I Messenger 2 24 17 by Cheryl Smith

VOL 6 ISSUE 25

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

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AUBREY HOOPER is new Assistant Secretary

NAACP CULTIVATES YOUNG LEADERSHIP

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VOL 6 ISSUE 25

WORD OF MOUTH 10

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Trump’s tough talk won’t fix Chicago Donald Trump is fixated on what he describes as the “carnage” going on in Chicago, suggesting that if Chicago’s horrendous homicide rate doesn’t come down, he’ll “send in the feds.” At his recent press conference, he announced plans to create “a task for reducing violent crime in America, including the horrendous situation — take a look at Chicago and others — taking place right now in our inner cities.” During his campaign, Trump suggested that he knew the answer for solving the crime problem in Chicago: “How? By being very much tougher than they are right now.” He claimed he met with a couple of top Chicago police officers and one said, “I’d be able to stop it in one week,” if they could take the gloves off. Trump apparently has no idea of just how harsh Chicago police have been on young African-American men. His comments above came in the wake of the protests over the use of force by the police, including the murder of Laquan McDonald that was caught on camera and covered up. Why is the homicide rate so high in Chicago? Actually, it came down earlier in this decade as it did in other cities but has spiked in recent years. Trump defines the situation correctly when he says there are two Chicagos. “There’s one Chicago that’s incredible, luxurious and all — and safe. There’s another Chicago that’s worse than almost any of the places in the Middle East that we talk about, and that you talk about every night on the newscasts.” Chicago is the most segregated

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER by REV. JESSE JACKSON, SR

large city in the country. Poverty is concentrated in poor, largely African-American neighborhoods. With concentrated poverty and grotesque youth unemployment, drugs and guns spread and crime and homicide follow. Trump doesn’t say how Chicago got that segregated. It wasn’t an accident. Housing segregation was enforced by urban planning, restrictive zoning and housing covenants. Violence frustrated efforts to push integration. The result is two cities, segregated and massively unequal. In the neighborhoods of concentrated poverty in Chicago, nearly half of the young black men are neither in school nor employed. A dire new study from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Great Cities Institute reported that over 80 percent of Chicago’s African-American 16- to 19-year-olds have no jobs. This is a recipe for violence, gangs and trouble. Some blame gangs and the easy access to guns and drugs. But this is confusing symptoms and causes. “Where do gangs come from? You can’t divorce the gang problem from the problem of deep concentrations of poverty,” says Robert J. Sampson, author of “Great American City: Chicago and the Enduring Neighborhood Effect.” Racially segregated, impoverished communities suffer from having no jobs, no hospitals, poor

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schools, mean streets, environmental toxins and inadequate housing. The persistence of violence and concentrated poverty in Chicago comes, Sampson concludes, from “extensive social and economic segregation.” The solution to crime and homicides in Chicago isn’t tougher police tactics. Chicago police are already infamous for how tough they are. The solution is a deconcentration of poverty along with revitalization of impoverished neighborhoods. Jobs for young people make a dramatic difference. We need mixed-income housing throughout the metropolitan area. Experiments that moved people from impoverished Englewood to affluent suburban neighborhoods proved remarkably successful. Revitalization of urban neighborhoods and breaking down walls of segregated living patterns requires leadership — from the city and from the federal government. If Trump truly wants to succeed in reducing homicides in Chicago, he should not only be meeting with the mayor and the governor but also with other elected officials, ministers and community leaders — offering a major plan to rebuild those neighborhoods and put people, particularly young people, to work — while opening up mixed-income housing across the metropolitan area. Tougher cops sounds macho, but it’s a posture, not a policy, a diversion, not an answer. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. is founder and president of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition. You can keep up with his work at www.rainbowpush. org

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Painful documentaries and hard choices

