Garland Journal by Cheryl Smith

MAY 18, 2016

VOL XV ISSUE 21

GARLAND JOURNAL

Welcome NAACP

Serving Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Plano, Denton, Dallas, Balch Springs, Seagoville, Greenville, Carrollton and surrounding areas

Garland High’s Nia Randall is 2016 AKA Debutante “The Unveiling…

The Unveiling…A Parisian Ball allows the sponsors to do what they do best and what balls were meant to do, which is raise A Parisian Ball” money to support the many needs in the community. And of paramount importance The mystique of Paris will be unveiled is the need for young, talented and when 18 beautifully adorned and masked aspiring young women to receive debutantes take the stage at the scholarship support as they begin the next Intercontinental Hotel on May 21, 2016. phase of their lives. The fascination with the world’s most These high school seniors are the future romantic and mysterious city pediatricians, physical therahas captured the imagination pists, business managers, of millions for hundreds of fashion designers, engineers years, so it is no wonder that and anthropologists in the the these debutantes, who Dallas metroplex. hail from all sections of the They have eschewed the Metroplex, are united in their mantra of Marie Antoinette of desire to embrace the best “Let them eat cake” with their that Paris has to oﬀer. fervent community service Garland High School’s Nia working in food pantries and Nicole Randall will be animal shelters, teaching presented by Mr. And Mrs. dance and fine motor skills in Terence & Beverly Randall, and day care centers. These ladies Dawn Redmond escorted by Jamal Taylor. A are National Honor Society President member of DECA, Student Members and youth ministers. Chi Zeta Omega Council, Girl Scouts, and Varsity Dawn Redmond, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Basketball and Softball Teams, the Chi Zeta Omega Chapter of Sorority, Inc. Nia is involved in the Pearls & the Alpha Kappa Alpha Ivy Program and Hamilton Sorority, Inc® applauded their Park United Methodist Church Youth commitment to service saying that “service Ministry. She plans to attend Prairie View A&M University to major in Kinesiology and Human Performance. See DEBUTANTES, PAGE 9

Welcome Samuel Boyd Samuel Boyd has joined the staﬀ of I Messenger Enterprises as an intern.

on the various websites and social media pages under the I Messenger umbrella. Boyd was born and raised in Carrollton, Texas before moving to Denton. He has been writing since his freshman year of high school, where he made the move from playing sports to writing about sports and other areas, as a journalist.

Samuel Boyd In addition to contributing to the editorial Although not many were on content for Texas Metro News, Garland board with the decision at first, they all Journal and I Messenger; the enterprising came to see Boyd’s knack for writing and Boyd will be covering various County’s editing. Boyd started as a sports writer on Commissioners Courts, City Council and the staﬀ and then became a sports editor School Boards, as well as entertainment, and website designer. features and Person on the Street profiles. A blogger and social media whiz, Boyd After winning several awards (and going will be providing live real time coverage on several trips and competitions) as an Garland Journal

individual and as part of the staﬀ for his high school newspaper, The Hawk Eye; Boyd decided to continue his journalism career at UNT, where he manages to maintain a 4.0 GPA. A writer and print journalism student at the University of North Texas with a newfound minor in sociology, Boyd hopes to become a freelance writer once he graduates in May of 2017. He wants to travel all across the United States and cover the interesting stories that he finds. Please welcome Sam and share your stor y ideas and tips with him at editorial@myImessenger.com. If you see him on the street or out in the community, introduce yourself and shake his hand.

Bennie Brown says go to the polls!

MAY 18, 2016

Mental Health, Sandbranch and Records Building top agenda Dallas County Commissioners Court Report - May 18 By Samuel Boyd Staﬀ writer

An otherwise uneventful Dallas County Commissioners Court meeting, taking place in the Allen Clemson courtroom with its rows of pink chairs and two story walls that feature a surrounding layer of glass along the second story, was further made interesting by the seeming rift between commissioners. After the invocation and resolutions, which included the retirement of Deputy Laura Hines as well as the acknowledgment of Mental Health Awareness Month, things started to get a bit interesting around the presentation regarding the Dallas Central Appraisal District, presented by executive director/chief appraiser W. Kenneth Nolan. Nolan discussed how the residential reappraisal that he ran, which consisted of 450,000 accounts for this year alone, experienced the most change with more homes being reappraised, while also seeing a larger change in prices, at almost a 10% increase. Nolan further said that this was due in part to a higher demand for houses in the area where houses are also very limited. Commissioner John Wiley Price indicated that this was because

METRO BRIEFS Mayor's Evening In Mayor Douglas Athas will host his next Evening In from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, in the Mayor's Office, 200 N. Fifth St. To schedule an appointment, call 972-205-2400 or contact Mayor@GarlandTx.gov.

