Urban Pro Weekly

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UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014 VOL. 4 NO. 15

takisha perry

in her own words

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800


UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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THE CITY

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

NEWS

OUTGOING COMMISSIONERS Corey Johnson (L) and Alvin Mason during a break at their final session as lawmakers for Augusta-Richmond. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Outgoing commissioners reflect on years of service Mayor Pro-Tem Corey Johnson District 2 Commissioner What are some of the things that have been important to you that you would like the incoming commission and mayor to continue now that your term of service to the city of Augusta is coming to an end? I have always been concerned about growing our city. I believe that Augusta is no longer the small city we were 30 years ago. We are the second largest city in the state, well now currently the third largest as of 2013 based on the census done in 2010. We most continue to focus on attracting good industries which

will, in turn, bring more tax-paying people to our city. We must get back to having productive meeting and not lengthy meeting with no real productivity. Improving our downtown has always been important to me and it should be a focal point moving forward. As people look to visit and move to our city, they are going to look at what’s happening in our downtown. Create events and opportunities that will attract tourists and help retain our young people. Lastly, beautification is something the new commission and the mayor should make a priority. We are the garden city Continued on page 5

Alvin Mason District 4 Commissioner What are some of the things that have been important to you that you would like the incoming commission and mayor to continue now that your term of service to the city of Augusta is coming to an end? We have to complete the relocation of the Hyde Park residents. We also need to ensure that the next SPLOST package is primarily infrastructure so that we can have a funding stream to address the flooding issues in East Augusta and South Augusta as well. We need to continue to ensure that we have a

comprehensive and robust transit system that covers the southern portion of the county. What are some of the things that you have been most proud of during your term of service? There are so many things that I am proud of during my seven years on the commission, most recently bringing bus service to Fort Gordon to service our soldiers, military retirees and their family members. I have assisted in changing the landscape of Augusta with a new Library, Judge Ruffin Courthouse, Sheriffs administration building to Continued on page 5


UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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NEWS

CITY

City finds $2.5 million to evacuate remaining Hyde park residents

Economic Development department, said, “From a housing professional standpoint, the priority should be to AUGUSTA get the homeowners out.” Three years and $4 million followThis approach is a radical deparing the initial agreement to partialture to the piece-meal approach ly fund and begin moving residents utilized by the former head of the from the toxic Hyde Park neighbordepartment, Chester Wheeler. Wheeler resigned just a few days hood, the job remains less than half ago. Prior to his early retirement done. Wheeler, had petitioned the commisIt remains for the new mayor and sion for more money to complete the newly configured Augusta commisproject, but could not offer satisfactosion to complete the job. On Tuesday, ry answers about how over $4.5 milthe current commission made that lion had already been spent. Wheeler job easier by voting unanimously to was also threatened with an audit of commit an additional $2.8 million to his entire department. Once Wheeler the project. Hawthorne Welcher Jr., inter- agreed to leave, the audit threat was No one could blame the remaining Hyde Park residents if they adopt im head of the city’s Housing and withdrawn. Commissioner Marion Williams, however, is still seeking a full accounting of the $4.5 million already spent. You don’t have to live with Hyde Park residents also want an accounting, or at least an explanation or any other kind of the spending process. Kudos for outgoing commissionof discomfort, including headaches, ers Alvin Mason and Corey Johnson or any other kind of discomfort, neck stiffness, shoulder pain, muscle for being stalwart supporters for including headaches, neck stiffness, doing the “right thing” in Hyde Park. tension, shoulder pain, muscle tension, sleep sleep difficulty or hand Johnson, who has taken ownership By Frederick Benjamin Sr. UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer

a skeptical posture. They are used to being ignored, disrespected, and placed on the back burner by city officials. The old adage “they city can always find money to do what it wants to do,” rings more true than ever as city housing and engineering professionals cobbled together the millions needed to complete the relocation. The effort is outstanding in the light of the city’s current budget crunch. Hyde Park residents had plenty of reason to despair when more funds for relocation were not included in the 2015 spending budget.

