THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE POST OFFICE 5304 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33310
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All Politics, All The TTime ime PAGE 5
45th Annual NAACP Why Do Republicans Image A war ds Kept Awar wards Want TTo o Destr oy Destroy Us "Happy" President Obama? PAGE 9 PAGE 11
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Save our school By Starla Vaughns Cherin Lately, there are six to 10 children attending Susie C. Holley Cradle Nursery. Although its capacity is 110, the historic 55-year-old childcare center faces continual decline. Not in the immense caring and nurturing from teachers like Ms. Anna Francis, who this year celebrates 30 years teaching Founded by the First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Cradle continues to maintain the clean, wholesome learning and growing environment where children learn numbers, colors and how to follow directions when they paint by number in Ms. Francis’s class. They are surrounded by fun interactive toys, signs showing them how to wash their hands and faces that smile at them. The proof is in the success of Cradle’s alumni like Roland Faulks, Attorney Karen Black Baron, former Cradle director Evelyn Grooms, Westside Gazette Publisher Bobby Henry and its Editor Pamela Henry. Yet, parents have stopped bringing their children and Cradle’s employees are a month behind in pay. Some bear the delay in payment because they know funds are also needed for
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payment of trash removal and electricity. Keeping open Johnson, the director from 2008 to 2010, returned in 2013 when she heard the nursery was about to shut its doors. “It’s a community treasure. So much good has come from here; I couldn’t just let it close,” Johnson says. When she returned she found the nursery’s van sold, a dwindled enrollment and no support to attract students. Previously, Cradle received support from the community and organizations like Childnet, Workforce One and Mount Bethel, where parents choose from a list of child care centers. Johnson kept the enrollment up during the summer enough to continue VPK funding and they currently receive funding from Family Central which is based on a series of parental involvement steps and income. In 2009 Frito Lay’s national sales team, in Fort Lauderdale for its annual sales meeting, sent 130 of its associates from 26 sales regions across the country to refurbish the nursery. Outdoor renovations included building a mulch-covered playground with a sandbox and new
equipment on the lot facing Northwest Sixth Court, the repairing of windows and new tables and chairs used on the back lawn. Interior renovations included painting, restoration of shelving, the replacement of ceiling tiles, cleaning the existing furnishings, new carpet and furniture, and updating the bathroom facilities. Then Johnson and Francis, caring for 70 children, acknowledged the repairs were long overdue and hoped enrollment would increase. Alumni Evelyn Grooms became the director in 2005 until 2007 when she cared for 98 children. A former daycare
owner and certified in the Montessori Method of Preschool Education, Grooms studied under Dr. Elizabeth Caspari who was said to be the last living student of Dr. Maria Montessori. She employed 12 teachers and had many paying families. “I realize the demographics have changed and often childcare has to be subsidized. Word of mouth is still the best marketing tool to get children into your daycare. We also cultivated volunteers among high school students who needed community service hours,” Grooms says. (Cont'd on Page 5)
Black Americans remain tormented by lack of sickle cell funding By Derek Joy Black History Month has come and gone again without much focus on the research funding gap between sickle cell anemia/trait and other debilitating diseases. The battle to find improved methods of treatment, medication and a cure for sickle cell anemia/trait is an uphill one. Securing funding for that research is an equally daunting task. Dr. Lanetta Jordan, a trained and board certified psychiatrist and professor of public health at the University of Miami School of Medicine, is
DR. JORDAN
waging that battle in relative obscurity. “Sickle Cell falls under public health,” said Jordan, who was born in Creedmoor, N.C., and grew up in nearby Raleigh. “It’s prevalent among African Americans. But it has been diagnosed in some Hispanics, in India and Saudia Arabia. The disease came about from malaria. It was identified in America 100 years ago.” The disease, according to Jordan, causes red blood cells to lose their round shapes and form the shape of a sickle instead. Typical blood cells live for about 120 days, while sickle cells
live only 12 to 15 days. Most sickle cells don’t carry oxygen very well, don’t bind oxygen. As a result, a lot of organs suffer damage. There is constant pain and a shortened lifespan for those who have sickle cell anemia. With some forms of the disease the life expectancy for males ranges from early to 40’s, while females have a life expectancy from the early 40’s to mid 60’s. “There are a lot of psycho social challenges. Treatment has come a long way. All babies are screened at birth for newborn diseases,” said Jordan, who earned her undergraduate, graduate and medical degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (Cont'd on Page 3)
Martin Dyckman: Scott is trying to pack the courts with compliant judges The Florida Bar is all but begging lawyers to apply for once-coveted memberships on the panels that nominate judges for the governor to appoint. With too few applications on hand for 12 of the 20 judicial circuits and one of the five district courts of appeal, the Bar has extended the deadline from Feb. 11 to March 21. It’s no wonder. Unlike his predecessors, Gov. Rick Scott apparently wants every member of every commission to see the justice system through his eyes. That means no Democrats. No trial lawyers. No one who might take a citizen’s side against a corporation or the state. Lawyers know that. The dearth concerns two vacancies on each of the 26 judicial
GOV. SCOTT
Pleading Our Own Cause
nominating commissions. The law requires the Bar to submit three names for each, 156 in all, to Scott. He can reject entire lists without explanation and demand more. He’s done it 16 times. Only 231 applications are in, with interest concentrated on the Supreme Court, four district courts of appeal, and the trial circuits comprising Broward, Dade, Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties. Circuits with fewer than six applicants include those serving Tallahassee and most of the Panhandle, Jacksonville, Ocala, Pinellas and Pasco counties, Gainesville, Orlando and Key West. As recently as 2011, Scott’s first year, there were 340 ap-
plications for 26 JNC mem-berships. That was before his agenda became obvious. The Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald reported four months ago how Scott has rejected the 16 lists. He’s the first governor to do so since the law was changed in 2001 to deprive the Bar of direct appointments. Under Gov. Reubin Askew, who created the nominating commissions, and successors Bob Graham, Bob Martinez, and Lawton Chiles, the governors named three to each panel. The Bar chose three. Those six then appointed three more members from the lay public. (Cont'd on Page 9)
Florida NAACP announces Moral Monday Florida social justice campaign
Rev. Barber, leading Moral Monday demonstrations in Raleigh, N.C. Posted by Mitch Perry Last year progressive activists in North Carolina began congregating every Monday in their state capital, holding major rallies in response to several actions by Governor Pat McCrory and his GOP-led Legislature that they opposed — many of which are similar to what has happened in Florida in recent years. They were called “Moral Mondays,” and a coalition of progressive groups in Florida announced recently that they intend to hold such events in Tallahassee this year, beginning on the eve of this year’s regular legislative session, next Monday, March 3. “This is an election year, and we want to make sure our views are clearly heard by this year’s legislative body as well as the
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Governor,” said Adora Obi Nweze, head of the Florida NAACP. “And that we bring as many Floridians as possible ... so as we begin to speak with one voice.” She said the drive was for voter education, voter registration and getting people out to vote. Obi Nweze said the fact that the state has never been in a situation where the Legislature rejected $51 billion from the federal government is cause enough to revolt (that’s the total of money the feds would provide Florida over the next decade if the Legislature agrees to expand Medicaid services). “Your silence on Medicaid is deadly,” added Tobias Packer, Senior Communications Coordinator with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Florida on a conference call with reporters on Monday. (Cont'd on Page 9) MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM),
Page 2 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • February 27 - March 5, 2014
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
The Community Health Education Alliance, Inc. a 501(3) Health Educational, Promotional and Motivational Organization proudly recognizes its Founder, President & CEO-The Reverend Edwin Harvey Hamilton,
M.DD.MIN. during Black
History Month 2014.
