Services for Lonnetta Shantelle Elizabeth Tucker
VOL. 7 NO. 31 APRIL 3, 2019
Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11a.m. Friendship West Baptist Church
page 15
MY TRUTH
Celebrating Women
By Cheryl Smith, Publisher
Years ago I interviewed a young lady who was a cancer survivor. She had such a wonderful spirit and was so positive. She said that having cancer made her reevaluate her life and determine what was really important. She said she realized that she didn’t have time to major in the minors. She didn’t sweat the small stuff. I guess you could call her selfactualized. Going through her health issues made her see that life is not promised so she valued every day. She didn’t have time for what others might call “foolishness.” She gets what this thing called “life” is.
Black women under attack, will Black men stand up or stand by? By Jihad Hassan Muhammad Texas Metro News
“The world is in the condition that it’s in because the world disrespects women.” - The Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan
In the early hours of the morning Thursday, March 21, 2019, a Black woman, L’Daijohnique Lee said she feared for her life, as she suffered a heinous assault by a gun-wielding White male, identified as Austin Shuffield, in the Deep Ellum section of Dallas, TX. The cell phone video of Shuffield knocking Lee’s phone out of her hand and punching her repeatedly has gone viral. During the attack,
Ms. Lee said she was attempting to call the police after Shuffield brandished a weapon and then shouted racial slurs because of the way she parked in a space. Ms. Lee was brutally beaten by the man, culminating with her hospitalization for cranial swelling and post-concussion syndrome. Shuffield, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor charges: assault causing bodily injury, intoxication, and interfering with an emergency call, of which he was released from jail , shortly after, on $1500 bond. The Dallas community was responded immediately with outrage; resulting in numerous protests because he did not receive felony charges for the assault, the presence of a firearm, and the hate speech toward Ms. Lee.
Nipsey Hussle exemplified “true culture” of Hip-Hop Bernice J. Washington
Which brings me to my truth. I don’t know if Bernice J. Washington has had serious challenges with health or life but when you see her, she gives the impression that she “gets it.” I smile every time I see that lady! I don’t care what I am going through or what just happened, Bernice J. Washington brings joy into my world. An orator’s orator, this Southern University diva is an eloquent speaker who is meticulous in her dress and presentation. If you need her to show up, she is going to show up and show out! She’s going to be prepared and will See MY TRUTH, page 4
Hip Hop artist Nipsey Hussle owner of Marathon Clothing Store RevoltTV
By Jihad Hassan Muhammad Texas Metro News
Since the inception of hip-hop, the culture has been infused with not just telling the narrative of the downtrodden masses, but also
making it better for them and the neighborhoods they dwell in. This has been a part of the hip-hop culture from day one, in the South Bronx when DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa brought into existence this now global culture called hip-hop. Nipsey Hussle embodied the true function of hip-hop for a generation that some say forgot what true hip-hop is. He spoke of buying up the block where you live and the unity of Black people, in his actions and his music—messages not commonplace in today’s “mainstream” rap music. His brutal murder in front his Marathon Clothing Store has rocked the hip-hop community, and many others alike. The responses poured out on social media. See Nipsey Hussle, page 7
This is just one of several incidents in recent months which by way of cell phone videos show Black women being attacked with no one arriving to aid them. Throughout social media and the Black community alike many are beginning to wonder why Black men standing by while Black women become targets of verbal and physical abuse. Atty. Lee Merritt, who has been retained to represent Ms. Lee, called men to action to show solidarity with Ms. Lee. He posted via his social media platforms, “The black woman is the most unprotected person in America,- Malcom X. If that is the case, it has to change. I’m calling on black men to stand with me and to stand up for the equal protection, respect and support of our women. This is not just a rally or protest. I am calling for a community forum where we
L’ Daijohnique Lee,after vicious attack
pool together our skills and resources to lay out a specific plan to ensure our sister Dai Lee gets justice and to prevent any incident like this from happening again. This is our community. These are our women and #ITSONUS!” Protests and rallies have been held to ensure Shuffield is re-arrested and recharged. In Dallas, late Thursday felony charges were filed against Austin Shuffield See Stand up or Stand by, page 11
Mavs’ Kristaps Porzingis under investigation for alleged rape that the NYPD is investigating a rape claim against Porzingis that occurred when he was a member of the New York Knicks, the team that drafted him #4 overall in the 2015 NBA draft. The 23-year-old Porzingis played for three seasons in New York. He tore his ACL in February Porzingis with MAVS coach Carlisle and owner Cuban 2018 and has not played since. He was traded on Jan. By Dorothy J. Gentry 31 to Dallas in exchange Texas Metro News for the Mavs’ Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre On Monday night, Dallas Mavs player Jordan, Wesley Matthews and a pair of Kristaps Porzingis was where he always is on future draft picks. Shortly after the news of the investigation game days. In street clothes, on the bench, broke, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Woj) cheering on his teammates. reported that the Mavericks organization Only this time he’s doing it under a cloud. See Porzingis, page 14 On Saturday, The New York Post reported