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• Vol-9 • Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

oppressors v. oppressed How do we end this year on a positive note?

Can we be optimistic about the future?

How do we keep from drifting into a fit of hopelessness and despair when there is so much devastation around us?

Sure Black people in America, at least the ones I know, live in a constant state of pandemonium, but 2020 has been a bit overwhelming.

Which brings me to my truth.

I have five young Black grandsons.

They are absolutely adorable and I am not the only one who says so! Folks say they are “precious,” “handsome,” and more.

There have been comments even about taking them home and making arrangements to have pre-arranged marriages for them!

It is heartwarming to hear all the wonderful comments about those young, daring and delightful young boys.

Please understand that while I think my boys are the best so did the parents and grandparents of these children, and others: - Alton Sterling - Amadou Diallo - Antwon Rose - Ariane McCree - Botham Jean - Casey Goodson Jr. - Daniel Prude - Damian Daniels - Darius Tarver - Emantic “EJ” Fitzgerald Bradford Jr. - Emmett Till - Eric Garner - Freddie Gray - George Floyd

- JaQuavion Slaton - Jonathan Ferrell - Jordan Baker - Joshua Feast - Kwame “KK” Jones - Michael Dean - Michael Brown - Miles Hall - Philando Castile - Rodney Applewhite - Sean Bell - Sean Reed - Stephon Clark - Tamir Rice - Trayvon Martin - Yassin Mohamed

I could call millions of Black boys and men as well as Black girls and women who have beSee MY TRUTH, page 15

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CELEBRATION

Bussey turns 90 Story and Photo

By Ashley Moss Texas Metro News

Mary Ann Bussey officially turned 90, on Tuesday, and while requests to stay-at-home may have dampened many celebrations this year, that didn’t stop one local family from looking for a big way to say “Happy Birthday” to their matriarch.

In fact, it appeared that they’d ordered the perfect sunny Saturday to honor her life with a surprise for the special occasion.

The family managed to keep the drive-by a surprise until early Saturday morning.

“I wanted to celebrate my

By Norma Adams-Wade

Trailblazing Dallas Black police officers Let’s close out the year 2020 with a historical tribute to Dallas Black police officers.

I thought about these early Black officers when I ran across an old news clip about the onagain/off-again closing of the Jesse R. Dawson State Jail at 106 W. Commerce St.

Mary Ann Bussey is presented proclamation from Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam McGough by Mr. Thomas Jefferson

mother in a big way,” said her daughter, Carolyn Crawford. “I told her we wouldn’t be able to celebrate by going out this year (due to the pandemic) but that just a few folks would stop by to stay ‘hello.’”

For the occasion, Bussey got gussied up in a black and gold sweatshirt along with a crown and sash.

As she sat in front of a large birthday display in her yard See CELEBRATION, page 3

Dallas gets new top cop

By Ashley Moss Texas Metro News

A Christmas package arrived early for the City of Dallas with the formal announcement Wednesday of the appointment of the new police chief.

More than 55 community and business organizations participated in panel interviews of the top candidates which included five local candidates, but the City ultimately looked west to Eddie Garcia to fill the role of top cop over the ninth largest police department in the country.

Garcia, who most recently served for four years as the chief of police for the San Jose Police Department in California, will be the first Latino to preside over the City of Dallas, replacing current Dallas Police Chief

I WAS JUST THINKING...

Chief Eddie Garcia

U. Renee Hall, who submitted her resignation in September.

While local leaders advocated for the appointment of an internal candidate, most said Garcia would be welcomed.

“T.C. Broadnax had a difficult decision but he had to do what was right for Dallas holistically and not just one group and I’m good with the decision,” said Terrence Hopkins, President of the Black Police Association of

Former Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

Credit: The Dallas Morning News

Greater Dallas.

“He’s battle-tested in a lot of areas Dallas has issues with,” Hopkins added citing Garcia’s experience with prominent issues like diversity and social justice. “He’s been the number one guy in a top 10 city (San Jose) with a makeup similar to Dallas - not (just) an assistant, a deputy or a major.”

Others agreed.

“I had hoped Malik Aziz would have gotten the job,” said Sheldon Smith, the Dallas chapter president of the National Black Police Association.

“But I think he was asked to apply by the City. That says a lot in itself.”

“He told us it would take time to evaluate where we are as a Department and our leadership,” he added. “He is capable

The Dawson jail stands right before one leaves the downtown Dallas area to cross the Trinity River Bridge leading to Oak Cliff.

Dawson also is across from the Lew Sterrett Justice Center that is behind the Frank Crowley Court Building at Commerce Street and Riverfront Boulevard.

I was just thinking…and wondering how many people today know or remember that that easily-ignored jail facility is named after one of Dallas’ original Black police officers – Jesse R. Dawson.

He holds a position of honor with four other groundbreaking Black men, former World War II soldiers who passed the entrance exam and finally were allowed to join the Dallas force in 1947 and ’48, a few years after World War II ended. Whites on and off the force had strongly resisted but eventually were overruled.

In 1947, the first two officers to join were Benjamin Thomas Jr.

See GARCIA, page 12

See THINKING, page 5

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• Vol-9

BRIEFS

• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

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Parkland reduces visiting hours on hospital inpatient care units Visitors must be pre-approved by staff, hours limited Beginning Nov. 24, Parkland Memorial Hospital reduced lance visiting hours on inpatient care units. At this time, visitation is limited to one authorized visitor in single-occupancy rooms. NICU and Labor & Delivery visitation will not change (two parents or guardians per patient). All visitors must be designated and approved by patients/families in advance and visitors’ approval will be confirmed by Guest Services staff at the lobby entry.

Those not on the patient/family

approved visitor list will not be allowed in the hospital.

Guidelines: • Visiting hours will be from 4 – 7 p.m. daily.

• At the hospital entrance, visitors will be screened for fever, cough and any exposure to known COVID+ persons within the last 14 days. Visitors with any positive responses will not be allowed to visit.

• All visitors are required to wear a mask and to cover their nose and mouth at all times.

Visitors not wearing their mask

correctly may be asked to leave the hospital.

• Visitors will not be allowed to wait in any public spaces such as waiting rooms, cafeteria or Starbucks lobby.

• Visitors will not be allowed to eat in any patient’s room unless permission is given by the Charge RN for a special circumstance.

• All end-of-life visits will remain flexible, as dictated by the patient condition.

COVID unit visitation: • Visiting hours for the COVID

units will also be limited to 4 – 7 p.m. Visitors will be limited to 30 minutes.

• An escort will bring the visitor to the unit and help the visitor with appropriate PPE upon arrival to the patient room. The escort will advise the visitor when the 30 minutes are over and will help the visitor remove the PPE. All visitors will be escorted off the unit and returned to the lobby of the hospital.

For further information about COVID-19, please visit www. parklandhospital.com

Hutchinson is new Technology Project Manager in Fort Worth

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Publisher : Cheryl Smith Editor: editor@myimessenger.com Address: 320 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 100 Dallas, Tx 75203 Website: www.texasmetronews.com Phone: 214-941-0110

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.

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Isha Hutchinson

A highly talented and accomplished senior project manager / program manager with an extensive background in software development, infrastructure and hardware projects with budget management experience of up to $10 million, he holds a successful track record in all sizes of system solutions, project and program team leadership, soft skills, communication, change management, strategic

IT planning and business-related functions. He is a results oriented professional with progressive experience in the banking, airlines, and telecommunications industries A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in legal studies. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Toastmasters International - where he is a Distinguished Toastmaster; he is also the owner of 410 Line Dancer, the Dallas / Fort Worth area’s award

winning and leading urban dance company. Founded in 2014, 410 Line Dancers provides soul line-dance lessons to all, regardless of age or dance skill level, in a safe dance studio environment.

WTS Heart of Texas Honors

NEW TOWNHOMES 2231 Dorian Place MLS #14379965

Kimberly Sims

Congratulations to Mike Weaver and Steve Knobbe for being named recipients of the Ray LaHood Award by the WTS Heart of Texas and Greater Dallas-Fort Worth Chapters respectively, and to Kimberly Sims for being named Member of the Year by the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter.

A member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sims attended Texas Woman’s University where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communications and a Master’s in Business Administration.

WTS International was founded in 1977 by a group of pioneering women in transportation who realized that women’s careers would benefit from professional development, encouragement and recognition to support their advancement in transportation professions.

