I Messenger 3 23 2018 by Cheryl Smith

March 23, 2018

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Ptosha Storey stars in Acrimony

March 23, 2018

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March 23, 2018

I Messenger An IMM LLC Publication MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110 Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com Nina Garcia Marketing/Sales Manager EDITORIAL TEAM Lajuana Barton Eva Coleman Dorothy J. Gentry Vincent Hall Richard Alexander Moore Betheny Sargent Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Dareia Tolbert Andrew Whigham III Marketing Team Carlton McConnell Terry Allen PR DESIGN/LAYOUT 619 WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Alana King PHOTOGRAPHERS Wallace Faggett Kevin Griffith Richard Manson dgdaphotographer.com

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CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

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Celebrating Cesar Chavez In a few days those among us who recognize the significance of the important contributions that various people have made to our country, will celebrate the birthday of an American hero, Cesar Chavez. While he is best known for his leadership of Hispanic, Asian and African American farmworkers, Chavez, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt and Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, was a visionary whose moral and political leadership helped to shape the social fabric of our country Had he lived Chavez would celebrate his 91st birthday on March 31st. There are many who believe that Chavez was from Mexico. In fact, he was an American, born in Yuma, Arizona where he was raised in home that believed in assisting others who had little, and thanking God for the blessings that entered a familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. One of the early influences in his life was his grandmother, Mama Tella, who instructed her grandson that a moral life was a good life. Chavez said at his grandmotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s table and eagerly listened as she philosophized during family meals. In the wake of the depression the Chavez family found itself nearly destitute in Arizona. They were evicted from the small property that they farmed, and moved to California to pursue a better life. When he was ten-years-old, Chavez journeyed each day by truck for more than an hour with other members of his family to work in the fields, picking grapes and lettuce. While working he learned the hardships that migrant workers faced, the paucity of their wages and the meanness of those that employed them. He witnessed souls that were empty at the end of long and grueling days. Chavezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s formal education ended when he had to leave school as an eighth grader so that he could work fulltime in the fields to earn money to help his family. Years later he would join the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific in the war against Japan. He became his legendary life as a community organizer in 1952 in California as an organizer for the Community Service Organization. He urged minorities to register to vote and he fought injustice wherever it reared its ugly head. Ten years later, Chavez and a fellow activist, Dolores Huerta, launched the National

Farm Workers Association which later became the United Farms Workers. By the mid-1960s the organization that Chavez founded has a membership in the thousands. A major strike, involving 5,000 farm workers was successful when Chavez appealed to people throughout America to boycott grapes produced by farmers that took advantage of farm workers. Victory did not come until 1970 when the powerful growers were brought to their knees by Chavez and his movement which had national and international appeal and support. Dr. King said that he and Chavez were â&#x20AC;&#x153;brothersâ&#x20AC;? in the struggle for justice and equality Because of his work, California growers offered contracts, including healthcare and pension benefits to their workers, and a decent wage. Chavez did not pursue wealth. He did not live an extravagant life. He did not wish for material things. He only pursed social change, holding on to the principles that his grandmother taught him. He died peacefully while sleeping on April 23rd, 1993. He was only sixty-six years of age and was in Arizona fighting for the men and women who he had served for most of his adult life Nearly 50,000 people marched behind a plain wooden coffin that contained his remains after his funeral. Among those who carried coffin was Reverend Jesse Jackson who had become Chavezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend and colleague many years earlier. In 2014 President Barack Obama, himself once a community organizer, issued a presidential proclamation proclaiming March 31st 2014 as Cesar Chavez Day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate service, community and education programs to honor Cesar Chavezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enduring legacy,â&#x20AC;? Obama said, calling him a great champion for social justice. In California, Chavezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday is celebrated as a state holiday. Perhaps the rest of the nation will one day honor this great American patriot who led an exemplary and principled life. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas.

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March 23, 2018

MY TRUTH

By Cheryl Smith Publisher

Part 1

Recently, I was challenged by a young lady. She was about 40 years old and enjoying a successful career in corporate America. She wanted me to tell her about Black leadership, specifically, what were the elders doing to train, mold and grow future leaders? Unfortunately her question was framed in a way that could have seemed like an indictment because clearly she felt that we weren’t doing enough. Now there’s quite a bit of blame to go around but I am hopeful that by having candid discussions we can move forward and build a stronger foundation. It begins with respect. The foundation in our communities has a crack that continues to widen and with the further erosion of our families and institutions that crack will never be repaired unless we bring respect back as the basis for all interactions. I asked some students if they cussed in front of their parents and I was amazed at the many who answered in the affirmative. Talk about shocked! I cussed in front of my mother twice and both times I was in my 50s. The first time, I said “Hell.” I was so shocked I couldn’t talk to her for about two days. It was only after I talked to my good- tithing

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R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

friend Debra, from Concord Church in Dallas, and she assured me that Hell wasn’t a bad word. The next time, about a year later, I said “Dammit!” And as soon as the word slipped out of my mouth, I threw my siblings under the bus. “Ooh Mother I’m so sorry, you know I don’t cuss. That’s your other children, Daryl and Tracy!” Of course she just looked at me, probably holding in laughter. You see, growing up there were certain words we just couldn’t say like: fool, liar, funky, or butt. So the thought of a cuss word never crossed our minds or was uttered from our lips. Today, however some young people have no reservations about cussing in front of adults. One student told me, “I’m an adult just like you are.” I agree. Another said, “I’m grown.” I disagree! You see, that was another thing I wouldn’t think of saying to my elders. While I am an adult and of a certain age, I wouldn’t fix my mouth to tell an elder “I’m grown.” It’s disrespectful. And, if you have to tell someone, then maybe you aren’t acting mature. It’s the same with being a Christian, a lady or a prostitute. Your actions should provide insight into who or what you are. We are not grown, since we are con-

stantly evolving, we are GROWING. Now everyone deserves to be respected. Everyone. However, there’s something to be said about those who are disrespectful to everyone or fail to realize that being disrespectful is actually a reflection on the perpetrator, not the recipient. I have to call out writers, especially on television shows, as they portray young children talking “crazy” to their elders. Thankfully in the homes I visited as a child, the children didn’t talk back to their parents (at least not loud enough to be heard), slam doors, tell parents to “shut up” or “get outta my room/face.” But you see it on television. And children see that deviant behavior and they emulate it. Sadly a lot of deviant acts are first witnessed on television or in movies. And we can’t leave out the never-ending reality television or exploitive talk shows. I guess we need to see more programs where there are healthy relationships with respect at the core; then maybe we won’t have so many instances of lines being crossed. After all, how can you teach someone and how can you learn from someone if you don’t value one another? The biggest gripe I hear from elders is that, “These young people don’t listen. They think they know everything.

