UPW Urban Pro Weekly

UPW URBAN PRO WEEKLY

KEN MAKIN:

The art of dealing with the devil Should we negotiate with Trump?

JANUARY 26 - 31, 2017 • VOL. 6 NO. 7

Q&A: Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Robert Atkins

An artist on a Robert Atkins, an Augustabased artist, works on an image of President and First Lady Obama at his studio. The art piece is entitled “Obama, Class and Style.”

mission to hone creative talent

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COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 23, 2017, for the following: 1. Electrical Service for Dyess Parkway K-8 School RFP#17-766 Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Cecilia Perkins in the Business Office at perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us or 706826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org/bids, or at Richmond County School System, Central Office 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, GA 30901.

The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY By: Dr. Angela D. Pringle, Secretary

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Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist

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B i 7 C A Th a

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Ashley Watts Photo by V. Hobbs/Sports Journal Tickets are now on sale for the Augusta Mini Theatre’s play, “BEFORE THE STORM.” The play will be presented on February 18 at 3:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. and February 19 at 3:00 p.m. at the Judith Simon Studio on the campus of Augusta Mini Theatre, 2548 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, GA. The play is about Erica and Nickie, two middlers who ignores their mothers’ counseling and suffers consequences. For tickets or to make a donation call 706-722-0598 or visit the Mini Theatre’s website at www.augustaminitheatre.com.

Friedman Library to close for renovations The Friedman Branch Library (1447 Jackson Rd., Augusta) of the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System (ARCPLS) will close on Friday, January 27, 2017, in order to accommodate the construction needed to replace the library’s aging HVAC system.

The Friedman Branch Library is scheduled to reopen to the public on Monday, March 27, 2017.

Interested parties may call 706821-2600 with questions about the temporary closure of the Friedman Branch Library.

For more information about the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System, go to www.arcpls.org.

50th Anniversary of the Desegregation of MCG: Commemorating the Past and Envisioning the Future On Tuesday, February 7, MCG will host an event entitled “50th Anniversary of the Desegregation of MCG: Commemorating the Past and Envsisioning the Future.” The event which will be held at the Harrison Educations Commons Building at 1301 R.A. Dent Blvd. in Augusta will feature a keynote address from Dr. David Satcher, former U.S. surgeon general and founding director and senior advisor at the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health

Leadership Institute.

The program commences our year-long celebration honoring pioneers who paved the way for future generations of medical students, including MCG’s first black students, Dr. Frank Rumph and the late Dr. John T. Harper Sr., Class of 1971.

For more information contact the MCG Dean’s Office at 706-721-2231 or go online at mcgdean@augusta.edu

Former Paine College basketball standout Ashley Watts has signed to play basketball overseas with ZKK Vardar in Skopje , Macedonia .

Watkins accepted the offer to play basketball during mid-season “to get her foot in the door, for the chance of bigger opportunities next season”. She will be traveling to the capital city of Skopje in the European nation on Monday, January 30th. “This is the start of a dream I’ve been pursuing since I was five years old,” Watkins said. A Division II top scorer during her college career (over 26 points per game in season two), Watkins overcame a debilitating ankle injury which benched her during her third season (2014-2015) on the court.

According to her mom Kathy Sellers-Owlsey, “Ashley works extremely hard to achieve every goal she sets and doesn’t take no for an answer.” Watkins plans on pursuing a coaching position at the college level as part of her long-range career plans.

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Former Paine College hoops star signs with European team

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THE ARTS

Robert Atkins, an Augusta-based artist, poses for a photo. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

The artistic journey of Robert Atkins

“At this point, all I want to do is share this incredible gift God entrusted to me with anyone I can.”

UPW: When did you first discover that you had artistic talent?

I discovered I had artistic talent at about the age of five. I knew how to draw before I could write my ABC’s.

My sister told me to draw my letters, so that’s what I did instead of writing them.

UPW: What kind of training (formal or informal) have you had in the development of your art?

I have always had someone who believed in my artistic ability, and was never without encouragement.

So that was my informal training.

Formally I studied art at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, however I feel my true development is a gift from God and I’m amazed at how he increases and perfects it daily.

UPW: What are some of the challenges faced by artists in this digital age? Do you use computers in any of your projects?

Just to name one of the big challenges is staying true to the ability to have the hand and eye coordination it takes to produce art in its pure form. I have nothing against anyone that prefers to use computer gen-

erated art, but as for me I prefer to continue to use the ability God has given me without digitally producing my work.