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• Vol-9

MARY ANN BUSSEY In honor of her 90th birthday and dedication to the Hamilton Park community

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Bussey was born to Elijah and Nishia Randolph on December 29, 1930, in Dallas, Texas. She was the youngest of five girls; Ruby, Viola, Margaret and Elizabeth (all deceased); and WHEREAS, Mary attended Dallas public schools. As a single parent, she took on the responsibility of raising and nurturing her three children, while balancing employment as a domestic worker. Mary took pride in her profession and performed her duties with excellence. She was later employed at and after 15 years retired from the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, currently known as GuideStone; and WHEREAS, Mary and J. Edward Bussey (deceased) are the proud parents of one

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daughter, Carolyn; and two sons, Carl (deceased, wife Nancy) and Charles (wife Stella). Mary has nine beautiful grandchildren; Tonya, Stanley Jr, Stacy, Cecili, Brian, Carl, Crystal, Brittany and Justin; 14 awesome great-grandchildren; Jordan, Cory, Cameron, Kayla, Elijah, Maquela, Trevor, Josiah, Isaiah, Jacob, Miles, Liam, Judea, and Noah; and two adorable great-greatgrandchildren, Karsyn and Jaydan; and WHEREAS, Mary moved to the Hamilton Park community in November 1959, is an original and cherished homeowner and was the only single parent family in the community.

Mary was a member of Parent Teachers Association, Hamilton Park School Band Club and Hamilton Park Civic League; and she served as

• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

Celebration

from page 1

to await the celebration, she was joined by more than 20 family members and friends who handed out individually wrapped cupcakes to wellwishers.

And it was indeed a party for a queen, as more than 50 cars gathered at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Hamilton Park Pacesetter School, 8301 Towns St, Dallas, to ride by Ms. Bussey’s house and wish her well.

Mr. Thomas Jefferson, the unofficial mayor of Hamilton Park, presented a proclamation of special recognition to Ms. Bussey in honor of her life and special dedication to the community, signed by Dallas Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam McGough.

Bussey is one of the original

homeowners in Hamilton Park and has lived in the neighborhood for more than 60-years. She was a member of the Parent Teachers Association, Hamilton Park School Band Club and Hamilton Park Civic League; and she served as a homeroom volunteer and chaperone for school events.

An active member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Richardson, she loves to work out at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas.

“I can’t imagine...All these people came to see me,” she said, looking in awe as the cars rode by; many with balloons, signs, cards or gifts for the nonagenarian.

a homeroom volunteer and chaperone for school events.

She is an active member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Richardson and loves to work out at the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center of Dallas; and WHEREAS, Mary is a woman of integrity, good-hearted Christian and faithful member of the community. She learned at an early age that, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Her entire life is built around her faith, family and trust in Jesus Christ, and she truly embodies the spirit of “Love Your Neighbor.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ADAM MCGOUGH, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Dallas, do hereby extend Special Recognition to

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• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

The Biden Cabinet — Mainstream, Moderate, Middling THE LAST WORD

By Dr. Julianne Malveaux I neither expected sparks nor extreme surprises as President-elect Joe Biden begin to announce his Cabinet. I did expect diversity, and we’ve seen it.

But I didn’t expect the number of Obama-era retreads to be included in this Cabinet.

As I write this in mid-December, I can hardly contain my disappointment that Tom Vilsack, the man who fired Shirley Sherrod for specious reasons, is being asked, again, to lead the Department of Agriculture.

Many of us had hoped that Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, who served several years on the House Committee on Agriculture, would get this position.

Instead, she was nominated to be the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), still a cabinet position.

HUD, however, is one of those “Black folk or people of color”

positions. Robert Weaver, an African American Harvard Ph.D. in economics, was the first HUD Secretary. Noted attorney and civil rights activist, Patricia Roberts Harris, was the eighth.

Some HUD secretaries were quite distinguished and qualified, others (like present secretary Ben Carson) much less so.

In any case Congresswoman Fudge will do an exemplary job, no matter where she serves. But I am among those, including the legacy civil rights leaders, who is not excited about Vilsack returning to Agriculture.

There is no one under 50 among the Biden nominees.

There are few progressives among the Biden nominees. A glimmer of hope lies in the fact that the Council of Economic Advisor leans somewhat left and is also labor-centered, with the nominated chair, Cecilia Rouse, a Princeton University labor economist. The others, Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey, have past relationships with the Economic Policy Institute, a worker focused think tank in DC (I serve on their board). It is also hopeful that Janet Yellen has been nominated as Treasury Secretary. She

is worker-focused and the first woman to hold the posy.

But in retreading Vilsack and Kerry, choosing international expert Susan Rice to lead the Domestic Policy Council, and choosing other mainstream moderates, Biden has thrown ice water on the hopes and dreams of the progressives who put their interests aside to unite around him.

Hon. Marcia Fudge

Where is the appointment for Mayor Pete Buttigieg, whose youth and knowledge will bring much to the Cabinet? Who will be the Secretary of Labor? Bernie Sanders would like the position and is highly qualified for it.

But so, too, is Thea Lee, President of the Economic Policy Institute, or Bill Spriggs, an African American labor economist who was an Assistant Secretary under

2020: A Blurry Vision!

QUIT PLAYIN’

By Vincent L. Hall 2020 started before it even started. Months before its arrival, personal and corporate plans were laid out like a Sunday suit on Saturday night. We were just itching for church service to begin.

Every passage of scripture with the word vision was surveyed. 2020 was declared the shiznit before it even started.

A wise preacher once said that God laughs at our plans. He must have.

In January, most of our troubles were far away. The Australian Brushfires scorched a patch of land the size of Cuba. 18.6

million hectares, whatever that is, burned. Meanwhile, Trump was relishing his assassination of Iran’s General Qassim Suleimani. Congress rushed through a bill to limit his authority after that.

The Coronavirus and the lockdowns came next. America’s biggest Ferris wheel, aka “the greatest economy in the world,” halted. No school, no restaurants, no travel, no jobs. Who knew that Democracy and materialism were just two paychecks short of bankruptcy?

Twenty-two million Americans lost their jobs. That figure does not account for the children, ailing parents, and other dependents who were put at risk.

Pandemic was the new buzzword by then. The concept was new to the world and the American middle class, but not for everyone.

This “pandemic” thing was

just the latest complication for minorities and the working poor.

If they have a place to lay their heads at all, America’s homeless and underinsured living in food deserts were on display for the world to see. COVID-19 ripped the scab off the United States’

best-kept secret. America is the “home of the free” for some while millions just brave the waves and woes of poverty.

The CARES Act was introduced and passed. It helped millions of citizens, small businesses, schools, governments, and churches. Yes, churches! On its face, it was a gracious act of

President Obama. What about the Attorney General? Of the four top picks, only one, Former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, is African American.

There are opportunities for the Cabinet to be younger, more progressive, and more diverse. President-elect Biden has to consider their concerns.

For a week or so, I’ve been encouraging patience, telling people we need to wait to see “the whole thing” of this Cabinet. But I’m reminded (thank you, Congressman Jim Clyburn) of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s book, Why We Can’t Wait, that Black people are always waiting, always being cautioned to be patient, always being told that it is not yet time for our concerns to be addressed.

We have been cautioned on patience by both our friends and by those who would oppose us.

President-elect Jo Biden still has selections to make, and he can make them younger and more diverse. I’d also encourage him to speak up about the racism that has increased in our streets with these “Proud Boys” defacing Washington DC churches and roaming through our streets

picking fights with people.

We need a strong voice to stand against this racism. It wouldn’t necessarily come from the mainstream, moderate and middling. Those like the so-called Proud Boys (what are they proud of) aren’t likely to listen to Biden since they’ve been given the thumbs up by the tantrum-throwing loser who can’t figure out how to concede this election.

But President-elect Biden would be well advised to speak firmly about this racism. Perhaps he should, as NAACP President Derrick Johnson said, appoint a race czar, just as he has selected the climate czar in John Kerry.

In any case, the middling and the moderate, those who enjoy the status quo, aren’t the ones to fix a mess that has been brewing for more than 400 years. President-elect has never been especially bold, but this is a moment for boldness.

thoughtfulness.

Nevertheless, the lobbyists won again. The big businesses fared much better than the small citizens did.

Thomas Massie, a Republican congressional representative from Kentucky, threatened to derail the whole process. He pointed at the grift in that legislation.

“If it were just about helping people to get more unemployment (benefits) to get through this calamity, then I could be for it, but this is $2 trillion. Divide $2 trillion by 350 million people.”

His point was as stark as it was simple. Americans got $1,200 each instead of the $17,000 each they could have. Big Business is still the heavyweight champion!

Oil got so cheap in April that they would give you $37.63 to take a barrel home with you. We watched fossil fuels take a beating, and then the camera panned to George Floyd, whose beating was fatal, brutal, and consequential.