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Urban Pro Weekly LLC 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Executive Publisher BEN HASAN 706-394-9411 bzhasan54@yahoo.com

of the project, was very pleased at the positive turn of events. Commissioner Marion Williams is to be commended for the passion with which he lobbied for the beleaguered Hyde Park residents and Commissioner Ben Hasan is to be given props for his concise and timely motions which facilitated the identification of the source of the newly found relocation money and their prompt redirection to this project. This is a project that could have easily been forgotten about or postponed for a few years more. Already there are complaints from those unfamiliar with the Hyde Park story about the city spending so much money on poor black families. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Hyde Park is a perfectly safe place to live and raise as family. All of the commissioners and the mayor deserve praise for not forgetting about their obligation to these residents. Some 70 homeowners and renters are among those who hoped to be evacuated from Hyde Park in early 2015.

Executive Managing Editor FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com Sales & Marketing 706-394-9411 Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media View Urbanproweekly on Facebook


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FOCUS

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN: Paine College interim president Dr. Samuel Sullivan (R) and his wife (L) welcome students and visitors to the college as the front gates facing 15th Street were opened for the Christmas Caravan event. The goodwill event is designed to collect donated non-perishable food, household items and toys for

Johnson from page 3 and we should definitely look like it. What are some of the things that you have been most proud of during your term of service? Among my most proud accomplishments includes getting the ball rolling to relocate the residents in Hyde Park. I was fortunate to find a way to get the people out of a community that has been plagued with contamination and flooding for decades. Next, naming the new courthouse after the late John H. Ruffin Jr. This was an great accomplishment for me to honor someone who blazed the trail for people like myself.

No, I don’t have any regrets at all. I have always been a person that takes everything as a learning experience, — even the mistakes that I have made in my life as well as on the commission. One thing is for certain, nothing in life is perfect; therefore you can live your life without regrets. Would you ever consider rejoining the commission or pursuing any other political position in the future? Yes, I would consider it. I have no immediate plans, but we will see what the future holds.

What advice would you give to the incoming mayor and commissioners? Communicate, communicate, comDo you have any regrets or wish that something could have turned out municate. Don’t allow the distractions to take your focus off your goals. differently?

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

COMMUNITY

the holiday season to help needy families. Supporters donated by joining the caravan of cars on 15th Street and driving through the front entrance to drop off their donations. Paine College partnered with the Golden Harvest Food Bank and Toys for Tots for the event. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Mason from page 3 name a few. I’m extremely proud of my stance against the TEE Center and Parking Deck and the withstanding of the bribe attempt by David Fry for support of the TEE Center and Parking deck. Do you have any regrets or wish that something could have turned out differently? I do not live life regretting anything, it is my belief that whatever happens is meant to happen and you move on. That’s the way I live my life. No regrets at all.

time, although I have learned to never say never. If the spirit of God that speaks to me gives me the inspiration to run for another office, then I will be obedient to the call.

What advice would you give to the incoming mayor and commissioners? I don’t have any advice for the incoming Mayor and Commissioners. However, if they need/seek my opinion or advice on something I would be more than willing to share it Would you ever consider with them . rejoining the commission or pursuing any other political position in the future? It is not on my radar at this


LETTERS Harsh discipline at Richmond County schools It’s open season on African-American children in America. They are shot by unstable neighborhood watch zealots and choked to death by reckless police officers. Now, African-American children are beaten with leather straps in Richmond County school buildings in Augusta, Georgia. Since October 2014, parents have been allowed to whip their child at Sue Reynolds Elementary School in Richmond County. The most recent incident occurred Friday, December 5, 2014. The testing room and girl’s hallway bathroom have been used as whipping rooms in the school. The loud repeated blows of the leather strap and the child’s screams of anguish fill the hallways and corridors. Why, in the United States, is it considered cruel and unusual punishment to whip convicted rapist, child molesters, and murderers and not cruel and unusual punishment to whip little school children? Pete Fletcher, an attorney for the Richmond County school system addressed the subject in