He holds two earned Doctorate Degrees: Medical Degree, Meharry Medical College; Doctor of Ministry Degree "with disinction" United Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Minister of Health and Wellness and a Member of New Mount Olive Baptist Church's Health Ministry. Professionally "Volunteerism" is his Spirit: Historically, Notable "Firsts" include First African American President (Two Term's) The Broward County Medical Association First African American Chief of Surgery Broward General Medical Center and North Broward Medical Center, Pompano Beach First African American Surgeon to perform surgery at Holy Cross Hospital (Fort Lauderdale) First African American Surgeon admitted into the Fort Lauderdale Surgical Society First African American General Chairman - Initiated the First African American Relay for Life and First African American Rally against Prostate Cancer, American Cancer Society of Broward County, Carter Park, March 1920, 1999 Fort Lauderdale, Florida First African American Physician Recipient: "Leader of the Year" Leadership Broward Class XV President, The James Sistrunk Medical Society Memberships include notably the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Life Member/NAACP/Sickle Cell Disease Association/ Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc./Honorary Life Member American Cancer Society, Broward County and Broward County Medical Association Dr. Hamilton's honors include the Doctor of the Year Award given by the Caduceus Society of Greater Fort Lauderdale (2002), The Margaret Roach Humanitarian Award, Urban League Broward County and JM Family African American Achievers Award. Lectures include: Visiting Professor/Yale University/Medical School/Medical School/Meharry Medical College/Howard University/Hampton University Ministers' Conference/Progressive National Baptist Convention and The Alpha Omega Honor Medical Soceity Lecture, Meharry Medical College. Hamilton authored "The Health and Wellness Ministry in the African American Church" - Prevention Health Education. Edwin and his wife, Mary (A Grief Minsitry Volunteer) have three children: son, Dwain Anthony Hamilton, M.D. Anesthesiologist, BA, Stanford University, M.D. University of Florida; daughters Edwina Hamilton-Bell, Psy. D. Clinical Psychogist, BS, Florida State University, Psy D. Nova Southeastern University and Carla Hamilton-Bell, BS, Florida StateUniversity, Vocational and Career Advisor, Broward County Schools.
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
February 27 - March 5, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3
Prep football star to stand Sex, lies and HIV: When what you don’t tell your partner is a crime trial for assault, faces 10 years Felony Felony,, misdemeanor assault charges ‘excessive,’ some say
Cass Tech quarterback and Michigan State recruit Campbell was arraigned Wednesday morning after being charged with assaulting a school security guard who asked the student to remove a hood he was wearing. (AP Photo/ Detroit News, David Coates) Special to the NNPA from The Michigan Citizen DETROIT,MI — Excessive is how some describe the charges against Cass Technical High School student-athlete Jayru Campbell. Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced at a press conference Feb. 11 the 17-year-old football player will be charged as an adult. Campbell, a junior quarterback, who led his team to back-to-back state championships as a freshman and sophomore in 2011 and 2012, faces a felony charge of assault to do great bodily harm, which carries a max-
Jayru Campbell’s Attorney Jeffrey Edison talks to the press after his client, Jayru Cambell, was arraigned in district court in Detroit on Feb. 12. imum 10-year sentence and a misdemeanor of aggravated assault, a one-year prison sentence, for allegedly body slamming a security guard on school premises. “Any defendant would have been charged accordingly,” Worthy said. “Being a talented football player does not change these facts.” A mobile video, titled “Jayru Campbell bodyslam of Cass Tech security guard,” went viral Jan. 22, showing a student at Cass Tech body-slamming a security guard. According to Worthy and earlier news reports of the incident, when asked by the 23year-old guard to remove his hood inside the building, Campbell refused. In a statement following her announcement, Worthy said Campbell allegedly became “profane, picked the officer up and slammed him on the floor.” (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
By Sergio Hernandez, Special to ProPublica This story was co-published with BuzzFeed. (Part V)
The more than 500 instances documented by ProPublica in which people have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to HIV-specific laws since 2003 represents one of the largest collections of such cases ever assembled. Still, it is almost certainly a substantial undercount. The data was drawn from more than 1,300 records, including court files, police reports and registries of sex offenders and prisoners. Some law enforcement agencies refused to provide records about their cases or redacted names and case numbers, saying that the suspects’ HIV status — once used to prove their criminal guilt — should be protected out of concern for their medical privacy. (A full breakdown of the data is here.) Some of the cases were originally compiled through public records requests made by the Sero Project; most were independently obtained by ProPublica. Despite its limitations, the material creates a rough portrait of how these laws have been applied through the years. ProPublica was able to find just four cases that involved lawmakers’ original concerns about protecting the blood and organ supply. Two of these four resulted in a conviction or guilty plea, one was dismissed, and the outcome of the last could not be determined. For cases in which the route of potential transmission could be determined, the overwhelming majority involved sex. The circumstances and relationships in those cases confound stereotypes or preconceived notions: HIV-positive defendants and their accusers have included gay and straight couples in one-night stands, dating relationships or even years of marriage. Cases have involved instances of sex between prisoners, rape and child abuse.
In Waterloo, Iowa, 42-yearold Donald Bogardus, a churchgoing, HIV-positive gay man who also suffers from cerebral palsy, recently pleaded guilty to charges of failing to disclose his status to a partner. “I wanted to tell him, but when I went to say it, I clammed up,” Bogardus told the Daily Iowan last year. “So many things came across my mind. I was afraid he was going to blab it out to everybody. But I still regret not telling him. I really do.” (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
City of Hallandale Beach celebrates Black History Month at this month’s 4th Fridays on Foster Sons of Mystro, A dore, Giel, W anda “Star Adore, Wanda “Star”” Williams and the Starlettes and La Vie to headline an evening of delicious food and family fun
GIEL By Elvis Anderson Circle of One Marketing HALLANDALE BEACH, FL –The City of Hallandale Beach proudly honors Black History Month at this month’s 4th Fridays on Foster on Fri-
ADORE
SONS OF MYSTRO day, Feb. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Foster Park Community Center. The event will feature live musical performances by Sons of Mystro, Adore, Giel, Wanda “Star” Williams and the Starlettes and La Vie. The event will also feature local food vendors and free family fun. 4th Friday on Foster is a free monthly event held the fourth Friday of each month. “Our City is excited to host our new monthly series, ‘4th
Fridays On Foster.’ This is an opportunity for our residents, visitors and those who do business in our city to come out with their families and enjoy an enchanting evening of live music, local vendors, and a few hours of relaxing family fun,” said Renee Miller, City Manager, City of Hallandale Beach. For more information, call (954) 457-1452 or visit www.cohb.org/parks or www.hallandalebeachfl.gov.
Black psychologists and activists call for congressional hearings on the Effects of the lie of gets Black people. In light of Black inferiority the verdict in the Jordan Davis
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS -- On Feb. 19, 2014, Miami-Dade County Commissioners honored Booker T. Washington High School’s Football Team for winning the 2013 High School Football National Championship. In 2013, the Tornadoes finished the season 14-0 and captured the Class 4A Football State Championship along with the prestigious national crown. At the ceremony, Miami Dolphins President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Garfinkel, Senior Vice President and Miami Dolphin Honor Roll wide receiver Nat Moore, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Dolphin's Guard and Booker T. Washington graduate Larry Little and Manager of Corporate Affairs Marcus Bach-Armas, presented Booker T. Washington with a check to pay for their 2013 National Championship rings. The Tornadoes have also won the 2012 NFL High School Player Development (HSPD) 7-on-7 National Championship as representatives of the Miami Dolphins.
Black Americans remain tormented by lack of sickle cell funding (Cont'd from FP) Jordan noticed the challenges and began working to overcome them during 12 years of service at Broward Memorial Regional Hospital. She founded the first Sickle Cell Day at Memorial Regional, which is the first and only one of its kind accredited by the Joint Commission in 2003. “Sickle Cell is not different from any other disease. You just need to be a caring doctor. There’s still a lot of suffering because of a stigma. People see it as a Black disease. “It’s the most commonly diagnosed disease among newborns. But it gets the least amount of money for research. It’s diagnosed more in newborns more often than hemophilia and cystic fibrosis but gets much less money for research. “We’re trying to get money for research. All of what we know in medicine came from
research. There are no drugs. You can’t have a chronic disease and no drugs to treat. “We (Black Americans) don’t do that very well in our culture. We’re waiting around for help. Others are more organized, more sophisticated. That’s why they get millions and millions of dollars for research,” Jordan said. Another possible problem that hinders fundraising for research, according to Jordan, could be the Tuskegee Experiment. The Tuskegee Experiment was a clinical study conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service at Tuskegee University from 1932 to 1972. The study set out to record the natural history of syphilis in Black Americans. During that study, some 399 Black American males were denied treatment and the use of drugs. The results of that study were kept quiet, swept
under the rug for years and became recognized as the most horrible scandal in American medicine in the 20th century. “Most of the sickle cell disease in America is in the Tri County (Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach) area,” said Jordan. “Florida is number one and New York is number two.” In addition to raising funds for research, Jordan also raises money to send kids to camp at no cost to their families. Hence, Jordan will host the third edition of a 5K run, under the auspices of the Foundation for Sickle Cell Disease Research. The run, being organized by pre-med student Eboni Peoples, is scheduled for April 6, starting at 7 a.m., in Broward Regional Park. As in past years, some 30 to 40 kids from Broward and 20 to 30 kids from Miami Dade will get an all expense paid trip to Boggy Creek Camp.