I Messenger They don’t want to do the homework or preparation to assume a position. They want instant success and everybody wants to be a celebrity. It’s all about THEM!” Now we know when you start lumping everyone into a category, the opportunity for honest dialogue comes to a halt. But we can agree that there is some validity to the assertion that there are those who don’t want to be taught because they think they know everything—that is, until they get into trouble! With the tools available today, it is easier and quicker to access information so the hours of laboring are not as intense and for some non-existent. However, in my classes I tend to give projects that require interaction, research, preparation and presentations. On the other hand, young people say about elders, “They are stuck in their ways. They don’t want to try new things and they don’t know when to move aside. They want to die in a position.” I get it. Been there, had similar experiences and said the same thing about some folks when I was young because I was actually told me in a meeting to sit back because we’ve been doing things this way for so many years. Well having things around for so many years is good in some instances but bad in others. We have to understand and articulate so that folks understand that old is not always bad and young is not always dumb. We have to evolve and to help. El-

ders have to embrace and mentor, instead of criticizing. Youth have to be eager for information and opportunities to learn and serve as a mentee. Elders have to remember what it was like to be young, eager and full of “it.” And youth have to realize that there is value in listening to someone who has been there and done that. A young man once told me that “experience is the best teacher.” At 17 I was not ready for the experience and I told him that. There’s something to be said about finding someone who is doing what you’d like to do and spend time with them to learn.

March 23, 2018

There’s also a lot to be said about seeking out young men and women and sharing your decades of experiences and knowledge with them. It’s also important that you don’t have to experience everything for yourself to learn lessons. Believe me, I have learned by observing and research that I don’t have to snort cocaine or shoot heroin to understand it’s ills. You can learn from other’s experiences!

March 23, 2018

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Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Artillery!

The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, has once again shined Dr. Felicia Shepherd a light on the lack of gun control legislation in the United States. Congress has presented numerous proposals and counter proposals of gun bills -- that the bills should have been written in pencil. Years later no resolution has transpired on the regulating of guns that would possibly prevent school shootings. No worries Americans, President Trump has provided a solution to this ongoing debate. President Trump’s solution is to permit teachers to carry guns inside their classrooms. As I reflect on my time as a former classroom teacher and school counselor, I feel I can honestly say if the current educators are anything like me it would not be wise to allow them to carry weapons into the classroom. As a classroom teacher, my organizational skills were not very good. So, because I would not feel comfortable keeping a loaded gun in my classroom, the bullets would

have been kept in a locked box with the gun. Now where I placed the box, and key for that matter, would be the issue. If a shooter came into my classroom, what would you like for me say? “Sir, don’t move, let me find the key to the box that I have my gun in.” Better yet, “Hold on sir; let me load my gun really quick. So, I can shoot you.” Teachers already have it tough just teaching. Now you want to stress them more with determining if a situation warrants pulling out a gun and taking someone’s life? However, our fearless leader, as he sees himself, feels not only should teachers be permitted to have guns but receive a monetary bonus if they elect to carry a gun into their classroom. Interesting, when it comes to school funding, lawmakers are reluctant to give salary increases to teachers or money for textbooks, and will cut the art and music programs as a solution to save money. However, there is money in the budget to provide bonuses if teachers decide to be “strapped”

while teaching. If Miss Washington wants little Timmy to pay attention in math class, having a holster strapped to her waist while teaching long division will keep his attention and maybe cause him to wet his pants. Gun policy in America is needed. With mass shootings becoming so commonplace many feel Americans are becoming desensitized. We are saddened and frustrated but it is back to business as usual until the next shooting. There is no such thing as a perfect policy on this issue. However, a policy that limits who can purchase guns is better than no policy at all. To the educators, parents, and students, continue to fight to be heard. The President, National Rifle Association, and lawmakers may not hear you, but most of the Americans do. ~Doc Shep Speaks Next edition: Generation Z takes it to the streets. Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Twitter @getfinessed facebook.com/fnsconsulting

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March 23, 2018

MALVEAUX: Lifting up new leaders All too often, our “history” month turns into a tribute to the past. And while the past is an important place to lift up it is, indeed, a tributary, a stream that flows into the larger stream of an unbounded future. The future must always be greater than the present, or there has been no progress. And, in the words of Frederick Douglas, “progress concedes nothing without a demand”. I spend much of Women’s History Month thinking of those who have come before me, the shoulders on whose I stand. I claim Women’s History Month for Black Women and love to call our roll of luminaries that, for me, includes Dr. Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, the first Black woman to get a Ph.D. in economics, Dr. Phyllis Ann Wallace, the first Black woman to get a Ph.D. in economics from Yale, and the first to attain tenure at MIT. And there are more, but I also want to speculate about the future role of luminaries and reflect on that fact that many Black women have made it possible for us to bask in a new generation of leadership. The past has laid a foundation, but the future is far more important than the past. Thus, Leah Daughtry (who managed the 2016 Democratic convention), Minyon Moore (who had a key role in the Clinton campaign), and Yolanda Caraway (an amazing political operative who has worked for Rev. Jesse Jackson, President Bill Clinton, and candidate Hillary Clinton), put a footprint in the sand for future leadership with their Power Rising conference in Atlanta last month. They gathered more than a thousand Black women from

The Last Word by Dr. Julianne Malveaux

around the country to develop a “Black Women’s Agenda”, deliberately mixing up the seasoned with the sassy, established leaders w i t h t h o s e who are e a g e r to make t h e i r mark. Symone Sanders, the CNN commentator who made her mark supporting Bernie Sanders, and who does not back down from a fight around principle and issues, led a panel of young women who spoke of the challenges in their work. Amanda Brown-Lierman, a new mom and the Political Director of the Democratic National Committee, was among those on another panel about life in politics. Others on that panel included LaDavia Drane, who led Black outreach for Hillary Clinton and is now chief of staff for Congresswoman Yvette Clark (DNY) and Boston City Councilor Ayanna Pressley, who is now running for Congress. These young women aren’t playing! They are calling out their elders, but also calling out the rules. They aren’t trying to toe a line, they are trying to make

a difference. Ayanna Pressley, as an example, is challenging an incumbent Democrat in a Co n gre s s i o nal primary. Tired of being told to “wait her turn”, she has decided that now is her time. Even though she has always garnered suppor t from Emily’s List, the fact that she is challenging a prochoice Democratic man in Boston has not won her support from the political establishment. Yet the 42-year-old sister says she will not be constrained by rules. The Power Rising conference represented an example of that unfettered and passionate energy. One of the most promising young leaders is Tamika Mallory, one of the four co-leaders of the Women’s March. Tamika is a protégée of Rev. Al Sharpton (her parents were among the founders of the National Action Network, and she served as its Executive Director for several years). Because of her amazing work, Mallory earned a Phoenix Award from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in 2017. With appropriate humility, she ac-