City Holiday Schedule Memorial Day In observance of Memorial Day, all City of Garland offices, libraries, recreation centers and senior centers will be closed Monday, May 30. Trash, recycling, and brush and bulky items will be collected on their regular Tuesday-Friday 2

Dallas County has one of the lowest tax rates of any county in the state. Dallas itself is the third largest growing city in the world. A positive job market and a favorable business climate are the reasons why the commercial reappraisals have experienced change. However, Judge Clay Jenkins seemed a bit opposed to the reappraisal, with his concern mostly focusing on the changes to the reappraisal for residential neighborhoods. Jenkins repeatedly stated that he was looking out for middle class working families. “We have to do what is in the best interest of our citizens,” Jenkins said. Jenkins also noted that wage rates have only increased 3%, so compared to the 10% housing increase, this would make it more difficult for citizens to purchase houses. Commissioners Price, Dr. Elba Garcia, and Mike Cantrell continued to push for the reappraisal, while Commissioner Dr. Theresa M. Daniel seemed to be neutral to the proposal. “We are damned if we do and damned if we don’t,” Price said. Cantrell added that the commissioner’s court had to make a decision as part of their jobs. “You have to do your job or people get hurt,” Cantrell said.

ITEM 3 The rest of the presentations - for the Texas County & District Retirement System plan review and update, proposed Dallas County Administrative Plan for 2017-2021, and Parkland Board of Managers Corporate Integrity Agreement went off without much of a fuss. But when the commissioners made it to the court orders, then some of the emotions started to show. Everyone was in agreement on most items, excluding item 41 which concerned a 90-day water delivery to Sand Branch, Texas and its continued utilization until August 31 (due to the availability of time on the issue). The issue in Sand Branch is that a majority of Sand Branch residents are currently without running water and those that do have water are likely to have water that isn’t safe to drink. Dallas County has been supplying the town with water coolers and five-gallon water jugs. Jenkins told NBC-DFW that the coolers are a short-term solution as the commissioners work on a more long-term plan. However, Jenkins wanted to also exclude item 3, designed to “approve the program and conceptual design, and the construction budget for the Records Building Complex Project.” The project is to gut and remodel the Record Complex in downtown Dallas. The project was introduced

in June of last year, but costs and design agreements seem to be the main concern. Garcia told the Dallas Morning News last year, “We have the opportunity now not only to consolidate, but make a landmark building.” Jenkins said J. McDonald “Don” Williams, the former Trammell Crow Company CEO and current committee member for the project, told Jenkins to wait and meet with the other commissioners in private to discuss item 3. Garcia, on the other hand, said she and the other commissioners were told by Williams to go ahead and move ahead with it. Jenkins said that there must be an issue they are misunderstanding. Garcia, now more vocal at this point, was visibly angered by the proposed stalling of item 3 due to a misunderstanding she strongly implied was only on Jenkins’ end. Garcia said the only issue they could find was a legal one, but they would work it out before it was “officially set in motion.” Without anyone willing to back down from their stance, the commissioners decided to meet in an executive session to discuss items 3 and 41. The meeting was adjourned and the commissioners, some angry, left without saying much to any reporters or employees.

schedules.The Recycling Center, Transfer Station, C.M. Hinton, Jr. Regional Landfill and Wood Recycling Facility will be closed on May 25. Surf & Swim and City pools will remain open.

featuring crafts, culinary items, and fresh produce from local vendors and merchants. The Marketplace will be held every third Saturday of the month through Sept. 17.

10. For questions about becoming a police officer, contact Officer Jones at 972-487-7358 or visit GarlandPolice.com.

Medieval Times in Garland Medieval Times Dallas will visit Garland from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, at Audubon Park, 342 W. Oates Road. All ages are invited to enjoy a free performance including the presentation of a special gift to the #GarlandStrong campaign. Meet the Knights, King and Princess, and three of the King's finest horses. The event will feature free food, a chance to test your archery skills, and more. Call 972-205-2750 for information.

2016 Summer Nutrition Program Garland Fair Housing Services will host the 2016 Summer Nutrition Programfrom June 6-Aug. 5. The annual program provides free, nutritious meals to children throughout the summer. Continue to check GarlandTx.gov for meal site schedules and program details. Garland Police Department Accepting Applications

Garland Police Department

The Marketplace Saturday, May 21 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Downtown Garland Square. Enjoy an outdoor market

The Garland Police Department is accepting online applications for police officer recruits through June

GARLAND JOURNAL

11 Dallas ISD students receive $10,000 in scholarships from nation’s largest AfricanAmerican sorority Eleven graduating seniors will receive a total of $10,000 in scholarships from the Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The recipients are awarded based on academic merit and need. 7 p.m., Friday, May 20 South Dallas Cultural Center 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. Dallas, TX 75210 Following a meet-and-greet a mixer at 6:30 p.m., students will receive scholarship money to go to the college of their choice. The top recipients will receive $1,500.