BLACK PR WIRE – Pointing to the verdict in the Jordan Davis case and widespread concern about the continued devaluing of the lives of Black children, the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) and Community Healing Network, Inc. (CHN) recently called on the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to schedule public hearings on the continuing effects of the lie of Black inferiority and ways to eradicate it. In a letter to Caucus Chairwoman, Marcia L. Fudge, CHN and ABPsi noted that this week, on Feb. 20, the European Parliament is holding a hearing on “Afrophobia,” and urged the CBC to hold similar proceedings. CHN and ABPsi said that the use of the term “Afrophobia” draws attention to the “fear, hostility, and discrimination that are all too often directed at people of African descent. In calling for Congressional hearings on the presentday effects of the lie of Black inferiority, we seek to illuminate the underlying causes of Afrophobia.” CHN and ABPsi called for an immediate scheduling of hearings and offered to help the CBC by identifying experts and resources. The letter to the CBC is an outgrowth of collaboration between CHN and ABPsi that is engaging increasing numbers of Black mental health professionals and other activists to help Black people overcome the lie of Black inferiority and the emotional legacies of enslavement and racism. According to Enola Aird, president of CHN, “Negative stereotypes, based on the lie of Black inferiority, are literally killing Black children, and we must address the root causes of these tragedies.” Taasogle Daryl Rowe, Ph.D., president of ABPsi, said, “For nearly 400 years, the world has
FUDGE been fed toxic lies about people of African ancestry and they continue to exact a heavy toll on Black people in every conceivable way. It is time to stop repeating them to ourselves, to each other and letting others teach them as truth.” ABPsi past president, Cheryl Tawede Grills, Ph.D., said “These hearings would be especially timely given the racial injustices that continue to unfold in the United States, unabated even by the passage of time and the presence of a Black president.” The letter to the CBC is a key part of a public awareness initiative launched by CHN this month called Celebrating Our History, Transforming Our Present, and Taking Control of Our Destiny—to make the case that emotional emancipation is the key to transforming Black communities. February 19, 2014 The Honorable Marcia L. Fudge Chair, Congressional Black Caucus United States House of Representatives 2344 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Chairwoman Fudge: This week, the European Parliament is holding a public hearing on “Afrophobia,” a specific form of racism that tar-
case and widespread expressions of concern about the continued devaluing of the lives of Black children, we are writing on behalf of the Association of Black Psychologists and Community Healing Network to urge the Congressional Black Caucus to hold similar proceedings. Specifically, we call on the Caucus to hold comprehensive public hearings on the continuing effects of the lie of Black inferiority—including the violence against Black youth—and ways to eradicate it. In using the term “Afrophobia,” the European Parliament rightly draws attention to the fear, hostility, and discrimination that are all too often directed at people of African descent. In calling for Congressional hearings on the presentday effects of the lie of Black inferiority, we seek to illuminate the underlying causes of Afrophobia. The lie of Black inferiority was devised nearly 400 years ago to justify the enslavement, colonization, and subjugation of African people in the United States and around the world. For centuries, powerful negative stereotypes based on that lie have shaped perceptions of Black people as less than human. Enslavement and colonization were ended. Laws aimed at promoting racial equality have been passed. But the lie of Black inferiority has remained unchallenged. And it is still very much with us today. It continues to shape perceptions of Black people the world over. It contributes to the criminalization of Black men and to the presumption that Black defendants and victims are often guilty. It fuels the Black-White achievement gap, contributes to the epidemic of violence against and among Black youth, and ultimately promotes the dehumanization of Black people and the devaluation of Black lives. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Februry 27 - March 5, 2014
Community Digest
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Seminar
Ceremony
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. proudly presents A Girl and Her Pearls Seminar 501c3 “Teaching Girls to Value Their Pearls”, Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Mount Olive Baptist Church Ministry Center, 401 N.W. Ninth Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For girls ages 10-18, Continental breakfast and lunch included. For registration and additional info contact Deanne Taylor at (954) 873-0922.
The community is cordially invited to attend Porter’s Road Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Lafayette Hart Park, 2851 N.W. Eighth Rd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Commemorating – The Spirit of Trailblazers, the late Wilbur Porter Sr. & Wilber Porter, Jr., pioneers in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For additional info call Delores Porter at (954) 5838340.
Meeting
Luncheon
Fundraiser
Help benefit Broward House on Thursday, April 24, 2014. You can help fight HIV/AIDS just by going out to eat! Restaurants throughout South Florida will pledge a percentage of their daily receipts to help in the fight of HIV/AIDS. You don’t need to do anything more but visit one of the participating restaurants on this day and have a fabulous meal! Find a participating South Florida restaurant online right now at: DiningOutForLife.com/ SouthFlorida.
Workshop Series FTL/Broward NAACP Branch meeting Black History Celebration, annual Meet the Black Judges” NAACP Branch Meeting, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014 at 7 p.m., at Mizell Center, 1409 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Food for the soul will be served after the meeting.
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Delta Education and Life Development Foundation, Inc. in partnership with the Broward County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, presents Big Hats and Bow Ties Jazz Luncheon, Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Woodlands Country Club, 4600 Woodland Blvd., Tamarac, Fla. Live band entertainment, fashion show, raffles. For tickets and additional info c
Meeting Lauderhill Women Club, meets the first Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m., at the Sadkin Center, 1176 N.W. 42 Way Lauderhill,Fla. For more info call (954) 739-6941.
Contemplating bankruptcy? Does your money perform disappearing acts? Waiting for the next paycheck two days after payday? “Mind Over Money” workshops explore the core of spending and its affect on your total well-being. Next workshop Wednesday, March 5, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Call Katrina Jones, president of Satari Life Skills Institute at (800) 590-0056; visit prosperitylifecoach.com listen to her weekly radio blog on Sundays, 6:30 p.m., at www.blogtalkradio.com/ prosperitylifecoach.
Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center
African-American Research Library Cultural Center 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. · Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – Free homework help available for students grades K-thru 12 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Call for more info (954) 3576157 · Monday and Wednesday – Free IRS Income Tax Assistance at 6 p.m. · Retired Educator reaches out to youth at AARLCC. Educator Joyce H. Clark will be holding five class sessions for families, adults and young people For dates, times and other info call (954) 357-6210. · “Wake Up… Everybody” is a Black History Play, Saturday, March 1, 2014. Experience some of beauty and some of the pain of Black History through story-telling, African dance and an African fashion show. For cost and additional info contact Sharon Cummings, at (954) 557-7491. · Have a roaring good time in South Africa, Friday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m., and after Library hours’ events, upcoming destination Friday events. For dates, times and other info call (954) 357-6210.
Yard Sale
Sell your goods and keep your profits, Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 7 a.m., at Northwest Federated Woman’s Club, 2161 N.W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. To reserve your space contact (754) 224-7317 or email barnzie1@gmail.com
Trip
St. Christopher Episcopal Church of Fort Lauderdale, host a one day trip, to Holy Land Theme Park (Orlando), Fla., Saturday, March 22, 2014 (One day Trip). For more info call Zarline Scott at (954) 731-6139 or Cynthia Williams at (954) 245-3650.
Old Dillard Museum Calendar of Events Old Dillard Museum,1009 N.W. Fourth St., Fort , Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For time and additional info call (754) 3228828. * Featuring local musicians and artists from our South Florida Community.
Scholarship Offer Scholarship Offer for 20142015 Northwest Federated Woman's Club of Broward County, application may be obtained from High School BRACE Advisor or picked up from the Woman's Club, 2161 N.W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Deadline: March 18,2014.
Scholarship Applications
Concert Series
Friday Night Tunes a concert series at Joseph C. Carter Park, from 7 to 10 p.m., at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Enjoy a FREE concert series with a broad range of musical varieties featuring a different live performer each month! Bring your chairs, picnic blankets, and snacks to relax under the stars. From jazz to Top 40, the Friday Night Tunes has it all. ∗ Friday, March 21 – Shawn Kelly (Neo Soul and Old School Covers) EnVee (soft and jazz) ∗ Friday, April 18 – Nio Devine (Jazz and Neo Soul) ∗ Friday, May 16 – Lavie (Top 40).
Event Speaking Hands presents Camp Hands 2013 registration has began, for ages 8-16, location 127 N. State Rd. 7 Plantation, Fla. For more additional info call (954) 792-7273 office or (305) 970-0054 cell.
The Broward County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is proud to announce the 2014 Kathleen C. Wright, and the Cora Eaves Braynon Academic Scholarship applications are available. Please visit www.bcacdst.org to download the application. If you would like more info about the scholarship application and/or its process, contact the Scholarship Committee at (954) 5222840 or email at scholarship@bcacdst.org.