I usually don’t pay much attention to the Academy Awards unless African American actors are nominated and win or unless African American themed films have an opportunity. This year, I am paying much attention, what with Fences, Hidden Figures, and Moonlight among the nominees for Best Picture, and with Denzel Washington (Fences), Ruth Negga (Loving), Mahershala Ali (Moonlight), Viola Davis (Fences), Naomie Harris (Moonlight) and Octavia Spencer (Hidden Figures) up for best actor/ actress or supporting actor/ actress roles. To be sure, I think that there should have been more nominations for Hidden Figures, and that Denzel should have been nominated for a directing award. But we all know the Academy “ain’t fair.” Let’s see what the outcomes are. One of the more difficult choices may be the choice for Best Documentary. Two films that rocked my world have both been nominated. Raoul Peck’s I Am Not Your Negro was riveting and had me sitting at the edge of my seat. James Baldwin had always been a searing critic of race matters in these United States. To see his wit and wisdom come to life reminded me of how passionately he cared, and how wittily he responded, to some of the questions too often raised about Black life. To hear Samuel Jackson’s voice-over of Baldwin’s words, and to combine that with some of the Peck-inspired visuals, is absorbing. The multi-media experience raises questions about stereotypes that reign in film, even in cartoons, and how these stereotypes shape the way

The Last Word By Dr. Julianne Malveaux NNPA Newswire Columnist

African Americans are perceived and treated in our nation. I have never experienced such silence in the theatre, a few uh-hums, but none of the whispered conversation typical of a movie experience. I’ve seen the documentary once, and plan to see it again, both because I was a big Baldwin fan, and also because the movie is sharing immutable facts that many would like to forget. The other film nominated for Best Documentary is Ava DuVernay’s 13th, an examination of the relationship between the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (the one that outlaws involuntary servitude, except when one is convicted of a crime) and the current system of mass incarceration. DuVernay is masterful in connecting stereotypes of Black people to the way the criminal justice system treats us, in weaving voices of luminaries like Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander, and Jelani Cobb with footage of police violence in Ferguson, Mo, and in using the voices of the formerly incarcerated to examine the system. When I saw 13th, I sat next to a sister who sobbed her way through the last moments of the movie. 13th leaves much to sob about, much to shake one’s head about, much to become enraged and energized about. The adage “follow the money” is

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never more pointed than it is when we look at issues of mass incarceration. Predatory capitalists are making profits on everything from maggot-infested meals served to telephone calls, and inmates and their families are the losers. This movie is a call to action. There is much overlapping material in these two films, and I’d not advise anyone to see both films on the same day. Both films enrich us, and I’d be hard pressed to say which is better than the other. I hope that the Academy chooses one of the two, and will be most chagrined if they duck the choice and go with one of the other nominations. Even if neither film is chosen, I’m grateful that, at this moment in our history, we have films that remind us where we have been, what our challenges have been, and that the struggle, indeed, continues. This year’s Academy Award nominations gives African Americans much to celebrate, and these nominations are also reminders that momentary visibility is not the same thing as structural change. How many African Americans can actually green-light a movie? How many compelling stories, like that depicted in Hidden Figures, will never be movies because of misperceptions about American audiences and racial material? When will African American history be viewed as American history and savored all year instead of only in February? Kudos to Raoul Peck and Ava DuVernay. Their films make the case that documentaries about African American life and history can reach broad audiences. ================================ Julianne Malveaux is an author, an economist and President Emerita of Bennett College for Women. Her latest book “Are We Better Off?

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Nervous Prostitution

This is God’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 The Message Translation Whenever my Grandmother Hall would become totally frustrated with me or anyone else, she would yell something that I cannot fully explain to this day. She would say; “Boy, you enough to drive somebody to nervous prostitution.” We always laughed heartily, but when I see her in Heaven I’m going to break it down to me. So I guess if my sweet Grandmother Hall could be driven to “nervous prostitution,” the Duck Dynasty of Donald Trump could drive me to preach. And I’m on the cusp of a good sermon right about now. The aforementioned scripture is a major staple of hope and inspiration in the Christian life and since I know that most of my readers know it, let me exegete the passage. In an article published in Crosswalk.com, which features devotionals and other bible study tools you may need over the next four years, Kelly Givens gives the pretext to the subtext so that you don’t take the scripture out of context. I’m preaching ain’t I? I learnt’ that from Dr. Freddy Haynes. “The Israelites were in exile, a punishment from God as a result of their disobedience. The prophet

Quit Playin’