MAY 18, 2016

GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

A Letter from Prison I am not an apologist for America! I am writing this letter on the 6th anniversary of my incarceration, while hospitalized in a federal medical center in Butner, North Carolina, with Stage 4 prostate cancer, serving an 18 year sentence for public corruption. I may never see freedom again. Therefore, I have reason to be fatalistic about my daughters' and grandchildren are, including my 18 year- old grandson's, future in America. Nevertheless, my life experiences tell me of a power in expectant optimism and that power works toward righteousness - even righteousness in America. Ta-Nehisi Coates' bestselling book, " Between the World and Me," took my hope for America to task in a way that was unexpected. In writing a letter to his beautiful teenage son, his counsel concerning his son's future in America is devoid, in large measure, of the 3 pillars of my spiritual life: faith, hope and love. Despite Coates' love for family and the African American community, this writer's authentic aﬀections falter in the face of A m e r i c a' s h i s t o r y o f h a t re d a n d oppression of our ebony brothers and sisters. Three major premises emerge in Coates' book: first, the assault on "black bodies" by America's law enforcement, educational and economic institutions,

GARLAND JOURNAL 320 South R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 214-941-0110 www.garlandjournal.com

Published under the umbrella of I Messenger Enterprises L.L.C.

Cheryl Smith Publisher/Editor

have given birth to a fear born of Coates' life experiences, that is beyond hopeful end. Secondly, racism is the "father of race" and its implications of white supremacy and black inferiority. Finally, the "love power "of African American people profoundly displayed in the aftermath of the murder of the Charleston Nine is not from God or divinely inspired. As exquisitely explained in a recent "Letter to the Editor," love requires a risk of loss, of rejection, of rebuke. Nevertheless, love requires me and all who desire the best for America to "cast out bread upon the waters" as King Solomon advised over 3000 years ago. In loving our enemies and America with its legacy of failed promises, we embrace the possibility that A m e r i c a' s v i t u p e r a t i ve progeny will ultimately see us as authentic Americans. The transformation has begun already. We have given birth to educational, economic and cultural institutions and icons that impact America on a daily basis. Our struggle to achieve full citizenship embodies this Nation's highest principles. The humility and courage displayed by so many African Americans, young and old, rich and poor, skilled and unskilled, over our histor y in this countr y point undeniably to an endowment from God.

EDITORIAL/OPINION

by Don Hill

The fact that the book remained on so many bestseller lists throughout 2015 and beyond is a testimony to the powerful writing of Coates and, most important, the disillusionment in America. The Killing of black and brown men across America, including Dallas, grieves my heart, as well as the increasing rate of poverty throughout our Nation. We are frustrated! From the segregated neighborhoods of America’s class stratified urban areas, including Dallas, and the attendant dangers to Coates' son, as well as my grandson, I am ever prayerful. Coates' cry for the sanctity of his son's body echoes the paternal prayers of every faithful father. Deaths in the black lives of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, La Quan McDonald, Walter Scott, Tamir Rice and too many others are anecdotal evidence of police oppression often repeated and devoid of real accountability. An innate response of parents, family members and the larger community resembles the fear of family separation during slavery: sudden, final, without remorse or justification. Even the legacy of indiscriminate lynching provided rules of conduct for the oppressed to follow though without any guarantee of safety. This terror evokes a fear, yet to diminish, in too many communities of color. Coates' cautionary calculations to his son are heartfelt and real. The antidote, however, to this parental terror is the provocative trinity of faith, hope and love.

May I explain? The foundation of a righteous nation is justice. As the sacred scripture from the book of the prophet Amos proclaims, justice and righteousness are infinitely intertwined and interrelated. Justice rolling down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream are progressive. What was the common thread in all of Jesus' miracles on which the suﬀerer experienced healing - the quality of faith demonstrated or a lack thereof. My faith in a righteous America is based on the progressive reinvention of itself. Nations do reinvent themselves. America has and continues to reinvent itself through historic social movements. I do not believe we are captive to our past, nor condemned by our present predicament, but faithful to the principles of America's founding documents and its reinvented iterations of freedom from stigma or oppression, due process of law, equal protection and full citizenship. We are not pitiful victims; we are pitiless victors! An early 20th century writer best captured, in words, the danger of fear in a short essay entitled "The Realization of Perfect Peace" when he proclaimed: Fear is everywhere. Fear has become with millions a fixed habit. To live in continual dread, continuing cringing, continual fear of everything be it loss of love, loss of money or situation, is to take the readiest

See DON HILL, page 6

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES especially for our children! After serving 23 years as a Texas State Senator, who has championed public schools and the equitable funding of such, I would think that we were finally on a path to put Texas children first. Unfortunately, that was before the Texas Supreme Court issued its ruling that upheld Texas' public school finance system as constitutional.

Despite citing the need for "transformational, top-to-bottom reforms" for Texas schools, and calling the system "ossified" and "ill-suited" for 21st century Texas", the allRepublican court punted the issue, instead encouraging the Republican-dominated legislature, that has overseen the inadequate system for over a decade, to fix the problem.