Women Conference
Light Of Life Worship Center, presents the Fifth Annual Spirit-Led Women Conference 2014 schedule May 15-17. Early registration begins Feb. 22 through March 15. Detailed conference information will be available online at www.thelolwc.org or call (954) 990-6721 or email us at SpiritLed@lolwc.com
ATTENTION RADIO LISTENERS
Mrs. Bertha “Ma Dear” Larkin is 101 years young Feb. 25, flanked by grandson National Black Newspaper Consultant-Steven Larkin on left and Stevie WonderEntertainer
We have Free gifts for everybody who call into the show and share their opinion. Listen every Saturday at 4:00 O’clock to Spiritual Downloads with Anna Stephenson on WWNN Radio AM 1470. It’s a live Call in talk show that discuss everything from Spiritual Matters to what matters to you. The show can also be heard on the Internet at wwnnradio.com just click on the listen live button. Your voice is the most important part of the show. So call in and let us hear what you have to say. The toll free call in number is 1-888-565-1470. Also e-mail Anna Stephenson at annasmiami@aol.com with a subject you want to hear discussed on the show. The show also interview’s special guest Like Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best. Shelia Raye Charles, Melba Moore and different Preachers and gospel musical artist and Politicians.
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
Important information for families Head Start/Early Head Start application window opens March 3
Parents and guardians can submit applications for Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) Head Start and Early Head Start programs during the following open enrollment windows: · March 3 - March 15, 2014 · March 31 - April 12, 2014 The BCPS Head Start Program serves three- and fouryear-old children, and offers a full school day of educational enrichment activities with research proven curriculum focusing on the development of the whole child. In addition, Head Start services include dental, health, nutrition, mental health and family support.
The Early Head Start Program provides services to pregnant women, infants and toddlers. Families must meet the income eligibility requirements, as determined by the Department of Health & Human Services 2014 Poverty Guidelines. Families of children with disabilities are encouraged to apply. To complete an application, parents or guardians must provide the following documentation at the time of application: · Proof of age (child’s original birth certificate or passport) · Child’s Medicaid card (if eligible) · Proof of guardianship (if applicable)
· Parent photo identification · Proof of all household income for the past 12 months (income is defined as the total money earned or received before deductions for all family members) · Proof of residence in Broward County Parents and guardians can complete an application at any of the three application sites listed below during the designated hours: For more information, contact the BCPS Head Start/Early Head Start Program at (754) 321-1961 or visit http:// ece.browardschools.com.
CORRECTION: IN LAST WEEK'S EDITION - SOME OF THE WINNERS WERE NOT IN THE PHOTO. These are the winners of AARLCC's 2014 Black History Month Essay and Art Competition, l to r: Vernitha Charles, Raul Garcia, Madeleine Falick, Jewel Murray, Sophia Feliciano-Bonilla, Ramiyah Rose. Photo by Steve Vinik
February 27 - March 5, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5
All politics, all the time From Florida Democrat Senator Christopher L. Smith, District 31 “All politics, all the time.” That about sums up the theme of this year’s legislative session. Unlike the past three years, much of what will dominate 2014’s gathering will likely be the prize less than eight months later: retaining the governor’s office. And so expect to see issues appealing to the Republican base with plenty of populist appeal, like “greater school choice” (expanding corporate tax deductions for vouchers), “more money for teachers” (by overhauling theirs and other state employee’s modest pensions), and “tax cuts for the people” (finally reducing somewhat the fees on motorists jacked up 7 long years ago). Sounds good, but we believe our priorities are a lot more meaningful for a lot more people, such as changes to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, reducing the mandatory minimum prison sentences for non-violent small time drug offenses, and pushing for real economic policies that create the kind of jobs that support families instead of tearing them apart. The budget proposed by Governor Scott again reflects lopsided priorities. Rather than dedicate this year’s expected surplus to finally boost school funding and fairly pay teachers for the hard work they do every day, Governor Scott is proposing big corporate tax cuts by reducing the number of corporations paying the low state income tax and eliminating state sales tax on commercial property leases. Unfortunately, that same kind of advocacy isn’t on the radar for people without health insurance. But Democrats will try once again to get Medicaid
expansion passed and put Floridians’ tax dollars to work for them. We’re also sponsoring legislation that would help Floridians who can’t get to a doctor, get the doctor to them through the technology of “telemedicine.” On the education front, the governor is proposing to expand a corporate tax credit for companies that give private school vouchers to low-income students, i.e., using tax money to pay for private schools instead of spending it on improving public education. Legislation to establish Common Core education standards for math and reading is being readied because the new standards are scheduled to take effect next fall, replacing the FCAT. Some conservatives are filing bills to delay or stop Common Core, because they see it as federal meddling. Meanwhile, groups including the Florida PTA are urging more time to prepare before holding schools and teachers accountable for the results. Throughout Florida, state employees – including teachers – are bracing for the latest attempts to privatize their pensions. While Republicans are eyeing new employees to implement the changes, the bottom line is they are proposing a risky revamp of one of the best performing and flush pension funds in the country. That’s why Democrats are wondering why the relentless push to move potentially billions of dollars to a 401K style or hybrid “cash performance’ system? Why does the state need to “fix what ain’t broken?” In gaming, look for the possibility of casino resorts in Miami-Dade and Broward, despite opposition from Walt Disney World Resorts and others. There will also be a focus on ex-
Save our school (Cont'd from FP) Employee Dedication Jamar Butts was one of the students who volunteered at Cradle Nursery when in high school and was later hired by Grooms working in janitorial, classroom activity prep and teacher’s aide capacities. “I came when I was 15 doing my community hours and when I graduated from high school Ms. Grooms, hired me and I’ve been here ever since. My auntie Gail Inion worked here then and told me to come after school,” Butts says. “After Ms. Grooms retired Ms. Johnson took over and we averaged between 50 to 85 kids. Sometimes over 100 kids and we were getting paid every two weeks. Something happened after she left. All the teachers loved her because she has a heart and she worshipped them. She was more of a community person. “If you needed help she’d work out a payment plan. She worked with you. Ms. Mildred Hightower became the director when Ms. Johnson left in 2010. She didn’t have any sympathy for the parents. She stopped all that. Ms. Johnson would have field trips every week but it stopped when they sold the van.” Hightower also an alumnus worked as a Cradle volunteer before becoming executive director for nearly two years, employing her daughter Adria Hightower to handle the finances. Ms. Hightower spearheaded several community activities in support of Cradle. With the support of their Pastor, Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, the Society of Mission, of The Historical First Baptist Church Piney Grove, an event was held Aug. 11, 2012 Nov. 3, 2012 The Susie C. Holley Cradle Nursery, Inc. (Cradle) Board of Directors, and Alumni and Friends hosted an awards luncheon honoring its founder, Dr. Susie C. Holley and the original Board members; posthumously recognize the Pilot Club International, First Baptist Church Piney Grove, and those Board members who carried the torch for Cradle over the years. Board Members Founded in 1960 by the historic First Baptist Church Piney Grove Cradle’s building and property is rent free, Susie C. Holley operated Cradle in some capacity from the 40’s. Grooms
SEN. SMITH amining Florida’s gambling industry in general to clean up laws, tax policies and regulations that have been patched together over decades. In the wake of the death of Trayvon Martin, I said then that the problems with Stand Your Ground didn’t start, nor would they end with his death. Look no further than Michael Dunn in the shooting death of Jordan Davis. The law needs to stop protecting angry people who provoke fights and kill someone because they suddenly felt “fear.” That’s why I re-filed SB 122 which would prevent individuals from escalating a conflict that turns violent and claim self-defense. It would also prevent someone from leaving a safe place and chasing someone down from using the selfdefense shield. Legislation is also moving to better protect our children from sexual predators by making it easier to civilly commit them once they’ve finished their prison terms. SB 494 also aims to eliminate the current 3-year statutory time limitation for prosecuting certain lewd, adulton-minor offenses. remembering Mrs. Holley saw children playing in the neighborhood and gathered them together for educational and community activities. Current Cradle Nursery Board of Directors President Lewis Tunnage has been involved with the company since 2007. Marie Holloway-Harrison is still a board member and also one of the torch bearers of the organization and is listed in various capacities since 1998. Other board members include Sharon Jordan, Louis Little and Lillie Fye who has been involved since 2005. Though dedicated in the amount of time on the board, within the past year hardly any board members have visited the nursery. Johnson acknowledges Tunnage has donated funds to keep Cradle doors open and help with repairs but says, “He’s given so much and hasn’t been paid back. He’s losing money too.” Tunnage refused to speak with the press without alumni Attorney Karen Black Baron. It took two weeks to set up a conference call, where Tunnage still didn’t speak much relying on the alumni for specific information regarding Cradle’s finances and lack of children. Black Baron acknowledged Adria Hightower handles the finances and Johnson says, sometimes she helps pay the light bill. Hightower’s two children attend the day care. “We traded the van and used the money for operating expenses,” says Black Baron, “but it was not enough. The State has criteria for instructional staff per student especially to qualify for VPK and that requires a certain level of operating funds. “Many of the board members are elderly and not able to get around as much. There has been a lot of funding plans with the alumni, friends and fundraising but it is not enough. “We need long range funding not short range funding. We can’t point the finger at anyone,” Black Baron says. “Banks go broke and have the most intelligent persons running them. We have been contributing our personal funds. We did what we could. “We are doing everything we can. With today’s economy, some of the repairs we hope to keep afloat. We want the nursery to continue as long as it possibly can. Alumni, board of directors and community has Cradle at heart.