By Vincent Hall

Jeremiah confronts the false prophet, Hananiah, who had boldly proclaimed that God was going to free Israel from Babylon in two years. Jeremiah calls out Hananiah’s lie, and then states the promise we read in 29:11. God does indeed have a

good plan for the Israelites, and it is a plan that will give them hope and a prospering future. The thing is, before he shares this promise, he gives them this directive from God: “seek the peace and the prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (29:7) This is not at all what the Israelites wanted to hear! They wanted to

be told that they were going to go home. They wanted to be told that their suffering was going to end. Instead, God’s plan was for them to stay right where they were, and to “help prosper the nation that enslaved them!” Let me add verses five through seven. “Build houses and make yourselves at home. Put in gardens and eat what grows in that country. Marry and have children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll thrive in that country and not waste away.” In other words, dream, hope and live!!! It’s demoralizing to see how despondent 68% of America has become as a result of one chump who promised to make Babylon, “great again.” And while we must fight Trump and the satanic forces that align with him, we can’t resort to hatred. We can’t give one inch, but love must prevail. This time our children really are watching. It’s time that we walk the talk of our faith. This is the ultimate test of our ability to love our enemies and those who flourish in darkness. This is the same faith that delivered the captives from slavery, Jim Crow, civil rights battles, Women’s suffrage, and the suppression of gender identification. I still don’t know what nervous prostitution is, but I know if Grandmother Hall was still here, Resident Trump would have made her think about it. He just makes me want to don a black robe and stand in a pulpit.

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Community Calendar

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

March 2 REMEMBERING JOSEPH SMITH

The Dallas Art Fair ninth edition of the fair will take place from April 6 through April 9 at the Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.). SPECIAL EXHIBIT - FILMING THE CAMPS: FROM HOLLYWOOD TO NUREMBERG Features the work of three filmmakers: John Ford, Samuel Fuller, and George Stevens. It explores the filmmakers’ experiences during and after World War II, the footage they captured of Nazi atrocities, and the impact the war had on their careers. At Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance 211 N. Record Street Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75202 from 9:30 AM -5:00 PM

Feb 25 African American History program 12 noon until 4;pm SOUTH DALLAS CULTURAL CENTER 3400 S FITZHUGH DALLAS,TEXAS 75210 “ theme: Reflecting on our past to Establish our future.” COMMUNITY DISCUSSION 3PM. Orange Girls Rock 2K17 Orange Girls Rock is a high energy, interactive, educational summit for girls ages 11-17 that is held in February of each year to commemorate, National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. From 11:00 AM to 2:00 pm African American Heritage Night

For the Dallas NPHC Dallas Mavericks vs. the New Orleans Pelicans!! At 7PM. Located at American Airlines Pre-Game MEET AND GREET @ The AAC’s Eighteen76 Lounge- Post Game PARTY @ The AAC’s LEXUS CLUB- Halftime Performance by JALIL & EXSTACY Formally of WHODINI

One of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority’s National programs is Black History Month – a special time to share ideas and recognize African Americans who have had a significant emphasis on our communities, world, and nation. The local theme for this month’s observance is: “Marks of Achievements – spotlighting African American Firsts in Breaking Barriers 1:00 P.M. Highland Hills Library, 6200 Bonnie View Road

traditional tea in an atmosphere embellished with Persian spice. Attire: Elegant Jewel Tones 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT Reflections On Spring Creek “Pretrial Matters, Matter” discussion 1901 East Spring Creek Parkway Plano, TX 75074 at 6:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center [2922 MLK, Jr. March 30 Blvd. Dallas

