NJG | Vol. 124, No. 17 - April 25, 2024

NEWJOURNAL & GUIDE NEW JOURNAL & GUIDE

SHOVE-OFF DAY REMEMBRANCE THE 1865 PATH TO TEXAS’ JUNETEENTH THAT BEGAN IN HOPEWELL, VIRGINIA

In 2023, the National Park Service hosted “Shove Off Day” in Hopewell, Virginia, bringing widespread national attention for the first time to the role of Virginia in the storied history that surrounds Juneteenth.

This year, a bigger “Shove Off Day” celebration is planned on May 25, 2024. In fact, “Shove Off Day” is now part of the official Juneteenth calendar, according to The National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF) which is in partnership with the National Park Service for the 2024 recognition program NJOF is the official foundation which advocated more than 25 years for the recognition of Juneteenth before the signing of the federal holiday legislation in 2021. Included in the 2024 activities will be a Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony performed by US Colored Troops (USCT) reenactors; guest speakers sharing the USCT’s stories; and there will be Tours of City Point and Appomattox Plantation. The commemoration will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the area adjacent to the Old City Point Waterfront Park at 1199 Pecan Avenue and free parking will be available there. Over the years, history has marked June 19th as the African-American Emancipation Day. see Shove-Off, page 2A

Rouse, Stoney Make Announcements To Run For State’s Lt. Gov.

Two prominent AfricanAmerican political leaders have announced their candidacy for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor. On Tuesday morning (April 23) Virginia Senator Aaron Rouse made his announcement shortly after Richmond’s Mayor Levar Stoney. Rouse, 40, who hails from Virginia Beach, said, “Virginia

of Virginia Beach and Norfolk. After retiring from the National Football League, the Virginia Beach native returned home to Virginia Beach where he began his career in public service, first as a Virginia Beach City Councilman.

On January 10, 2023, Rouse was elected to his Virginia State Senate seat. “With extreme Republicans fixated on stripping our fundamental freedoms and funding corporate tax breaks on the backs of everyday

Virginians, and Donald Trump on the ballot again, there is no margin for error. Democrats must retake control of our statewide offices in 2025,” Rouse said.

In Richmond, Mayor Levar Stoney made his announcement for lieutenant governor instead of governor in a press release on Tuesday morning. He had announced his candidacy for governor on Dec. 4. see Rouse, page 8A

On December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii, 19-year-old David Walker of Portsmouth was among the sailors who lost their lives. Most died aboard various warships docked at Pearl Harbor, and Walker, who was aboard the USS California, was one of 80 African-Americans, according to the Defense Department, who died that day. He was one of seven Black Messmen who served on the

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Walker of Portsmouth was one of the 2,400 sailors, soldiers, and Marines who died overall.

High School, was not known initially.

Now, 83 years later, an article which appeared in the recent April 17 edition of the Washington Post, reported that the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that it had identified David Walker’s remains.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Walker was one of the 2,400 sailors, soldiers, and Marines who died overall and among the 103 servicemen who died aboard the USS California. see Mother, page 3A

By Rosaland

Tyler Associate Editor New Journal and Guide

“We just want answers,” said Marcus Jones to WTKR-TV. “We just want to know what happened and why,” said Jones, about his deceased uncle Santonio P. Lee. Norfolk police officers were attempting to serve Lee with a warrant for a March 8 shooting in Norfolk when he led them on a chase down Terminal Boulevard, according to news reports. The car Lee was driving crashed into a ditch. Police said Lee opened fire on officers, and they returned fire – fatally striking Lee, according to an April 18 WTKR-TV report. Relatives noticed bullet holes in the trunk, the headrest and the back windshield after the shooting. Relatives said officers never came to the home, to serve a

RAINBOW PUSH RENEWS SEARCH FOR NEXT LEADER

By

“After

Before his resignation, Haynes, 63, had expressed gratitude for Jackson’s mentorship and the preparation he received for leading Rainbow PUSH.

I have decided to step down from the position of Chief Executive Officer and President of Rainbow PUSH Coalition, effective immediately.” Despite his sudden departure, Haynes emphasized his commitment to honoring the organization’s rich history and

the legacy of its esteemed former leader, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. Jackson, a monumental figure in American politics and the Civil Rights Movement, has faced health challenges in recent years, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Although

Jackson, who uses a wheelchair, did not speak at Haynes’ installation ceremony in January, he was present.

Before his resignation, Haynes, 63, had expressed gratitude for Jackson’s mentorship and the preparation he received for leading

Rainbow PUSH. “I’m appreciative of what he’s poured into me, which makes me feel like I’ve been prepared for this experience and this moment,” Haynes said. Haynes envisioned building on Jackson’s legacy, aiming to institutionalize the dynamism and charisma that Jackson brought to the organization. “Whereas he did the work of 50 people, we need 50 people to do the kind of work that Rev. Jackson did,” Haynes remarked. see Haynes, page 3A

The Juneteenth Flag is displayed during the 2023 Shove Off Day Observance. Photo: ErnestLowery

Entrance to the Old City Point Waterfront Park

Photo: ErnestLowery

David Walker Portsmouth, VA

Continued from page 1A

Several days after Lee was killed by Norfolk police officers in early March 2024, Chicago police officers fired as many as 96 shots at Dexter Reed, age 26, in a residential neighborhood during a routine traffic stop over an unfastened seat belt, on March 21. Ninety six shots or more were fired at Reed, during a 41-second span. One officer fired at least 50 times – including after Reed was lying on the ground, Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability said, in recent news reports. “And after he was already on the ground there, they still put him in cuffs instead of checking to see if he’s breathing. They shot (at) him 96 times and reload(ed) the clip three times,” Reed’s sister Porscha Banks said at a recent press conference in Chicago.

A recent Chicago Tribune report said, “Reed repeatedly sought legal remedies for his financial, medical and psychological struggles after he was wounded in another shooting in August 2021.”

Court records show Reed wrote in an August 2023 court filing, “I’m physically disabled and mentally unstable with PTSD, shortterm memory loss, slurred speech, drop foot in one of my legs, blindness in one eye, shoulder/arm hard to move, weakness and/or sensitivity. With all these medical conditions it has been hard for me to work and/or do certain things.”

County court records show that Reed filed lawsuits between March and August last year, acting as his own attorney in both legal complaints. Three of those lawsuits – filed against the city’s Finance Department, a former college basketball teammate and Reed’s former employer, Monterrey Security – were filed in March 2023.

The point is both of these recent police shootings in Norfolk and Chicago are consistent with findings in the Associated Press’ new report. It said medical officials cited law enforcement as causing or contributing to about half of the excessive force deaths. The new report on excessive force was compiled by The Associated Press, Howard Center for Investigative Journalism programs at the University of Maryland and Arizona State University, and FRONTLINE (PBS).

Often, significant police force went unmentioned and drugs or preexisting health problems were blamed instead in many deaths including George Floyd’s May 2020 death, researchers noted.

Researchers could not point to a specific

Deadly encounters happened just about everywhere: big cities, suburbs, and rural America. Red states and blue states, researchers noted.

excessive-force site. Deadly encounters happened just about everywhere: big cities, suburbs, and rural America. Red states and blue states, researchers noted. Restaurants, assisted-living centers, and – most commonly – in or near the homes of those who died. The Associated Press explained on its website, “The deceased came from all walks of life – a poet, a nurse, a saxophone player

April 22, 1933

Edition of the Guide

Scottsboro Trial Takes Peculiar Turn

By P. Bernard Young, Jr.

Stunned by the stern rebuke of the press and leaders of the world for the inflammatory speeches of prosecutors in the Scottsboro Case and the weirdly arrived at PalmSunday verdict of guilty in the trial of Haywood Patterson, first of the nine boys to be retried on the two-year-old charges of rape brought by two hoboing white women, Alabama this week sought an “out” in the remaining trials.

Even the heretofore calm and apparently impartial presiding jurist, Judge James E. Horton, has apparently succumb to the influence of the aroused passion which endangered the lives of the defendants and their lawyers and made certain the verdict of guilty in Patterson’s trial in the Morgan County Circuit Court.

Judge Horton went thru the formality of imposing sentences on Patterson and immediately noted it was necessary to postpone the trials of the remaining youth indefinitely because of the bitter feelings which he attributed to statements made since the Patterson verdict by Samuel S. Leibowitz Chief Defense Attorney. Leibowitz had characterized Alabama Whites as “bewhiskered bigots who guffaw as an innocent man goes to his death.” Judge Horton may order the indefinite continuance of the remaining trials. He said published statements attributed to Leibowitz were “uncalled for” and that as a result of them, the attorney “is a Millstone around the necks of the boys.”

Also, the Judge took occasion to join the prosecutors in asserting that “certain sinister influences are seeking to “stir up and ferment strife between the races in the South” and that as a result of them “it has been difficult to try the Scottsboro cases on the real facts.”

April 24, 1964

Edition of The Guide

Noah Francis Ryder Dies In Hospital At Age 50

NORFOLK

Noah Francis Ryder, former associate professor of Music and director of the choir at Norfolk Division of Virginia State College died at Kecoughtan (Hampton) Veterans Hospital, April 17 at 12:30 p.m.