Black Lives Matter garnered lots of support. Many, if not most of those protesters were sym-

pathetic Whites, and that was a positive sign. Their involvement led to Corporate America leaning in on the side of BLM. It reminds us that Presidents and Congressional leaders do not run America. Uncle Sam is powerless to the sway of Captain Corporate. Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos vs. Donald Trump, and Mitch McConnell is a mismatch at best.

We learned to work from home, worship on the web, and wash our hands after every visit to the latrine. And speaking of outhouses, Americans bared the public square just long enough to push Donald Trump out of the White House he has stained for future generations.

At this writing, 315,000 people are dead, and 300,000 of them probably should not have ever even been infected.

2020 was slated as the year of vision, but we cannot wait for it to become a blur.

Come on, 2021!

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, media contributor and educator. Her latest project MALVEAUX! On UDCTV is available on youtube.com. For booking, wholesale inquiries or for more info visit www.juliannemalveaux.com.

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

• Vol-9

Reflecting and Remembering: Thinking from page 1 Hard Times during the Holidays FAITHFUL UTTERANCES

By Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew It has been such a difficult year and I know that most of us are ready for 2020 to end. As the first year of a new decade, we all were excited in January to think about the possibilities as we made plans for the upcoming twelve months.

Little did we know that three months in, our lives would change drastically. None of us could have predicted that many of us would be in our homes nine months of the entire year.

No one could have told me that I would not be able to enjoy eating with friends and family at restaurants or even at gatherings in our homes. I would have not believed that wearing a mask would become a part of our attire or that my attendance at church would be restricted to being solely online. Everyone, in some way, has been impacted by this year.

My mother and I were reminiscing today and discussing this year’s effect on our lives. She lost six church members and five classmates.

I have had several friends contract the disease and just recently, my dear friend’s son just died from complications of the disease.

Chris was just 21. I did not think his death would affect me in the way it has--- it has been so painful. Chris went through so many difficulties after contracting COVID-19.

He had multiple hospital visits and even after being in ICU for months, he was finally released only to have to return several times because of his inability to breathe.

It was heart wrenching to hear his mother’s panic each time as she asked for prayer. My prayer warrior crew was always ready to lift our concerns to God and intercede on behalf of Chris.

His mother has endured so much, and I was so concerned

as I witnessed her son’s struggles of the pain and concern, she tucked it away to focus on him. His mother’s faith has always been remarkable and even in some of her darkest moments, she encouraged me by witnessing her faith leap into action.

Even the night of his death, in our tears, her faith did not falter.

His sisters have been the same way. This was a family filled with so much love and to lose a son, a brother, a grandson, a relative, a friend who was a gentle giant like Chris is hard to swallow.

I remember the toddler who ran around St. Philip’s who grew from a quiet, shy boy into a kindhearted, polite, generous, and driven young man. Chris will be so missed.

This year, all of us in some way have experienced loss. Whether it was the loss of a loved one, or a job/business or even our daily routine, there has been something that has occurred that has changed us.

None of us will walk away from this experience as the person we were pre-pandemic.

This Holiday Season and New Year will be different. Many of us are hurting. Some of us are grieving, isolated, frightened, or lonely. This is the time for us to be there for one another in ways we have not shown up before.

1. We must acknowledge our grief and pain. Hiding it does not help us but hinders us from experiencing the hands and hearts of others.

2. We are not alone. We may be dealing with a battle that others may be unaware of but know that we do not have do to this by ourselves.

3. Although we are physically distancing, we cannot afford to socially distance. We

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need each other and now, more than ever, we need to check on one another. We need to check in with people and ask how they are really doing beyond the superficial conversations.

4. Community cannot be forsaken. We may not be able to hang out with one another, but we need to create the spaces for connection. We need the presence of one another, and we definitely need to know that God is so present even now.

There are multiple scriptures that are reminders of God’s presence even when it doesn’t feel like God is on the scene like “Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you; don’t be anxious, because I am your God. I keep on strengthening you; I’m truly helping you. I’m surely upholding you with my victorious right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) God is still here and even when it appears to be absolute chaos, we are not alone. We do not have to carry this weight by ourselves.

We must stand in and on our faith. I would be deceptive if I told you this was not hard for me and that I haven’t had so many prayers questioning and yet, I am reminded of God’s goodness in my past and in my present even when tears stream down my face and I don’t always understand why.

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is a Buckner International Board Member and currently serves as Vice President of Community Affairs and Strategic Alliances for the State Fair of Texas. She is the author of three books and the host of a podcast for women, The Tapestry.

and Lee G. Brotherton Sr. (who became a Muslim and changed his name to L. G. Bilal). Dawson joined in 1948 along with William Starks and Charles Thompson. The Black officers patrolled the historic Black enclave State-Thomas neighborhood just north of downtown Dallas.

They were not allowed to arrest White folk.

As racial restrictions slowly began to thin out over the years, the pioneer Black officers began to share their hard-fought experiences in media interviews. I interviewed Dawson for a Black History Month series in The Dallas Morning News in the 1980s.

Dawson said this: “We had people in our own race who didn’t want us. We bowed our necks and did the job.

We needed a job and enjoyed what we were doing. I was just determined to make it.”

Dawson retired in 1976 and later became the first Black elected constable in Dallas, succeeding Rev. George Brewer who had been appointed in 1975.

Margaret McGee was Dallas’ first Black female officer. She arrived in Dallas in 1972, began looking for work, and applied at Dallas City Hall. She discovered there were no Black female officers and that year became the first. She overcame resistance as both a female and Black person but remembers when attitudes began to soften. “We respect each other’s ability now more than when I first came,” she told me in a 1980s interview.

The saddest, most enraging and yet heroic Dallas Black police pioneer was William McDuff. Journalist Erin Blakemore tells his heartbreaking story in a

• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

5

Retiring Dallas Police Chief U. Renee Hall.

Credit: The Dallas Morning News

2016 online edition of smithsonianmag.com.

McDuff was appointed as a “special officer” in 1896 when racism was stifling, the economy was depressed, and the Ku Klux Klan was prominent. He lived modestly in a shack in the blighted Stringtown area that became known as Deep Ellum. He served only two months before he was murdered in a vicious and fatal attack in his home on Christmas night, December 25, 1896.

Journalist Blakemore reported that McDuff had reprimanded two young Black males for “laughing during a debate” at an AME church in his community where he was hired to keep order. Witnesses said the young men came to his home on Christmas night, dragged him outside, called him racist names, and shot him between the eyes. He died instantly. The young men were convicted and went to prison. Police authorities ignored neighborhood pleas to replace McDuff. More than 50 years passed before the subsequent Black officers were hired in 1947.

Black officers made slow but meaningful inroads later, including milestones of retired executive assistant police chief Don Stafford in 1960, assistant chief Shirley Gray in 1972, Police Chiefs David Brown in 1983 and U. Renee Hall in 2017 to name only a few. I hope to tell more about them in the future.

Norma Adams-Wade, is a proud Dallas native, University of Texas at Austin journalism graduate and retired Dallas Morning News senior staff writer. She is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and was its first southwest regional director. She became The News’ first Black full-time reporter in 1974. norma_adams_wade@yahoo.com

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Advocate for a Racial Justice Agenda

By John B. King Jr. and Marc Morial

The coronavirus has shined a light on how systematic racism, unequal access to opportunity, and disinvestments in low-income communities and communities of color have compounded inequities that have long existed in our country.

Black and Latino Americans, for example, are more likely to be hospitalized with and die of COVID-19, are less likely to have access to quality healthcare, and are experiencing disproportionate and devastating economic instability as a result of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Black and Latino children are bearing the emotional impact of seeing their communities and families ravaged by the virus and are more likely to encounter challenges with their education—which has largely moved online—due to a lack of access to high-speed internet and devices for learning.

With a new presidential administration, we have an opportunity to begin on the path to a strong recovery from the pandemic. But COVID-19 recovery cannot happen without education recovery. And true education recovery must focus on ensuring every child’s civil right to quality teaching and learning in our nation’s public schools. The federal government—specifically the Biden-Harris administration’s Department of Education—can, and must, play a part in this work, by reinstating its role as a civil rights agency with a robust racial justice agenda.

To be sure, if we want to “build back better,” decisive and bold federal action is required. His-

John B. King Jr.

torically, there have been times when the Education Department has prioritized its civil rights role to ensure that students—regardless of their race, background, ethnicity, native language, disability, LGBTQ status, housing status, or country of origin—have the opportunity to access a quality public education. But that role was abandoned under the 45th president.