The Texas Supreme Court ruling held that the state's school funding system met "minimum Governor Abbott called the constitutional requirements," ruling a "victory for Texas turning a cold shoulder to at taxpayers." One could make least two-thirds of Texas school By Sen. Royce West that argument - in the shortdistricts that were desperately term. But, where is the victory seeking relief from an inequitable, ineﬃcient, for Texas public school students? As our and unsustainable school finance system public schools continue to struggle, and as that Texas courts had previously labeled academic per for mance and college unconstitutional. readiness continue to decline, future Texans

who are educated and have good jobs will carry more of the tax burden as fewer people have the tools necessary to participate fully in the economy and society. Future Texas business owners will also rue this decision as they struggle to hire, train, and retain competent, qualified workers. Texas currently ranks 38th in the country in per-pupil education funding. Earlier this year, one national publication ranked Texas' educational system 43rd in the country. Texans deserve better. Our children deserve better. But, elections have consequences. Texas Supreme Court judges are elected oﬃcials, as are legislators. I urge you to consider today's ruling as you decide whether and how to participate in the electoral process in the future. GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

Just Get Funky! Bobby: James, what you gonna play now? James Brown: Bobby, I don't know, but whatsenever I play, it’s got to be funky! – Make it Funky, 1971

QUIT PLAYIN’ By Vincent Hall

I strolled down the celestial sidewalks of Funkville the other day. I passed by the purple palace where Prince lives now, hung a right at Hard Work Avenue and stopped to have a chat with James Brown. I said “James; I know you’ve seen Donald Trump and the millions of racists he’s convinced to resurface…What we gon’ do now?” James smiled and replied, “y’all gon’ have to get funky.”

Now the term “funk music” gets thrown around a lot, but James reminded me what funk is and what it ain’t. Funk may be the only antidote for this new strain of xenophobia and nativism that’s gone viral. Wikipedia says; “Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-to late 1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul music, jazz, and rhythm and blues.” GARLAND JOURNAL

Stop right there. Funk set precedent and protocol for Hip-Hop and Rap, and it has to be included. James took it to the bridge, but we got to take it to the polls. I hear the new funk sound each time my sassy, socially-savvy daughter, Alison and I conduct debates on Hillary v. Bernie. Those of us who’ve been voting for decades must respect and respond to a new generation that demands to be heard. It’ll take a consolidated “neo-funk campaign” to defeat Donald and his arrogant “esprit de corps.” Don’t be fooled, you cannot talk down to the Hip Hop/Rap generation. We didn’t teach them enough of our own history, so they depend on what they see and not what you say. They ain’t impressed by that power sign Afro pick or the liberation jump suit you sported in 1972. They want to know when and how you intend to cede power. And if you look at the aging Black leadership in Congress and across the nation you understand why. “Funk de-emphasizes melody and chord progressions used in other related genres and brings a strong rhythmic groove of a bass line played by an electric bassist and a drum part played by a drummer to the foreground.” In other words, we may not all hear the same musical scheme, so we got to follow the funky beat. The beat is that strong urge that informs your drive and direction. The beat will get us in the groove of voting, political activity and, above all, a salient awareness of what’s happening in our communities. The funky beat will drive you to vote against that “Chump named Trump” and everyone who aligns with him. Any politician who is brazen enough to bypass an opportunity to publicly denounce this demagogue should be targeted and run out of oﬃce. Finally, “Funk uses the same richlyc o l o r e d e x t e n d e d c h o r d s f o u n d in bebop jazz, such as minor chords with added sevenths and elevenths, or dominant seventh chords with altered ninths.” Funk chords use the Black and the White keys, and getting funky means that we don’t discriminate. We play the chromatic scale. Our national climate is beginning to feel more and more volatile and unsafe for minorities. We cannot aﬀord to alienate those Whites who respect our personhood. We cannot summarily dismiss a group of people just because we hold disdain for some of its members. In 2016, we gotta stand with our Hip Hop/ Rap crowd, feel the beat, and hit on every chord; natural, sharp or flat. And whatsenever we do, James Brown says; “It’s got to be funky like neck bones, candy yams and turnips…Just Funky!”

National Infrastructure Week By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

Within the vast networks of big personalities and controversial arguments in modern politics, our transportation infrastructure is often overlooked for flashier topics in Congress and across the country. This fact holds true when it comes to the coverage, conversation, and unfortunately, funding of regionally and nationally significant transportation projects. One might expect transportation to be an issue that both parties and all politicians can easily agree upon. After all, every American can be found using various forms of transportation on a daily basis. Why shouldn’t these systems be given the resources they need to remain viable? Yet, Congress continually struggles on an annual basis to pass a budget that includes a comprehensive plan to adequately fund our nation’s roads, highways, railroads, ports, and airports. As a result, the integrity of our networks slowly deteriorate as time passes and our infrastructure falls behind those of our international competitors. Yet despite the lack of a cohesive strategy and adequate investment, there is a positive aspect to the way transportation is constructed in this country. It requires federal, state, and local governments to work together – with even greater cooperation these days with private partners. Despite all of our obvious challenges, the cooperation among stakeholders has allowed us to remain globally competitive while still addressing the various transportation needs across our diverse nation. For instance, the transportation needs of a robust and diverse city such as Dallas is vastly different from the transportation needs of a sprawling metropolis such as Los Angeles. Atlanta and Detroit are largely different from New York and Boston. And it is the ability to recognize these differences which demonstrate that the federal government and its partners do, in fact, have the capability improve our infrastructure. A current example of an important effort to promote in Dallas’ drive to maintain/enhance its infrastructure is the empowering of DART. DART, or the Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority, operates an impressive network of buses, light rail, rail, and paratransit services in the greater