March 4

BUSINESS Workshop This event is designed to provide small businesses with the opporCitizens’ Civil Academy tunity to get meaningful, state-ofJudge Staci the-art information from industry Williams presents Spring experts. Special Feature: How to Become Minority Certified 2017 Citizens’ $25 per person Academy. A $100 for Vendor Table free, non-parDallas Executive Airport tisan program Business Center about the Civil 5303 Challenger Drive Amoud FounCourt system. Dallas, TX 75237 dation Held on March Program 4th,11th,18th. For more details and Sheraton DFW to register www.ccadallas.com Senior Activity Center at 6pm with 5th Thursday Ballroom Dance special guest March 10-12 MN State Rep. National Association of Black Jour- Thursday, March 30 | 7 to 9:30 p $5 at the door Ilhan Omar, Dance to the sounds of Bill G. the first Somali-American, Muslim For more info, please call State Representative. 972-205-2769 nalists Regional Conference Xi Theta Omega Chapter of Marriott Medical Market Center April 1 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Stemmons Freeway hosts the 21st Annual Family DeSoto Living! Festival Expo, “Health and Wealth: The March 12 at 10 AM - 4 PM Two Dimensions of Family Friendship Circle of Dallas DeSoto East Middle School Strength,” will be AT TARRANT Carnival open to all, carnival 601 East Belt Line Road, DeSoto, COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE. attractions include magic show, Texas 75115 FREE Lunch! Guest Speakers! juggling show, light dinner, bring a costume to automatically enter Ignite Girls Rock 2017 in rafle. Located at JCC Senior AsIGNITE will be holding their Feb 26 sembly Lounge, 7900 Northaven second annual Girls Rock! Arts, Rd. Carnival starts at 4:00 PM Culture and Politics event, where professional women can connect The Fight for Air Climb is one of March 26 with politically ambitious young the signature fundraising events The Pearls of Persia - Mother women and mentor them to of the American Lung Associabecome the next generation of tion. The Climb will be held at the leaders. From 7 PM- 9 PM at Crow Renaissance Tower in downtown Collection of Asian Art 2010 Flora Dallas 8:00 am - 2:00 pm St, Dallas, Texas 75201 Daughter Tea Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, April 8 MOCCA Incorporated®, Chi Zeta Omega Texas State Representative Yvonne Black and White Gala Chapter along with Pearls of Davis will serve as Mistress of Park Plaza Tower 13111 N. CenService, Incorporated annual Ceremonies for the 2017 African tral Epwy Mother Daughter Tea--”The Pearls American Education Hall of Fame of Persia.” This year we will be celebrating our 2017 Debutantes Program and Luncheon on SaturTLBC AFRICAN AMERICAN and their mothers in elegant style day, April 8 at noon. The event will LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT in Austin on a journey filled with the magic be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 N. Main Street, Duncanville, of Persia. Guests will experience a

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Word of Mouth Series

The Word of Mouth is a series created by Judge Amber Givens-Davis, Presiding Judge of the 282nd Judicial District Court in Dallas County, Texas, with the goal to demystify the criminal justice system for the public. “As a Judge I cannot advocate social issues, but I can educate the community as to state of the current law. Having experienced the criminal justice system as the family member of an accused individual, an Assistant District Attorney, a Defense Attorney, and now as a Judge, I understand the importance of my responsibility to provide the public with free educational access to the law,” explained Judge Givens-Davis. The Word of Mouth of Series celebrated its kick off in June 2016 by discussing “Grand Jury, the Secret Process.” The June 2016 session attracted an audience from as far as Austin, TX and San Antonio, TX. Amongst other topics discussed in the first session, the panel explained the new law in effect on September 1, 2015, regarding Grand Jury selection. The legislature enacted the new law to ensure that diverse, cross-sections of our Texas com-

Judge Amber Givens-Davis

munities are invited to serve as Grand Jurors. The August and October 2016 Word of Mouth sessions delved into topics concerning finding counsel, the difference between appointed and retained counsel, search warrants, bail, the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office, services provided by the Dallas County Clerk’s Office, voting rights of those that have served a penitentiary sentence, etc. The fourth Word of Mouth Series,“Pretrial Matters, Matter” is scheduled to take place at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center [Building A] on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at 6:00 p.m. The community center is located at 2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Dallas, TX 75215. “Pretrial Matters, Matter” will examine the many pretrial proceedings that the public may not be aware of including those that impact where a case is ultimately tried, the content of an indictment, delays, determining

the admissibility of evidence, how notice of criminal charges are provided to an individual accused, etc. Panelists will include Judge Amber Givens-Davis, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson, Judge Steven Autry, and former Judge Diane Jones-McVay. Many times we gather our knowledge of the criminal justice system from local news stations, newspapers, and other entertainment sources. The Word of Mouth Series is the first program of its kind in Dallas County, created by Judge Givens-Davis, to provide insight into the criminal justice system. Through this Series the Dallas County community has received back stage passes to the criminal justice system with guidance from those involved in the dayto-day inner workings including Judge Givens-Davis and other elected officials, along with Dallas County Department heads. Stay tuned because The Word of Mouth Series is designed to walk the public through the entire criminal justice system from Grand Jury selection to the Appellate process. Make sure you spread the Word of Mouth Series and take the opportunity to participate in the “Pretrial Matters, Matter” discussion at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center [2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd. Dallas, TX 75215].