As the Biden-Harris administration prepares to assume office, we believe there are important ways that the Education Department can address the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as our nation’s ongoing fight against systemic racism and injustice.

First, the Secretary of Education must use his or her platform to lead a nationwide conversation about education through a racial equity lens.

That conversation must center on the needs of students from marginalized communities, clearly illuminate the impacts of the pandemic, and demonstrate how those impacts interact with and exacerbate hundreds of years of systemic racism. That conversation, shaped by the secretary’s national bully pulpit, is critical to nudging our decentralized education system toward greater equity. It must

Marc Morial

be stewarded by a leader who intentionally creates and maintains space for feedback loops with communities that have been marginalized and most directly impacted by injustice.

Second, the Education Department must use all the levers at its disposal to combat educational inequities that existed prior to, and have been compounded by, the pandemic.

The Department must work with Congress to take immediate action to close the digital divide, invest additional federal resources to address learning loss due to COVID-related disruptions, and incentivize states to revise their funding formulas to make them more equitable so that students with the greatest needs receive the resources that are necessary to succeed in college and careers. Part of this work will entail ensuring that, in places where cuts cannot be avoided, states and school districts are not disproportionately cutting public education funding from the highest-needs schools.

In the early months of 2021, the Biden-Harris administration also will be tasked with proposing a budget and advocating for that budget before Congress. We urge the new administration to hold firm to its promise to invest

in programs that help our most underserved students thrive, by tripling funding for Title I; making college more affordable by doubling the maximum Pell Grant; and supporting community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions.

Importantly, we hope the Department will, along with robust investments, work with Congress to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, a fundamental lever in advancing racial equity and opportunity for today’s students.

Additionally, the Department must immediately strengthen and re-issue prior guidance that supports a racial justice agenda. This includes guidance to states, schools, and institutions of higher education to legally pursue desegregation strategies that increase diversity. This also includes guidance issued by the Departments of Education and Justice related to ensuring that students of color aren’t disproportionately subjected to overly harsh school discipline practices.

The Department also must issue guidance and take appropriate civil rights enforcement actions to ensure that students of color, Native students, English learners, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families have access to the same opportunities and resources as their peers. This includes access to advanced coursework, talented and diverse educators, and safe and supportive school environments.

Finally, almost exactly five years ago, the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act ushered in a new era that provided states with greater flexibility to meet the needs of their local

contexts. While the law provides guardrails that are designed to protect our most marginalized students, it required states to take greater responsibility for ensuring the civil rights of all students are protected.

Unfortunately, and much to the concern of civil rights advocates like us, we’ve seen that the flexibility within the law and the lack of oversight by the current administration—alongside the many failures of the federal government in responding to COVID-19—are widening gaps in access to educational opportunity for marginalized students.

The Biden-Harris Education Department must right this wrong.

To do that, the incoming secretary must hold fast to ensuring that educators, families, and communities have accurate information about how students are performing in our K-12 schools, including data from statewide assessments, so that resources can be directed to schools and students in need.

Our communities are seeking the Department of Education’s leadership in fighting against the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and the deep, systemic disparities that threaten to create a second-class education system for students of color. We call upon the Biden-Harris administration to enforce federal education law, champion equitable policies, and implement a racial justice agenda as a sign of its commitment to dismantling the inequities that have denied students of color access to opportunity for far too long.

John B. King Jr. is the president and chief executive of the Education Trust and served as U.S. Secretary of Education under President Obama. Marc Morial is the President and CEO of the National Urban League.

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Don’t make Black Success a Disqualifier in the Biden-Harris Administration OUR VOICES Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. When President-elect Joe Biden pounded the podium after the November 2020 elections and proclaimed, “The Black community has always had my back,” he also pledged to make the Biden Administration accountable and reflective of the interests of Black Americans and all others who stand for freedom, justice, equality, and economic empowerment.

That was certainly good news.

Yet, as the Biden-Harris Transition Team moves forward to create one of the most diverse and inclusive administrations

in the history of the United States, there are those who take exception to including Black Americans and other people of color who have had significant private sector work experience.

I know how complex and critical the new administration’s selection of nominees and appointees can be. I served on the Clinton-Gore Transition Team in 1992-1993 and I witnessed firsthand how standards were applied to ensure that the best talented and experienced people were recruited to serve in the Administration without exclusion due to race or prior career experience.

I am speaking out about this issue, because now is not the time for silence as a result of fear from the right or from the left.

As President-elect Biden looks to fill his Cabinet, Whi-

te House staff, and the various agencies throughout the federal government, Biden will look to talented men and women from all walks of life to help him and Vice President-elect Harris to end a deadly pandemic, rebuild a stalled economy, and make America’s future progress and sustainability accessible to all of its citizens.

The Biden-Harris Transition Team should not be forced to exclude talented people of color because they have chosen certain career paths.

The vast majority of people of color, particularly Black people, do not come from generational wealth and most often are the first in their families to attend college. When they graduate and choose to go into public service, it is truly a personal sacrifice because they often do so with a heavy debt burden.

Georgia on My Mind!

By Royce West Texas Senate Here we are, a few days before Christmas and fast approaching the New Year. Three weeks from now, I will be headed to Austin to begin a Legislative Session far different from any of the 14 that I have been part of. We’ve faced budget woes before, but not in the midst of a deadly pandemic.

But looking to the near future, Georgia is on my mind. Why? It’s because how America will be governed for at least the next two years, maybe four, depends on the Peach State. Come January 5, 2021, Georgia voters will elect two U.S. Senators.

Those two races will decide whether Democrats will lead the Senate or whether one man will continue to near-dictate the fate of our democracy. His name is Mitch McConnell; current Senate Majority Leader. If it were up to me, voters would have sent him back to his old Kentucky home in November.

In November, Georgia turned blue and chose Joseph Biden for President. The election also resulted in run-offs for two Republican incumbents; one Kelly Loeffler, appointed a year ago.

The other, David Perdue, was first elected in 2014. Both face scrutiny and deny allegations that they traded stocks using information about the coronavirus learned from their Senate posts.

The stakes could not be higher.

Republicans now hold a one-seat advantage in the Senate pending the January runoff. Democrats must win both races. At 50 members each, any tie-breaking vote would belong to Vice President Kamala Harris.

With an equal number of members from both parties, the new majority leader would come from the vice president’s party, who must confer with the minority leader on Senate business.

Shared authority is a better option than we’ve had since McConnell took over in 2015.

As Senate minority leader, pri-

or to the game-changing 2010 Midterm Elections, McConnell told reporters that the most important issue for Republicans “is to make President Obama a oneterm president.”

Sen. Royce West

As majority leader, he has consistently pushed for repeal of the Affordable Care Act, including a showdown where the vote that saved Obamacare was cast by the late Senator John McCain.

To relieve themselves of that burden when their time in public service comes to an end, they often turn to the private sector for employment so that they can provide for their families, purchase a home, and build wealth.

Those who consider themselves to be in the progressive left, counterproductively miss the point when they apply a “no private sector work” standard to people of color looking to come back and serve their country in the Biden-Harris administration.

Those well-intentioned but misguided left progressives don’t realize that such a standard is unjustly punitive and ignores the racial and economic inequities in our nation.

If we are to ever bridge the racial and class divisions in our nation, we must learn from

our history rather than continue the stereotypes, fears, and prejudices of the past. The Biden-Harris Administration, like the Obama-Biden Administration, has an historic opportunity to move the nation forward toward “a more perfect Union.”

Experienced and talented Black leaders in the public and private sectors will help the Biden-Harris Administration to achieve future success towards an inclusive, sustainable and equitable transformation of the United States of America.

He’s blocked attempts to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 Elections and until recently, stalled initiatives related to climate change. In 2016, McConnell refused to allow hearings on President Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court, saying the incoming Congress should pick the next justice.

This year, he reversed himself by rushing through the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett just weeks after the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, but before the November elections.

After the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump, McConnell’s refusal to call witnesses or conduct meaningful hearings aided Trump’s acquittal, allowing him to stay in office.

Many benefits of the CARES Act - passed by Congress in March to help Americans survive the catastrophic impact of the coronavirus - expired at the end of July. Before this week’s new bill passed, remaining provisions were set to end the day after Christmas.

Legislation passed by the House in October aimed to help struggling families, small busi-

nesses, states and cities. McConnell refused to consider it. His proposal would shield big business from lawsuits for their failure to adequately protect workers from COVID by subsidizing them using taxpayer dollars.