FOR THE

ASK

UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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a September 27, 2014, Augusta Chronicle article titled, Corporal punishment: How far is too far? In the article Mr. Fletcher said, “While Georgia law allows it, our policy is very strict when it comes to corporal punishment. It’s absolutely not something we take part in, and we haven’t done it for at least 20 years. Each year, I’ll speak with new teachers and administrators and I’ll flat out say, “Keep your hands off the kids’”. Apparently, Mr. Fletcher has been kept out of the loop. Or, perhaps the Richmond County school system allows parents to use their leather strap clutching hands to whip children as a way to circumvent the stated policy. Either way, it violates the Richmond County school system belief which states, a safe, healthy, and orderly environment is essential to learning. Leather straps in the school are not essential. Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

Program teaches boys how to become men MEN IN CHRIST invites all young men (3rd grade and up) to take part in the “Boys to Men Program.” In this program boys are educated to become men. The topic for this session is Respect: How to earn it and how to deal with disrespect. The session will be held on December 20 from 10 am to 12 noon at the Alexander Pope Center, 315 Barton Road, North Augusta. There is no admission and lunch will be provided at no cost. For details & transportation, call 803279-8836 or 706-284-5313 or email: Min. Brown at wyatte.1brown@yahoo.com.

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A

I believe becoming self-centered and self-consumed correlates directly to eventual selfdestruction. — Takisha Perry

Photo by Vincent Hobbs


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TAKISHA PERRY

A well-worded chat with the writer Augusta poet and author Takisha Perry is never at a loss for words. Wielding nouns, pronouns, adjectives and verbs, Perry orchestrates deeply personal writings through poetry that reflects the thought-life of a culturally-diverse, welltraveled young woman. Perry, who describes herself as a “military brat”, grew up in far-flung places such as Japan, Korea and Panama, eventually returning to her birthplace of Augusta, GA and graduating from Glenn Hills High School. Yet, it was that initial exposure to diverse cultures as a young child that helped to shape the syntax and sentence structure of her written expressions - and seeded the ambitious goal of becoming a published author. UPW spent some time with Perry to get her insight into the current state of her accomplishments.

- interview by Vincent Hobbs

What inspired you to become a writer? I believe that my story is not extremely more unique than any other writer or person who enjoys expressing themselves through the creative arts. I began writing when I was a child. I can remember having a white three-ring binder bursting at the seams with crinkled notebook papers that held the secrets of my heart. I was inspired to write during my youth as a coping mechanism. If I had a bad day or was frightened or even ecstatically elated, my outlet was always the same – placing that pen to paper was what I enjoyed most. Are your personal experiences incorporated into the creation of your work? Why or why not? I believe poetry is extremely raw and revealing in its truest form. Honestly, that very fear of unveiling my innermost thoughts and experiences is what paralyzed me from sharing my work for so many years. Thankfully, through motivation from a dear friend, I found the courage to finally publish my first book in 2008. When did you begin to work on your first book? I began working on my first book in 2007 while assisting as a back-stage manager on a local production. I found myself surrounded by motivating people who lived their lives as though, “nothing was impossible”. It didn’t take long before that positive energy rubbed off and caused me to step out of my comfort zone and follow my dreams. What are the titles and genre of the books you have published so far?