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I Messenger Operating under a Trump Administration: Unity will Trump Division

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

The early phases of Donald Trump’s Presidency have been very alarming for some. The roll out of his executive actions, particularly the hasty immigration ban, have showcased that the administration lacks fundamental knowledge when it comes to creating policies that impact the lives of millions, causing great discomfort for many Americans in the process. The Administration should work with both Democrat and Republican lawmakers when creating policies that impact the livelihood of our constituents. However, as a senior Member of Congress and a former Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), I would welcome the opportunity to offer the President Trump ways to improve his representation of the people it serves. The President ran an aggressive campaign full of promises: to repeal Obamacare, reconstruct an elusive border wall, put a stop to refugees entering our country, and place America “first” when dealing with complicated international issues. As these promises become increasingly difficult to deliver, concerned citizens have united to voice protest in a powerful and impressive way. One day after President Trump’s inauguration millions of women, men, and children marched across the streets in Dallas, in multiple U.S. cities and worldwide in solidarity to respect the rights of women, to show they do not fear immigrants, to protect our planet, and to call

FROM THE HILL by

Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson for justice and to respect the rights of Blacks, Latinos, Asians and the LGBT community. The Women’s March was the catalyst needed to reenergize and encourage momentum to show disapproval with the

The Administration’s lack of a cohesive response in trying times was showcased this week when the president did not have organized or thoughtful remarks condemning the threats on the Jewish Community Centers across our nation. Administration’s goal to divide us in our country. The Administration must work with and consult Congress before more life altering errors occur. For example, the executive order travel ban was ill conceived in that it was not clear on the status of green card holders and permanent residents, and second, it was discriminato-

ry to a religion, it specifically identified Muslim-majority countries. Meanwhile, hundreds of selfless people showed up to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport in opposition to the travel ban and to show the Administration that their actions were divisive and were tearing families apart. The travel ban did not and will never represent the values we hold dearly here in my congressional district or across the country. The Administration’s lack of a cohesive response in trying times was showcased this week when the president did not have organized or thoughtful remarks condemning the threats on the Jewish Community Centers across our nation. Discriminatory tensions in our nation continue to be alarming and hateful actions like these must be condemned unequivocally and addressed swiftly. I would like to see policies administered by the president and his cabinet that positively impacts District 30 rather than the creation of policies that will hurt the economic growth or stifle the civil liberties granted to each person. We need to operate in a peaceful environment because operating in turmoil the last month has only hurt Americans. I am proud of my constituents in North Texas and Americans across the country who have continued to call Congressional offices and have participated in various town halls and platforms to voice their concerns. May the values we cherish be a symbol of unity that our nation represents.

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Ask Alma: Your mama knows best Dear Alma,

My husband was laid off after 16 years on the job. My salary alone wasn’t enough to keep by Alma Gill up with the bills, so we NNPA News Wire Columnist decided moving in with Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than my mom was the best 25 years, including various thing. roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington She has been having Post. Email questions to: health problems anyalwaysaskalma@gmail. com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and way and is in need of Twitter @almaaskalma. care, so this works out for the all of us. My mom was in the hospital a few months back and was talking out of her mind. She told the doctors that I had been mistreating her, which wasn’t true. During that time her best friend and neighbor visited regularly and knew everything that was going on. I’ve know this woman all of my life. While my mom was in the hospital this friend totally turned on me. I think she was even talking about me to the other neighbors. We had a big falling out about my mom’s care and what was really the truth. It was ugly! Anyway, I say all this to give you some background because she recently died and my mom wants me to cook and help her family out with her funeral. I’m thinking she must be crazy. Remember this woman has been awful to me, about all I can do is write a check. My friend told me about your column so I thought I’d ask your opinion? Anonymous Dear Anonymous, Excuse me while I sip on my blue-

berry tea. I wanna make sure I’ve got a hold of all that’s happening in your house – oh wait it isn’t, it’s your mama’s home. Now that we’ve established authority, I can understand how difficult it is to find your adult-self and your husband, moving in with your mother. You and I both can agree and recognize, clearly it wasn’t ever a part of the game plan. But let’s not be ungrateful for this blessing, at least ya’ll have somewhere to go, so don’t get it twisted. While I can sympathize with your situation (sip, sip, aaahh) hold up, why are we talking about you and your immature issues when you’re mother just lost her dear friend? Since you asked, I gotta tell you ~ this shouldn’t be about you, it’s all about your mama! Yes, by all means you should help. This woman and your mom have had a long, loving and valuable friendship over the years. I’m sure, similar to Lucy & Ethel, Florida & Willona, Maary & Rose, you hear what I’m sayin? These women, although on television, lived as neighbors who took great care of each other. When you saw one, you saw the other. They knew each other’s business and everybody else’s business, too, for that matter, LOL. I too grew up with these friendships beautifully displayed in my old neighborhood. I watched grown women weathering the various storms of life, supporting each other through marriage and children, sometimes divorce, the loss of a child and even widowhood. Can’t you see, your mother is ask-