UPW: Many Augustans will learn about you and your work through this article. Are you available for workshops, exhibitions or any other community or commercial endeavors in the Augusta area?

Yes, I feel that at this point of life I am half as good as I am going to be.

The best thing I can do now is offer the years of experience I have to some young person to help them not

just be an artist, but to assist them in any way possible in the arts, helping them see the importance of starting a project and seeing it through using a progressive approach.

UPW: Who are some of the people who were instrumental in your development as an artist?

First of all I would have to say my mother. She always believed in me; my sister Shirley Walker carried on that encouragement after the death of my mother. Mr. John Baines was the first non-family member to challenge my artistic ability and push me

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to limits I had never achieved. I have to thank Mr. John Kemp, a local artist in Pensacola, Florida, for allowing me to work cleaning his studio in exchange of art lessons. The reason I thank God for my art is there has always been someone placed in my life to encourage me. Even at this point in my life, there are people such as Georgia Blackmon owner of The Gathering Awareness And Book Centre in Pensacola, Florida.

UPW: Tell us about Reflections Pastel Portraits and Paintings and the part it played in your development?

Reflections Pastel Portraits and Paintings was and is my way of giving back on a public platform what God had given me, by allowing me to make myself accessible to anyone interested in visual art. My development was enhanced due to the fact that, once I put myself out in the public I owed it to everyone looking at my work to always offer nothing less than my best with each piece I completed.

UPW: What media do you prefer to work in?

I prefer pastels because of the ease of use, I have worked in watercolor and acrylics. I often work in graphite (pencil) to maintain my drawing skills, I feel it’s very important to know how to lay a good foundation (drawing) for a good painting.

UPW: We see that you like to portray famous people and celebrities in a lot of your work. How do you decide which subjects you will paint or draw?

Doing famous people allows the chance to display your ability as a portrait artist to capture the subject. Many artists are able to draw/ paint the portrait of a man, woman or a child, but you have no way of knowing how close the resemblance is to real life. If I do the portrait of a person, the question becomes, did I make it look like that person?

UPW: At this point in your career what are some of the goals or objectives you would like to pursue?

At this point, all I want to do is share this incredible gift God entrusted to me with anyone I can, I want each of my paintings to be one I am proud of and in some way bring the praise and honor not to me but to God. My main goal is not to be considered one the greatest artists in any

(Above) “Daily Devotion” is an art piece by Robert Atkins, an Augusta-based artist.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

“Snookie the Bassman” is an art piece by Robert Atkins, an Augusta-based artist. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

art groups, I’d much rather be known as the artist that always had time to discuss and share his time and talent with a child that was interested or who just needed a hand with a project they were working on. If I’m not a good steward of this gift from God by sharing it, what good did it do for me to have a room full of awards from man.

“Dreamquest” is an art piece by Robert Atkins, an Augusta-based artist.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

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SPORTS AU Hoops

Augusta University’s JJ Williams goes for a layup during a game against Flagler College.

The Lady Jaguars defeated the Saints 78-71 in a women’s PBC game recently at Christenberry Fieldhouse.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

Augusta University’s Breonna O’Connor moves down the court during a game against Flagler College.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/ Sports Journal

Augusta University’s Mallory Myers watches the court during a game against Flagler College.

Myers, a sophmore, previously played at Greenbrier High School.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal

THE ART OF DEALING WITH THE ‘EVIL’

Should we negotiate with Trump?

I think “terror” is the most hypocritical and misused word in American government.

The reasoning is simple – for generations, this county has sent its men and women into battle in search of “terror” and “terrorists,” yet some of the world’s biggest villains have called themselves Americans.

Don’t believe me? Look at the treatment of Black people since we were forcibly immigrated into this country. We have always been treated as second-class citizens.

Still, almost shockingly, there has been progress. How? Flashes of economic brilliance, mixed with civil disobedience, and, at times, negotiating with the terrorists.

When Martin King met with Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) in 1964, the beloved civil rights leader met with a racist president who did not want to immediately deal with Dr. King and his burgeoning movement.

In 1863, Frederick Douglass wrote a letter in his own newspaper, which stated his refusal to continue to recruit Black troops for the Union Army. In the letter, Douglass said “colored men have much overrated the enlightenment, justice and generosity of our rules in Washington.” Douglass, who regularly criticized then-president Abraham Lincoln, ultimately met with the source of so much of his angst.

Practically, in all walks of life, this has been our struggle. And so it will be with our current and controversial president, Donald Trump.

How do we negotiate with Trump?

SHOULD WE negotiate with Trump?