cepted her award “for the people”, and the most important thing that one gets from Tamika Mallory is that she loves humanity, loves Black people, and especially Black women. She, like the others mentioned, is a leader for our future. She is the future of Black Women’s History. Because she is a leader, she will attract negative energy. And still, she rises, walking through life with her shoulders back, head held high, an unapologetic lover of her people. The Akan (Ghanaian) word SANKOFA translates as “go back and get it”. It is associated with the proverb “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi”, which means that “it is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten”. The Adinkra symbol for Sankofa is either that of a bird with its head turned backward carrying a precious egg in its mouth, or a stylized heart shape. The precious egg is the history of our leadership, the women like Mary McLeod Bethune and Dorothy Height and Sadie Alexander and Phyllis Wallace. Even while looking backward, though, the Sankofa bird is moving forward. Like Tamika Mallory, LaDavia Drane, Amanda Brown Lierman, and so many others. In the paraphrased words of the poet Mari Evans, “Look on them and be renewed.” Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and Founder of Economic Education. Her podcast, “It’s Personal with Dr. J” is available on iTunes. Her latest book “Are We Better Off: Race, Obama and public policy is available via amazon.com

March 23, 2018

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Hollywood Hernandez Live

By Hollywood Hernandez

Read more and win tickets at www.hollywoodhernandezlive.com By Hollywood Hernandez Entertainment Critic

Actress Ptosha Storey is a Dallas,Texas native who's making it big in Hollywood. She'll appear in Tyler Perry's feature film, ACRIMONY, alongside Oscar nominee, Taraji P. Henson. The movie opens March 30, 2018 in theaters nationwide. She can also be seen in the upcoming season of Fox's hit series EMPIRE starting March 28, in her recurring role as Chyna. And she is also in Tyler Perry's popular television series "If Loving You is Wrong" on The OWN Network. So how did this young girl from the projects of Dallas make it to the big time? The answer is an inspiring story that actually reads more like a Hollywood movie script than real life. In high school Ptosha auditioned and was accepted to the Arts Magnet at Booker T. Washington, where she was classmates with Erykah Badu. She says her time at the Arts Magnet changed her life. At first she was hesitant to attend the school so she spent part of the school year at Kimball and went part-time to Booker T. Washington. However, by her second year she

was hooked and started to attend the Arts Magnet School full time. She says, "I wouldn't be the woman I am today without the arts. A lot of the teachers saw the good in me that I didn't even see in myself." She went from being a girl who couldn't imagine going to college to an excellent student who had to turn down offers to attend colleges. She decided on SMU where she earned a double major in both Theatrical and African American Studies. A few years later, as the single mother of a seven-year-old son, she stepped out on faith to pursue her dream of being a Hollywood actress. She says she moved

to Los Angeles without "knowing a soul" and having to hold down a job to take care of her son. She struggled for years and eventually decided to come home to Dallas, but it was her son who convinced her to tough it out. The actress says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He told me, if you move back to Dallas I'll just be a regular kid." So she stayed and her son became much more than just a "regular kid." Her son Jordan L. Jones, a recent graduate of USC and a working film and TV actor in Los Angeles, is set to appear in the Fox TV series "REL" starting this fall. A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she says she sacri-

I Messenger ficed her own career to be a "regular mom" for her son. She says her agent had a hard time understanding how she could miss a red carpet event to attend her son's school Christmas pagent, but her own beliefs and her faith drove her to raise her son the "right way." She says, "If you honor your children, God will take care of you." Soon she developed an impressive resume of acting credits including guest starring roles on Lifetime’s “Petals on the Wind,” “Key and Peele” and “The Soul Man.” She says also, early in her career, she met Taraji P. Henson; who she is starring with in Tyler Perry's new movie, ACRIMONY. It was Taraji who gave her the thumbs up with Perry when he mentioned he was considering her for the part of Taraji's sister in the movie. Her story about how she came to work with Perry on "If Loving You is Wrong" is an amazing tale of perseverance. After her son's graduation she decided she needed to meet Tyler Perry. She says she knew if he met her; they'd end up working together. She was planning a trip to Atlanta, with her mother, where she planned to camp out until she got her opportunity to audition for Perry. But before she could make the trek on her own her agent called with an offer to audition for Per-

ry's production team. She says she got 10 pages of script and had to audition the following day. They taped the audition and she was asked to go "off script" for the taping that would be sent to Perry. However, she hadn't memorized the entire 10 pages of script. She says she almost cried while sitting in the car after the audition, thinking that she missed the biggest opportunity she'd ever have. But, she got the job. After taping her episode she says she thanked Perry for the opportunity to work on the project, when he asked her, "where you going?" He was so impressed with her work he wrote her into more episodes of the show! On working with Perry, she says he is very humble but there is no doubt that he is in charge. "He writes it, he directs it...I don't know when he ever sleeps" she says about Perry.

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With her degree in African American Studies I decided to ask Ms. Storey about how she expects the influence of the highly successful movie, Black Panther, to effect future movies featuring people of color? She answered, "If you do a black movie the world will come, but we've got to keep doing it...and supporting it. We have the attention of the movie industry. What happens next depends on us!" I found Ptosha Storey's story to be very inspiring and uplifting and I was equally impressed with her love for her hometown of Dallas, Texas. "Dallas is my foundation," says Ms. Storey, "Dallas keeps me humble. All of the influences that I got in Dallas are what sustain me. Home is Love. I'm grateful to have it. Every chance I get, I talk about Dallas." Look for her movie ACRIMONY, starting on March 30th so we can talk about her. http://www.hollywoodhernandezlive.com/

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Butterfly I emerge from this darkness changed. Leaving behind so much of what was me; whole but with missing parts. Pushing myself through a realization that does not include you, physically. Your transformation complete. Mine ... only beginning. La Juana and Patricia Barton

“55 Years of Trailblazing...’Shun Not the Struggle”

authors of Faithful Remembrances Volume I

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March 23, 2018

And Justice For All -

Privilege vs. Accountability

Judge Brandon Birmingham

RUN OFF FOR PRIMARY ELECTION IS MAY 22, 2018

For the next few weeks, we’ll look at some of the Landmark criminal justice cases decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. We’ll start with one that started out as a burglary. During the sentencing phase of this burglary case, one of the men charged with the crime insisted that a man he worked for made him do it. This peeked the interest of special prosecutor Archibald Cox. His investigation revealed that the boss recorded conversations, and if he got the tapes, he would have undeniable proof that the boss was complicit. Seems simple enough: when a prosecutor has reason to believe that a person possesses evidence of a crime, the prosecutor can ask a Court to issue a subpoena to obtain it. One problem for Mr. Cox was that the boss who was in possession of the tapes was the President of the United States, Richard Nixon. He subpoened the tapes. Then he got fired. Leon Jaworski took Mr. Cox’s place and took over right where he left off: he applied for a subpoena in a D.C. trial court.. The President objected, claiming his “executive privilige” prevented him from turning over the tapes. The trial court ordered the President to turn the tapes over. He refused, and appealed to the