He was 50 and entered the hospital April 7. A funeral service is

in a mariachi band, a truck driver, a sales director, a rodeo clown and even a few off-duty law enforcement officers. All but 3 ;percent of the dead were men. Most tended to be in their 30s and 40s. The youngest was just 15, the oldest 95.” AP continued, “The toll, however, disproportionately fell on Black Americans. They made up a third of those who died despite representing only 12 percent of the U.S. population.

Others feeling the brunt were those impaired by a medical, mental health or drug emergency, a group particularly susceptible to force even when lightly applied.”

“About 25 percent of those who died were threatening no one or, at most, committing minor infractions, AP’s review of cases shows. The rest involved other nonviolent situations with people who police said were trying to resist arrest or flee.”

Shove-off

Continued from page 1A

now known as Hopewell. “Shove Off Day is just one of the many stories that make up the legacy and the full glory of Emancipation and the effect on all that share this land and beyond,” the NJOF said.

Reenactors interested in participating may register online at www.shoveoffday. org

The observance is free and open to the public. Parking is free. ◆◆◆

troops

in

where an of

cial

was issued by General Gordon Granger on June 19th notifying and freeing the still Black enslaved population living there that the

was over and they had been freed from bondage by the Union’s victory. These troops were on assignment to the Texas / Mexico border to defend the United States from Emperor Maxmilian. They included the U.S. Colored Troops who had fought valiantly for the Union during the Civil War and on May 25, 1865, they had left by ship from City Point, Virginia,

General Granger’s Order Number 3

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer.” General Gordon Granger, June 19th 1865 in Galveston, Texas

THEY LAUNCHED UNION VOTER DRIVE

A

of the International Hod Carriers Building and Common Laborers Union of America (AFL-CIO) was dramatically launched when 125 members and their wives went to City Hall in a group to pay poll taxes. Pictured above they are seen entering City Hall Annex to the office of City Registrar

scheduled at Bank Street

Baptist Church in Norfolk with Dr. J.B. Henderson, Pastor officiating and delivering the eulogy.

Burial to be held at the National Cemetery in Hampton.

A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Ryder was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Noah W. Ryder of Cincinnati, Ohio and the husband of Mrs. Georgia A Ryder Norfolk, assistant professor of Music at the Norfolk Division.

Ryder earned his B.S. degree of Music at Hampton Institute in 1935 and his Master’s degree in Music at University of Michigan in 1946. He also did graduate work at the University of Michigan.

He taught at Dillard High School in Goldsboro, NC and at Winston Salem State College Winston Salem, NC. He went to Hampton Institute in 1941 serving as director of the Hampton School and Teacher of Music. He remained at Hampton until 1944 or 24 years. He was in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 serving in WWII.

He joined the faculty at the Norfolk Division in 1947 and was serving as association professor of music and choir director when he retired due to ill health in 1962. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi.

Alcoholics Need Power of God, Minister Said NORFOLK

The Rev. C.M. Rodgers made a strong plea for help and sympathy from the

public for alcoholics and other unfortunates during an address Sunday afternoon. He told the group meeting at the Hunton YMCA that alcoholics “have no will power, but they need the power of God to be reclaimed.”

The Minister who is launching a rescue program for alcoholics said these unfortunates have lost direction and “see no way out.” He added that “some take the cheap way out by taking their own lives.”

The Reverend runs The Al Substance Abuse Center, he funds himself on Church Street.

Rodgers occasionally reads from a booklet which he wrote and carries his message to alcoholics and all who may be interested in helping him. The booklet was underwritten by the Baptist Minister Conference to be distributed for personal contributions. Rodgers said he needed help for his program

He has three children: Cynthia, La Francis and Carl Rodgers.

Poitier Recalls His Humble Origins

SANTA MONICA, CA

Sidney Poitier, who struggled from the poverty of a Caribbean life, modestly accepted his achievement as the first Negro to win moviedom’s top acting award.

The 40-year-old Poitier won the Oscar for his performance of a footloose handyman who helps a group of nuns build a church in “Lillies of the Field.” “I am glad I won it for my

kids,” he said. “I will put the Oscar where they want it.”

Patricia Neal, 38, won the best actress award at the 36th Annual Academy Awards presentation for her performance as a ragged housekeeper in “Hud.”

Poitier, who lives in New York City, is the first Negro to win the award, said he was proud of his role as Homer Smith in the inexpensive “Lillies of the Field” ($50,000) which gave him an opportunity to play an individual instead of a “Negro in trouble.”

Desegregated School In Alabama Burned Down

NOTASULGA, ALA

State Investigators and fire marshals have renewed investigations into a fire which destroyed a recently desegregated high school.

Police Chief Waymond King said he made some preliminary investigations but did not try to determine the actual cause of the fires

The pre-dawn fire left standing only the walls of the high school wing of the two-story gray stucco building. The elementary class wing was saved.

Six Negro students have been the only pupils attending the high school since February when they desegregated the schools under federal court order.

Tense Meeting At Recent Parents-Teachers Association Meeting

WILLIAMSBURG

Four people on a sevenmember discussion panel

criticized Bruton Heights School last Wednesday during a stormy meeting of the Parent-Teachers Association (P-TA).

The critics charged that too many Bruton Heights graduates “failed to make the grade” in college, that the school grounds are untidy, and that some faculty members are poorly trained for their jobs.

A.J. Black, speaking on behalf of the faculty, expressed dissatisfaction with the recent letter by Rev M. H. Christian. He felt this matter should have been taken up with the school personnel first. He further said that with an enrollment of 1,500 students, teachers could not be in a position every moment to check on trash and the like on the grounds.

Black went on to say that a faculty of a few more than 60 people must use its energy in exposing each child to a pattern of values and ideas. This he said was “a job within itself.” The worries of this school he declared must be reformed by the home and the church. Christian is a parent and a minister in the community who stated that the curriculum of Bruton Heights is “grossly outmoded.” He continued “When industrialists come to the area to look for potential employees, they never come to Bruton Heights.” Bruton Heights

Dexter Reed George Floyd Santonio P. Lee

Mother

Continued from page 1A

An interesting chapter in the story of David Walker was written in the pages of the GUIDE, according to its archives and mentioned in the recent POST article. In the February 24, 1942 edition of the GUIDE, a story headlined “Little Mother Who Had No News

Tells A Headline Story Of Her Son.”

The story had no byline, but it reflected the writing style of John “The Rover” Jordan, who manned the GUIDE’s Portsmouth Bureau in mid-February 1942 when Mrs. Edna Lee Ward walked into his office. She was Walker’s mother.

The 1942 GUIDE story describes a photographer/ reporter taking pictures of young “Glamour Girls” when Mrs. Ward (who is described as ‘the little woman”) walks in his office on High Street, her face marked by worry and sadness.

She was apologetic, initially wanting to retreat, having interrupted the photojournalist’s work with the young women, according to the GUIDE article. She was asked to sit and “patiently” wait until the photojournalist finished his camera work.

When he did, he focused on her and queried, “And now, madam, may I be of assistance to you?”

“Yes,” the little woman replied. “I want to know if you will run a picture of my son in the paper?”

“There is no news,” the woman replied. “I don’t know of any news about my son.”

“If we are to run the picture, we must have some information to go along with it,” the scribe explained. “Something

In 2018, the DPAA exhumed 25 USS California “unknowns” from the Punchbowl for analysis. Using DNA, dental, and anthropological comparisons, experts identified David Walker’s remains last November.

about what your son is doing ...”

“He is not doing anything now,” the little woman insisted. “You see, he was killed in action at Pearl Harbor.”

The reporter gasped in surprise.

The little woman described how her son was stationed on a ship at Pearl Harbor. She explained he had not returned home since joining the military. She said she received a telegram from the Navy, after the December 7 attack, informing her he was among the missing on January 2.

In early February, she received another telegram stating “he was still missing and must now be listed as dead.”

The GUIDE covered the War extensively during WWII, dispatching reporters to the frontline, including John Jordan. The publication also printed the images of Black soldiers who were inducted into the service and those who died in action.

All she wanted was for her son’s picture to be printed in the Guide. The reporter accepted the picture and wrote that it

did appear in the February 24, 1942 edition of the GUIDE with an article.

He also said that, “like the other servicemen who died on December 7, he was a hero.”

The recent Washington Post account of this 83-year-old story said Mrs. Ward’s “visit to the newspaper office in February 1942 is documented in a clipping supplied by the DPAA that appears to have run in Norfolk’s Journal and Guide, a prominent African-American publication.”

WWII was underway in the South Pacific and Europe when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and drew the U.S. into the War.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), after the attack, the remains of the USS California’s dead were recovered and initially buried in two cemeteries in Hawaii.

In 1947, they were exhumed and transferred to an identification laboratory in Hawaii, according to the DPAA.

While many of the dead were identified, some, including Walker, were not

initially.

If not identified, they were buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, called the Punchbowl, in Honolulu.