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Februry 27 - March 5, 2014
Opinion
The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this newspaper.
The politics of education unfolds the history of political discrimination By Derek Joy And so it is. . . Black History Month fades into the annals of history of the year 2014. Now, students throughout America JOY resort to regular academic routines of a school year. In Florida, that includes a focus on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).
Ah, yes! The vaunted FCAT. That’s definitely a sore subject in Black History. Black Americans just happened to have felt discriminated against through the construction and subject matter of the FCAT. Had a much higher failure rate from the inception of this test. Of course, none of the subjects highlighted and embraced during Black History Month appears on the FCAT. Real curious fact.
Let us stop looking the other way By P. L. Wright Ph.d. During my lifetime of experiencing acts of racism and discrimination personally in the state of Florida, it has become very clear who should be on trial for the absence of civil rights and the misuse of justice during many trials of African Americans. We must stop and take a look the other way and see clearly at the Justice Department of the United States and the judges, our lawmakers in Congress, our governors and first the District Attorneys’ office who initially make the decision to charge a defendant with a crime. We must start to examine the integrity and honesty of these public officials who are not exhibiting fairness and equality of the law for everyone, no matter their color, creed, race, ethnicity or sexual preference, etc. As
Westside Gazette Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM) Bobby R. Henry, Sr. - PUBLISHER Pamela D. Henry - SENIOR EDITOR Sonia M. Henry Robinson COMPTROLLER Elizabeth D. Henry CIRCULATION MANAGER Carma L. Henry - DATA ENTRY Charles Moseley MARKETING DIRECTOR Tarrence Crawford & Ron Lyons PHOTOGRAPHER Levi Henry Jr. - CHAIRMAN Yvonne F. Henry EDITOR (Emeritus)
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it has been said, “Houston we have a problem”. However, the United States cannot survive any longer with laws that seem to have WRIGHT been created and directed toward African American men and women, causing more harm and death. It is very clear what is going on with the United States justice system and how it is not administering the law equally to each U S. citizen on trial for any type of crime. Our African American lawmakers should join together and protest concerning any trial that has demonstrated unfair treatment by the absence of civil and human rights or the absence of justice for everyone, and especially for African American citizens when they are charged and convicted of a crime that has not been tried with honesty and integrity with fair and equal rights and justice. The Stand Your Ground Law is just a smoke screen that has been deemed as a legal means to murder our young Black men and women, who speak out against being prejudiced and treated unfairly and without justice anywhere, and they express that they are aware of it and their civil and human rights are being violated, and they demand not to be treated unfairly and threatened verbally or phy-sically with malice to do harm to their person. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
What are we teaching our children? By Dedrick D. Henry, Sr. Our ancestors as Black Americans had to fight, march, protest and politic, and in HENRY some instances even die for our equal rights and human dignity. So when I see my Black brothers and sisters not conducting or representing what or how not to be, it truly moves me in the wrong way. I’m aware that there is a mirror in front of me when I say these words, but I, too am working on that. Right now I’m talking about the young brothers and sisters I see cursing in front of the elderly, pants sagging so low you can visually see their basketball shorts and underwear; both boys and girls. They have no manners, refinement, consideration or self respect for themselves or anyone around them. Just no home training!! In some cases I know their parents would knock a knot on their head had they seenthis behavior, some cases not too many. Many of these children are not being taught these things in their home, some have not been disciplined properly, and some have probably never sat to the table as a family and enjoyed a meal together. And some of their parents neither. Parents like the mother who turned her son in for hitting the bus driver are rare this mother showed that she cared about her son and his well being. A child needs guidance, not a friend; a child needs a leader, not a buddy; a child needs a guardian, not a companion. We as parents must do our best to instill certain life sustaining characteristics that will allow them to prevail in life or take them farther than they may imagine. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES The Westside Gazette welcomes your letters. Letters must be signed with name clearly legible along with a phone number and complete address. No unsigned or anonymous letters will be considered for publication. The Westside Gazette reserves the right to edit letters. The letters should be 500 words or less.
Equally curious is the fact that the very people who advocated such a test, crafted it and legislated it into law, have passed such an exam to win elected office or get hired in their current positions of employment. Funny how we constantly find the quality of life adversely affected by selfishly idiotic decisions made by elected officials and their select bureaucrats. Decisions that are clearly motivated by nothing more than personal and political gain. Profit. Pure and simple. The driving force behind democracy’s capitalistic foundations. The almighty dollar. Obtained by hook and crook, by any means necessary, including blatant deception for the purpose of discrimination. Such discrimination is not confined to race or ethnicity. It definitely incorporates economic discrimination. For a graphic illustration of this point, one need only consider simple realities. First, there is a matter of political representation. Black Americans were once prohibited from holding elected office. The battle for equality changed that. For instance, there are 26 Black Americans - eight Senators and 18 Representatives - in the Florida State Legislature. There are 25 Democrats and one Republican among them. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Florida Legislature expands Stand Your Ground law after Michael Dunn verdict By Roger Caldwell Only in Florida, the legislature and the justice department think they are doing a good job when a young Black man is shot to death, and the CALDWELL shooter is charged with attempted murder. It makes no sense to millions of Americans, but to the state justice system, they are doing an exemplary job. Our leaders do admit after giving Marissa Alexander 20 years after firing a gun into a wall, that the “Stand Your Ground Law” needs to be expanded. Florida is turning into the Wild West, and the pervasive sickness in the “Stand Your Gun Law” is giving certain men a license to shoot first and ask questions later. At the Michael Dunn’s trial, he claims that he feared for his life and he saw a shotgun. Even though no gun was found in the car, and Michael Dunn shot 10 times into the car, only one young Black man was hit and died. So the jury was deadlocked on the first-degree murder charge, and a mistrial was declared on that count. Michael Dunn could get 75 years, but it will be interesting to see what the system will do to protect a white man. Something is wrong in a state, where our leaders think this behavior is normal, and you become a celebrity, because you killed a Black man and you walked away a free man. George Zimmerman was acquitted seven months ago in the death of shooting another young unarmed Black man, and now he is getting sponsorships, and there might be a television show in the future. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
The call to repeal or amend the Stand Your Ground Law
HOLMES By Rev. Dr. R. B. Holmes, Jr. Enough is enough. This Stand Your Ground Law has called so much confusion, controversy and unrest among some judges, jurors, prosecutors and citizens. This law is divisive and is bringing so much turmoil and disrespect to the good people of this state. It is now time for the legislature and Governor to take a critical assessment on how this law is dividing this state and bringing negative attention to Florida. I think this law needs to be reviewed, amended or simply repealed. No law is perfect; only God’s divine law. A law is bad when it gives people the right to shoot first and ask questions later; this is morally wrong. I am asking our elected officials to not get bogged down in partisan politics and personal agendas and to do what is right for all Floridians and change this law to make it more clear and consistent. The deaths of Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis and others truly need justice in our court system. The jurors cannot be confused when persons use this law to express their fears, frustrations, anger and even hatred. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Betrayed by the criminal injustice system By Lee A. Daniels NNPA Columnist It all seems so familiar, doesn’t it? A Black man, or woDANIELS man, or child is murdered by a white person – and America’s criminal justice system compounds the tragedy. How deep is that particular well of American racial injustice now? How many names of innocents are on that list of sorrow? How many more times will we have to look at the faces of the survivors and see that the pain of the loss of a loved one taken by criminal violence has been etched more deeply by the betrayal of a system that – supposedly – exists to protect them? In fact, until the civil rights victories of the mid-1960s, being betrayed by the nation’s white majority was the only thing Blacks could count on getting from the nation they helped build and support. Today’s “Stand Your Ground” laws more than 20 states have enacted continue the cloakedpurpose dynamic of the post-1960s get-tough-on-crime and crack-cocaineversus-powder-cocaine laws—and the 19th century vagrancy laws southern legislatures passed after destroying Reconstruction. They look “race-neutral” on the books but their origins and applications were and are shadowed by racial fear, anxiety, and hatred of Black people. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
The Gantt Report That last look By Lucius Gantt Some things that look good from afar are far from looking good. And, some people that appear GANTT to love you, appear to care about you and claim they will never mistreat you, in the end turn out to be someone that hates your guts! Do you remember the first time you saw what you believed to be that very, very special person? Their hair looked nice, their face looked pretty, their body was banging and they made you feel the best you’ve ever felt. You couldn’t wait to tell your friends and family that you finally found your soulmate! You began to do all you could to show that person some love and pretty soon you started a friendship that may have led to a relationship or, better yet, a long lasting marriage. But oh, when someone else became the apple of your mate’s eye the first sign of changing times was changes in your sex life. You weren’t being held the way you used to be held, you weren’t being kissed the way you used to be kissed and the cat and the snake in the bedroom were not getting along whatsoever! Sex became non-existent! Somebody wanted a cleanup woman, or man; somebody wanted a back door Santa and somebody wanted another mule kicking in their stall! (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
To Be Equal What the Dunn verdict says about us By Marc H. Morial NNPA Columnist “Jordan had no guns. He had no drugs. There was no alcohol. They were coming from the mall. They were beMORIAL ing kids.” -Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis Another mother’s anguish. Another unarmed Black teenager in Florida shot dead for no good reason. Another indefensible instance of Stand Your Ground rearing its ugly head. Eight months after the stunning acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, justice again has been compromised in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jordan Davis. On November 23, 2012, Michael Dunn, a 47-year-old white man, fired 10 rounds into a SUV after arguing over loud rap music coming from the vehicle with Jordan and three other unarmed African American teenagers. Three of the bullets struck and killed Jordan Davis. Like George Zimmerman, Michael Dunn claimed self-defense and used Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law to bolster his justification of the killing, as his lawyer stated in his closing argument, “His honor will further tell you that if Michael Dunn was in a public place where he had a legal right to be, he had no duty to retreat and had the right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force.” (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Civil Rights Movement and Hip-Hop By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist Part II
By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist
By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist
In the years after enslavement, Southern Whites did all they could to return to a manner of slavery. No MALVEAUX white “owned” a Black person, but many whites behaved as if they did. Theoretically, Blacks were free to come and go as they pleased, but if they went to the wrong store, sat in the wrong part of the bus, or failed to yield narrow sidewalks to Whites, they could expect a physical confrontation. All a white woman had to do was cry “rape” for a Black man (and usually the wrong man) was beaten or lynched. Whites expected deference from Black people, and when they didn’t get it, they demanded it with physical threats or worse. In the months after World War II, 12 million soldiers returned home. Seven percent of them – nearly 800,000 Black soldiers – got something less than a hero’s welcome.
