantee both plaintiffs and defendants have their day in court. Whether it is breach of contract, personal injury, property damage, defamation
Judge Monica Purdy with her family.
or other type of civil case, you can rest assured that I will continue to mete out justice impartially and
preside with the integrity and judicial temperament you expect from your elected judges.
EXPERIENCE MATTERS I have been practicing law for more than 27 years, with 20 of those years in civil litigation including the latter 10 YEARS AS A JUDGE. I currently serve as an Associate Judge supporting seven of the 13 State Civil District Courts. I have served you in this role since my unanimous appointment in 2013 by the then-elected presiding civil judges. Since my appointment, I have consistently received amongst the highest ratings, being ranked as one of the “top three” civil judges in the yearly judicial evaluation poll, evaluating judicial performance, conducted by the Dallas Bar Association of lawyers appearing before my court. After seven years of proudly working for the citizens of Dallas County See PURDY, page 8
Recalling early Dallas Black owned “jitney” cabs I WAS JUST THINKING By Norma Adams-Wade Right now, I’m weary of current gloom and doom bombarding us from all media. So, as a respite, I’m taking some steps back in time. When this column debuted about
11 months ago, I told readers that occasionally I would recall slices of early Dallas Black history. Today is such a time. I was just thinking...and remembering a conversation I had more than 30 years ago with a man who was informing me about early Black-owned taxi companies in Dallas called “jitneys.” Before Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), and in the early days
of public street cars that ran along electric-powered overhead rail lines, Black-owned “jitney” taxi cars served various Black neighborhoods in Dallas and flourished largely during the 1920s. Jitney taxis in Black neighborhoods were privately-owned big automobiles that individual Blacks owned and used to transport neighbors, friends, and comSee THINKING, page 6
This historic 1920s photo shows noted Black nationalist Marcus Garvey riding in Harlem in a car similar to the ones that made popular jitneys during that period. Photo credit: Getty Images