The first book I published in 2008 was titled, “When SheMotions, Hit the Page”, a book of poetry. Following this, I published “Woman’s Heart Journey” and most recently, “Out of the Mouth of Babes, Truth Speaketh”, which contains a collection of poetry that I had written as a teenager. Currently, I am working on my fourth book. I am certain that it will be the most controversial, influential, and soul-wrenching collection of poems that I have ever written. I know that it will ruffle feathers and offend some - and free so many others. I am looking forward to releasing my book titled, “Chosen, to Face Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing”, in 2015 and I welcome all of the emotions it is sure to unleash. How does spoken-word performance factor into your creative expression? I believe that spoken word is a huge part of poetry. I think the world is becoming much more aware of this expressive art form. I see spoken word on television shows, commercials, movies, in schools, on church programs, etc. I am finally at home in a society that appreciates the many joys that poetry brings! Tell us about some of your other talents. We hear that you are getting involved in acting as well. While attending Glenn Hills High School, I participated in the theatre and I performed sporadically in college productions. Upon returning back to Augusta, after my collegiate experiences, I began to work with some of the local production companies that have motivated me to be the best I can be. I am extremely appreciative to Michael Jones’s One Dollar at a

Time Productions, Karlton Clay’s Victory Productions and Donna Hodges‘s Brown Production Company for their continued support, as I indulge my senses into the actor’s world! Do you think that it is important for creative artists to give back to the community, through activities such as volunteering? If so, why do you think this is important? It is vitally important that we give back to our community; I strongly feel it’s everyone’s responsibility to help those who are less privileged. Volunteering is essential to remain humble and also for personal growth. I feel it is far too common in our society to take life’s good fortunes (health/family/money) for granted. I believe becoming self-centered and self-consumed correlates directly to eventual self-destruction. The feeling of helping someone else is good for the soul - and allows me to clearly see all of my blessings, by placing life into a proper perspective. What are three little-known facts about you that you would like to share with our readers? One, I absolutely love photography. There’s no formal training, just the magic behind my cellphone’s camera. Two, many people in my family tell me that I should open my own event/interior decorating company because throwing dinner parties has become my favorite past-time. Three, I lived a large part of my life outside of the United States - in Korea, Germany and Panama as a “military brat”. I believe this contributed largely to my love for diverse cultures, customs and people. For additional information, visit www.takishaperry.com

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

PEOPLE


UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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SPORTS COKER vs GRU

(Above) GRU Augusta’s Kelsey Fynaardt (center) goes for the rebound as Coker College’s Lakeria Crowder (L) also tries to gain control of the ball during a non-conference game against Coker College at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Lady Jags were defeated 62-44 by the Lady Cobras. Photo by Vincent Hobbs (At

right)

GRU

Augusta

head

women’s basketball coach Nate Teymer directs a player during a non-conference game against Coker College at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Lady Jags were defeated 62-44 by the Lady Cobras. Photo by Vincent Hobbs


A Grovetown teen has been charged with criminal trespass after he was caught putting up fliers on private property related to recent incidents in Ferguson, MO. They read: “Want to get away with murder? *be a white cop*,” according to police reports. A Columbia County sheriff’s debuty directing traffic at Columbia Middle School about 7 a.m. saw the 16-yearold hammering two documents to the wooden fence on Crown Heights Way at William Few Parkway. When the deputy asked what he was doing teen said, “Nothing.” He denied posting the documents on the fence. The deputy, who witnessed the teen posting the fliers, searched the teen’s backpack and found more of them.

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Columbia County’s finest nabs 16-year-old activist “criminal”


UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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UPW FORUM COMMENTARY by Jason Stanford

A letter to the next generation Dear boys, Dad here. I want to tell you about something that happened to me yesterday. A friend of mine at the office, a black woman, asked me to join her at a protest about that unarmed 18-yearold who was shot by that police officer in Missouri. I felt a little funny about going, as if a white, 40-something dad had no place at a civil rights rally, but my friend asked, so I agreed to go, as did a bunch of us. On the way over I ended up talking with a couple black men I work with. They’re in their twenties, which might seem old to you, but to me they seem close to your age, just kids really. And because we were already thinking about what happened to that boy in Missouri, they started talking about the times that police officers had pulled guns on them. Times. Plural. Like the time one of them was play-