Dallas area. In an expansive city such as Dallas, having a singular, cohesive transit authority such as DART is vital to linking and organizing the system’s many forms of public transpor tation, while bridging important cultural and economic gaps between Dallas’ many communities. And although DART is a local agency, it does benefit from federal investment. Each year, the President submits a formal budget request to Congress, outlining the administration’s priorities and funding requests for existing and new programs during the upcoming fiscal year. In President Obama’s Fiscal Year 2017 proposal, the administration included a request for $49 million in Capital Investment Grants, through Core Capacity funding, for the Red and Blue Line Platform Extensions project in Dallas. This is grant money awarded by the United States Department of Transportation to “substantial corridorbased investment in existing fixed guideway system.” This improvement would allow trains along the Red and Blue lines to expand from two-car to three-car trains, thereby rapidly increasing possible ridership and capacity along the DART network. This increased access to public t r a n s p o r t a t i o n w o u l d b e n e fi t Dallasites as they travel and work within the city. Secondly, DART intends to expand capacity and reduce congestion further by implementing a second light rail alignment through the Dallas Central Business District. This would provide a new route on the Orange and Green lines, which would in turn allow enhanced Blue and Red service on the existing alignment. DART is seeking approximately $325 million of this $650 million project to be funded through Department of Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Co re Ca p a c i t y funding, highlighting the invaluable relationship between federal and local governments when it comes to funding transportation projects of this scale. Dallas is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. Nowhere is the diversity of a city showcased more prominently than in the city’s public transportation system, a vast network where the diﬀerent ethnographic flavors of the city assemble for work and leisure. As we expand our transportation options and allocate the proper funding we need, a city not only grows physically, but its community grows stronger and becomes more closely connected. The federal government can bring our nation’s communities closer together through funding infrastructure. 5

MAY 18, 2016

DON HILL shares his thoughts

Lyin' Donald Trump is the Biggest Liar By George E. Curry George Curry Media Columnist

Continued from page 4 means to lose what we fear we shall. Consider this; hope that is seen is no hope at all! A hopeless, struggle -filled future that Coates casts before his son is the antithesis of a legacy born of our historic heritage. Throughout the historical journey of African American people, we possessed an eternal hope as well as a daily expectation that our lives will be better, we will survive, no matter the circumstances. This courage to believe in better days would prevent some of our ancestors from committing suicide during the Middle Passage, others from revolts doomed for failure and others to sur vive in the face of incomprehensible cruelty. Yet in our hopeless situation, we gained strength; the more hopeless the circumstance, the more we persevered. We g o t m a r r i e d, we h a d families, we developed skills, i n t e l l e c t , a n d t r a d e s ; we displayed industry to create our own! No greater story has ever been told! Love of country demands a just rebuke when confronted with injustice. To love those who reject our existence, even to the point of murder and oppression, is America's redemptive opportunity to reciprocate and create, in the words of President Obama, "a more perfect union."

Donald Hill (37106177) P.O.Box 1600 Butner, North Carolina 27509

Former Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill is currently at a federal prison medical facility in Butner, North Carolina being treated for stage 4 prostate cancer. 6

When Senator Ted Cruise was running for president, Donald Trump, now the presumptive Republican nominee, enjoyed referring to him as "lyin' Ted Cruise." At one rally, he said, "Lyin' Ted Cruise - L-y-i-ndash." Actually, he should have said "apostrophe" instead of "dash," but accuracy is not important to Trump. Fact checkers have determined that of all the presidential candidates, present and departed, Donald Trump is the biggest liar. "PolitiFact has been documenting Trump's statements on our Truth-O-Meter, where we've rated 76 percent of them Mostly False, False or Pants on Fire, out of 77 statements checked," the Pulitzer Prizewinning fact check site stated. "No other politician has as many statements rated so far down on the dial." Trump came out of the gate lying. "When Trump declared his candidacy on June 16, 2015, PolitiFact looked at five statements from his announcement speech. All of them were inaccurate, the website said. And things have not gotten any better since. PolitiFact noted, "When it comes to inaccurate statements, the Donald was on fire: * 'I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down,' he said at a Nov. 21 rally in Birmingham, Ala. 'And I watched in Jersey City, N.J., where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering.' Pants on Fire. There is no video of thousands of people in Jersey City cheering. Weeks later, Trump continues to