Supreme Court of the United States. The United States v. Nixon became a showdown about the fundamental power structure of our government. We have three branches, the Legislative, Judicial and Executive. What happens when one claims power over another? Fundamentally, the President was claiming that in order to carry out his obligation to protect and serve the American People, he needed to be able to discuss things in private with his advisors without fear of the conversation leaving the walls of the Oval Office. On the other hand, Mr. Jaworski claimed that a Court’s authority to lawfully allow the collection of criminal evidence is the sole mechanism to ensure that no one - regardless of their title - is above the law. A unanimous Supreme Court agree with Mr. Jaworski: The President had to turn over the tapes. Lo and behold, to almost no one’s suprise, the tapes revealed that the President was indeed complicit with the Watergate burglary, and that he tried to cover it up. That decision resulted in President Nixon’s resignation on August 9, 1974: “I hereby resign the office of President of the United States.” This is the first of 5 cases we’ll discuss in the Landmark series of “And Justice For All.” Up next: You have the right to remain silent.

And Justice For All - A Column by Judge Brandon Birmingham, Presiding over the 292nd Judicial District Court, and Presiding Judge of the Felony District Courts in Dallas County. Join him on his Facebook Page – Judge Brandon Birmingham - Every Friday LIVE at FIVE for “Fridays in Chambers,” a weekly video summary of what’s happening in the criminal justice system.

March 23, 2018

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QUIT PLAYIN’ -

50 Years a Martyr… A Tribute series to Dr. King

A Nightmare on Dream Street!

By Vincent L. Hall

Here we go again. Here comes that litany of the light-hearted, offering their canonized version of the life and legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King; 50 years later. Call me the nagging nemesis of the MLK Optimists Club. You see the “Dream”, but I recall the nightmare and ghosts who haunted King. You have every right to join the sanitized King Chorale, but serious historians hear the jangling discords that distorted the Drum Major’s rhythm. King’s adult life was a cacophony of lauding and lamenting, praise and persecution and victories amidst violence. He was by many accounts, clinically depressed. America overplays the “I Have a Dream “speech. King wanted to be judged by the content of his character; not corned because of his race. Eventually, the confluence of character assassinations against the man and the movement produced casualties. Dr. King is posited among the dead but ever lives in the ideals of justice. Martin won a Nobel Prize and was accepted internationally. He was summoned and celebrated by heads of state

and freedom fighters in Ghana, India, Germany, and England; The Vatican, The United Nations and a myriad of other citadels of civil discourse. Yet he was hounded and hated by his own government. Donald “Jailbird” Trump created his FBI issues; King was an innocent victim. Honesty requires those who recall how well King was received in Australia and Africa,

who did not understand or appreciate his social justice stances. The vintage videotapes of his enemies feature White segregationists like Bull Connor, Governor George Wallace, and the Ku Klux Klan. The forgotten frames of Izola Ware Curry, a Black woman who drove a seven-inch letter opener near his aorta, are rarely mentioned.

to remember the humiliations he suffered from Montgomery to Memphis. Martin Luther King never accepted an invitation that didn’t summon the hue and cry of the status quo. Statistically, King was hated almost as much by Blacks as Whites; until he died. This erudite voice, who spoke with eloquence on peace and possibility, was persistently pelted with venom and vulgarities. Martin King absorbed a daily regimen of verbal threats and potential assaults by those

This dreamer lived a nightmare in Black and White and then in Technicolor. Today’s politicians and potentates pounce on every opportunity to praise and paraphrase King in order to annex his gravitas. They love the dead King, the martyred King, but won’t mention the gruesome and grotesque way he was traumatized by “law-abiding Americans.” King became an outlaw to state and federal lawmakers by taking defiant and unprecedented stands for the ad-

vancement of Civil and Human Rights. His stances on The Vietnam War, the growing rate of Americans in poverty and unfair labor practices, made him a loathsome enemy. Dr. King was forced to look into the eyes of parents, parishioners and people of all races to console them after seeing their loved ones gunned down, bombed or executed for their courage and for his cause. King’s movement was no walk in the park. King strolled through Dixie Land without the benefit of Secret Service agents. You can form conjectures about how proud King would be today to see so much of his dream fulfilled. However, a dip in his history suggests that Dr. King would be agitated and appalled. He could never acquiesce to the level of institutional and criminal acts being perpetrated on the poor. Mass Incarceration and the re-segregation of public schools would disgust him. King dreamed of world peace, justice, and left-leaning public policies. King died with one nightmarish shot to his right jaw. The battle of left and right; dreams and nightmares continue. Vincent L. Hall is an author, activist and award-winning journal-

ist.

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March 23, 2018

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It’s a Life Death Life Thing After All Spiritually Speaking by James A. Washington

When you add the specter of death to faith, then as Christians we know the two are inextricably linked. Death holds a peculiar place in all this. Fundamental in this regard is that one must die spiritually and be reborn in the reality that Jesus overcame death, died on the cross and rose again in order for us to access eternal life as it was designed by the Father. You see this whole life death life thing can be confusing, which is exactly where faith comes in. Faith requires an understanding and then behavior that is consistent with that understanding. Physical life and death are but a part of a process, one element of spiritual eternity. To some believers this can be confusing enough. To the non believer, it can be an impossible barrier to overcome. For those who claim faith in the reality of Christ, facts are based on faith and not necessarily sight. That’s why the events and happenings in the real world can be distort-

ed by the events and happenings in the faith based existence of Christians. Death is one of those distortions. To the believer, death is life on many different levels. It is neither the beginning nor the end of anything but the continuation of an existence that has always been there. Now faith comes upon all of us at different times and in different ways. But it always demands action from us. If you have faith that when you turn on a light switch electricity will power the bulb and illuminate a room, then your expectation and actions (rooted in faith) are different from someone who has no faith in electricity. If you have faith in God, then your view of death by definition will be totally different from someone who doesn’t. It doesn’t make our anticipation of death any easier because real physical death is still an unknown adventure. I’m only bringing this up because I’ve had to look again at my faith as it relates to death. I’m at an age where I’m as likely to hear about

someone younger than me who has passed as I am someone older. Older relatives don’t have as much time as they once did to be in my life. I must say it has given me pause to ponder my own mortality in the face of my faith that should embrace my own immortality. We are supposed to walk by faith and not by sight. To do so, demands a perspective, that recognizes a yet to be experienced consciousness that was the foundation for the teachings of Christ. The achievement of salvation and eternal life requires faith and action today. Therefore, I must begin my quest anew each and every day. I must accept my faith anew each and everyday. I must continue my journey anew each and everyday. I have no choice. Faith demands that the reality of my own physical death not deter me from the path of trying to live this life according to principles laid down in the teachings of Christ. Some of that starts with the knowledge that death is merely a by product of the process of gaining eternal life and physical life as we know it is but a temporary gig. What you

and I go through everyday is essential to completing the eternal life cycle. Faith therefore is tested everyday. Once established within you, then you operate by a different set of facts. Through faith, we actually believe all things a re possible because God is certainly capable of doing anything. That includes overcoming death. Death then is a step closer to God. In many cultures in the world, death is cause for a celebration and that is as it should be for all Christians. “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” Revelation 2:10-11. For all things the answer never changes and the truth never waivers. Have faith in God, I can’t explain it any better than that. May God bless and keep you always.