The recent Wall CURRY Street Project conference in New York City was old home week for many of us who were involved with Jesse Jackson’s first presidential campaign in 1984. There was Frank Watkins, the former candidate’s longtime press secretary and the driving force behind Jackson’s decision to run. Also present were Emma Chappell, the campaign’s national treasurer; Rev. Herb Daughtry, senior pastor of The House of the Lord Church in Brooklyn and an early supporter; economist Julianne Malveaux, who worked in Jackson’s presidential campaigns and four key parts of the 1984 rainbow – Jim Zogby, Butch Wing, Steve Cobble and Robert Borosage. Former Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields shared memories as did former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. I was asked to moderate a discussion about the impact of the 1984 campaign on the nation and, yes, an African American now sitting in the White House.
The best way to recognize and celebrate African American History CHAVIS Month is make more history. I am writing this series on the Civil Rights Movement and Hip-Hop is to encourage a new generation of young, committed and talented freedom fighters to take their rightful place in creating African American history. There are valid and urgent reasons why we need both a revitalized Civil Rights Movement as well as a vibrant cadre of skillful and productive hiphop artists who are utilizing their Godgiven gifts and talents to arouse the consciousness of millions of young people to take action in the interests of freedom, justice, equality and empowerment. With the systematic right-wing attack on voting rights, growing income inequality, persistent poverty and unemployment and the critical need to rebuild and refortify a sustainable economic development of the African American community, we must advance and support an inter-generational freedom and economic equality struggle that will be effective in meeting the challenges of the next century. No one should be exempt from being an active supporter and participant in today’s ongoing freedom and empowerment movement.
(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
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“Run, Jesse, run”– Blacks have more reasons 30 years later to be fearful than whites
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether Family That Together, Together
Church Directory
February 27 - March 5, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7
St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church 145 NW 5th Avenue Dania Beach, FL 33004 Office: (954) 922-2529
Bishop Victor T. Curry Senior Pastor/Teacher
Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice This
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net
Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday School ........................................................................... 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m. Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m. "Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"
First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc. 4699 West Oakland Park Blvd. Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 Office: (954) 735-1500 Fax: (954) 735-1939 fbcpg@bellsouth.net
Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, Pastor SUNDAY SERVICES Worship Services .......................................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m. Children's Church ........................................................ 7:30 & 10:45 a.m. Communion (First Sunday) ......................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m. New Members' Class .................................................................... 9:30 a.m. Church School .............................................................................. 9:30 a.m. Baptist Training Union (BTU) .................................................... 1:00 p.m. Wednesday (Bible Study) ...................................... 11:15 a.m.. & 7:00 p.m.
Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Juana Jordan, M.Div
WORSHIP SERVICES Bible Study (Wednesday Night) ...................................................... 6:45 p.m. Sunday School .............................................................................. 8:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Service ............................................................. 10:00 a.m.
Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” 644-646 NW 13th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net (Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)
Rev. Cal Hopkins. M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher
The WITNESS of “The WILL” Sunday Worship Experiences ................................................................ 7:45 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School ................................................................................................................. 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Night Triumph {Prayer, Praise and Power} Prayer Meeting ................................................................................................................ 7:00 p.m. Bible Study ........................................................................................................................ 7:30 p.m. We STRIVE to PROVIDE Ministries that matter TODAY to Whole Body of Christ, not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”! “Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR! Come to the WILL ... We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ!”
Obituaries ALLEN Funeral services for the late Belinda Allen58 were held Feb. 21 at Greater Providence Missionary with Dr. W.M. Ramsey officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by James C. Boyd Funeral Home.
WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Maxine Lee Williams – 43 were held Feb. 22 at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church with Evang. Corine Nelson officiating. Arrangements by McWhite’s Funeral Home.
The F. Malcom, Sr., Bar Association hosted its Annual Black History Month - The 13th Annual William Holland Scholarship luncheon was held Feb. 21, at the Palm Beach County Kravis Performing Arts Center, West Palm Beach, Fla. Charlie Crist, Esq., former governor of the State of Florida was the keynote speaker. He empowered the audience to work together in unity and challenged the third year honoree law students to continue to excel in “Excellence” as they are preparing for the Florida Bar examination. In attendance from Broward County, pictured, l to r: Former Governor, Charlie Crist; Bishop Douglas Russell, Jr., Historic Royal Assembly Church of the Living God., Inc.; Marissa C. Brown, Former Florida State Senate Page; and (c) Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E., National Alumni Association of the Florida A&M University Broward County Alumni Association.
E-MAIL:juana.jordan@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520 Church Fax: (954) 731-6290
SERVICES Sunday Worship ................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Sunday School .............................................................................. 9:00 a.m. Wednesday (Bible Study) ........................................... 11a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church
800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net
Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY
New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m. Sunday School ................................................ 9:30 a.m. Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m. Bible Study ..................................................... 7:00 p.m.
"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"
New Birth Baptist Church The Cathedral of Faith International Bishop Victor T. Curry, M.Min., D.Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 2300 N.W. 135th Street Miami, Florida 33167
ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m. Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.
1-800-254-NBBC * (305) 685-3700 (o) *(305) 685-0705 (f) www.newbirthbaptistmiami.org
New Mount Olive Baptist Church 400 N.W. 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33311 (954) 463-5126 ● Fax: (954) 525-9454 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY Sunday .................................................... 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School ............................................................................ 10:00 a.m. Wednesday Noonday Service .................................. 12:00-12:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ............................................ 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................... 7:00 p.m. Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship. Leadership, Ownership and Worship F.L.O.W. To Greatness!