So Georgia, the road leads back to you. Facing the two incumbents are Democratic challengers, Rev. Rafael Warnock and Jon Ossoff. Warnock is pastor of Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, once pastored by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He has championed Medicaid Expansion and led voter registration efforts. Ossoff, an investigative journalist, lost a high-profile Georgia Congressional race in 2018. Warnock won more votes than Loeffler in November. Ossoff trailed Perdue by two percent. Georgia officials have responded by limiting early voting locations, but during the first week, 1.3 million ballots were cast.

Call, email, Facebook, Instagram or by any means necessary, contact the people you know who live in Georgia. Tell them America has Georgia on its mind.

Tell them our democracy depends on them.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) in Washington, DC, and executive producer & host of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV. dr.bchavis@nnpa.org http://www.

TheChavisChronicles.com

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G.O.A.T.

9

the Greatest of All Times.

WHAT’S ON MILES’ MIND

By Miles Jaye Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a growing trend among boxers, basketball players and rappers. There seems to be a fascination with the notion of the G.O.A.T.-- the Greatest of All Times. Who is the best, the greatest... of all time? The question is bothersome. It’s far too presumptive and far too subjective for a rational evidence-based debate. Too many elements change and too much evolves over the decades that constitute all times.

Let’s take the best rapper for instance.

How, for the sake of a rating, can you compare a genre featuring basketball courts, chain link fences, and hi-top clad, cardboard born, break dancers to a modern-day hip-hop culture of cash, cars, tattooed faces, diamonds, dead bodies and more beefs than beats? You can’t!

Top 10 Rappers of All Time: Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, Rakim, Nas, Jay-Z, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, LL Cool J and Doug E. Fresh Sports announcers seem determined to elevate Lebron James to the pinnacle of the game of basketball without fair and reasonable consideration paid to his many predecessors.

Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan come to mind. They all transformed the game, but anyone offering a Top 3, Top 5 or Top 10 list that does not only include James, but places him in the top position is provoking the ire of the experts.

Kurtis Blow

Julius Erving

Top 10 Basketball Players of All Time: Michael Jordan. Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal, Oscar Robertson and Lebron James The most vigorously debated G.O.A.T. personalities were boxers, quarterbacks and running backs.

These debates were much easier to follow because each side was supported with statistics, whether it was yards or knockouts, there was a body of information to follow. Once again, however, the evolution of the game or contest became a determining factor. Perhaps more interesting, was the physiology of the contest. Particularly in the game of football for instance, the fact that players have become bigger and faster has changed the discussion. Bigger and faster? Yes, that is essentially counter-intuitive, but the combines reveal 300 pounders running 40’s that were unheard of in the past-- the big guys are fast.

See G.O.A.T., page 10

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G.O.A.T.

below can be associated with a popular melody or lyric, and visa-versa. So then, is the artist the greatest, or is it their body of music that distinguishes them as great?

from page 9

Top 10 Running Backs of All Time: Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett, O.J. Simpson and Marcus Allen Gale Sayers

Top 10 Quarterbacks of All Time:

Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, Dan Marino, John Elway, Warren Moon and Terry Bradshaw Warren Moon

Top 10 Boxers of All Time:

The same argument can be made for the musicians, the pianists, sax players or their counterparts on trumpet. Some contributors to the artform are so monumentally significant in its development like Parker and Bebop or Miles and the Birth of the The Top 10 Male Soul Cool, that their contribution Singers of All Time: alone sets them apart from the talent and skill sets Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, of their peers. Generally Otis Redding, Al Green, Ray speaking, the language Charles, B.B. King, James Brown, of music evolves… audiStevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway ences change through fashion, and Nat “King” Cole dance, and listening preferences.

Big Bands become quartets and Top 10 Female Vocalists quintets. Hi and fast becomes Donny Hathaway midrange and laid back. The of All Time: language of art always changes, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Patti La- but the gifted ones will always have their Belle, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Diana say!

Ross, Nina Simone, Dionne Warwick, Chaka Khan and Tina Turner Top 10 Jazz Pianists of All Time: Gladys Knight

Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Sugar Ray Robinson, Archie Moore, Sonny Liston, Muhammed Ali, Joe Frazier, Joe “Brown Bomber” Louis, Rocky Marciano and John L. Sullivan Joe Louis

Frankie Beverly, The Commodores, Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, The Ohio Players and Cameo

Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Fats Waller, Earl Hines, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Red Garland and Horace Silver

Count Basie

Top 10 Jazz Trumpeteers of All Time: Top 10 R&B Bands of All Time: Earth, Wind and Fire, The Isley Brothers, Parliament-Funkadelic, Kool & the Gang, Sly & the Family Stone, Maze featuring

Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Chet Baker, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw and Arturo Sandoval The Isley Brothers

When it comes to singers, the discussion can never be entirely reasonable, rational or fair. It’s such a function of taste, style, a look, and a particular song. The artist cannot be separated from the song they made famous. Would we even know Dionne Warwick without Bacharach compositions, and Hal David lyrical brilliance?

Of course, we would, but it’s an interesting consideration. Every singer or group listed

Cannonball Adderly

Top 10 Jazz Saxophonists of All Time: Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Cannonball Adderley, Hank Crawford, Gerry Mulligan, Stanley Turrentine, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young and Ben Webster Every name on the lists above earned their recognition. Names not yet on a list, are perhaps today making an argument to be added, working diligently to develop their God given talent. For this, they can always be grateful and proud. I respect them all. Interestingly, there are also lists of the worst of all time in particular areas.

To be the worst of a thing can only mean an individual had no respect or regard for the requirements of the particular discipline in which they were engaged. In short, they didn’t care. To be the worst of American Dizzy Gillespie Presidents, the worst in United States history, is simply a declaration of disrespect, disregard and indifference to the powerful obligations of the office itself and the Oath pledged to honor the office.

This list is a list of one. Donald J. Trump will arguably, but most assuredly, go down in history as the very worst of American presidents.

That’s what’s on my mind!

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

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New Year’s Resolutions

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Virtual and liVe Community Calendar

December 30 Nia-Purpose: To build develop the community Ask Dr. Amerson Show at 11am CST Dr. Linda discusses healthy hair and scalp talk, and alopecia talk, on FB Live and DfwiRadio.com.

Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez Live Podcast on Facebook @HollywoodHernandez, at 2 pm.

Oak Cliff’s Holiday Stroll, Event by Holy Crust Dallas, Veracruz Cafe (Bishop Arts District) at Veracruz Café 408 N. Bishop Ave. 6:30-19:30 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com.

Walk-In Wednesdays Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care Health Centers offer flu vaccines without an appointment from 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm. visit https://www.parklandhospital.com/locations.

Live Band- NO COVER Feat: Don Diego.

At Attaché Cigar, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. #101, 9-11 pm.

Dallas Mavericks vs.

Charlotte Hornets, at American Airlines Center 2500 Victory Ave. 7:30 pm. Tickets: Ticketmaster.

December 31 Kuumbia-Creativity: To improve our community and make it more beautiful SoulJazz Thursdays Feat: FUNKTRAIN Host Sandaga 813, 813 Exposition Ave. 8 pm-12 am. Visit www.sandaga813.com.

Over The Top NYE 2020, Event by Reunion Tower, Hyatt Regency Dallas and Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Online with Facebook Live. 11:30 pm–12:15 am CST. Revive: God’s Not Done. Event by Concord Church. Online Event. 7– 9:30 pm CST Free via Eventbrite.com Dallas Zoo Lights Presented by Reliant Hosted by Dallas Zoo. Dallas Zoo 650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 6:30-9:30 pm. Tickets: zoolights.dallaszoo.com/guests.

Watch Night Service. Event by Friendship-West Baptist Church. Feat: John P. Kee Online with Facebook Live 7 pm CST.

January 1 New Year’s Day Imani-Faith: To believe that the world can become a better place

Happy Birthday to Terry Allen

Greater Garth Chapel A.M.E. Church, Serving Our Community. Free hot meals and sack lunches Fridays 4 pm. at 2828 Carpenter Ave. Dallas.

Parkland Free flu shots drive-thru flu and COVID-19 testing from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 South Polk St., Dallas.

The Workshop at the Latino Cultural Center. Streaming Craft workshop. 12:30–1 pm. CST. Live at Facebook.com/LCCDallas.

January 5

Online Spiritual Care Sessions Hosted by Friendship-West Baptist Church. 1-2:30 pm.

Tickets: https://zoom.us/j/8567036848.

The Jazz Jam at Jazz Becuzz, feat: Jay Mck, Bobby Sparks, and JT. Online with Facebook Live. Jam Becuzz Art Center, 8:30 pm CST. http://www.jazzbecuzzac.com

3rd Annual Smooth Jazz. Event by DFW Social 40 Aloft Dallas Love Field, 2333 W. Mockingbird Ln. 8 pm– 1:30 am CST. Tickets www.dfwsocial40.com.