stand by his claim but has not been able to point to evidence to back it up. Public safety oﬃcials on the ground in New Jersey say it never happened. * 'The Mexican government ... they send the bad ones over.' Pants on Fire. There's no evidence to show the Mexican government encourages criminals to cross the border. Most illegal immigration comes from people seeking work. Recent estimates show illegal immigration from Mexico dropped oﬀ dramatically during the recession and has remained low. * 'Whites killed by whites - 16%. Whites killed by blacks - 81%,' said an image he shared on Twitter. Pants on Fire. Most people are killed by someone they know, and someone of the same race. The correct number for whites killed by whites was 82 percent in 2014, while the number of whites killed by blacks was 15 percent." FactCheck.org, like PolitiFact, has found many of Trump's assertions to be lies. For example, it reported, "As CNN's Jake Tapper explains in his latest factcheck ing video, there is no evidence that Hill-ary Clinton started rumors during the 2008 presidential race that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. "Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeated the false claim that Clinton was the original "birther" during a May 4 interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer. Trump said Clinton 'questioned his birth certificate' and 'brought it up years before it was brought up by me.'" Not only was Trump one of the original birthers, he said he sent a team of private investigators to Hawaii to look into the falsehood, saying Obama allegedly not being born in the U.S. was "one of the greatest cons in the history of politics and beyond." Of course, that was dispelled when Obama produced his original birth certificate. Trump also tells a lot of lies and half-truths about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Washington Post observed that Trump repeatedly associates the trade agreement with Bill Clinton, but that's only half true.

"Bill Clinton was certainly a supporter of NAFTA who pushed approval through Congress. But it was negotiated and signed by President George H.W. Bush. (Here's a photo.)," the Post said. "Moreover, more Republicans than Democrats voted for the deal, as the trade pact was vehemently opposed by labor unions. One key ally for Clinton was then-House Minority Whip (and later House speaker) Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who is said to be on Trump's list of possible running mates." It continued, "So Clinton did not negotiate NAFTA, nor did he sign it. But he did put his political prestige on the line to get it approved by Congress - even as two top Democrats, House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt (Mo.) and House Majority Whip David Bonior (Mich.), opposed it. In the House, NAFTA passed 234-200; 132 Republicans and 102 Democrats voted in favor of it. The Senate approved NAFTA 61-38, with the backing of 34 Republicans and 27 Democrats.

"In both the House and the Senate, more Democrats voted against NAFTA than for it - a signal that the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party was strong even then." PolitiFact noted, "Trump hasn't apologized or backtracked on his statements. Instead, when challenged, he oﬀers flimsy explanations and suggests he shouldn't be held accountable - or simply insists he's right. "'People maybe call me out, but they turn out to be wrong, also,' he said in an interview Sunday with George Stephanopoulos. 'And many of the things I've said - and I think just about all of them - they may have been controversial at one point, George, but they're not controversial in the end, because people start to say, you know, Trump's actually right.'" Not surprisingly, that, too, is a lie. GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

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MAY 18, 2016S

PEARLS AND IVY DEBUTANTES

Adrienne Cole

Amber Alexander

Araya Smith

Brenna Armstrong

Brionna Brown

Caylan Oliver

Christa Sherman

Greer Christie

Jayla Williams

Kaitlyn Holmes

Kennede Hutson

Kristen Melancon

Chanel Carr

Lyleila Richardson

DEBUTANTES, continued from front page

MaryJoe Nsiegbu

Sydney Secrease

Taelor Rankin

Dironda Robinson

Rosilind Coleman

Kris Sanders

is the main mission of the sorority, and supporting the social and scholastic development of young girls is what we do.” She proudly points to the many young women who have come through the Pearls and Ivy Program and have returned to the Metroplex to continue their service involvement. Dironda Robinson, President of the Pearls of Service, the non-profit corporation that is the fund raising arm of the Chi Zeta Omega chapter, expects a record turnout for this black tie aﬀair. Guests will be masked (optional) and gowns flowing as the charity ball sets another milestone in raising scholarship funds. Contributions can be made on the Pearls of Service.org website and may be earmarked as a scholarship for a particular debutante or to support service projects in Collin County. The Chi Zeta Omega chapter was chartered in Plano, Texas in 2002. For more information on service projec ts and volunteer oppor tunities and membership information on the Pearls and Ivy Program go to www.akaczo.org, see us on Facebook Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Chi Zeta Omega Chapter, twitter @akaczo.