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March 23, 2018

The Power of 3 Women

By Valder Beebe ValderBeebeShow.com

As females we are challenged by society’s belief “women can’t work together” and that simply is not true. I am trusting this brief article will break this widely held stereotype for our readers. Before women moved into the work place, we worked together to keep home and family together. Many women worked in multi-generational family and extended family groups. That tradition is still alive in The Power of 3. We are comprised of Ester Davis, Dr. Linda Amerson and I [Valder Beebe]. Collectively the three of us have 428 million viewers, listeners and readers as our audiences. Synchronously we share 50-years of media experience. I am delighted to share The Power of 3 with our audiences.

and positive demeanor especially when conducting an interview on a difficult topic. Ester Davis has impressed me as being a multi-tasker who is never rushed or ruffled in the many roles she has taken on. Today, Ester Davis reaches eight million viewers with her far reaching media brand via television and syndicated columns in newspapers across America. The Ester Davis show on BPENTV.us continues to excel. The Ester Davis Show is broadcast every Tuesday and Thursday on BPENTV.us reaching 5.4 million households. This is entertaining and informative with community icons appearing, politics, fashion and women’s topics of interest. Dr. Linda Amerson re-

Ester Davis the host and creator of the Ester Davis Show for television. Ester has always exhibited a classy

sides in Arlington, Texas and is a magna cum laude graduate from the Accredited International Institute of Trichology in Madison, Alabama. For her outstanding achievements, Dr. Amerson

was presented the prestigious Texas State Senate Proclamation from the Honorable Senator Royce West. A seasoned columnist, her readership in over 52 national print/digital magazines, newspapers, both print/digital and numerous online newsletters have exceeded 300 million consumers. Her articles are featured regularly in: CNN iReport, Essence, Ebony, Heart and Soul, The Garland Journal, Equanimity Epitome Magazines, and Trendsetters to Trendsetters just to name a few. Dr. Amerson’s 300 million readers and listeners regularly tune into her scientific segments on DFWiRadio.com. Valder Beebe is an American radio personality and journalist. A graduate of Coleman Business College, she has been an entrepreneur since 2000. When asked what is your strongest asset in your life? She responds “I am married to man of my dreams, James Beebe.” James is also my business partner. Valder is the anchor and News Director of the KYBS Headline News show, a position she has held since 2017. The show brings local and national news with celebrity entertainment sound bites included.

Daily Valder is heard on 411RadioNetwork on the Gospel and Jazz networks. Previously Valder was the Lifestyle Editor of her namesake lifestyle section, Beebe’s Smart Living syndicated in the Texas Power Pages Newspaper with 50,000 monthly copies distributed. Valder has appeared in Essence, Equanimity and Epitome Magazines. Currently she writes a namesake column Beebe’s Smart Living which appears in 411RadioNetwork digital edition magazine. She is also the producer and host of The Valder Beebe Show broadcasts; God Talk, THAT CELEBRITY IN-

TERVIEW, and The Food IQ Girls on radio and on-line. THAT CELEBRITY INTERVIEW TV show broadcast launched March 24th on PChatman Network based in Mississippi broadcasting on; Roku, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, AppleTV, Tablet WebApp, iOS, Samsung SmartTV, and XBOX. Inquiries: Erika Anderson crenada2@gmail.com

March 23, 2018

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South Dallas Club hosts Founders’ Day

By Gwendolyn H. Daniels Club President

Viola Black-Professional Woman Awardee.tif

The historic South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club held its 64th

Annual Founders’ Day celebration on Saturday, February 17 at the Magnuson Grand Hotel in DeSoto, Texas.

Members gathered dressed in their signature red attire and the ballroom was filled by 11:00 AM when Mistress of Cer-

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South Dallas Club, cont. from previous page

Patricia B. Maples-Sojourner Truth Awardee

emony and new Club Member Deloros Raivzee-Bell opened the program. President Gwendolyn H. Daniels, National 1st Vice President Dr. Lavern J. Holyfield and South Central District Governor Patricia B. Maples each brought brief greetings to the morning audience. An occasion reflecting the rich history of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. and the local South Dallas Club was delivered by Life Member Charla White Walters. The organization’s official flower is the Yellow Tea Rose. Following the occasion, members held a Yellow Rose Candle Lighting Ceremony narrated by new Club Member Shelisa Brock, Esq. and Club Member Lynnetta Williams. New members Sherilyn Medlock and Carla Dennis conducted the lighting of candles while President Daniels, along with Past Presidents and the entire membership at-large each placed a Yellow Tea Rose in an enormous vase located at the front of the beautifully decorated ballroom. Founders’ Day Chair Marion Hill-Hubbard presented a video displaying an historical pictorial of all national and local founders prior to Club Chaplain Monique Murchison delivering the blessing of the food. During lunch, guests were thoroughly entertained by the renown Sierraleone and Company. Life Member and Vice Governor of the District Terri O’Neal Ford was recognized as a Yellow Rose Recipient for her 20 consecutive years as a member of the South Dallas Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.

March 23, 2018

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Paul Quinn College Alumni Association- Dallas Chapter "22nd Annual Scholarship & Award Banquet"

Friday, April 6, 2018 @ 7:00PM Paul Quinn College - Grand Lounge Money mouth face Please Support!!! Please Give Back!!! This is an excellent opportunity for you to give back to help worthy students support themselves financially, while attending college. In addition to helping students, you will be helping Paul Quinn College. Therefore, we need your assistance, and ask you to Please Donate! You can purchase scholarship banquet tickets, today! You can GIVE BACK...DONATE to Paul Quinn, today! Scholarship Banquet Tickets $ 30.00 Paul Quinn College Donation $ Unlimited *TO MAKE DONATIONS, call Ruby Baker 972-467-1013

I Messenger March 21 Debi Thomas became the first Black to win the Women’s World Figure Skating Championship in 1986.