ing this of you because it’s just as if an aunt has died? It’s all the same to her – her best friend was just like family. She loved her and her love for her friend (your play aunt) outweighs anything you can argue, cuss or fuss about. So simmer down, reach for a cup of compassion, your mother is in a very fragile place, bless her heart. I know I hear you, ya’ll had a fallen out, WHATEVER! Even if your mother was speaking out of her mind, as you say, her friend would only show solidarity towards your mom. That’s just the way it is between friends. Fall off your high horse before I push you off, forgive that woman for the misunderstanding between the two of you, and let it go. Pick up the phone right now and offer your services to her family. You hear me! Put on your mother’s shoes and pearls, and get to stepping. Don’t you sit down and take your shoes off until the memorial, funeral, wake or whatever is over. Your mom has lived long enough to know you can’t truly love without giving, and the giving doesn’t have anything to do with money. It’s about giving of your time, offering up support that comes from your heart and unconditional care that isn’t measured. When death takes a loved one, there’s no room for discontent or the holding of a grudge. Your mother is looking to see the best rise out of her daughter, stop acting like a child. Mind your manners girl, we both know while she was in her right mind, she taught you better. Alma

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FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Hooper named officer of NAACP Chairwoman Brock steps down after seven years

Co n gra t u l a to ry messages are coming in from across the country for Aubrey C. Hooper. For the DeSoto School Board Trustee and Vice President, newly - elected President of the Dallas Branch of the NAACP, and National NAACP board member, Aubrey C. Hooper Rsolyn Brock Assistant Secretary Chair - Emeritus many are not surNAACP NAACP prised as he takes on yet another Currently, Mr. Hooper is the leadership position. Vice Chairman of the NAACP Last weekend he became the National Education Committee youngest officer in the history and serves as a member of the of the Association, assuming NAACP Finance, Advocacy and the position of Assistant SecrePolicy, ACT-SO, and Resolutions tary. committees. A life-long resident of Dallas He is a Campus Administrator/ County, Mr. Hooper comes from Principal at the Matlock and a family with deep roots in the Youth Village Campuses at the DeSoto community and was Dallas County Juvenile Departborn with a passion for helping ment and is an active member others. of the Oak Gardens Church of He has over 15 years experiChrist. He graduated cum laude ence with community organizafrom Morehouse College in tions and non-profit groups and 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts decurrently serves as the second gree in Political Science and reVice President of the Texas State ceived a Master of Arts in Urban Conference NAACP Branches Affairs from UT Arlington. and a member of the NAACP He is board chairman of a small National Board of Directors.

education foundation that focuses on educational scholarships and mentoring young men, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 2010, he was named to the “Top 25 to Watch” and “Talented Tenth” lists by Dallas Weekly. Mr. Hooper has committed his life and his work to serving his community and making a difference. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Urban and Public Administration with a Urban Policy concentration at the University of Texas at Arlington. Other changes on the board include Chairwoman Roslyn Brock assuming the post of Chairman Emeritus; Vice Chair Leon W. Russell of Florida named Chairman; Derrick Johnson of Mississippi named Vice Chair; and, Yvonne White of Michigan named Assistant Treasurer. According to Mr. Hooper, he will continue to serve as president of the Dallas Branch. That branch meets the first Tuesday of each month at the Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center.