Emotional Wellbeing for the New Year, Event by Dallas Yoga Center. Online Event 6:30 pm CST.at http://www.dallasyogacenter.com.

Radiance! Frisco Hosted by Radiance Dr. Pepper Ballpark Center, 7300 Roughriders Trail, Frisco. 5:30-11 pm. Tickets: https:// www.radiancechristmas.com/buy-tickets.

January 2 Empowering The Masses Disaster Relief Drive Through Food Pantry at 3314 Detonte St. Dallas. 10 am-12 pm. www. empoweringthemasses.org.

Mountain View Church of Christ Distribution of Free Groceries, 7979 E. R.L. Thornton Fwy. 9 am-12 pm. Drive-Thru.

1st Saturday Harvest Project Food Rescue Free Fruit and Veggies, at the Pan African Connection 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 10 am-3 pm. until their gone. Call 214-943-8262.

Holiday Observance. Event by Coffee and Politics 101 with Cydney Walker Online with Facebook Live. 10-11 am.

New Year New Flow: Yoga + Affirmation Setting for 2021. Host City of Dallas, City Hall, 1500 Marilia St. 2:15–3:30 pm CST. Tickets • $15 via Eventbrite.com.

January 3

January 6 Michael “Hollywood” Hernandez Live Podcast on Facebook @HollywoodHernandez, at 2 pm.

Beginner Beyoncé Ballet Arts Mission Oak Cliff, 410 Windomere, 7-8 pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.com. every Wednesday in January.

Ask Dr. Amerson Show at 11am CST Dr. Linda discusses healthy hair and scalp talk, and alopecia talk, FB Live & DfwiRadio.com.

January 7 Gokey’s Comedy Show by the Texas Ale Project. 6–9 pm CST, Texas Ale Project 1001 N. Riverfront Blvd. Tickets: http://www. texasaleproject.com.

Linny Nance Network Hosted by The Free Man, 2626 Commerce St. 7-10 pm.

January 8 Happy Birthday to Valder Beebe

Ubuntu Market (Small Bus. Marketplace) Host Pan African Connection 4466 S. Marsalis Ave. 12-5 pm. Shop Small Businesses. Info email: Panafric@airmail.net.

The Bear Creek Food Distribution, Mon, Wed, & Fri. 11 am-3 pm. At, 2700 Finley Rd. Irving. Drive-Thru.

The EPIC Return of BeatStreet Poetry Live Sunday Social.

Hosted by Verb Kulture Ent. The Free Man, 2626 Commerce St. 5-8 pm. Tickets: https://www.verbkultureevents.com.

Parkland Free flu shots drive-thru flu and COVID-19 testing from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 South Polk St., Dallas and at the Eastfield College Campus, 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite.

West Coast Swing Afternoon Social Studio 22: A Ballroom & Social Dance Club, 14902 Preston Rd. #400. 3–6 pm CST. Tickets: clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/ws.

January 4 Happy Birthday to Ptosha Storey Marvelous Marriage Mondays at Friendship-West Baptist Church Register for Virtual event, online at friendshipwest. zoom.us/.../upcpcOmhqz4rqNU 7-8 pm.

Greater Garth Chapel A.M.E. Church, Serving Our Community. Free hot meals and sack lunches Fridays 4 pm. at 2828 Carpenter Ave. Dallas.

Live Band- NO COVER Feat: Natural Change Band At Attaché Cigar, 4099 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. #101, 8-11 pm.

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Presents: Downtown Dallas Comedy Featuring Marcus Combs at Clarence Muse Café Theatre 1309 Canton St. 9 pm. Friday and Saturday Tickets : Ticketmaster.com.

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.

DFW News & Tings with Jirah Nicole. From 11 am-1 pm. CST Tuesday’s on Facebook Live/@TexasMetroNews and BlogTalkRadio. com. Call in and join the conversation at 646-200-0459.

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.

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 646-2000459.

BLACK LIVES MATTER

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Don’t Pull Your Hair Out ABOUT THE HAIR

By Dr. Linda Amerson Do you pull your scalp hair out?

There is a name for this compulsive, self inflicted condition. Tri-cho-tilomania is an impulse disorder, characterized by a desire to pull out one’s hair. It is also called tricomania, or trich.

This disorder was first identified in 1889 by Hallopeau, and affects 1.4%% of people with an alopecia condition... more than 10 million people in the US are affected.. There are over 100 categories of alopecia.

Origin - The Origin of this disorder is Trichomalacia, the term applied to damage and twisted hair within the hair follicle, results from damage to

Garcia

from page 1 and experienced and I will support him.”

Aziz, a David W. Carter High School and UTA graduate with an MBA from the University of Dallas, was also a finalist when Chief Hall was hired in 2017.

Throughout the process, some in Dallas discussed their hopes of the chief coming from within their ranks. Interestingly, according to Garcia, he hopes the next chief will come from within also.

“We’re a little disappointed that we didn’t get an internal candidate, especially with the crime going on here in Dallas, but Eddie Garcia will be the perfect fit.” said Sgt. George Aranda, President of the National Latino Law Enforcement Organizations’ greater Dallas chapter and supervisor of DPD’s Recruiting Unit in an interview with Texas Metro News on Wednesday.

Sgt. Aranda then pointed to San Juan, Puerto Rico-born Garcia’s education, background and prior work experience before adding, “We’re going to get

the hair root. This occurs during the anagen of hair growth. A habit forms sub-consciously.

Ratio - This disorder affects twice as many females, except under the age of 6, where the sex ratio is three males to one female. The peak incident is in the 2-6 year age group. It may replace thumb sucking.

The more more severe form affects mainly females from adolescents to teenagers...11-17 years. Common areas include scalp hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, however any hairy area on the body may become targeted.

There are reported cases of infants pulling their hair out... parent’s can apply a heavy hair oil, such as Vaseline, to make the hair hard to grip, or put gloves on the infant’s hands.

In addition, there have been other cases of children who pull their hair my be a symptom of autism.

Trichotillomania is caused behind him and we’re going to support him.”

But along with the support, Aranda expressed a need for immediate accountability for the man taking the top spot.

“The rank and file is hurt and a lot of people don’t know that,” he added. “There’s been no direction under the current chief (Hall) and Garcia needs to sit down with the rank and file to hear what’s happening, listen to the ideas and help open up the line of communication.”

When Hall was hired, Aranda said she needed to have at least seven years of experience as a chief, instead of the three she had leading Detroit PD. Garcia comes to the Dallas PD with five years as San Jose chief cop.

When asked how Garcia might compare to the department’s current chief, Rene Martinez, who serves as president of the League of United Latin American Citizens Chapter 100 in Dallas, said the contrast was like apples to oranges.

“Garcia has a lot more experience than Chief Hall and he will not have any hesitancy in his ability to reach out to all parts of the community,” said Martinez. “He’s Latino and he speaks Spanish fluently which is im-

by an underlying emotional problem, or a definite mental disorder. Other contributors could include depression and isolation.

In children the underlying problem is easy to discern.

Lack of attention Sibling rivalry Divorced parent Unhappiness at School Learning disability Mental retardation is

In adults, the condition harder to trace. Trich

portant in a community that is 41 percent Spanish-speaking. He’s going to connect very quickly.”

T.C. Broadnax Dallas City Manager

Despite criticism, the Grambling State University alum still maintained community support as several appreciation events were held following her announcement and the department’s website touted her successes, stating: “Under Chief Hall’s leadership, there was a 5.7 percent reduction in overall crime in 2017 and a 5.97 percent reduction in violent crime in 2018.”

Still, crime rates rose sharply in 2020, not only in Dallas but across the country and local

is usually due to a severe psychological disorder, often monosymtomatic hypochondriac psychosis.

Do people grow out of this compulsion? It’s usually a lifelong problem.

Trichophagia occurs when people pull their hair out then eat it, causing hair balls in the intestinal tract. As reported by www.lincolnshire.co.uk/news, “Jasmine Beever, a 16-year-old girl from England died in 2017 from this compulsion.

In the teen’s case, the hair leaders said Wednesday that the Chief’s first priority should be focused on bringing the crime in the city down.

“The rates for property crime, robbery and family crime continue to go up with the holidays and COVID,” said Hopkins.

“He’s going to have to implement a plan quickly to address violent crime in the city as it continues to increase. The Black Police Association is prepared to go to work with him to help him work on the issues in Dallas.”

The crime rate was also a major focus for Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson.