In 2018, thanks to modern identification technologies, the DPAA exhumed 25 USS California “unknowns” from the Punchbowl for analysis. Using DNA, dental, and anthropological comparisons, experts identified David Walker’s remains last November.

Walker’s closest surviving relative, according to the POST, is Cheryle Stone, a cousin living near Pittsburgh, who was born long after he was killed.

“He was quite young,” she said of Walker in a telephone interview. “It was a tragedy, a tragedy for his mother to not know.”

His mother died of heart problems in 1951. His father died of typhoid in 1923 when David was a year old, an only child of a “seamstress,” who later remarried, according to government documents.

According to the POST, Walker is set to be buried on September 5 in Arlington National Cemetery.

Haynes

Continued from page 1A

Haynes is remaining in his role as the senior pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, a position he has held for more than 40 years, Haynes had expressed plans to continue leading the Rainbow PUSH Coalition remotely from Dallas. He said he envisioned his work at the justice-oriented church complementary to the organization’s mission.

Jackson, a protégé of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., founded Operation PUSH in 1971, which later evolved into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The organization has been instrumental in promoting minority hiring and voter registration drives in communities of color and has played a significant role in American politics.

Reflecting on his longstanding relationship with Jackson, Haynes recalled their first meeting in 1981 as a college student. “He comes to campus as this larger-than-life,

Despite stepping down from his leadership role, Haynes concluded his resignation letter with a commitment to continue his fight for liberation and freedom.

charismatic, dynamic figure, and immediately I was awestruck,” Haynes shared earlier this year.

Despite stepping down from his leadership role, Haynes concluded his resignation letter with a commitment to continue his fight for liberation and freedom. “Rest assured that my work in the fight for liberation and freedom continues,” Haynes wrote.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, headquartered in Chicago, will now begin the search for a new leader to guide the organization forward.

Del. Cliff Hayes presents a Virginia Capitol flag to Rev. Haynes in March following a revival service Haynes conducted at Shiloh Baptist Church. Rev. Haynes also spoke to an assembly of Norfolk State University students on Wednesday, March 20, and he spoke during the Annual Hampton University Black Family Conference on the HU campus.

Photo: Courtesy

Photo: Newspaperheadline

By Wornie Reed, Ph.D.

Please permit me to report on a distinct honor that I received this past February. It started three years ago when I was a guest presenter in The Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance’s Investigator Series at Virginia Tech. This office manages the Institutional (Research) Review Board (IRB), among other activities.

This Investigator Series is a means of sharing ethical considerations that investigators make during the design, conduct, and dissemination of their research. In the process of my discussion, the staff of The Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance learned about my participation long ago in a project that aimed to ensure the protection of Black human subjects used in research in Boston. They were stunned to learn for the first time about some of this early “IRB work.” The Community Research Review Committee (CRRC) was a project of the Boston Black United Front, which had previously had some success in resisting so-called urban renewal in Boston.

I am eager to discuss the CRRC because of its historical significance and because it is an example of some of the concrete activities of many of us in the Black Power movement.

During the Black Power era, in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, Black United Front organizations formed in many American cities, with the Black United Front in Boston undoubtedly being one of the strongest. Virtually every Black organization belonged. I knew no group that did not claim membership – from the mildest to the most militant.

A lifelong activist, Chuck Turner founded the Boston Black United Front (BBUF). In the Spring of 1970, a group of Harvard University graduate students became concerned about the treatment of Black human

It noted that the CRRC does not oppose research. However, the CRRC does oppose any research, Black or White, that exploits Black people or meets only the needs of the study and white institutions.

subjects in a project led by a Harvard professor. These students came to Turner and BBUF after an unsatisfactory meeting with the professor, and of course, there was no mechanism at the University to channel their concerns. The BBUF organized a group of people to examine the issue. This group, organized that year as the Community Research Review Committee, provided a report that was critical of this professor and his work, virtually stopping the project as the community withdrew its support. CRRC reviewed over 40 research projects during its first three years. The first roster of the CRRC included a sociologist, a psychologist, a lawyer, a psychiatrist, two social workers, a schoolteacher, a minister, two students, and four nonprofessionals. It was not until 1979 that we had a federal policy for the protection of human subjects, now known as The Common Rule.

I entered graduate school in the Sociology Department at Boston University in 1971.

My fellowship required me to do a research project each summer. As I prepared to conduct the survey research for my first project, James Teele, my advisor, had me submit the proposal to the CRRC, which approved it.

The CRRC published a list of requirements for research involving the Black community, but the most important was the following: All research grant proposals that intend to use Black subjects and facilities in the Black Community are subject to review and approval by the CRRC before any such research

may begin and are subject to continuing approval by this Committee.

Reports by the CRRC declared that the continued existence of the Boston CRRC demonstrates that the Black community of Boston can methodically and consistently develop a mechanism for selfdetermination.

It noted that the CRRC does not oppose research. However, the CRRC does oppose any research, Black or White, that exploits Black people or meets only the needs of the study and white institutions.

CRRC had other objectives, including acting as a community “watchdog.” It also tried to establish a national network of research review committees. Regarding that objective, it sent reports to the federal government suggesting that they require universities to have such research review boards.

I joined the CRRC in 1972 as a representative of the Black Unitarian Universalist Caucus and was chair for two years, 1973-1975.

When my colleagues in the Division of Scholarly Integrity and Research Compliance learned about this history, they interviewed me at length and requested that I donate my papers related to my work with the CRRC to the Virginia Tech Archives, which I did.

THEY edited the twohour videotaped interview with me down to 20 minutes. They presented it at a session of the 2024 annual meeting of the Association of Practical and Professional Ethics in February. I went along to answer questions, and there were many.

Staying On The Right Side of History

By David W. Marshall (TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM)

I know I am not alone when I say I never heard of Mike Johnson before he became the 56th Speaker of the House. After learning how the hardline conservative from Louisiana opposed the certification of the 2020 elections, I saw him as just another rubber stamp who is afraid to stand up to Donald Trump.

As House Speaker, the staunch Trump supporter followed the example of his predecessor in becoming an enabler to the former president. In what would have been the first major overhaul of asylum and immigration law in a generation, President Biden had agreed with many of the Republican demands in the most conservative immigration bill in years.

Ultimately, Speaker Johnson fell in line with Trump and his allies in the effort to kill the bipartisan border security package. Johnson stated the Senate deal would be “dead on arrival” in the House.

As a result, the president was denied a win on an issue Trump plans to use in the 2024 campaign. Thanks to Johnson and other MAGA lawmakers, Trump

is free to effectively center his presidential campaign around the “Biden’s border crisis.” Whether you like him or not, Trump is in control of the Republican Party. He knows exactly what he is doing.

In following the examples of racial politics from George Wallace, Richard Nixon and Barry Goldwater, Trump took matters to a higher level in his remaking of the Republican Party. Trump recognized the dynamics behind the Southern Strategy from the 1960’s. He rose to power in rallying political support among White voters by exploiting their fears and prejudices toward people of color.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does ... C’mon People!

By Jim Clingman

(TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM)

In March of 2018, after 25 years of doing so, I submitted my final Blackonomics column to the members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. The article was titled, “The Last Dance,” and I wrote it because I could no longer use my computer. ALS had made its way to my arms and hands preventing me from doing something else I loved doing.

Since that time, I have gotten back to writing, only now with my eyes on my eye gaze computer. You can check out my work on ALS News Today online.

But this is not about me. It’s about us, Black people.

Trump and others of his ilk are constantly railing against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In my opinion, it’s the new N-word.

So I humbly ask the NNPA and all Black news outlets (I don’t think this will appear in the New York Times or the Washington Post) – whether print or online – to indulge me one more time because I really have to speak to my family. While our overall political status leaves much to be desired, I want to hone in on one slice of it: The slice called DEI. Trump and others of his ilk are constantly railing against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In my opinion, it’s the new N-word. see Stupid, page 5A

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT!

By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (Ret.) (TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM)

He (Trump) rose to power in rallying political support among White voters by exploiting their fears and prejudices toward people of color.

Despite being from New York City, the real estate mogul understands the mindset of the rural White working class voter, and how to effectively press the race button. He fed them the Birther issue which targeted the first president of color. He gave them “The Wall” to appease their anxiety against southern immigrants. Trump understands their passion for guns and the Constitution while becoming their 2nd Amendment champion. In doing so, he is selective with the Constitution by rejecting the 14th Amendment which authorizes the government to punish states that abridged citizens’ right to vote. He understands how to press the pro-life button with White evangelicals by giving them their conservative judges concerning the issue of abortion. see History, page 5A

There are many things in life to think about daily, but there’s one we often don’t think of that’s really important. It’s selfish not to think about it just leaving the details of what we want our families or friends to do for us when it comes to our end-oflife decisions and we become unable to make those choices. I know we don’t like to talk about it, but we should recognize we sometimes get to a point where we’re unable to make choices. Someone has to make them for us. April is National Minority Health Month. It’s a time when we try to bring awareness about health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minorities. Every group of people may experience health challenges; however, I don’t think any

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (Ret.)

community experiences more than the African-American community. Much of it has something to do with the lack of healthcare or a poor quality of health in our community.