THE ESCORTS GARLAND JOURNAL

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc® is a 108 years old international service organization focusing on physical and environmental health, global engagement and uplifting the lives of families with special emphasis on women and girls. 9

Passionate, innovative and committed If there is one word to describe Bennie Elnora Brown, “passionate” has to be the word. She grew up being involved and watching people around her doing things to make their community better and she says although she is retired, she wants to continue doing something she has done her entire life, serving. For her the next level in her extensive career will be as an elected official, something she hopes to call herself after this next election. “I bring passion to everything I do,” she said. “I received several awards because I have a passion for people. I am committed, engaged and involved.” And that’s just what Ms. Brown said voters should expect from their elected officials. She knows what effective leadership looks like because she’s not the only politician in her family. She is the daughter of Mary Washington, who holds the distinction of being the first woman and first African American mayor of Hutchins, TX. So, Ms. Brown doesn’t come on the scene as a political novice. She’s seen firsthand how political machines work and just what some politicians will do to gain support. “I’ve always wanted to be involved in politics,” said the wife and mother. “These are some tough times and devastation breeds innovation.” Ms. Brown is a candidate for Dallas County Tax Assessor/Collector and although she has been on a few ballots in recent years, if there’s any post she says she is more than well-suited for, it is tax assessor. A retired executive for the Exchange, which was formerly known as the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Ms. Brown managed all aspects of contract management and traveled the world holding positions in logistics, construction, capital improvements, negotiations and IT contracting. In addition to working for the Exchange, she has owned a tax business for 14 years, managing multiple services which have garnered her commendations from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), for “improving processes by developing and implementing best practices.” There’s nothing glamorous about renewing license tags and collecting taxes, but it doesn’t have to be painful, she said, adding that she has some innovative ideas that should make visiting the tax assessor’s office a better experience. Sure many don’t want to have to pay taxes and it adds insult to injury when they find themselves in long lines with excessive waiting periods. So it helps to have a process that is not as annoying as the one Ms. Brown says she hears about from citizens as she makes her way around Dallas County, every 10

day, spreading her message, asking for votes and listening to complaints, concerns and suggestions on how to fix a broken system. In a recent interview Ms. Brown pointed to several areas where “change” is needed, “The tax assessor’s office needs to operate more efficiently and I have the experience to provide better service to the citizens of Dallas

On the campaign trail, Bennie E. Brown explains her qualifications.

County,” she said. “I want to be a liaison who partners with constituents to make things better. We have to listen and not just during election time.” Good service is important she continued, adding that she and many other citizens are not happy with her opponent’s way of collecting taxes. “He has a Republican way of collecting taxes,” said the lifelong Democrat. “The Republican way operates in a way that shows no compassion for the middle class or the poor.” Ms. Brown is facing current Tax Assessor John R. Ames in a runoff election on May 24, 2016 and she’s pounding the pavement to spread her message, that the Dallas County Tax Assessor’s Office needs innovation. “Sometimes change is good,” she said of her opponent who was first elected in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, adding that citizens are receiving harsh penalties that are unwarranted. If Ms. Brown is elected, the law firm responsible for imposing these penalties will definitely hear from her. She said she is ready to hit the ground running, building morale and providing great customer service. She’s a graduate of Northwood University, which interestingly is also her opponent, Mr. Ames’, alma mater. Also a graduate of

Leadership Southwest, Ms. Brown serves as the president of A.W. Brown Charter School Foundation; Chair of the A.W. Brown Celebrity Golf Classic; Treasurer of Thorntree HOA; Political Blogger for the Elite News, immediate past Treasurer of the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce and Financial CoChair of the Best Southwest Relay for Life. She is a member of the South Dallas Business & Professional Women, Inc., the group that presented her with an award named after Sojourner Truth; and she also serves on the City of DeSoto Rezoning Committee, Women Power Circuit and Cedar Hill Action Team (CHAT) Advisory Board. Driven by passion, Ms. Brown also founded Hope Beyond Hope Foundation, a “nonprofit organization that is forging lifelong relationships within the community by supporting programs that provide childrenwithin the Dallas area access to free, nutritious meals via summer and after school feeding programs.” Operating as CEO, she has been instrumental in introducing the STEM Program to children in underserved areas. On the campaign trail Ms. Brown shares information about her involvement because she says it is important that voters know about the people they are about to vote for. Unfortunately she says you only see some politicians when they are seeking votes. “When I visit churches, I’m no stranger,” she said. “Every church I attend, I stay for all services. I have never interrupted a pastor’s service, tipping out with the one finger in the air.” And she hopes voters are paying attention, but the recent little over 5 percent voter turnout in the last election is not encouraging. “That’s why we have the hashtag Black Voters Matter,” she explained. “We are encouraging pastors and community leaders to encourage voters to go to the polls. We owe it to those who worked hard to get to this point.” This point has met with opposition and backlash that Ms. Brown is not pleased with at all. Fortunately the naysayers have not diminished her passion. Citing critics who expressed dissatisfaction that so many African American women are running for elective office in Dallas County, Ms. Brown says they were silent when all the candidates were white males and white females. “Now we are getting opposition. It’s very unfortunate.” Unfortunate, true, and even uncomfortable at times but not enough to slow her down. She takes the same advice she gives to voters. “Get engaged, care about our community. Use your voice and don’t be discouraged.” -Cheryl Smith

GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

Remembering Because I Said So Spiritually Speaking By James A. Washington I was reminded about this on Mother’s Day and will think of it again on Father’s Day. It’s a familiar subject coming from me and worth repeating. Obedience! The perspective from which I’ve always engaged this subject of obedience to God is that of ‘want to’ vs. ‘have to.’ From a parental point of view, you’d love to have your children obey you out of the relationship you’ve developed over the years, where they value your advice and do what you tell them to do out of respect and love rather than simple discipline and consequence. If a wholesome relationship does indeed exist, then the child will want to comply out of the recognition of the parent’s love. Mom or Dad is telling me this because they’ve got my back. If all one does is obey the rules because of the consequences of the punishment associated with disobeying the rules then, the rules are generally thrown out the window when the rule maker is no longer around. I guess what I’m really trying to say is, when grounded in love, people respond favorably according to the wishes and will of the person who is the object of that love. By our very nature, we want to look good in the eyes of the people we’re trying to impress. Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23. Examine this use of the term obey. What Christ is saying is the same thing that many a mother and father want to believe about their kids. We all know the things that would upset Mom and Dad. We know this because they spent a lifetime (yours) instilling their values and integrity into your character. You might still do things they wouldn’t condone, but you certainly know the diﬀerence

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between the right and wrong of it because of your upbringing. That upbringing, if nurtured in the spirit of love, reveals to all of us the source and nature of the consequences and the resulting discipline. It’s still all about love. Y’all know that ‘this is going to hurt me more than it’s going to hurt you’ thing. Christ is merely reminding us that if you love Him, then obeying His rules, His teachings, which were given to us out of love of the Father, should come from the heart out of our Christian experience. Our desire to please should override our mere compliance to the rules. The point is obedience to God has so much more to do with wanting to do the right thing for the right reason, than doing the right thing because it is law. One is the result of relationship and the other is the result of fear of consequence. Throughout scripture, Jesus constantly refers to the love of the Father. How many of you do what your mother would expect of you and your mother has been dead for years? How many of you try to pass those same expectations along to your kids? Why? I submit that you do this because of the relationship you have or had with your mother. That’s why I am convinced the key to understanding obedience to God is establishing or reestablishing a relationship with the Almighty. This is achieved by studying His Word, getting inside His commandments and emulating as best you can the life of Christ, who carried out the wishes of His Father to the letter. “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, but the world must learn that I love the father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.” John 14:30-31. To obey should be an act of love. Our goal should be to understand God’s love for us and simply do our best to return it. Act accordingly, so to speak. May God bless and keep you always…

James

GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

Sister’s pregnancy embarrassing preacher’s family By Alma Gill (NNPA News Wire Columnist)

Dear Alma, My younger, nonmarried sister is pregnant and she is going to ruin our standing in the community. I don’t know what she thinking or how she could let this happen. She is only thinking about herself and being totally selfish. My father is the pastor of a very large church. My parents are very strong leaders, loving and supportive parents who taught us to be ambitious. I will graduate from college this year with a business degree and plan to return to assist my parents in the ministry. My brother is a sophomore in college, majoring in architecture. And here comes my baby sister, a high school junior, pregnant. I just can’t believe her. After she told my parents, my mother called my brother and me to let us know. I immediately rushed home and could see the pain and trauma on my mother’s face. This is the worst thing that could ever happen to my family and I’m not sure if we can recover. I am so angry right now, I just cannot speak. Help me to explain to her that she has ruined, ruined our family. And Alma, how can I assist my parents in this terrible situation? Signed, A Sistah’s Shame Dear Sistah’s Shame, You know what, I need you to turn all the way around and sit yourself down. I hear your story and I see where you’re coming from, but you need to slow your roll and calm down. Let ’s realistically review what your s i s t e r ’s p r e g n a n c y i s – unplanned, sure, unexpected, yep, traumatic…Aaah, I don’t think so. Fortunately for your family, this isn’t your problem to solve. This situation will be managed 14

between your parents and your sister. I know it’s hard for you to believe or perceive, b u t y o u r s i s t e r ’s pregnancy is a mere pimple on the face of your family. A pothole on your kinfolk’s path of perfection. Does that make it right? No, but it does make it better than most. Without a doubt, your parents will see your sister to the finish line. She will be provided with support, reassurance, medical treatment, food and shelter. You’re suﬀering from embarrassment, sweet pea, and there’s no need to call the doctor, because it won’t kill you. If you can’t oﬀer the love and support that’s needed at this time, step back, and allow yourself to be seen and not heard. For the next nine months, this isn’t about you or your parents, it’s about your little sister. Here’s a newsflash: From our problematic projects to our pretentious gated communities, every family in America is hosting homemade shickity behind closed doors. Yours isn’t immune. Don’t let your child’s eye view of various manicured lawns dupe you. A young, single woman who finds out she’s pregnant without support is hopeless, heartbreaking and traumatic. Have a heart to heart talk with you mom and let her know how you feel. She’ll reassure you that these feelings of disappointment will pass, and your family will r ise to the occasion, continuing to be and serve as an example of forgiveness and love of family. Once you and your family lock eyes with that petite package of sweet baby smiles, you’ll feel more than just joy in the morning. Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to: alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.

GARLAND JOURNAL

MAY 18, 2016

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MAY 18, 2016

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