13th Annual Career & Res. Fair at MLK Jr. Rec. Ctr. 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. Dallas 9am-1pm. All job seekers invited. **** “Hidden Figures” Celebrating Successful Women in Public Relations at the African American Museum of Dallas 3536 Grand Ave. from 6:30pm–8:30 pm

March 22 During WWII the Tuskegee Airmen, was activated in 1941.

Grand Hall 1700 Veterans Memorial Park, Lancaster, 10 am – 6 pm Bunny Hop 2018 - The Social House 2708 Routh Street Dallas. How it works! – Registration is from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm - Crawl begins at 2 pm Tickets: http://bit.ly/2Fy4CaM ***** The Vintage Fashion Show at Zula B. Wyle Public Library 225 Cedar St., Cedar Hill at 2 pm Light refreshments served. ***** Exposing the Enemy Women’s Conference Speaker Lady Tamara Williams-Franklin from10 am -1 pm at Comfort Suites at Lake Worth, 5825 Quebec St, Lake Worth ***** Black Excellence Night - American Airlines Center Hornets vs Mavs 4:30 pm

March 23, 2018

March 28 Jesse Owens, Olympic track & field legend, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by Pres. Bush in1990.

March 29 Famed attorney Johnnie Cochran died of a brain tumor at age 67 in 2005. ***** EASTER EGG HUNT 6 pm 1310 W. Ave.F Garland

Halle Berry became 1st Black Actress to win Best Actress Oscar in 2002.

Down for Count One-Act Play Festival atBishop Arts Theatre Center 215 S. Tyler St. Dallas 3-29 7:30 pm 3-30 7:30 3-31 7:30 pm through 4-15-18

March 30

March 31 An Evening With! Civil Rights Movement in Dallas with Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney at The Hall of State 3939 Grand Ave. from 6:30pm–8:30pm

March 23

2018 Jazz w/ Vincent Ingala & Julian Vaughn at Bishop Arts Theatre Ctr. 215 S. Tyler St. Dallas from 7pm-9:45pm ***** Exposing The Enemy Women’s Conference by Light Connection COGIC at Comfort Suites at Lake Worth 5828 Quebec St. 10am-1pm Free

March 25

Jazz BeCuzz Presents: off the Top of the Dome-Writer’s Forum & Poetry at the Art Center 9319 LBJ Fwy, Dallas from 8 pm – 11 pm. Free.

Aretha Franklin, singer Queen of Soul” born 1942

“Louisiana Red” (Iverson Minter). Blues guitarist/harmonica player/ singer born in 1932.

***** Gopel Dance Fitness w/ The Twinz on 3711 W. Camp Wisdom Rd. from 2:30 pm- 4 pm

March 24 Adult Easter Egg Hunt 2018 at Kiest Park 3080 S. Hampton Rd. Dallas from 3 – 7 pm ***** Easter Egg-Straveganza at Firewheel Town Center - 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm 245 Cedar Sage Dr. Garland 972-495-8085 ***** The 5K walk/run at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Dallas 8 am - 1 pm Theme "End AIDS Together" ***** Women’s Empowerment Expo 2018 at Queenish Pro. Women’s Club, Lancaster

“The

March 26 Diana Ross, singer and actress born 1944

March 27 Free Legal Aid at MLK Community Center 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd. Dallas 214-670-8418 from 4 pm-7 pm ***** Mariah Carey, singer, born 1970

Miracle Weekend Easter Egg Hunt Virginia Weaver Park, 631 Somerset Dr. Cedar Hill FREE April 4 Miguel at House of Blues - House of Blues 2200 N. Lamar St. Dallas, at 9 pm

April 6 - 8 Southwest Black Art Show - African American Museum - 3939 Grand Ave., Dallas

April 7

Tracy Chapman, singer and song writer, born in 1964. ***** “The Misconception of Love” Gospel Stage Play Plaza Theatre 521 W. State St., Garland at 7 pm ***** Community Easter Egg Hunt at MLK Jr. Community Center 2922 MLK Jr. Blvd. behind Bldg. A from 12 pm- 1 pm

The State of Black Dallas at Friendship-West BC 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas from 6:30–8:30 pm

Ty Dolla $ign - Don't Judge Me Tour House of Blues 2200 N. Lamar Street Dallas at 9 pm

Deep Ellum Arts Festival - 2900-3400 Main Street Dallas. April 6 - April 8 at 11 am

2018 Women’s History and Founder’s Day Celebration at UNT Dallas College of Law Office of Career and Professional Development 1901 Main St. Dallas from 10 am – 12 pm Easter Egg-Stravaganza at Zeiger Park 400 Eagle Dr. DeSoto Pre-register for Free at Desototexas.gov/register

Rising Excellence Moody Performance Hall 2520 Flora St., Dallas April 6- April 7 at 7:30 pm Jennifer Archibald, Arch Dance Company. Tickets at: http://bit.ly/2y6yUwp Gigantic Gospel Concert - Friendship-West Baptist Church 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas - JSpivey Productions at 4 pm 7th Almost Annual Miles for Milson Charity 5K Run at Cedar Hill High School 1 Longhorn Blvd Cedar Hill. From 7am–10am Register: http://bit.ly/2rMPsqy Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2018 2511 FM 66, Waxahachie Apr. 7 at 10 am – Apr. 8 at 10 pm Ticket: www.srfestival.com The Market Place in Downtown Garland 150 N. 6th St., from 9am–2 pm DeSoto Living 18 at DeSoto East Middle School Sat. from 10am-4pm Food & Music Festival

April Fool’s Comedy Jam III - Smooth R&B 105.7 @ Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie - 8 pm-11 pm Starring Monique, Donnell Rawlings, Jess Hilarious, Tone X, D.C. Young Fly, & J.J. Williamson ***** SistaSista Conference 2018 Best Western Plus Forest Hill Inn & Suites 3230 Forest Hill Circle Fort Worth at10 am http://www.sistasistaconference.com ***** Free Movie “Easter Parade, 7 pm The Plaza Theatre 521 W. State St. Garland, ***** Taylor Bennett LIVE in Concert - House of Blues 2200 N. Lamar St. Dallas, 8 pm 7th Annual Dallas Alumni Greek Show TBAAL Inc. 1309 Canton St. Dallas 7 pm – 10 pm Info: 214-9239790 or 972-998-3789

April 13 Free Movie “Detour” Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State Street, Garland, at 6 pm Free Movie “The Killers” Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State Street, Garland, at 7:30 pm April 14 Dallas/Ft. Worth Black Business Expo From11 am - 7 pm in Dallas, Texas For Vendor call: Lydia 469-740-1501 Booths Available Smooth R&B 105.7 Keith Sweat ft. SWV, Tank, Stokley, Vivian Green at The Pavilion at Toyota Factory 300W. Las Colinas Blvd. Irving at 6:45 pm Free Movie “The Stranger” Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State Street, Garland at 4 pm “You Can’t Raise A Man” at Friendship West Baptist Church, 2020 W. Wheatland Rd., Dallas 972-228-5200 7:30 pm Ticket Info: www.snooprobinson.com