Even if we’re not personally impacted, our community has many challenges and we should listen to how we improve our healthcare.

Let’s not wait every year until April that’s set aside as National Minority Health

It makes a lot of sense to educate and empower ourselves about the importance of advance care planning.

Month. Let’s bring awareness about disparities that persist in our community all the time. National Healthcare Decisions Day occurs every April 16th and has recently passed. It’s not the most pleasant day to think about for some, but I often tell people it’s necessary to talk about our end-of-life choices, and that talking about them don’t kill us! It makes a lot of sense to educate and empower ourselves about the importance of advance care planning.

see Let’s Talk, page 5A

DISUNIFIED BLACK FOLKS UNDER SERIOUS ATTACK

By A. Peter Bailey (TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM)

An admittedly way too small number of Black people in the USA strongly believe that we put ourselves in ongoing cultural, economic and political danger by not being more unified. Those who don’t believe in the urgent need for strong Black unity should understand that their position bears responsibility for some of the negative and hostile actions taking place today. Three recent columns in several Black newspapers will help to explain this position.

The first one, written by Marc H. Morial, is entitled “Discriminatory Laws Have Driven Black Voters From The Polls.” In it he states that “ ... since 2020, at least 29 states have passed nearly one hundred laws making it harder for eligible citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote.” Another column, attributed

to the National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) noted the following: “As of last week GSA Administrator (Robin) Camahan has ignored the March 18, 2024, request for the meeting to discuss accelerated deliverables to remedy the continuous discrimination against Black American contractors in federal contracting ...” Equally notable is a column entitled, “The Battle Over Social Security” by David

W. Marshall. It includes his belief that “Social Security is especially important to people of color because they are less likely than white Americans to have pensions or retirement savings. As a result social security is the sole source of retirement income for 33 percent of Blacks compared to 18 percent whites based on a National Association of Insurance study ...” In each of the conditions above and numerous others, a unified Black people would be in a much better position to protect ourselves from the actions of hostile or paternalistic white folks. Because of our refusal to become more unified, we share at least some of the responsibility for what is happening to most of us in this country today. Black unity is not an option; it is an absolute necessity if we want to be in a strong position to protect and promote our health, economic, cultural, political, educational, and technological interests.

David W. Marshall

Jim

Continued from page 4A

At the same time, Trump and many of his Christian followers often reject the Biblical mandate to defend and speak up for the poor, oppressed, needy, the fatherless and the alien (immigrant). He understands the passion of the GOP establishment by giving them their tax cuts while rejecting the ideas of fiscal responsibility by means of everyone paying their fair share.

By pressing the right buttons with his political base, he quickly developed a cult-like devotion from his fans. The former president once said that his supporters are so loyal that he would not lose backers even if he were to shoot someone in the middle of downtown Manhattan: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, okay, and I wouldn’t lost any voters, okay?” Trump said this at a rally in Sioux Center, Iowa.

This deep devotion from his political base of supporters has become a political weapon used by Trump to intimidate and manipulate any GOP lawmaker on the local, state and federal level who refuses to submit to his wishes. Trump knows the majority of the Republican establishment is afraid of him, and the RINO (Republican in Name Only) label he uses as “red meat” for his passionate base of supporters.

Stupid

Continued from page 4A

Let’s take a different look at these issues. It’s hilarious that Trump thinks DEI is bad when he uses it to boost his popularity. Diversity? Inclusion? He has insulted Hispanics by calling them rapists and criminals. He said they are poisoning the blood of this country. He insults women in so many ways, questioning their intelligence and competency when it comes to what they think is right for their bodies. He insulted Muslims when he issued a ban against their entrance to this country. He insulted Jews by questioning their beliefs and saying those among them who vote for Democrats are not Jewish. He insults Christians in a variety of ways, the latest of which includes hawking over-priced bibles but can’t recite one verse from it. He says he gets forgiveness by drinking a little wine and eating a cracker. He insulted Puerto Ricans by throwing paper towels to them after they suffered one of the worst hurricanes in their history. He insulted veterans by calling their dead “suckers and losers.” He asked his general what’s in for them (soldiers and sailors).

And to think some members of all those groups want him to be their President is mind-boggling to me. Some even have bowed down before a golden image of Trump, despite what happened to the ones who did the same thing under the leadership of Moses. Now let’s look at Black people, my people. Trump called for the death penalty for five Black teens wrongly accused of crimes. He insulted Obama by questioning his citizenship. Trump has insulted others like “my African-American,” and his water boy, Tim Scott, who then insulted himself by responding, “I just love you.”

To top it all off, he insulted African countries by calling them S---hole nations, which is also an insult to our ancestors. It’s obvious Trump knows nothing about African history, but even if he did it would not change his insults. He knows nothing about the greatness of Songhai, Mali, Timbuktu, Kemet, Ethiopia, and many other African nations of then and now. He said people from Congo

The lack of political courage by Republicans, along with the willingness to keep Democrats from power at any cost, has allowed Trump to do whatever he wants despite his long trail of corruption.

In May 2022, the House passed a $40 billion emergency funding bill for Ukraine. Mike Johnson, the little-known conservative from Louisiana was one of the 57 Republicans who voted to oppose the funding. Six months later, the unlikely House Speaker had a “Mike Pence moment” by pushing through a $95 billion funding package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

In a demonstration of political courage and legislative skills, the Speaker put his own job at risk by doing the right things at the right time. It was a major rebuke to Trump who has often criticized Ukraine while he repeatedly sympathized with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Johnson also ignored the angry threats from hard-right Republicans who previously threaten his job as Speaker. “Look, history judges us for what we do,” Johnson said. “This is a critical time right now, critical time on the world stage. I could make a selfish decision and do something that’s different, but I’m doing here what I believe to be the right thing.” Unlike so many in the House and Senate, Johnson had a moment where he followed his conscience despite the noise from the MAGA-wing.

David W. Marshall is the founder of the faith-based organization, TRB: The Reconciled Body, and author of the book God Bless Our Divided America.

are diseased and a bunch of criminals. It is funny that King Leopold II of Belgium and other heads of state didn’t feel they were S###holes.

Leopold coveted the Congo, during which time he caused the deaths of as many as ten million Congolese and walked away with one billion dollars. He wanted the land and the free labor to work on the rubber tree plantations, but tortured the people and their children in the process. Ever heard of the Belgian Congo and Leopoldville?

What really hurts is the fact that some members of our group will also vote for the pumpkin. With Black skinned folks like Clarence Thomas, Byron Donalds, Candace Owens, and Tim Scott leading the way, some pitiful Black people will follow them to the gallows.

That staged event in Atlanta was certainly one for the books. Trump plants a Black skinned stooge in a Chick-fil-A, who hugged and swooned over him, all of which was set up. Instead of paper towels he gave the Black folks milkshakes and chicken to get their votes.

By the way, do you know how many Black workers there are in government jobs? Trump and Steven Miller have plans to downsize when they get back in charge. Black unemployment increase? You betcha. Now, for all of you who say God sent Trump to deliver us, I simply say, may God’s will be done despite my feelings or complaints, which place me in the company of Jeremiah, Job, and Habakkuk. His will is perfect.

Diversity and inclusion, when used as Trump does, are despicable and evil. His insults and name-calling are as diverse and inclusive as they come. Used properly, DEI is simply a tool to assist in the repair of Black people. Long overdue.

But what about Equity?

Well, that simply means “The quality of being fair and impartial,” something the anti-DEI crowd would do well to learn and implement.

Brothers and sisters if you want an even more corrupt Supreme Court and Congress, if you want to see even more racists in public office, and if you don’t mind having a King and dictator rather than a President, Trump is your guy. But please don’t allow him to insult your intelligence, and please have enough pride and resolve not to insult yourself. C’mon people. Please don’t be stupid.

Why MAGA Policies Are Detrimental To Black Communities

Ron Reynolds Texas State Representative

As a representative deeply invested in the wellbeing of my constituents, I feel compelled to shed light on the harmful impact of the MAGA agenda. While its proponents claim to champion America’s greatness, the reality is far from uplifting, especially for Black Americans.

Let’s be clear: Make America Great Again (MAGA) is not a call for progress; it’s a thinly veiled attempt to turn back the clock on the hard-fought gains of marginalized communities, including Black Americans. From voting rights to healthcare to economic opportunity, the policies espoused under the guise of MAGA pose a direct threat to the advancements we’ve made in the pursuit of equality and justice.

From restrictive voter ID laws to purging voter rolls to limiting early voting hours, these measures are designed to silence the voices of marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.

Take voting rights, for example. MAGA proponents peddle baseless claims of widespread voter fraud to justify voter suppression tactics that disproportionately target Black voters. The purpose of restrictive voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and limiting early voting hours is to silence marginalized communities and maintain the status quo of power and privilege.