ing basketball with his white friend in a public park. No sooner did his friend go home to get them some Gatorade than a patrol car pulls up. A cop shouted questions about what he Jason Stanford was doing in a park in a neighborhood where white people lived, then more cars showed up, and a gun was pointed at him. Then his friend returned, and eventually the cops left them alone. Later he was arrested when he was 14 because he fit the description of a suspected thief: black, between 5’2”, or as tall as you are now, and 6’4”, or as tall as an NFL quarterback. The thief could almost literally have been any black man in America, which is

kind of the point. This isn’t something that starts suddenly when black boys become teenagers and wear man-sized clothes. Black students are much more likely to get disciplined than white students in public schools across the country. The black boys you go to school with are three and a half times more likely to be expelled than you are. In Texas, almost every single black male student—83 percent—will be suspended at least once, and those kids who get suspended are three times more likely to get in trouble with the law later. The guys I was talking to knew they had a target on their backs even as kids. They never were allowed to play with squirt guns lest they got shot by a real one. And when they got pulled over for driving through the wrong neighborhood—something that happens to them frequently even today—they rest their hands out the door so the officer doesn’t suspect danger, and they record it all with

their phones, so the officer can’t later claim otherwise. None of this, they said, made them unusual. Everyone they knew—their black friends, that is—had similar stories about being harassed by the police. But being commonplace doesn’t make something right, and I’m sad to say that it’s up to you to be more aware of this so you can help change it. Love, Dad. ­ By Jason Stanford Jason Stanford is a regular contributor to the Austin AmericanStatesman, a Democratic consultant and a Truman National Security Project partner. You can email him at stanford@oppresearch.com and follow him on Twitter @JasStanford. Editor’s Note: This column is written as a letter from the columnist to his sons — the message is, however, intended for everyone.

The youth shall lead this struggle By Mychal Denzel Smith More than 50,000 people marched on the streets of New York City this past Saturday, December 13, to protest the two recent grand jury decisions—in Ferguson, Missouri, and in New York City—not to indict the police officers responsible for the deaths of 18-year-old Michael Brown and 43-year-old Eric Garner, both unarmed black men. The New York march was conceived and organized by Synead Nichols and Umaara Iynaas Elliott, two young performers, with support later coming from Million Hoodies Movement for Justice and Justice League NYC. Similar demonstrations took place in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and other cities across the country. Among the signs and chants that decorated the day, the words “Black Lives Matter” were perhaps the most popular. The simple but powerful slogan was created by

Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi, and has moved from a Twitter hashtag to “movement project,” to borrow Garza’s phrase, that has “connected people across the country working to end the various forms of injustice impacting our people” and “created space for the celebration and humanization of Black lives.” All that is a bit different from what unfolded in the nation’s capital that same day. Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN) called for a national march on Washington. They drew a crowd of about 10,000, but among those were some young people expressing anger toward Sharpton and his organization, suggesting that the event was co-opting their struggle for Sharpton’s own aggrandizement, diluting their message and drowning out the voices of the people who have faced down tanks, tear gas and rubber bullets in

their efforts to get justice. The tension reached a tipping point when a group of activists, some who had been on the ground in Ferguson from the day Michael Brown was killed, took to the stage and demanded the microphone. Johnetta Elzie, one half of the duo responsible for the Ferguson e-mail newsletter that has kept its subscribers apprised of the latest in movement news, used the moment before the microphone was cut off to say: “This movement was started by the young people. We started this. It should be young people all over this stage. It should be young people all up here.” Sharpton told The Root there were young people invited to speak. The day after all of these marches took place, reclusive soul singer D’Angelo released the long-awaited third album, Black Messiah. It’s quite a hefty title, particularly for a project fifteen years in the making. In explaining why he chose this title

for this new album, D’Angelo wrote: “For me, the title is about all of us. It’s about the world. It’s about an idea we can aspire to. We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah….bIt’s not about praising one charismatic leader but celebrating thousands of them….’ Black Messiah’ is not one man. It’s a feeling that, collectively, we are all that leader.” In order for us all to be leaders, though, we also need to know what role we play in the movement. I think this is what some of our elders are struggling with most. Sharpton has been a constant presence in the streets and in the media for nearly thirty years now. There’s no denying that his work, however polarizing he or his persona have been, has kept the victims of police violence in our national consciousness when others would have turned away. But now, at 60 years old with Continued on page 13