March 23, 2018

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March 23, 2018

Spiritual and Crystal Adviser by Veronica Perez

FEATURED STAR: ARIES - The RAM - 03/21 - 04/19 Seeking knowledge that comes from within. Take time to nurture yourself, analyze things that don’t seem to add up. You know the answers without too many questions. Happiness/Well-Being – Listen to your inner voice. Your true guide to your happiness. Inspiration/Influence – Disconnect from the crowds, solitude will serve your unconscious well. Your Chosen Healing Crystal - CITRINE – Personal power, emotional control. Targets your physical center. Solar Plexus chakra Lucky Numbers – 02.45.16.37.08.10 TAURUS – THE BULL – 04/20 - 05/20 Don’t be easily distracted by material things. You’re here for a higher purpose. Seek answers in time allowed. Re-connect yourself to your roots.

LIBRA – The Scales – 09/23 – 10/22 You’ve found the beautiful rhythm of happiness. Whether it’s a calm of a summer’s day or a recognition of a life long achievement. You are that, Stay there. SCORPIO – The Scorpion – 10/23 – 11/21 Looking under stones, you have turned a million times for a different answer that won’t be in your best interest. Allow the truth to take you in. Just remember “this too shall pass” SAGITARIUS – The Archer – 11/22 – 12/21 The light that shines brings us clarity and understanding of truth. Expect light, luck and success, when victory light is by your side.

CAPRICORN – The Goat – 12/22 – 01/19 GEMINI – The Twins - 05/21 – 06/20 The sun is the giver of light. As such, your shine to walk in the The “struggle” is real. Keep your mind on the bigger picture. light for all others to gain knowledge from you. Be truthful and In times of chaos, allow love to flow. Sometimes fear drives us honest with your words. You hold more power than you realize to make impulsive decisions that are not in our best interest. AQUARIUS – The Water Carrier – 01/20 – 02/18 Slow down. Obstacles are in the material world. There may be a poor investment, requiring much more resources that you had initially CANCER – The Crab – 06/21 – 07/22 Give yourself time to enjoy the pleasures life brings, can be reserved for. Don’t miss your chance. very healthy for you at this time; things will seem to unravel, PISCES – The Fish – 02/19 – 03/20 stay grounded to the facts only. The party isn’t over yet. Work is always required daily. Give yourself that love and privilege to achieve all that you have LEO – The Lion – 07/23 – 08/22 Feeling whole and connected is the greatest. Congratulations; awaiting for you. Put in more work. Daily Oracle Reading: Ask and it is given keep the positive attitude going. Spread to share so others also Mercury in retrograde causes lots of chaos. Hold tight and may enjoy your peace. true. Stay positive in your tasks, do all and teach all in love. VIRGO – The Virgin – 08/23 – 09/22 T Setbacks come and go. As you are aware and lucky, you are equipped with natural abilities to adjust quickly. Take the cards you are dealt as if it’s what’s asked for. Set the master free.

Guide Your Light Right Mother Earth is going through transformations, frequency changes, an “Upgrade” a “Makeover”, causing human energies to shift into higher consciousness awareness, this can be intense, and at times, a hurtful experience to the unprepared humanity. Let’s work as ONE! Seek within, to win! “V” is calling on you to challenge inner-self and reach higher to shine brighter!! Call on “V”, your Starseed Lightworker for Tarot readings and Crystal readings. Pleiades Renegade Member Family of Light, system buster on call! Text Starseed Lightworker: 214-710-0418 Email: vperez311.unity@gmail.com

March 23, 2018

I Messenger

An Expensive Invitation Ask ALMA

What do you think? V.B., Shreveport, La.

Dear Alma, Three years after my divorce I met a really nice man. I am 34 years old, financially secure with no children. So far we make each other happy and get along really well. We both pay for things when we go out. I own my stuff, condo and car, and so does he. When we go out, never dutch, one or the other picks up the tab and it’s never been a problem. Here is my issue: He invited me to go with him to meet his family. Then he said the other night, “When are you going to get your ticket? Let me know so I can make sure we’re on the same flight.” I was appalled that he wants me to pay my own way. I think that’s totally wrong.

Dear VB What? He wants you to pay your way. Girl, can you hear that chirping chickadee, “cheapcheap-cheap-cheap!!” LOL!! All I can say is, you’ve got an extremely fugal brother on your hands. To the left, to the left, I hear you and I totally agree. On the other hand, my sane mind, to the right, to the right, is tugging at me saying, “If he has a serious savings account and meticulously maintains his finances, that might be a good thing for you.” I mean, really; he’s not asking you to go in half on his root canal. It’s a trip. Maybe he sees it as a vacation (you know how men are). Which I’m sure you do not (you know how women can be). Seriously, tho, going to visit your companion’s family is not a vacation, and you need to clarify.

Unless you decide to have a straight-up conversation with him, I’d say give him the benefit of the doubt. I don’t think there’s any intent of wrongdoing here. Since you guys share the cost most of the time anyway, and since it bothers you, make this a teachable moment in your new relationship and explain it to him. Let him know that visiting his family is like buying a special gift. And you’d rather not have to go in the store and get it yourself. Ask him to cover the cost of the flights and you volunteer to cover the hotel. If you’re staying with family, you can cover food and entertainment expenses. Don’t be mad; if things work out between you two, you’ll be glad he’s frugal, especially during your retirement years. In this economy, a man that resists unnecessary spending and prefers to save his coins is a keeper. Alma

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.

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March 23, 2018

#HauteShotsByTanya

Partygoers clad in all black celebrated the birthday of longtime Dallas-based photographer Tanya Stoudermire and the official launch of her business #HauteShotsByTanya. With a solid background in business and as an IT professional, Tanya is a socialite with wide-ranging appeal, having served from behind the lens at various events throughout the Metroplex. Follow her on social media @hauteshotsbytanya and visit HauteShotsbyTanya.com

Photo Credit: Eva D. Coleman

Thanks for your support! Judge Stephanie N. Mitchell Judge Mitchellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Second Chance Community Improvement Program (SCCIP) and Pipeline to Possibilities are just two of the ways that she has shown her commitment to ensuring justice for all!