Healthcare is another area where the MAGA agenda falls short for Black Americans. The relentless attacks on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) threaten to strip millions of Americans, particularly those in underserved communities, of access to affordable healthcare. For Black Americans who already face disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, the repeal of the ACA would be nothing short of disastrous. And let’s not forget about economic opportunity. While MAGA proponents tout a booming

economy, the reality is that Black Americans continue to face disproportionately high rates of unemployment, poverty, and wage stagnation. The tax cuts and deregulation championed by the MAGA agenda only exacerbate these disparities, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

The most insidious message of MAGA is the underlying idea that America was somehow greater in the past – a past marred by slavery, white supremacy, segregation, and systemic racism. For Black Americans, the nostalgia of MAGA is not just misguided; it’s deeply offensive. It ignores the struggles and sacrifices of generations past who fought tirelessly for civil rights and equality.

As a nation, we cannot afford to romanticize an era of oppression and inequality. We must instead confront the injustices of the past and work towards a future where every American, regardless of race or background, can thrive. That means rejecting the divisive rhetoric of MAGA and embracing policies that promote justice, equality, and inclusion for all.

So, to my fellow Black Americans, I urge you to see through the empty promises of MAGA and recognize it for what it truly is: a dangerous regression that threatens to undo the progress we’ve made.

Let’s unite in opposition to hate, white supremacy, and division and strive toward a future where all citizens can experience the full potential of America.

TRUMP USES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TO FALSELY SOLICIT BLACK VOTERS

By Shedrick Byrd

Recently while I watched national news on TV, I saw a photo of Donald Trump surrounded by a group of Black people with their thumbs up and a slogan across the bottom of the picture that said, “BLACKS FOR TRUMP.”

I later found out the photo with Trump in the middle of a group of Black people was a fake and said to have been an AI (Artificial Intelligence) creation. AI is a system that can be trained to learn like humans do. It is given the ability to think like humans. It can analyze large amounts of data and make decisions based on the information it is given. Democrats in their campaigning effort should use AI to counter the Republicans campaign lies.

I was disgusted that any Black person would take a campaign photo with Trump. But then I thought, if a Black person did take a picture with him, maybe they didn’t really know him or what he stands for and his true feeling about Black people. Maybe they don’t know he has a history of racist behavior from years ago that he still exhibits today. Maybe Blacks don’t know that in 1970 Trump was sued and lost the case for not renting apartments to Black people. Maybe they don’t know about his racist comments and action

Let’s Talk

Continued from page 4A

Compassion & Choices is a group I met a few years ago and one of the things I learned from the group is the importance of advance care planning. This year the group stopped by the Black Barbers Doc to discuss the importance of advance care planning!

Director of Priority Populations and Faith Engagement Zeena Regis and African-American Engagement Director Dr. Elisha Hall shared their thoughts on equitable end-

about the Central Park

Five, the quintet of Black men who as teenagers were wrongly convicted of brutal rape of a jogger in New York City Central Park.

Maybe they forgot what happened in 2017 when deadly violence erupted as a car was slammed into and killed a counter protester at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Trump said there was blame on both sides.

They may not know about Trump’s statement while speaking to a group of Black people in South Carolina holding up a picture of his mug shot saying he felt right at home among them because he has a mug shot like Black people do indicating in his mind that Black people are criminals. Today he supports white racist groups and has said he would pardon those who are in jail for insurrection at the capital. What also interested me in the news report was the

of-life care in the “Fades, Fish Fries and Funerals” podcast available now for National Healthcare Decisions Day. I know Grandma doesn’t know anything about all this fancy technology, but if she’s your Grandma, help her to see the film or look at it and explain it to her. This is the first of four in a series called “Let’s Talk About It” where they outline the significance of advance care planning in Black communities and explain why it’s so important to make plans for our assets and health. With the month of April being Minority Monthly Health observance, these resources are especially significant as we highlight

But then I thought, if a Black person did take a picture with Trump, maybe they didn’t really know him or what he stands for ...

charts that were displayed. The charts showed a comparison of the number of Black voters in the swing states who voted for Trump in the 2016 election and now. The chart showed that 6 percent of Black voters said they voted for him then, but now 30 percent of Black voters said they are going to vote for Trump in 2024. For the reasons I stated above I don’t believe Blacks should vote for Trump. I can understand how frustrated Black voters are with both parties, Democrats and Republicans, who make promises to Black voters that never happen. I’m from the deep South where soliciting Black votes was not as sophisticated as social media and AI make possible today. When I was a kid I would see white men come to our neighborhood and ask the Black voters to vote for them. Usually the whites wore a suit and tie with a stingy brim hat with a long cigar in their mouth. They would go around the neighborhood promising Blacks how they were going to improve living conditions, and give them

the health disparities that persist in our community. Starkfilms is a group to be thanked for producing this episode. You’ll be able to find it and more on Spotify, and if you’re like me, not knowing much about these things, ask your grandchildren to help you get to the site to see it at https://podcasters. spotify.com/pod/show/ steven-starks0. I offer this information as an opportunity to get people to commit to taking one action that saves families and friends a lot of trouble! This can be creating a will, setting up an estate plan, naming a Healthcare Power of Attorney, etc. It’s important to make these decisions

better schools etc.

After the campaign and the voting were over, we never saw the politician in our neighborhood again until the campaign for the next election. They would give the same old speeches but nothing ever happened. It was like being suspended in a twilight zone. Hoping for a lot but getting nothing.

When it comes to politics in America, as a Black man I feel like I’m being suspended in that twilight zone not knowing what’s going to happen for my vote. You vote, you wait, and you hope!

Joe Biden and Trump’s age make it a hard choice. But Donald Trump is certainly not the answer! Biden has at least tried to provide Black people with some equality by putting Blacks in positions of power. Trump has promised that if he is not elected in 2024, the country will witness a blood bath. Who knows how devastating as president he will be.

Shedrick Byrd is the author of the book, The Mississippi Byrd, from Rural to Urban to Suburban and Beyond

before it’s too late. Are you planning for a peaceful end of your life? Are you ready to live knowing you have a plan for what you want friends or families to do for you what you’re no longer able to do? My family and I went through celebrating the life of our Mom, so I know the value of Advance Care Planning. If you’ve not made such plans, visit https://www. compassionandchoices. org/end-of-life-planning/ learn/finish-strongtools and the Finish Strong on Compassion andChoices.org website for free information on the subject. Dr.

Ron Reynolds Shedrick Byrd

THE CAREER JOURNEY OF COL. (RET.) WILLIAM CLAYTON BENNETT, JR.

“I KNEW I WANTED TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY”

By Ernest Lowery Special to the New Journal and Guide

Born in the historic, diverse Berkley section of Norfolk, Va., William Clayton Bennett, Jr. knew from an early age that he had a calling to serve the community. He and his family belonged to The Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk. Living within a working-class area, having an active shipyard nearby, and hearing passing trains from Norfolk Southern rail system ... his environment and observation of situations influenced his life’s mission for justice and equality.

In a remarkable unfolding of a 41-year law enforcement career from which he retired in October 2023, Col. Bennett’s proudest moment came when he was elevated to the position of Chesapeake’s Undersheriff, making history as the first AfricanAmerican to attain this status in the Chesapeake Sheriff’s Office. What a tremendous example for youth to witness.

As a middle adolescent, he had considered being an attorney. As he moved

towards college, he studied political science, then switched to studying criminal justice. He fondly remembered detective and action films he’d enjoyed as a youth, including “Shaft.” He later became more drawn towards police work, especially in response to some of his lived experiences.

While at a sizeable frat party in Columbus, Ohio, Bennett was singled out and harassed by a police officer. It was a crowded event with only a couple of Blacks present. Fortunately, it didn’t escalate but the difficulty of the raw firsthand personal experience left a strong impression on him. He soon became committed to being a law enforcement officer to help shape a better public understanding of the challenges for minorities in a culture that could be hostile.

During summer breaks from college, Bennett would come back to his family’s home in Chesapeake, Va., (nearby Norfolk) and work for the city’s sheriff’s department. They offered to hire him on full-time.

After he applied for an open position in the Orange County, Florida

Sheriff’s Office, he waited.

He received two calls on the same day responding to his applications for employment. During that time, he chose his hometown of Chesapeake, to pursue his career in public service and justice work.

Although Chesapeake didn’t offer the highest paid position at that time, it was worth it for him to remain in his hometown where he made a difference within the community. Bennett’s parents had lived in the Georgetown Colony of Chesapeake. His father was very connected to the community. It was not unusual for Mayor William (Bill) Ward

and other respected community leaders to stop by for person-to-person interactions. At this point, the City of Chesapeake was about 30 years old and rapidly evolving. A culture was building. Bennett’s first position was in the work-release program. His basic duties were to visit the inmates’ worksites, help them manage their monies –to pay child support and other court-imposed fines – and provide counseling. The goal was to prepare inmates with hope and accountability for returning to the outside world.

While having a college degree helped facilitate his new position, Clayton Bennett wanted to wear a uniform and work on the jail side where most of the inmates were. From there, after about six months, he was granted the move and a new experience on the main jail side.