“I expect that he will immediately begin developing plans to fight the unacceptable violent crime increases we have seen in Dallas,” said the Mayor. “We will need our communities’ help in those efforts. Too many lives have been taken in our city. Too many families have been devastated by violence. And too many people in our neighborhoods feel unsafe.”

His thoughts were echoed by the City Manager.

“I’m pleased to see this inclusive, equitable and transparent process culminate successfully with the hire of Chief Garcia,”

ball caused a condition called peritonitis, or inflammation of the lining of the abdomen, causing an ulcer which burst and shut down her vital organs.”

Two more alarming Trichophagia cases: Large hair ball removed was from an 18-year-old female, weighed 2.5 lbs in 2017 in the UK. Large nine lb hair ball removed in 2014, from an 18-year-old girl in the UK. Trichobesoar occurs when people pull their hair out and chew it.

Parents should pay attention to your children.

Dr. Linda Amerson, Board Certified Trichologist offers Virtual and Clinic Consultations.

817-265-8854 www.hairandscalpessentials. com.

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.

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said Dallas City Manager T.C. Broadnax. “Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, it’s an exciting time for him to come to Dallas and continue building on the foundation of R.E.A.L. Change we’ve built – advancing 21st Century policing in ways that are responsible, equitable, actionable, and legitimate.”

Today he’s 50, but the graduate of Union Institute and University retired from the San Jose PD on December 12, 2020, after 28 years on the force and said he had already planned to make North Texas his home.

“My story began as a young boy moving to a new city, learning to speak English in a community that promoted me to Chief. It’s an honor to be welcomed into one of America’s greatest cities for the second time as Chief,” said Garcia. “I’m truly humbled by the thought of wearing the DPD uniform and working alongside such an amazing group of committed men and women. Together in partnership and collaboration with the Dallas community, we will meet the challenges of today and beyond.”

Garcia assumes his new role on February 3, 2021.

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• Vol-9

Sylvie’s Love AT THE MOVIES

By Hollywood Hernandez

Mavs Make History in First Season Win

By Dorothy J. Gentry Sports Editor The Dallas Mavericks went into December 27th’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers with an 0-2 record.

They were determined not to start the season at 0-3; especially not to the team that sent them home in the first round of this summer’s Bubble playoffs in Orlando.

And they didn’t. The Luka Doncic-led Mavericks defeated the 2-0 Clippers 124-73 and made history along the way.

They started the game leading 9-2 and never looked back. In an offensive onslaught, the Mavs led the Clippers by 50 points at halftime—77-27—the biggest halftime lead in league history since the NBA adopted the shot clock. https://twitter.com/dallas mavs/status/13433100758 39053825?s=20 The final score was also the biggest Clippers loss in franchise history.

“I wasn’t thinking about the playoffs. New season, New goals,” Doncic said afterward. “We showed who we are. People judged us the first two games. It’s a long season.”

Doncic finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. He was followed

by the Mavs’ newest player Josh Richardson with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

“They just decided they were going to be the hardest-playing team in the gym. Real proud of the way we responded to two sub-par games,” Head Coach Rick Carlisle said on the team’s mentality.

Paul George was the leading scorer for the Clippers, who were without star Kawhi Leonard, who did not play due to a facial laceration he suffered in the Clippers’ Friday night win against the Denver Nuggets. He had to have eight stitches in his mouth as a result of taking a blow to the face in the game.

“I take full responsibility. We weren’t ready to go.

We got our butts kicked.

That’s on me,” said George postgame. https://twitter.com/ESPN NBA/status/13433284287 25047298?s=20 The Mavs are now 1-2 and will be home all week and will welcome in 2021 as they hold their home opener on December 30th against the Charlotte Hornets at 7:30 pm. They will also host the Miami Heat on New Year’s Day. No fans will be in attendance as the franchise has decided against fans in American Airlines Center as the pandemic continues.

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In the movie SYLVIE’S LOVE, Sylvie is a young girl working in her father’s record store in Harlem during the 1950s who meets an aspiring saxophone player.

The two share a mutual love of music and Sylvie, played by Tessa Thompson, and Robert, played by Nnamdi Asomugha, develop a romance, despite the fact that Sylvie already has a fiance.

The star-crossed lovers struggle to stay together, but seemingly are meant to be apart. They also come from very different backgrounds.

Sylvie comes from a wealthy family and has a successful business man for a fiance while Robert is a self taught musician and formerly worked in a plant.

The couple’s love affair takes a lot of different twists and turns while the movie follows them over the years.

Sylvie gets a job she loves as an assistant on a TV cooking show while Robert’s jazz career comes to an end when people move from jazz to R&B and his goal is to move to Detroit with hopes of joining the Motown roster.

His contact who had told him he could make connections for him at Motown turns out to be a con man whose only dealings with Motown are as a valet for the artists.

Robert ends up back working in a factory while Sylvie stays behind in Harlem to continue to work her TV job and take care of the couple’s young daughter.

The movie also shines a light on the class system between upwardly mobile Black women and the lower class Black men who they love. It shows how upper class Blacks have to adapt to a different world while lower economic class Blacks are simply not accepted by whites no matter how much talent they may have.

It’s SYLVIE’S LOVE that keeps the couple together in the end and her role as a strong Black woman in the 1960s is a real inspiration that will warm your heart. The movie is a true “Black

love story” that shows the struggles that Black couples go through.

The movie does an excellent job of capturing the styles of both the clothes and the music during the 1950s and 1960s.

It’s a well-told story and on my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” SYLVIE’S LOVE rates a LARGE. The movie is showing on Prime Video.

• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

13

She’s not in remission - she’s a survivor WITH LOVE FROM MARVA

By Marva J. Sneed On “From Marva with Love,”ordained minister Sherry L. Smith recently talked about her ministry.

Alongside her husband, Pastor Johnny V. Smith, of 38 years in marriage, Minister Sherry is actively involved as Co-Pastor of Light of the World Faith and Word Church in Arlington, Texas. She is also an Arlington Clergy and Police Partnership member and an Arlington Chamber of Commerce Life Member for almost 20 years. A breast and lymphatic cancer survivor since 2004, she boldly shares her testimony of faith and healing.

Marva: Minister Sherry tell us about your ministry.

SS: Yes I’m Co-Pastor of Light of the World Faith and Word Church. I have my ministry called “It’s All Good Cause It’s All God.” I celebrated 20 years of that ministry. It’s really about helping people to really walk and find their destiny.

No matter what you’ve been through and no matter what you’re going through there is nothing too hard for God. I worked for the Arlington Police Department for 15 years. After taking so many calls, and suicide calls, and things like that, I knew this was something I wanted to do. So here I am ministering people one-on-one in other groups and venues. And I just thank God for that opportunity.

Marva: You have another story to tell; a story that has a major Blessing in it. ory.

SS: My story is that in the year 20? It’s been so long now; I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Unexpectedly there was a lump in my breast that I did not know about. It was found by my

husband. He was there and he said the Lord told him to feel in this one spot and he did and found the lump. He said ‘feel this lump,’ and I was so shocked that it was there and you could actually feel it there. I went to the doctor. I wasn’t nervous I had to figure out what this is. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and it had already traveled to my lymph nodes. I had a choice to take the lymph nodes and remove my breast or do a lumpectomy and very extensive chemo and radiation treatment and I could keep my breast.

Min. Sherry Smith

I chose lumpectomy. I had the chemo first and lost all of my hair and my fingernails and toenails.

Keeping in mind I still had ministry work on the books to go speak and talk. I took my chemo bag with me to minister. I told God if he walked with me through these chemo treatments that I wouldn’t cancel one assignment…..

To hear the full interview with Minister Sherry go to BlogTalkRadio.com/ Cheryl’s world, http://bit. ly/34hnlFA or Facebook. c o m / Te x a s M e t r o N e w s to see the video. There is a Blessing in it. Follow Minister Sherry Smith at http://iagciag.com/.

Tune into “From Marva with Love” Fridays from 11 am-1 pm. on BlogTalkRadio. com and Texas Metro News Facebook page.

“From Marva with Love” BlogTalkRadio.com/Cheryl’s World Texas Metro News email: marvasneed@myimessenger.com

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• Vol-9

• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

15

Questions Remain Surrounding Man’s Death

By Ashley Moss Staff Writer On Christmas Eve, while other families were preparing for their celebrations, a solemn group gathered at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth to hopefully learn more about the death of Fred “Action” Jackson.

For his mother, Rosie Johnson, 71, this was not how she planned to spend the holiday and she shared her feelings at the gathering.

“It’s a bad feeling I have,” she said. “My son won’t be with his father on Christmas.”