Let’s address the latter question first.

We don’t have to negotiate with Trump – if the African-American community is willing to take on a separatist attitude, which would have to come with a separatist economy.

Sadly, that is not feasible. It is also not prudent, considering how past and present contributions as Black American taxpayers.

Let’s face it – Black folks built this country. We made it relevant and we made it financially sound. Even controversial conservative columnist Ann Coulter made the comment back in 2012 that “we (America) owe Black people something. We have a legacy of slavery.”

We are taxpaying citizens and deserve our fair share. So, what does negotiating with Trump look like?

First, our community has to acknowledge our needs. Our community needs more wealth. Our community needs more jobs. Our community wants to express these and other important concerns with experienced and knowledgeable advisors, not with celebrity apprentices. Pun intended.

With no full disrespect to the Steve Harveys and the Ray Lewises of the

world, when it comes to solving issues of Black unemployment and holding law enforcement accountable, I don’t want a talk show jester or a former athlete with no political or social conscience.

Social structuring is just the beginning. We also need political structuring. It is nonsensical that we have a historically high amount of Black elected officials, yet very few tangible gains. Perhaps it is because of the petulance that some of our congressmen and congresswomen have displayed in the face of Trump’s election.

Well, here’s the ugly truth – we voted them in to represent us on a governmental level. With all of the needs we have in our community, we can’t afford to sit home because we don’t like the Electoral College’s decision (message!)

Bargaining with white supremacy is a sordid, yet sobering reality of Black history. It doesn’t have to be a powerless gesture, though, as expressed in Dr. King’s thoughts after he met with LBJ: “I have no doubt that we may continue to differ concerning the tempo and the tactical design required to combat the impending crisis. But I do not doubt that the President is approaching the solution with sincerity, realism and, thus far, with wisdom. I hope his course will be straight and true. I will do everything in my

power to make it so, by outspoken agreement whenever proper, and determined opposition whenever necessary.”

Let’s be real – nothing Trump is doing can be considered sincere or wise. This is why we need to take advantage of our seat at the table – to buck these dangerous policies at every turn.

The art of negotiation can be challenging, especially when we feel as if we have no leverage. We can’t afford to have this attitude. We have over 400 years of beating the odds on our side.

We need to renew some of those flashes of economic brilliance through entrepreneurship and savings. We need to be civilly disobedient – not by blasting Steve Harvey, but by holding local, state and federal government officials accountable.

And yes, we might have to deal face-to-face, mano a mano with the orange devil himself.

Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference,” a media conglomerate that incorporates podcasting/radio, social media and commentary. The podcast is available at soundcloud.com/makinadifference. Updates on the show are available at facebook.com/ makinadifferenceshow. Ken can be reached by email at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com or by text at (803) 270-2331.

LETTERS:

Women serve notice on Donald Trump through mass action?

The January 21, 2017, Woman’s March on Washington was said to be three times the size of the audience at President Trump’s inauguration.”

That may have been the case, but Donald Trump was not impressed.

He tweeted, “Watched protests yesterday but was under the impression that we just had an election! Why didn’t these people vote?”

On behalf of the protesters, Helen

Keller prophetically answered President Trump’s tweet. Keller was an author, political activist and the first hearing and sight impaired person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. By her response, it appeared she foresaw the tweeting 45th president. Hellen Keller, writing in 1911to a suffragist in England, “Our democracy is but a name. We vote? What does that mean? It means

that we choose between two bodies of real, though not avowed autocrats.

We choose between Tweedledum and Tweedledee.”

Keller goes on to say, “What good can votes do when ten-elevenths of the land of Great Britain belongs to 200,000 and only one-eleventh to the rest of the 40,000,000? Have your men with their millions of votes freed themselves from this injustice?” Like

Keller, the women protestors know faith in voting must be followed by action.

Hence, the women protestors believe in the ballot, but work with their feet. The mass protest was their diplomatic show of force. President Donald Trump has been served notice.

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin

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Robert Atkins Art Robert Atkins is available for exhibits and lessons.

His Work currently being displayed at: Greens Lounge, Private I Club, & soon in Big Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant Soon to be mentoring children in an afternoon school program connected with Education Matters.

• Single or Family portraits or whatever your art needs • A variety of mediums for a greater choice.

Mediums include Pastels, Acrylics, Water Color and Graphite.

Robert Atkins • 229-499-2595 • BiggRobbd14u@yahoo.com • Artist Jacqueline Edwards • 757-286-2824 • surgjackie@aol.com • Business Manager