13

The revolution will be televised by Kristie Robin Johnson When 2014 is recorded in the history books, how will it be remembered? Will it be remembered as the year that sparked massive social change, or will it be remembered as another unremarkable twelve months when the world just kept turning? This year we’ve witnessed the legalization of recreational marijuana in two states (not to mention similar ballot measures in several others), an impressive expansion of marriage equality rights, and the promising beginnings of what could become this generation’s defining movement for human rights centered around the deaths of Michael Brown, Jr., Eric Garner, and the scores of nameless, faceless individuals that have lost their lives at the hands of the police. The legacy of 2014 will be defined by our actions today and

moving forward. It is absolutely imperative that the progress made in the past few months not be wasted. It will not be enough to organize a handful of marches. It will not suffice for a minority to protest and demonstrate and the majority sit by idly awaiting change. To reduce our collective fury to a single slogan or brief Al Sharpton speech would be fruitless. While we all cannot make the sacrifices that many leaders of the movement can make, we all can do something. No great social change has ever been derived from the futile sweat of the few; but rather sweeping change is most often the product of a great number of years of hard work and sacrifice of the masses. Each individual’s sacrifice is unique and distinct and relevant to their journey. These acts of “everyday activism” are vital to the lifeblood of all move-

ments. Whether that means participating in the nearest “die-in”, or engaging an uneducated neighbor in a serious conversation about race, or boycotting institutionally racist organizations and businesses, or even if it means simply raising your hands in a show of solidarity, each of us must do something. Affecting change can no longer be a spectator sport. Brother Gil Scott-Heron said that the revolution would not be televised. This generation has the potential to prove him wrong. This revolution could not only be televised, it could be on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Vine before it’s all said and done. This generation has been given the spectacular gift of being able to communicate with the masses on a level never seen before. Advances in social media and technology allow us to

raise our voices, tell our stories, and document our struggle in a way that will make our movement virtually inescapable to the human race. We have the tools, if only we would increase our commitment and fortify our political will; we could be unstoppable. As we prepare to move into 2015, a grand opportunity stands before us. The groundwork is being laid for what could be a phenomenal shift in the struggle for social justice and human rights. If we want the world to recognize that Black lives matter, our collective action must matter. The world will hear what we say, but they will only respond to what we do.

have neck tattoos, are dressed in sagging skinny jeans, and curse loudly (among the more popular chants: “BACK UP, BACK UP, WE WANT FREEDOM, FREEDOM, ALL THESE R ACIST ASS COPS, WE DON’T NEED ‘EM, NEED ‘EM!” and “WHO SHUT SHIT DOWN? WE SHUT SHIT DOWN!”). The movement doesn’t look or sound like anything our

elders remember (or were taught) about the civil rights era. And that’s OK. We have a new fight. We have to create a new model of resistance. Everyone has a role to play, and order for a movement to be successful, everyone (young and old) must understand what that role is and not be afraid to shift into a new one when the time for that comes.

http://kristierobinspeaks.wordpress. com/ @KristieRobinJ on Twitter KristieRobinJo@gmail.com