Jackson, 38, was a former security officer and two-time Dallas County Justice of the

My Truth from page 1

come victims because of the color of their skin.

Now I’d venture to say that it was more than relatives who made flattering remarks about the aforementioned when they were young.

SO, when did our young boys become a threat? When did they become monsters, threatening,

Fred “Action” Jackson

Peace candidate. He was found dead under suspicious circumstances at a Southlake home on November 24.

Police initially said that an autopsy would be done on Jackson but after several weeks of no action, his body was grotesque and menacing?

When did they go from being the little, handsome, young men to someone who looked like a “criminal,” or worse… an “animal?”

Conversely when did Black females become the object of everyone’s disdain? Almost everyone has an issue with us including Black men, and so much to the point that Black women joined in the demonization and ostracization of other Black women! That’s right—the op-

released back to the family and a Dallas funeral home.

One month later and two questions remain that the family desperately want answered: What happened that night and what happened to his body before it was returned?

Preliminary reports from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office were inconclusive so Jackson’s family raised money for an independent autopsy.

They believe the answers might be in those results, but the latest toxicology and autopsy reports, though recently completed, could take several more weeks to come back.

“I’m trying to stay strong

but it’s hard,” said Johnson.” I just want to know what happened to my son. I need to find justice.”

Beyond those questions, the actions of local officials are now also being called into question. One area leader said the case was treated differently because Jackson was Black.

“They are covering up for something they did wrong,” said Pastor Kyev Tatum who serves as the pastor of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church. “We have evidence showing that they didn’t do what they were supposed to do.

pressed take on the ways of the oppressors!

We must stop the madness, this behavior that does nothing to make this world a better place and further disenfranchises Black people.

These are just a few names of women remembered in recent years: - Atatiana Jefferson - Breonna Taylor - Eleanor Bumpers - Mya Hall - Sandra Bland - Shereese Francis - Tyisha Miller

As we move into another decade in this century, let’s say it together: IT’S NOT OKAY!

STOP RAPING, BULLYING, FALSELY ACCUSING, CONDEMNING, REDLINING, RIDICULING, REFUSING TO HIRE, OVERLOOKING FOR PROMOTIONS, OVERCHARGING, DENYING BENEFITS OR HEALTHCARE, WHITELISTING, AND KILLING BLACK PEOPLE!

Rosie Johnson, 71, pictured in the worship center of the New Mount Rose Baptist Church on Thursday, said she needs answers, and soon, in her son’s death.

“We’re going to write to the U.S. Justice Department and ask for an inquiry into a potential hate crime. We think there are too many holes in this story, from the police department to the medical examiner, that gives us reasons to pause.”

For now, Tatum said the community is focused on helping a grieving mother heal.

“How they handled this mother was hateful and heartless,” he added. “We cannot change other people’s actions but we can accept responsibility as a community for how this mother lost her son.”

Services for Jackson will be held on December 28th in DeSoto.

“It’s time for me to lay him to rest,” said Johnson. “I want him to have the opportunity to go on to his next journey peacefully.”

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• Vol-9

WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM

• Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 6, 2021

So Many Loved Mrs. Opal

Opal Johnson Smith Remembered their spouses, grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Please be in prayer for the family.

A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.

EDITOR’s NOTE: This originally ran unedited in May 2019. Mrs. Opal Johnson Smith passed December 27, 2020 and we remember her with fondness as others will.

“My friends ask what do I see in you.”

Every time I sing those words from one of my favorite hits from the tantalizing Temptations I say to myself, “I wish someone would say those words to me!”

You see, I’m a firm believer that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and you can’t believe everything you see.

Just look at posts on social media. You see something that looks outrageous but the remarks below the picture clearly illustrate that what you see, others see entirely differently.

After all, like the Temptations say and what I see, “Beauty’s only skin deep.”

Sometimes what you see is not totally what you get, so you can’t judge a book by the cover.

Which brings me to my truth.

At first glance, you see beauty, regalness, and so much more! In this instance, the beauty is more than skin deep.

I always refer to her as the most beautiful woman in Dallas.

I’m talking about Opal Johnson Smith.

A proud 1954 graduate of Prairie View A&M University, she served as Miss Prairie View A&M and she has the distinction of having an auditorium named after her at her alma mater.

The youngest of eight children born to Professor Wayne Wright and Elsie Johnson of Nigton (now I could write about that name but I digress), young Opal was 15 when she graduated from high school and 19 when she re-

Family Gathering

Panther Beyond the Hill MRS. OPAL JOHNSON SMITH August 27, 1934 - December 27, 2020 Dallas PVAMU Alumni Chapter

Family Gathering

Queen Opal Smith

ceived that degree in mathematics from PV. Now she is definitely PV royalty. Her father graduated from Prairie View Normal, then went on to Tuskegee where the one and only Dr. George Washington Carver mentored him.

Queen Opal Smith

Her mom entered PV then took a break to be at home with the children. That break lasted for 35 years, then she went back and graduated, walking down the aisle with her youngest son.

It’s not a surprise that Lady Opal entered the field of education. Her “Daddy” was the principal, math teacher, basketball coach (undefeated for 10 years, including beating the number one school in Texas—Houston Wheatley) and janitor in Nigton. Under his leadership the school also won academic awards.

Now Lady Opal

served 35 years in the Texas public education system, during which time she amassed numerous awards.

Her love for PV is unwavering and admirable!

Also her stories about her parents are endearing and inspiring. She describes her Daddy as calm, rational and very loving, and her mother as good looking, creative and sassy.

She said her parents instilled in her that “we have brains, we can learn, we can improve ourselves.”

Deeply spiritual, she believes it is important to “step outside myself and love others, help others.”

Miss Opal was a brick house before the Commodores knew what to do with one. She was every woman before Chaka Khan ever held a microphone.

Joseph Smith saw it all and together they bonded and raised a family, and showed their love to PV. When she walks into a room, she doesn’t have to say a word.

But when she speaks, it’s with a humble and loving spirit that is a joy to behold.

So, in this instance, as the popular group, the Dramatics, sing, “what you see is what you get!”

She is the real thing, beautiful inside out.

Just imagine what people will say about you, when you’re not around. No, on second thought.

Don’t worry, enjoy life. Live a good life.

Realize the value of life and take advantage of it by making a difference.

Lady Opal has a gratitude journal that she uses.

In my journal, I will write that I am so grateful for Opal Johnson Smith.

Cheryl Smith

Opal Smith or “Momma Smith” was an Angel. She took me in the day I moved to Dallas and her son Said Rick was my brother who went to Hampton with me.

She was so beautiful, who had me over for Sunday dinners, and was the best 2nd mom a man could have. She was truly Prairie View’s finest and heaven has the most elegant, kindest woman watching over us. My heart hurts today, but pray for the Smith siblings, especially Cederick who’s the personification of his mother.

RIP Momma Smith Love you.

Brian Custer

Today I say goodbye to one of most chic, genuine, and stunningly beautiful women i’ve ever had the honor and pleasure of knowing and loving. My mentor, gala, brunch, roadtrip, fashionista, fun-gossip girlfriend, and 2nd mother. I will miss your voice, your laugh, your essence. I love you always Mrs. Opal Smith. I’m so thankful for the day you highstepped into my life 20+years ago.

A beautiful, exuberant, powerfully positive spirit. No one could convince you that “you could” like she did.

Vincent L. Hall

I am truly sad to hear this information regarding my former 9th grade algebra teacher in Port Arthur, Tx. She was always beautiful, graceful and the epitomy of class and gr acio u sness.

I loved this lady and know that she will be missed by many.

Maretta Lavallais Collins

Renata Maiden-Guillory and Rachel Roberts- Pickett

It is with deep sorrow that I inform you of the passing of former Prairie View A&M University National Alumni Association President (19992003) Mrs. Opal Johnson Smith, class of 1954. Miss Prairie View 1954 and creator of the Dallas Alumni Chapter Athletic Scholarship Gala. We are all familiar with the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium named in her honor inside the Memorial Student Center.

I’m told her daughter was by her side and it was a peaceful homegoing.

She is survived by her husband Joe E. Smith, class of ’49, her four children,

This lady right here...Opal Smith! My heart has been heavy since this morning.

We have lost one of Dallas Diva’s, highly educated retired educator and administrator, the pride of Prairie View A&M University, my Sorority sister (Alpha Kappa Alpha) and a friend to so many.

Pray for her loving family. This was our last visit...rest in peace my friend Pennie Pitre

Oh no!! Debra and I always enjoyed seeing her one of Dallas most beautiful. Elegant, sophisticated and beautiful...Not replaceable.

Fred A. Jones