March 23, 2018 Save the Date

District 30 High School Students: Let Your Art Be Seen By The World… What: Congressional Art Competition present by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (Must be a TX-30 High School Student) Due Date: All artwork must be submitted to Congresswoman Johnson’s District Office 1825 Market Center Blvd Dallas 75207 between Monday, April 2, 2018 and Thursday April 12, 2017 (10:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.) Reception: All participants will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, April 20, 2018 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center Art Exhibit: All entries will be displayed at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center April 18- 30, 2018 All entries must meet the following criteria: Must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate any U.S. Copyright Office laws · Must be two dimensional · Must be matted, and NOT FRAMED · Must not be larger than 26 inches wide by 26 inches tall by 4 inches thick · Must not weigh more than 15 pounds · Must include Completed Student Release Form when submitted or entry is disqualified For more information and to access the Student Release Form, please visit: https://www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/

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I emerge from this darkness changed. Leaving behind so much of what was me; whole but with missing parts. Pushing myself through a realization that does not include you, physically. Your transformation complete. Mine ... only beginning. La Juana and Patricia Barton

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March 23, 2018

I Messenger

Panelists talks diversity in the media and understanding of different cultures By Dorothy J Gentry Contributing Editor

A perpetual lack of awareness of different cultures, letting “laziness creep in” when understanding and dealing with different ethnicities and the on-going absence of non-whites in the newsroom were all cited as reasons the media continues to have challenges with fair and balanced coverage of diverse communities. “There are huge misunderstandings of other people, other cultures, of people who are not like us,” said UNT Associate Journalism Professor Tracy Everbach, a former The Dallas Morning News reporter. “We need to open our minds and infuse this (other cultures) into the newsroom and this is still not happening. “Naturally we gravitate to people who are like us and fear those who are not. That’s why I think education is so important,” she said. “Understanding other people, being educated and knowing where other people are coming from is key.” Dr. Everbach, who has studied and compiled research on newsroom diversity across the country, was part of the “Let’s Talk Diversity” panel discussion recently at UTA. Also on the panel were Native American activist Yolanda Blue Horse; I Messenger Media and Texas Metro News publisher/editor Cheryl Smith; writer and producer for The Dallas Morning News Saad Yousuf;

journalist, blogger and podcast host Yezmin Thomas,. The panel discussion, sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists Fort Worth Chapter and moderated by former broadcast journalist Rebecca Aguilar, dealt with the very real topic of lack of diversity in the media and our nation’s newsrooms and how this deficit affects news coverage and perceptions of those communities. Panelists all agreed that the media coverage not always fair and accurate when involving diverse communities but this comes more from a lack of understanding of these cultures. The

media can improve by taking time to research, learn and get to know other cultures in order to advance more fair and balanced media coverage. Journalists of color must also be held responsible, the panel discussed, and be encouraged to speak up and out about potentially offensive coverage of minority communities, even if they are the only ones in their newsrooms. Everbach cited research that showed 87 percent of newspaper staffs across the country are white people and 38 percent of newspaper staffs across the country are made up of women.

I Messenger “The dominance of white males in newspapers is pretty well established. There’s nothing wrong with that, but when you compose an organization of people who are pretty similar and have a pretty similar mindset and come from a pretty similar background (college educated, middle class, etc.), when you stack the decks that way, then put them in a situation where everyone is working under deadline and trying to put out the news but also do social media, videos, multimedia, etc. something will fall through the cracks.” Smith agreed. “We have conversations about these types of things (different cultures).” Smith, who also teaches communications classes at El Centro College, continued, “You need to open up your heart and minds and get things from other folks perspective and try to understand why they are a certain way. You become a better person overall when you understand others.” The panelists all agreed that media members of color must speak out against biased and offensive coverage but understand the hesitations that this causes. Aguilar said it’s a role not often embraced but is still necessary. “We don’t have to be the activists in the newsroom all the time, but sometimes we do have to take on the role. Something is about to come out and you know it will be offensive, do you speak up or just let it go? “You don’t want to be thought of as difficult in newsroom so you don’t say anything but there is a bigger obligation.” Everbach added, “Unfortunately, so many don’t want to speak up about it and it goes on for so many years. They don’t want to be looked at like ‘you’re a

trouble maker, don’t you have a sense of humor? You’re difficult,’ but it takes large numbers of people speaking out about it to change it. “That’s what happened with #MeToo,” Everbach continued. “All of these women started speaking out and some men - and suddenly, oh my gosh, this has been going on in front of our faces for decades that no one said or did anything about, suddenly people are outraged about it. The same thing can happen here.” Yousuf, the only male on the panel, and representing the Muslim community said speaking up is everyone’s job, not just media members of color. “There is an actual responsibility on everyone. I understand it’s important for me to go the editor and ask why aren’t we covering these things (events and news in other communities) but it also takes other groups to do it too. “Until a Christian feels as strongly about Muslim, equality as a Muslim does, or a straight person feels a gay person should have rights, men standing up for women we all have to do it,” he said. “It also takes people who are willing to accept that they don’t know something or are not as knowledgeable about certain people or culture.” “You have to weigh it and balance both sides out,” he said, “I’d be willing to say, hey, this isn’t right, if necessary. But if it goes out, it can still create a spotlight and helps those issues come to light. “Right now, blacks have a spotlight but it’s negative. Muslims have a spotlight, but it’s negative. Native Americans don’t even have a spotlight at all,” he said. “Then when people are talking about the Washington Redskins and how that is offensive, now people are understanding and learning.” Thomas cited the recent controversy

March 23, 2018

with national clothing retailer H&M. They created an ad with the image of a black child modeling a hooded sweatshirt that said “coolest monkey in the jungle.” Two other sweatshirts that were also jungle-themed but did not mention monkeys were modeled by white children. It set off a national firestorm of negative publicity for the Swedish company. Thomas said, at first, “I did not get it. I had to get someone to explain it to me and why it was offensive,” she admitted. “I had to look at it differently and then I understood. Someone working on this PR/AD launching a global campaign without the proper diverse background, you can see how something like this would fall thru. “It makes you wonder; how many other ads have we seen that have been offensive to other groups?” Yolonda Blue Horse asked that the media and community “take the time to understand we (Native Americans) do exist. I ask you to remember that we have a culture, and if anything, learn about who my people are. “I ask that you learn about the different tribes of Native Americans - we don’t all have teepees - take the time to learn about the them,” she said. “Come experience and see our culture. We love to share it. We want to learn about you too. “We have a personal responsibility to get out and learn about each other’s culture.” Added Smith: “We need to get out of our boxes and understand and realize that we are on this earth for such a small amount of time. Our lives are further enriched by the people we bring into our lives.”

March 23, 2018

I Messenger

Do you know this man?

POLICE have not apprehended “Pookie” the serial rapist. We know he has attacked members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and there is a $5,000 reward offered by Crime Stoppers.

HE IS A SERIAL RAPIST

He targeted members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. but this is more than about a sorority. We’re talking about a community. Come on PEOPLE! Don’t you CARE? Will it matter when it is your sister, mother, aunt or grandmother or maybe YOU?

877-373-8477