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Omega Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrates 25 Year Members “SILVER STARS”

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DFW-ABJ

college students. For more information or to apply, log on to www. dfwabj.com

URBAN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP APPLICATIONS

Applications must be returned to: DFW/ABJ c/o Cheryl Smith 320 South RL Thornton Freeway, Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203

The Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists (formerly the Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Communicators) will present its 28th annual Urban Journalism Workshop for high school and

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FEBRUARY 24, 2017 I Messenger African American Education Archives and History Program to induct Nine Honorees Texas State Representative Yvonne Davis will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the 2017 African American Education Hall of Fame Program and Luncheon on Saturday, April 8 at noon. The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 800 N. Main Street, Duncanville, Texas. Ticket reservations are $75 and include lunch. A table for 10 is $750. Deadline for dinner reservations is March 30. The honorees are: Deceased: Mildred Newton Finch and Annie Heads Rainwater Living: Joseph T. Brew, Dr. Lois Harrison-Jones Fears, Michele Anderson Goady, Kathryn Mitchell, Lucious Leon Newhouse, Jr., Shirley Ison-Newsome, Dr. Jimmy V. Scales, Sr.

Rep. Yvonne Davis

This event is an annual opportunity for the African American Education Archives and History Program Steering Committee to recognize persons

who have made outstanding contributions to the education of African American students in Dallas County. Individuals and organizations submitted nomination forms to advocate for the worthiness of the individuals for this coveted award. The public may make tax-exempt contributions “in honor of” or “in memory of” any person you choose for a minimum of $25. The names of individuals will be included in the printed luncheon program. The deadline is March 23. Make contributions payable to AAEAHP and mail to AAEAHP, P. O. Box 411091, Dallas Texas 75241 For more information about this event, and how you may support and attend the 2017 Hall of Fame Program, please call Mr. Melvin Traylor at 214-376-9673, Ms. Gwen Brantley at 972-298-6980 or Dr. Roscoe C. Smith at 972-741-8213.

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FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Confidence Plus Discipline Equals Power

I have two words for you today; confidence and discipline. Both of which, when viewed spiritually, exude Godly principles. Put this on the Holy Spirit, but discipline is an amazing thing. When applied to faith, be it natural or supernatural, the result is spiritual confidence. Spiritual confidence and discipline, without ego or arrogance, gives you an attitude of awareness and knowledge and dare I say power? The example I’d like to use is of those saints in the Upper Room, when the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost and instilled everyone there with well, confidence and discipline. These people ultimately came to demonstrate a level of faith that was used via the power and grace of God to spread the Word of God all over the world. If you look at the before and after of this Pentecostal happening, you’ll begin to see my point. Prior to this, the faithful were huddled in secrecy, being faithful to the belief that what Jesus had told them, was indeed true. God would send another. That ‘Other” turned out to be the Holy Spirit, who imbued them with more of what they already had. Now their confidence in the truth of Jesus, coupled with their discipline to spread

that word, manifested itself in their ability to communicate the gospel to the world. The world by James A. Washington has not been the same since. The question then becomes, in what is your confidence and discipline based? Where do you get the necessary power to have your gifts fortified? Does your faith give you the strength to acquire the discipline necessary to know what you should be doing in the Lord’s name and then do it? I believe the result is the power to know that you can do anything through Christ Jesus, provided you were called to do it. I also believe scripture illustrates to us that without spiritually based discipline, it is practically impossible to stand up to the trials and tribulations of life, but also impossible to withstand the temptations that seek to control our sometimes out of control behavior. The good news here is that wherever the Holy Spirit resides, change will occur, the right kind of change. Of those anointed in the Upper Room, many were faced with the opportunity to make their lives easier, if they would simply maintain the secrecy of their faith. Spiritually based faith and confidence gave each the power to boldly speak the truth. Re-

Spiritually Speaking

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member Peter denied Christ three times without confidence. Some would call that cowardice. After Pentecost, he was buoyed by confidence and discipline. Power is the Word that comes to mind here. You remember Paul at Ephesus? “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6. Here, these twelve men were already baptized but knew nothing of the Holy Spirit. After, we are told, they began to preach the gospel. Can’t you see the power gained and their growing confidence? There is nothing restrictive about this kind of discipline. It is in fact quite liberating. They knew that they knew the same way we know that we know. It’s that change thing again. It’s called being set apart and not having to apologize or keep it a secret. I believe it lets us stand up as Christians in the face of criticism, adversity and temptation. We may still fall, but we will not fail because our infrastructure has been fortified. Let me be clear. I believe that discipline coupled with confidence invites the Holy Spirit to take up permanent residence in your soul. It’s what I’m looking for and what I’m praying for, for me and for you. And look out world when that happens. Like someone once said to me, I’m a different kind of soldier. Believe it or not, so are we. May God bless and keep you always.

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