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com
Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor SUNDAY SERVICES Sunday Worship Service .............................................................................. 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School ............................................................................................................... 10:00 a.m. Communion Service (1st Sunday) ......................................................................... 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ........................................................................... 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................................................... 7:00 p.m. Saturday (2nd & 4th) Growth & Orientation ........................................................... 9 a.m. But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”
BRAMBLE Funeral services for the late Wayne Ricardo Bramble – 54 were held Feb. 23 at New Hope Seventh-Day Adventist Church ,Pastor Marcellus P. Howard officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by James C. Boyd Funeral Home. BROWN Funeral services for the late Mother Betty Mae Brown– 67 were held Feb. 22 at Impact Word Church with Pastor Torey and Keisha Phillips officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by James C. Boyd Funeral Home. DAVILA Funeral services for the late Angela Davila – 59 were held Feb. 19 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Norm Wise officiating. Arrangements by James C. Boyd Funeral Home. DOWDY Funeral services for the late Louise Charmel Dowdy –78 were held Feb. 22 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Rev. James Melton officiating. Arrangements by Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home. MORGAN Funeral services for the late Livingston Anthony Morgan - 62 were held Feb. 22 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Forest Lawn Central. Arrangements by McWhite’s Funeral Home. SCOTT Funeral services for the late Pearlie M. Scott were held Feb. 24 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Marcus D. Davidson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home. PRAYERS CHANGE THINGS, PRAY FOR SOMEONE, TODAY.
Prayer before the luncheon with Former Governor Charlie Crist pictured, from l to r: Bishop Douglas Russell, Jr., (c) Charlie Crist and Lt. Col. Thaddeus “Thad” Hamilton (U.S. Army Retired). Announcing the Homegoing for Dr. Gwendolyn L. Hankerson -Oct. 10, 1931 – Feb. 13, 2014. The Funeral will be held Saturday, March 1, 2014 at Mt. Hermon AME Church, at 11 a.m., 401 N.W. Seventh Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The wake is from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 at Mt. Hermon AME., where she was a lifetime member.
WORSHIP THIS AND EVERY SUNDAY AT THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE
Fort Lauderdale Aglow Lighthouse (954) 536-0126 A. McMiillan MorningStar International Ministries, Inc. (954) 554-5600 Chaplain V. Hendrix Aglow International www.aglow.org Broward, Miami- Dade and Monroe County "Be aglow and burning with the Spirit" Romans 12:11 Call for the Lighthouse meeting near you!
(954) 434-9345
A Family That Prays Together, Stays Together
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The value of HBCUs By James Clingman NNPA Columnist
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With specific emphasis on Howard University, let’s consider a few solutions to the challenges HBCUs face. There are some who say HBCUs are irrelevant and no longer necessary because we are living in a “postracial” society, mainly because a Black man was elected President of the U.S. You’ve heard it: He who defines you also controls you; he can set the height of the bar and raise it anytime he wants. The relevancy and necessity of HBCUs, often promoted by those who have no stake in their existence, is a question that constituents of HBCUs should answer. Do we value HBCUs? Have they served us well? Have they played an important role in American history? Should we allow them to fade away because a few critics say they should? Will we define ourselves, or let someone else do it?
One look at the list of Howard University graduates made me think about the tremendous void in our society that would exist without their contribu- Clingman tions and achievements. There are similar alumni lists for other HBCU’s of Blacks who have contributed to this nation in virtually every category of service, business, media, research, entertainment, politics, education, science, engineering, medical, and legal, just to name a few. Irrelevant? Anachronism? Outlived their usefulness? Not by a long shot. Roger Madison, Izania.com, says, “We simply don’t have a history of reaching back to lift up our own and build our own institutions of thought leadership. Our brightest have anchored themselves in mainstream institutions and have felt very little obligation to help raise the level of quality at our HBCUs.” (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
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port. If you attended or graduated from college you likely receive fundraising solicitations from your alma mater. Some colleges excel at engaging their alumni and raising money from them. Their programs have been built over generations: first year students are encouraged to set alumni giving as a personal goal. Other institutions such as community colleges are newer to engaging alumni. Many historically black colleges and universities also face challenges. According to the Council for Aid to Education 2013 Voluntary Support for Education report alumni provide 27 percent of gifts to higher education, contributing nine billion dollars. This is second only to giving by foundations (30 percent and $10 billion). Don’t overlook your alumni. Consider these three keys to building a successful alumni giving program. First, as with all fundraising, make a strong case for giving. The fact that an individual attended or graduated from your
By Malik A. Azeez
Pearl and Mel Shaw institution is not a good enough reason for a person to give. Take the time to create a case that speaks to alumni in general and then tailor the case to communicate to alumni of different generations. Communicate the president’s vision for the future of the institution and provide facts and figures such as current enrollment; male/female ratio; student and graduation rates; five programs with the highest enrollment; five inspiring alumni; and the college’s local economic impact. Let alumni know the current price of annual tuition and fees and the average amount of debt that students graduate with. Encourage giving for scholarships and general operating support. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Russell Simmons established Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation(RPAF), a philanthropic organization, to provide inner city youth in New York City with significant exposure to the arts. Another goal is to offer exhibition opportunities to new artists of color. RPAF provides two galleries that are available for art exhibits and arts education programs, which include: Rush Arts Gallery (N.Y.C.) and Corridor Gallery (Brooklyn). Currently, in 2014, RPAF offers the Rush Toddler, Kids and Teens program for ages 218 to cultivate the study and practice of contemporary art. While, in 2013, the Rush Arts Gallery featured two exhibits entitled “Zoetic and Physically Practiced” and “Dimensions Variable”. Also, in July 2014, the 15th Annual Art For Life Gala will occur which is given by RPAF. Last year’s honorees were: Tyler Perry, Samuel En-
glebardt, William D. Johnson and Anne Pasternak. Mr. Simmons had an entrepreneurial vision, idea and master plan that led to the founding of Rush Communications, LLC. His company is a multi-faceted business that focuses on-entertainment,media, fashion, lifestyles and empowerment. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
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February 27 - March 5, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9
45th annual NAACP Image Awards kept us ‘happy’
From (l), Columbus Short, Katie Lowes, Guillermo Díaz, Darby Stanchfield, Kerry Washington, Joe Morton, and Tony Goldwyn accept the award for outstanding drama series for “Scandal”. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) tom,” yet we haven’t stayed there — that we’ve only risen and will continue to. Anderson pointed to the recent cover of Vanity Fair’s Hollywood issue, which has never had that many shades of Blackness. Ever. Anthony’s jokes then shifted to the troubled White people of last year — Justin Bieber, Paula Deen, and Miley Cyrus. Now, I agreed with Anthony when he said as far as Miley goes, “Stop twerking when you ain’t got nothing to twerk.” Still, I’m glad that as inclusive as the award’s show was in terms of guest and honorees, those types of celebrities only got a few seconds of our attention. After all, this was a Black awards show, and after last year’s VMAs and AMAs, plus
this year’s Golden Globes (at least until the very end) and Grammys, many of us were going to be happy for the simple fact that we were going to see ourselves. Well, to see ourselves not only at the event, but have the categories we’re most likely to be included in actually televised. The same goes for those Black entertainers who mainstream awards shows have snubbed, or at the very least, “overlooked.” Say, Michael B. Jordan and Octavia Spencer for their roles in “Fruitvale Station,” Oprah Winfrey for her work in “Lee Daniels’ ‘The Butler’,” Regina King in anything, or even miniMillie Jackson, rising R&B star K. Michelle, who has publicly complained about being slight-
Florida NAACP announces Moral Monday
Gundy concluded by saying if people don’t pay close enough attention to how the state legislative districts are drawn up, “we may have another apartheid system” in Florida. Pastor Darien Bolden from the President Baptist Leadership Conference in Jacksonville said there are many issues of racism still plaguing the state and his city, referring specifically to how Republican Party of Duval County Chairman Rick Hartley recently called Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown “thuggish.” Brown is black. Mallory Garner-Wells, Public Policy Director for Equality Florida, said two bills that her organization wants to see passed this legislative session would be a statewide domestic partnership bill and a non-discrimination law banning the ability to fire LGBT members because of their sexual orientation. In addition to Florida, progressive groups in both South Carolina and Georgia have also indicated that they will take up North Carolina’s lead and also host “Moral Mondays” as well this year. Officials on the conference call today did not indicate how many “Moral Mondays” will actually be held in Tallahassee, but it does not appear as though they will occur on a weekly basis, as was the case in North Carolina.
By Michael Arceneaux NewsOne Before the 2014 NAACP Image Awards officially kicked off, we were greeted by the sounds of Pharrell Williams’ upbeat hit single, “Happy” coupled with a slew of famous Black celebrities grinning and bopping. One of them, actress Tika Sumpter, asked us during that opening segment, “Can you feel the energy?” We could and it carried throughout the night. Of course, we didn’t necessarily need the cue to maintain the “happy” during the award show, though it was a nice touch. Awards show host Anthony Anderson kept the energy going, noting off the bat that Blacks have “started at the bot-
The stage at the inaugural 2014 Moral Mondays protest in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Ari Berman) (Cont'd from FP) Other groups involved in the conference call included members of the SEIU, Mi Familia Vota and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Obi Nweze said the groups would be grading Governor Rick Scott on a variety of issues, including any and all civil rights bills that may be filed this session. The restoration of voting rights for ex-felons and the purging of “non-citizens” from the voting rolls are also issues on the minds of the activists. “The Florida legislative body doesn’t reason with us,” said the Reverend R.L. Gundy from
the Florida Southern Christian Leadership Conference. “When a government is unreasonable, the Constitution of the United States says it is the right of the people to rise up and overthrow that law that they have established.” Throwing a little more gasoline on his rhetorical fire, Reverend Gundy went on to call Florida the last “Birmingham” of the South. “The government does not respect us. The legislative body neglects us,” he continued, saying that it may be time to put “boots on the ground,” which might mean going after the economic system in the state, though he did not specify how that might happen.