As Bennett began to excel, he was recruited for the Policemen’s Academy; upon completion, he was called into the captain’s office unexpectedly where it went something like this

The captain said, “I heard you like dogs.” Clayton replied, “Not really.”

The captain then said, “You start K-9 training in two weeks, Bennett.”

Bennett’s response: “Yes, sir!”

Chesapeake, being a young city, wanted educated, qualified minorities to round out key positions in the Sheriff’s Office. Bennett was the first African-American to hold a K-9 position.

In time, this proved to be valuable training; his trusted dog became like his best friend. The two of them overcame some precarious situations together over the years.

It was through the K-9 experience that the team was recognized by the Chesapeake Police Department. At that time, Chesapeake police did not have a K-9 unit.

Eventually, Bennett and his K-9 Brutus were integrated into the elite SWAT unit entry team (first to enter the building from a tactical viewpoint), leading to five years of extended training. Bennett proudly wore his SWAT team emblem. After many close encounters and receiving news that his wife was expecting their child, Bennett chose to move on from K-9 service.

see Bennett, page 7A

Col. (Ret.) William C. Bennett, Jr.

process.

Bennett

Continued from page 6A

Senior Deputy Bennett recognized that women were more than capable of doing more tasks within the department, including transporting inmates. Men had dominated certain sections of the workforce prior to his integrating women into the fold.

One of Bennett’s pet peeves was that with all his experience, it took eight years to be promoted to Sergeant. He continued being innovative and working hard in classification; in a span of two years, he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Next on the agenda, as a senior deputy, Bennett ran classification, booking and transportation, which was called the support section. Deputy Bennett was instrumental in helping the Sheriff’s office get awarded the city’s first modern fingerprinting machine which accelerated the booking process in the department. It was important to maintain efficiency during booking. Computers were also being introduced at that time. Many changes were happening both with support equipment and personnel.

It was important to keep morale up and impress upon the staff to stay alert at all times.”

Bennett’s platoon command consisted of four Sergeants and about 38 deputies. On a regular basis, he would have pep talks during muster as needed to promote security concerns and the well-being/safety of the inmates. There were often cell searches and drills to be on the ready for any situation.

“It was important to keep morale up and impress upon the staff to stay alert at all times,” he

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) will receive proposals for PR2153-153-24: Project Based Vouchers (PBV) for Projects within the Boundaries of the City of Norfolk from property owners and developers for new housing developments in Norfolk, Virginia and neighboring jurisdictions. The PBV program is a tool to promote the expansion of quality, affordable and accountable housing opportunities to low income families, homeless persons, elderly persons and person with disabilities, in order to meet mixed-income community objectives. The PBV shall be deployed in new construction, rehabilitated housing, or adaptive reuse of existing structures for residential housing developments or mixed income rental communities. Multiple, resultant contracts may be offered up to 20 year terms.

Proposals will be received at NRHA, 555 E. Main Street (17th Floor Drop Box) Norfolk, VA 23510 no later than 3:00 p.m. local prevailing time, on May 3, 2024. Solicitation documents are available for review at www.nrha.us and the E-Virginia Procurement website (www.eva.virginia.gov).

NRHA does not discriminate against individuals because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status or national origin. Small businesses owned by women and minorities, and Section 3 certified businesses are encouraged to submit proposals.

said. He believed it was common sense. At times, the platoon would come together at someone’s home for a spirit rally event which sometimes included a cook-out and chilling out together.

After being promoted Captain, he was later asked what that was like.

“It wasn’t a hard transition because I was already familiar with most of the policies, procedures and how to write a budget. Also, this came with more responsibility and personnel under my watch.” He was presented with two bars to acknowledge his promotion.

Captain Bennett was transferred from the jail side to the Court security division and Civil enforcement section. He was then responsible for those working with the court’s security and civil

In less than two years, Chesapeake Sheriff Jim Newhart appointed Bennett to Major; a significant achievement for him as well as the city of Chesapeake. This illustrates that the city was serious about qualified minorities having the opportunity to lead at one of its highest levels in law enforcement. He was later transferred back to the jail to manage its total operations. This included Jail operations and Work release sections which consisted of three captains, 12 lieutenants, about 22 sergeants, plus all the staff in the correctional facility was under his command. He was responsible for about 250 of the 400 staff in the Sheriff’s Office. This required extensive knowledge of state and local regulations, such as audits and jail standards from the Board of Corrections.

It was at that time, Sheriff O’Sullivan appointed Bennett to the rank of Undersheriff. As next in line to the Sheriff,

Bennett had oversight for all aspects of the Sheriff’s Office day-today operations.

During Colonel Bennett’s tenure, the Chesapeake City Jail was recognized as a model Jail facility throughout the state of Virginia.

When asked to reflect on his chosen career path, Colonel Bennett responded, “I knew I wanted to serve the community.” That remained his guiding principle over time, as he brought honor, discipline, and dedicated public service to the arena of Chesapeake law enforcement. His dedication to public service and safety, made his city a safer area to work and live, while giving many of those serving time in the system hope and support for recovery to build better lives.

Join me in recognizing Undersheriff (Ret.) William Clayton Bennett, Jr. on his retirement as one of Chesapeake’s finest and most respected community public advocates in Hampton Roads!

NMAAHC TO RECOGNIZE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF BROWN DECISION

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will recognize the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court with a daylong public event Friday, May 17. Held in collaboration with the NAACP, the day will include several panel discussions, including one featuring participants of the Little Rock Nine, the first African-American students to enter Little Rock, Arkansas’ Central High School in 1957.

On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court delivered its unanimous 9-0 decision overturning the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling as it applied to public education, stating that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” In a watershed moment for equality and democracy, racial segregation laws were declared in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, paving the way for integration and winning a major victory for the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. “The National Museum of African-American History and Culture was founded to ensure that this story and other important chapters in the AfricanAmerican experience are never forgotten,” said Kevin Young, NMAAHC’s Andrew W. Mellon Director. “The

road to desegregation in the United States was long and arduous. This anniversary stands as a testament to the tenacity and moral clarity of African-American trailblazers who insisted on the power of education and refused to settle for the inherent injustice of ‘separate but equal.”

“Separate but equal” remained the standard doctrine in U.S. law until the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, in which the court ruled that segregation in public education was unconstitutional.

The case began in 1951 as a class action suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas that called on the city’s Board of Education to reverse its policy of racial segregation. It was initiated by the Topeka chapter of the NAACP, and the plaintiffs were 13 African-American parents on behalf of their children.

The named plaintiff was Oliver L. Brown, a welder and an assistant pastor at his local church, whose daughter had to walk six blocks to her school bus stop to ride to her segregated Black school one mile away, while a white school was located just seven blocks from her house.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of AfricanAmerican History and Culture has welcomed 10 million in-person visitors and millions more through its digital presence. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-squarefoot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the AfricanAmerican story and its impact on American and world history. The museum has also launched and is continually expanding its reach with the Searchable Museum portal and other efforts to bring AfricanAmerican history into the world’s hands and homes. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 6331000.

The program will feature Cheryl Brown Henderson, daughter of Oliver L. Brown in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas; John Stokes of Prince Edward County, Virginia, where schools remained closed for five years rather than comply with the 1954 ruling; and the surviving members of the Little Rock Nine. Registration is required by going to the museum’s website to sign up.

(L-R) Keith H. Newby, M.D., Shelia A. Ward, Ph.D, Milton Brown, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas M. Chamberlain, Pharm. D., Shaunice Johnson, and Cynthia B. Burwell, Ed.D.

NSU Holds First Annual Student Health Literacy Symposium

NORFOLK

On April 3, Norfolk State University hosted a gathering of students, faculty, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to delve into the crucial topic of enhancing health literacy – the ability to understand and act on basic health information – within college campuses and communities.

The event was supported by NSU’s Office of Health & Wellness and the Center for AfricanAmerican Public Policy in collaboration with EdLogics, a Virginia Beach-based company dedicated to improving health literacy. The symposium guests were welcomed by Student Affairs Vice President Leonard Brown, Ph.D. Dr. Brown embraced the university’s efforts to reduce health disparities on the campus of NSU in communities of color.

Greetings were provided by Mr. Gilbert Bland, President/CEO of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, and member of the NSU Board of Visitors, who commended NSU for launching the Healthy757 initiative to improve the health of students, faculty, and administrators on the campus of NSU and throughout the Hampton Roads region.

The program featured a panel discussion moderated by Craig Loper, Sports Director at WAVY TV 10/WVBT Fox 43, and included:

• Shaunice Johnson, NSU Student Health Ambassador

• Milton Brown, M.D., Ph.D., Vice Dean of Research, Eastern Virginia Medical School

• Cynthia B. Burwell, Ed.D., MCHES, Director, NSU Center of

NSU’s collaboration with Healthier757 has enabled the university to pioneer the launch of Rewards for Healthy Living, making NSU the first HBCU in the nation and the first university in Virginia to do so.