Youth will lead from page 12 a nationally syndicated radio show, an MSNBC primetime television program and a seat in President Obama’s unofficial cabinet, Sharpton’s days as an outside agitator are over. He is firmly part of the establishment. And being part of the establishment (and wanting to maintain that position) necessitates that you not advance an agenda aimed at radical change, lest you compromise your own privileges. Sharpton has become a leading voice or respectability politics, consistently admonishing black youth for their choices in music and clothing. And his position on police brutality is that the problem is a few bad apples, rather tha the racist and unjust nature of policing in the United States. If all we are left with is Sharpton to lead a grassroots movement from an establishment position, we march toward justice would move along at a pace that Toni Morrison’s “slow walk of trees” would find too stagnant. But it isn’t all bad. We could use more insiders that understand and/ or are sympathetic to the voices of outsiders. From his new position, Sharpton could be amplifying the voices of those young people fighting every day in this new movement,

providing them a platform to be heard. The media attention that he once had to fight for he can now hand over to a new generation with relative ease. But he has to understand that he no longer defines the movement. In saying that, I don’t mean to suggest that Sharpton, or any other leaders/activists/organizers of his generation, should have no say in the movement’s direction. Healthy dialogue, debate and critique from all sides are vital to any movement. But when you’re sucking up all the oxygen in the room, and not using your resources toward the most effective means, you have to ask yourself if you’re being more of a hindrance to progress. This new movement is being led by mostly young black women who won’t allow us to forget that black women’s lives matter, too (Columbia University Law professor Kimberle Crenshaw was present with a large banner that featured the pictues and names of black women and girls also killed by police). It is drawing in diverse crowds, including white allies who are not calling for gradual change, but a total end to white supremacy. The people in the street

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UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

UPW FORUM COMMENTARY


UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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CHURCH

WORSHIP

Beulah Grove Baptist Church CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION on Sunday, December 21st at 6:00 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Sam Savis is the pastor.

Smith Grove Baptist Church FIFTH PASTORAL APPRECIATION of The Reverend Albert (Al) Robinson at 2:00 pm, Sunday, Dec. 21st. The guest speaker will be the Rev. William B. Blount, Sr. the pastsor of Greater Young Zion Baptist Church.

MIDNIGHT GOSPEL BENEFIT CONCERT NEW DESTINY MINISTRIES (No Walls) will present its Midnight Gospel Benefit Concert late Friday evening at 12 midnight at Transforming Life Bible Church, 2439 Peach Orchard Road. The concert will feature gospel artists Damien Sneed and IV Christ. Pastor Angela C. Harden of New Destiny is encouraging everyone who attends the free concert to bring a new unwrapped toy, clothes, and/or non perishable food item as part of a initiative called “Showing Love At Christmas Time.” The items will

Sunday School 8:30 am Morning Worship Services: 9:45 am Evening Worship Services 6 pm (4th Sunday) Bible Study: 6pm (Mondays) Midday Bible Study: 12pm (Tuesdays) Prayer Services: 6pm (Wednesdays) Celebrate Recovery: 6pm (Fridays) and 12pm (Mondays) 2323 Barton Chapel Road • Augusta,GA 30906 706.790.8185 / 706.922.8186 (fax) Visit Us @ www.broadwaybaptistaug.org • Join us on facebook Dr. C. William Joyner, Jr. Senior Pastor

Start your calling today! Mount Olivet Certified Academic Institution 706.793.0091 • 706.793.0335 • www.mocai-aug.org

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m. Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church

314 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722- 0553 Church School Sunday 9:25am Morning Worship Sunday 11am Evening Worship 6pm (1st & 3rd Sunday) Midday Prayer 12pm Wednesday Intercessory Prayer/Bible Study 6pm Wednesday

Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor

Radio Broadcast: Sundays • WKZK 103.7 FM at 7:30 a.m.


Stress Physical Inactivity Family History of Cardiovascular disease Obesity Diabetes High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Cigarette Smoking HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK East Central Health District Hypertension Management Outreach Program

Richmond County 706.721.5800

UrbanProWeekly • DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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UrbanProWeekly - DECEMBER 18 - 24, 2014

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