Excellence in Minority Health Disparities

• Thomas M. Chamberlain, Pharm.D., Founder & CEO, EdLogics

• Keith H. Newby, M.D., Market Director, Community Health Improvement & Engagement at Bon Secours Health

• Sheila A. Ward, Ph.D., MPH, Project Director, NSU Health & Wellness Initiative for Women Together, they addressed the significant health disparities prevalent in communities, particularly among people of color. The panel shed light on how the 757 region trails behind in health metrics related to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, infant mortality, and life expectancy, compared to the rest of Virginia and

the US. They emphasized how low health literacy leads to unhealthy choices and poorer healthcare decisions – so the disparities continue.

Dr. Olusoji Akomolafe, Executive Director of the NSU Center for AfricanAmerican Public Policy, introduced NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D., and applauded her commitment to improving the health of NSU students and acknowledged her accomplishment of receiving NSU’s largest philanthropic gift of $40 million dollars from the Mckenzie Scott Foundation. During the event, President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D., read a health literacy proclamation underscoring the university’s dedication to combating health

Executive Appointed To Help Develop

disparities through research and innovative programs

One such initiative is Healthier757, a regional effort focused on boosting the health literacy of Hampton Roads residents. The partnership between NSU and Healthier757 signifies a significant step toward addressing chronic health conditions and disparities in vulnerable communities.

NSU’s collaboration with Healthier757 has enabled the university to pioneer the launch of Rewards for Healthy Living, making NSU the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the nation and the first university in Virginia to do so. The digital platform offers engaging games, videos, quizzes, and articles on hundreds of health topics – along with cash rewards – and is available free of charge to all NSU students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

A student raf fl e, facilitated by Alexus Ross, an EdLogics Community Coordinator and recent NSU graduate and Healthier757 intern, awarded four $25 gift cards to participating students.

Vanessa Jenkins, Ed.D., Executive Director, NSU Health & Wellness, closed the program by underscoring the importance of improving health literacy among NSU students, which in turn will empower them to make better informed healthcare decisions all their lives.

Rouse

Continued from page 1A

“After careful consideration with my family, I believe that the best way to ensure that all Virginia families do get the change they deserve is for our party to come together, avoid a costly and damaging primary and, for me to run instead for lieutenant governor,” he said.

Mayor Levar Stoney made his announcement for lieutenant governor instead of governor in a press release.

and hopes to elevate its visibility and reputation at both the regional and national levels.

In 2021, ODU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., Norfolk State University (NSU) President Javaune Adams-Gaston, Ph.D. and Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) President, Provost and Dean of the School of Medicine Alfred Abuhamad, M.D. committed to establishing the first School of Public Health in Virginia. This move aims to advance health equity in the region through education, practice experiences and community partnerships. Kern has been a longstanding member of the Old Dominion University family and has dedicated more than four decades to the Sentara Health, where under his leadership as president, Sentara Health became the largest health system and the second-largest private employer in Virginia. “His steadfast commitment to excellence and unwavering passion for advancing health equity have positioned him as a critical partner in our collaborative efforts to shape the future of public health

education,” said President Hemphill.

Among his duties, Kern will collaborate with the future school’s outreach team to develop strategic relationships with key community stakeholders and partners.

“As we embark on this transformative journey towards advancing health equity in Virginia, I am honored to join forces with Norfolk State University and Eastern Virginia Medical School in shaping the future of public health education,” he said. “Through collaboration, innovation and a commitment to community partnership, we will build a school of public health that not only educates but also empowers.”

“Given everything at stake in the next Governor’s race – from reproductive rights to education funding and tax fairness – I believe this is a time when Democrats must stand united and avoid an ugly primary for governor,” Stoney said. Stoney, 43, was sworn into office on December 31, 2016. At 35 years of age, he became Richmond’s youngest elected mayor.

Current Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, also African-American, is eligible to run again in 2026.

Photo: Courtesy

NSU President Javaune Adams-Gaston Photo: Courtesy

on the campus of NSU.

PACT-UKHS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS TO HONOR 1940S,1950S GRADUATES

VIRGINIA BEACH

Graduates of Princess Anne County Training School (PACTS) in the 1940s and 1950s will be honored with a luncheon on May 18, 2024 by those who followed them.

The Princess Anne County Training School/Union Kempsville High School Alumni and Friends are hosting the event at Union Baptist Church, 4608 South Blvd., in Virginia Beach from 1 to 3 p.m.

“During the time when the schools were segregated in Princess Anne County, now Virginia Beach, Virginia, these graduates were persistent and resilient in overcoming many obstacles in order to get a high school education,” said organizers.

“They then encouraged their children, grandchildren great grandchildren, and others to stay in school and graduate because an education would prepare them for any field that they desired to pursue,” they added. Tickets are limited and must be secured by April 27. For more information, call Margie Wilson Coefield at (757) 523-2785 or Yvonne Banks Jones at (757) 4721709.

Veterans For Peace Launches Hampton Roads Chapter

HAMPTON ROADS

The National Director of Veterans For Peace, Mike Ferner, will introduce the newest Veterans For Peace chapter to the Hampton Roads region over a three-day period. He will speak in Virginia Beach, Newport News and Norfolk at the inaugural events of Veterans For Peace #757.

Veterans For Peace (VFP) is a U.S.-based

organization with over 100 chapters made up of military veterans and their allies whose experiences and efforts are focused on building a culture of peace.

VFP chapters across the globe work to inform the public on the causes and costs of war, prevent and end armed conflict, defend veteran’s rights, resist racism and heal the wounds of war.

Mike Ferner is a Vietnam-era veteran, former city councilman in Toledo, Ohio, union organizer, author and peace activist. Join him and local veterans to learn more about VFP at these upcoming 90-minute events:

Tuesday, April 30, 7 p.m., at Virginia Beach Friends Meeting, 1537 Laskin Rd., Virginia Beach, 23451 Wednesday, May 1, 6 p.m., at Newport News Main St. Library 110 Main St., Newport News, 23601

SMALL BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m., at the Basilica of St. Mary Pastoral Center 1000 E. City Hall Ave., Norfolk, 23504. For more information contact Clayton Tye or Dan O’Loughlin at vfp757@gmail.com.

GET NOTICED AND PLACE A SMALL BUSINESS AD IN THE GUIDE. RATES STARTING AS LOW AS $155 PER MONTH

Unplugging’s Paradigm

By Sean C. Bowers

As we hit a life milestone, our household, the wife and new two-month-old puppy, made a bold decision to forsake the: DVR, CABLE, and (dare I say this) abandon “Live sports programming.” The results were not only a FREE gain, but a terrific HIFI High-Fidelity gain. The more music played, the better off we all are.

Better yet, was the release that came from cutting the cord, pulling the plug, pulling the parachute’s rip-cord so to speak. Those results are deeper, more meaningful conversational topics and with no more clock’s constant running time, tracking us. We were free to not see

Sean C. Bowers

something, free to miss it, free to hang loose, free to hang ten, or simply hang out. That priceless gift gave me an idea about creativity amplification versus the stifling medication of ourselves via various forms, of over-input now learned norms. (I.E. : drugs,

drink, and digital obsessive compulsive addictions.)

For a lifelong sports guy, ex-athlete, jock, I found myself at first a little disconcerted with no schedule. It was kind of like not a having safety net. In reality, my attention which had been given to sports for a lifetime was now free for 8-week-old puppy duty. I was not prepared, but adjusted quickly to having another life form to keep alive after having been a lifelong bachelor/husband/non-father. The difference is: the game can’t love you back. It won’t ever pay attention to you. It is an escape similar to the way things like drugs or alcohol can be mis-used or abused.

see Paradigm, page 6B

Hello

Lessons

all

Retrain

Dealer: North

students

Learn

Seminar. As you can see from the photo, there were seniors, young adults, children, and families engaged in learning the exciting game of bridge. New bridge classes are starting in May in Chesapeake and Norfolk on Friday and Saturday mornings at 10 am. For more info, send an email to jldouglas23462@ aol.com; in the “Subject” line, put Bridge Lessons. You are aware that you need 25 combined points to make a Golden Game. You are also aware that when you do not have a Golden Fit, the pair should try to play in No Trump. Examine this hand. Do you agree or disagree with the statements made about this hand?

1) North – South have 27 combined points; East – West have 13 combined points.

2) N – S have enough for a Golden Game (there are three Golden Game contracts: 4 Spades, 4 Hearts, and 3 No Trump). North – South do not have a Golden Fit in a major suit (when you and your partner have at least eight combined cards in a suit, it is considered a Golden Fit).

3) North opens the bidding with 1 No Trump.

4) North is the describer; South is the responder and the captain.

5) The contract should be 3 N/T. North is the declarer.

7) “Take your tricks and run” is a good strategy because declarer is guaranteed of making the 3 No Trump contract by taking the nine tricks right away. If the defenders (East and West) get the lead, they could take four Spades and the A Hearts, giving East –West 5 tricks. If E – W takes 5 tricks, N – S can only take 8 tricks, going down by 1 trick. TIDEWATER BRIDGE CLUB

The Banks at Berkley 701 South Main Street, Norfolk, VA 23523

WEDNESDAYS 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

6) East makes the opening lead. East leads the K Spades. Declarer needs nine tricks; declarer has nine sure tricks.

MOMENTS of MEDITATION

By Rev. Dr. Archie L. Edwards, Sr.

BELIEVERS –SONS OR SLAVES?

Galatians 4: 1-18 – “You are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir “(Galatians 4:7).

As Paul continues his letter, he pleads with his readers to enter into the fullness of their salvation and turn away from legalism.

The Functional Slavery of Children. A variety of social and legal practices prevailed among the people to whom Paul wrote (both Jews and Gentiles). A Jewish boy became a “man” soon after his 12th birthday. For the Greeks, this transition occurred when a young male turned 18. Roman law allowed a father, within limits, to set the time for his son’s “coming of age” (Galatians 4:2). Until that age was reached, the lad’s freedom was limited to what was permitted by his guardians. Paul sees this as illustrating human spiritual development, as well as the way in which God’s plan of salvation has been revealed in human history. He likens spiritual infancy to being in slavery (v. 3). His use of the term “we” indicates that he thinks of himself; as well as the Galatians, as having once been in bondage.

What was needed was a way of salvation that would free people from legalistic slavery and bring them into a new relationship with God. This is what Christ did when He came into the world to complete God’s plan of salvation. The Full Rights of Sons. The ironic – indeed, tragic – aspect of the Galatians’ slavery to the law was that God had already done what was necessary to set them free. Paul is referring, of course, to the incarnation of Jesus Christ, through which God came into the world in human flesh in order to accomplish the redemption of humankind (vv. 4-5).

The words “when the time had fully come” (v. 4a), relate to both human history and the outworking of the divine plan. Humanity speaking, Jesus was born at a time when transportation and communication within the Roman Empire had attained an efficiency previously unknown, as a result of the system of Roman roads and the universal use of the Greek language. So Jesus’ birth occurred at a strategic time in history. “The time” was also God’s time. After centuries of preparation through the law and the prophets, the

time had come to fulfill His plan of redemption. And so, Jesus, the eternal Son of God, was “born of a woman” (v. 4b).

Because Jesus kept God’s law perfectly, He could “redeem those under law.” (v. 5a). Because He was sinless, His death paid the price needed to gain freedom from slavery to sin and the law for every human being. Therefore, those who have been redeemed through faith in Him should live, not in slavery to the law, but as mature sons and daughters of God, enjoying their “full rights” (v. 5b).

As God’s children, one of our rights is having the Holy Spirit in our hearts (v. 6a). Another right is that the Spirit joins with us in our prayers and intercessions, enables us to cry out to the Father, using the tender, intimate term “Abba” (v. 6b; Romans 8:15).

Finally, our “full rights” include deliverance from the limitations imposed by “guardians and trustee” (Galatians 4:2) and entry into the standing of an heir (v. 7).

The Folly of Sons Who Act Like Slaves. Once again, Paul alludes to the spiritual slavery of the Galatians before they came to know God through Jesus Christ. Their bondage had been to “those who by nature are not god” (v. 8). This no doubt refers to their former worship of idols in Greek or Roman temples. Paul is careful to recognize that the initiative in redemption comes from God, not man, by modifying his original reference to their knowledge of God: They know Him only because He first knew them (v. 9).

Instead of depending on this personal relationship, the Galatians were ‘observing special days and months and seasons and years” (v. 10) as a presumed means of gaining standing with God. In view of their immature behavior, Pau is concerned that his labors among them may have been wasted (v. 11).

Paul’s Friendship With The Galatians. Paul now appeals to the Galatians (v. 12) to enter into the freedom of the Gospel that they experienced by being delivered from bondage to the law. He reminds them that this freedom is something they enjoyed before they began to revert to a form of legalism.

The Apostle then recalls the circumstances under which he first preached the Gospel to them (v. 13). Apparently he was ill, or suffering some sort of bodily distress at the time, in a way that might have caused them to shun him, instead, they welcomed him joyfully (vv. 14-15). Paul was a man of strong emotions. We can sense behind his words the depth of his longing that the unseen barrier that had gone up between the Galatians and him might be removed.

He has spoken forthrightly to them about the spiritual danger they were courting, but this in no way made him their enemy (v. 16). Real friends are people who tell you the truth even when it hurts.

The False Zeal of The Legalists. The real source of the barrier lay not with Paul, or even with Galatians, but with the Judaizers (“those people,” v. 17). They were zealots, but not in a good cause.

There is nothing wrong with zeal when it is rightly employed (v. 18). But in this case its object was not only to alienate the Galatians from Paul, but, more importantly, to turn them away from the truth of the Gospel and lead them into a “salvation by works” position.

The word translated “alienate” means literally ‘to lock up.” This may suggest that the legalist were trying to “lock up” the Galatians so they would be forever separated from Paul

and his Gospel. This entire letter was written to oppose that kind of teaching, and on that point there could be no compromise, as its opening verses (1:8-9) stated so emphatically.

Paul is about ready to describe the freedom that comes through faith in Christ and the glories of life by the spirit. Before he does so, however, he presents one final illustration of the difference between being a slave and being free. This is what we shall study in the next lesson.

By Stacy M. Brown Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

NNPA NEWSWIRE

Mary J. Blige and A Tribe

Called Quest are among the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class of 2024. The Rock Hall has announced one of its most significant inductions yet, with the R&B queen and hip-hop legends joining a prestigious roster that includes Kool & The Gang, Cher, Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, and Ozzy Osbourne.

“This diverse group of inductees each broke down musical barriers and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps,” John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said.

Paradigm

Continued from page 3B

The up-down up-down nature of puppy parenting has helped me overcome my recliner semi-lazy-boyinduced premature gut gullet.

Blending puppy training with weight loss activity (hot-sun stretching/hot yoga style) brought home the discosun fever of left-handed, right-brained, light-headed dehydration while yardworking for spring’s coming rebirth excellence.

“Stand up for your rights, keep shinning your light, show the world your smile.”

By reclaiming and prioritizing our time, habits, schedule, and technology consumption/usage, we can all take that peaceful step back from the pressure of the front lines’ constant “ON” feeling we have programmed ourselves to (accept, deal with, and) live by.

Blige, a multi-talented inspiration from the Bronx, New York, has long cemented her place in music history. Many said her journey is a testament to transformation and empowerment. A global superstar, Blige has eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards, two Academy Award nominations, and a SAG nomination to her name. Blige entered the scene at 18 when she signed with Andre Harrell’s Uptown Records in 1989, and introduced a unique blend of hip-hop, soul, and raw, honest lyrics by drawing inspiration from music legends like Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight. Her 1992 debut album, “What’s the 411?,” featuring chart-topping hits like “You Remind Me” and “Real Love,” marked the beginning of her storied career, captivating audiences worldwide.

The Rock Hall has announced one of its most significant inductions yet with the R&B queen and hip-hop legends joining a prestigious roster that includes Kool & The Gang, Cher, Foreigner, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, and Ozzy Osbourne.

their innovative sound and socially conscious lyrics.

Meanwhile, A Tribe Called Quest, formed in 1985 in St. Albans, Queens, New York, has been hailed for their revolutionary contributions to hip-hop. Comprising Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White, the group reshaped the genre with

Throughout the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest delivered a series of iconic tracks, including “Can I Kick It,” “Check the Rhime,” and “Scenario,” solidifying their place in music history.

Despite facing challenges, including the tragic loss of Phife Dawg in 2016, the group continued to push boundaries, releasing their fi nal album, “We Got It

FUN PUZZLE FOR YOUR LEISURE

The house is alive and hitting on all cylinders. More fun in the sun. More reach, for the shades, the beach chairs and off to the beach. More looking into the eyes of those who matter to you most, with a breakthrough toast, along the breathtaking Virginia coast. We are all so blessed to have this life, in these times, with ability to live it to the fullest.

Our outlook and joy sharing, is a choice. We can either unplug, debug, cut a rug, or choose to be the downer buga-boo, tip-the-canoe.

Hit maker, singer, Idia Arie, has some song lyrics from her song “There’s Hope,” that speaks perfectly to this personal choice each of us have to make. “There’s Hope, it doesn’t cost a thing to smile, you don’t have to pay to laugh, you better thank God for that.”

Being yanked off my preexisting timeline makes me sleep better, be calmer, less volatile, my most relaxed. Could be the dog? The extra exercise? Seeing and feeling the difference in the way my clothes fit and how the mirror looks back at me now, instead of hiding/ or worst of all-not fitting in the frame. Unplugging is a way we can all own up to our own balance of true peace on life’s uneven bars. As we reach past the eclipses for the stars, we become one with our own spirit and with the symmetry of God’s cosmic solar divinity. Sean C. Bowers has written the last 27 years for The New Journal and Guide, CHAMPIONING overcoming racism, sexism, classism, and religious persecution. More of his work can found by searching “Sean C. Bowers” on the NJ&G website, on social media at Linkedin.com or by e-mail V1ZUAL1ZE@ aol.com NNPA 2019

Publisher of the Year, Brenda H. Andrews (NJ&G 37 years) has always been his publisher.

JUNE 15, 2024

Mary J. Blige

A Tribe Called Quest