Scott is trying to pack the courts with compliant judges (Cont'd from FP) But the 2001 Legislature gave governors the power to appoint all nine members. Four of the nine — by design, less than a majority — must come from the lists sent by the Bar. Diversity is suffering in the commissions and, as a result, on the courts themselves. Bar President Eugene Pettis warned the organization’s Board of Governors last month that diversity has become “very, very scarce” in the judiciary. Among 913 trial judges, he said, there are only three Asian Americans, 58 African Americans and 84 Hispanics. Of the 231 nominating commission applicants, there are only 18 Blacks and 27 Hispanics. This dearth will be reflected in nominations to the bench, and it will be interesting to see how many get past Scott. He recently rejected Tiffany Faddis, incoming president of the Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida. She’s a Republican, but she’s also an active trial lawyer. When the gov-
ernor’s office called to interview her, she said, it made a point of asking why she had begun representing civil plaintiffs instead of defendants. Scott now has a majority of supporters on each commission, and if he is re-elected he will own them all. “He wants people with humility,” Scott’s general counsel, Pete Antonacci, told the newspapers, “and he wants judges who will follow the law and not make it up as they go along.” That is, of course, doublespeak for judges who will rule as those who appoint them would expect. Antonacci added that “The Florida Bar is not an accountable organization in any electoral way. The account-ability in the process is with the governor.” Trouble is, the nominating system that was devoted to impartial justice is no longer accountable itself. It has become a sham, a camouflage for oldfashioned partisan politics, a cover for the governor to appoint
whomever he wants without bearing the responsibility for it. Florida has come a long way — the wrong way — from Askew’s time, when he established the nominating commissions to insure that “justice has no party label, nor do qualified judges.” There’s no more important issue in the governor’s race. On that score, the mud flies both ways. Scott Rothstein, a lawyer turned convict over a Ponzi scheme, has claimed in court that Charlie Crist put him on the 17th circuit nominating commission as a “quid pro quo” for contributions. With Crist — who denies it — now running for his old job as a Democrat, Scott’s supporters are exploiting this. But at least Crist never rejected any of the Bar’s JNC lists. Martin Dyckman is a retired associate editor of the newspaper formerly known as the St. Petersburg Times. He lives in Waynesville, N.C.
ed for nominations despite recent accolades. As Lupita Nyong’o, who won in the supporting actress category for her role in “12 Years A Slave” explained during her acceptance speech, “It’s been a historical year in film for all of us in this room, and I’m so proud to be a part of that history. It’s such an honor to be recognized for a film that has meant so much to so many people, a film that has inspired discourse long overdue.” While accepting the award for Best Drama with the rest of the “Scandal” cast, Kerry Washington quoted Shonda Rhimes (via text message, who “had to be with my babies”), who noted that for every successful show with a Black lead, it creates opportunities for another and another and another and another. And during a tribute to Nelson Mandela, Oprah kept both the spirit of Mandela and the mission of the NAACP in mind by reminding the audience, “By offering our lives and service to others we do that. We can each reflect – I do believe – the greatness he inspired in all of us.”
China Anne McClain poses in the press room with the award for outstanding performance in a youth/children series or special award for ‘A.N.T. Farm at the 45th NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on Feb. 22, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Invision/AP)
Kevin Hart (l) and Anthony Anderson speak on stage at the 45th NAACP Image Awards. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) In this Aug. 12, 2013 file photo, Oprah Winfrey arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, file)
It was a lovely night full of brilliant and beautiful black people honoring each other … and some of our White friends. Which reminds me: I probably wouldn’t have given Robin Thicke an award for “Blurred Lines.” I mean, I’m sure Marvin
Gaye’s ghost continues to have beef. But, hey, congratulations, Robin, and to everyone involved with last night’s show. In case you missed the broadcast, TV One will be hosting an encore presentation on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 8/7 Central.
Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • February 27 - March 5, 2014
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
Beyond the Beat: the untold stories of Black College Bands
Jackson State Marching Band Marching 100 of Florida A&M University
Alabama A&M Universities Marching Band If you like the pageantry & showmanship of Black College Bands, there’s something that’s sure to wet your appetite! There’s a newly released entertainment documentary that might be just the thing for you! Offers some historical reflections through present-day perspectives. It gives viewers an inside look of what it’s like being in a HBCU band. Participants – both modern day and “old-school” – discuss a wide range of topics … detailing everything from what’s expected of new members and what standards they’ll need to meet… to necessities like an ability to march, possessing strong musically, and having a tough mentality from day one! Among the
benefits most graduates say they’ve walked away with, are better character, more discipline & a stronger work ethnic… as well as strengthening their time management and teamwork skills! The project features Tallahassee’s own, World-Renown Marching 100 of Florida A&M University, and has an extensive interview with the band’s iconic creator, the late Dr. William P. Foster! Other bands included are Jackson State, Alabama State, and Alabama A&M Universities. You can buy the documentary online from Amazon.com or from the production company’s website – bigtimemediausa.com (Big Time Media USA.com).
APresident remembers the past to better the present in new novel Author shares a story of how a President goes back to history to rightfully serve his people today PLANTATION, FL — Being elected President of a country is not easy – especially if both supporters and opponents are watching and criticizing his every move. How would a President resolve to become the President everyone expects him to be? Find out as author Lena Hall writes an insightful, thought-provoking, and historical read in A President’s Notes of a Metaphorical Journey. In order to make sense of his present, President Kwame must look at the past and learn from those who came before. To serve his people, he must transcend time.
LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/ purchasing. Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 2014
OIC OF SOUTH FLORIDA REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Independent Certified Public Accounting Firm to provide external independent auditing services. Formal proposals must be received by Friday March 14th, 2014 at 3:00 PM. Copies of the Request for Proposal and instructions for submittal are available electronically at www.oicsfl.org
Following a rather brutal press conference, African-American President of the United States Kwame wonders if he did the right thing in running for office. His opponents had an easy time picking him apart, even though he was new to Washington. They said he spent the taxpayers’ money in frivolous ways; they said he was overexposed. But he was simply sticking to his election platform. His opponents—and supporters—knew who he was when he was elected. Why were they surprised by his actions now that he lived in the White House? He then remembers something his mother used to say to him, “When you have questions, you must go back to the beginning.” So begins Kwame’s metaphorical journey into the history of his people. Readers get to join him as he goes back to Africa, where he was sold into slavery and then sent to the Americas. He watched the emancipation of the slaves and lived through the Civil Rights movement. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Alabama State Marching Band
February 27 - March 5, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 11
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper
Why do republicans want to destroy President Obama? Local nonprofit sends Valentines to volunteers
John Boehner and President Barack Obama By Roger Caldwell America must come to terms with race relations, and the reality of Black people in politics. A transformation in America took place when President Obama won the highest office in the land. Political leadership will not be controlled exclusively by white men anymore. As this change takes place men with money and power will learn that the people make the decisions with their vote. Rush Limbaugh and the conservatives, the Tea Party, and members in the Republican Party do not care about the country, because their only agenda is to stop President Obama. They have proved this by being against anything President Obama is for. Americans are being hurt and devastated by their thinking, and they don’t care. The amazing and frightening thing about this conservative and Tea party element is that they believe that they are right. They are stuck in the mud with their ideas, and they refuse any changes, because they have tunnel vision. When the country in 2007 was having the worst recession since the depression, the federal regulators thought they were doing a good job. As President Obama moves into his sixth year in office Republicans are getting more upset, because a Black man is leading the country, and the Attorney General another Black man Eric Holder is enforcing the rules. The President and the attorney general are fundamentally introducing ground
breaking initiatives that will bring transparency and fairness into the system. Their initiatives are forcing the old corrupt leadership to change the way they do business in the country. Attorney General Eric Holder is holding states accountable for voting rights and stopping states that are trying to suppress the vote. He is also fighting for criminal justice reforms; where felons after completing their time, they are given back their rights to vote. These ideas are compassionate and they make sense, but the conservatives still follow the hard line. Instead of supporting the president and the attorney general, the Republicans are spending all their time finding out what is wrong with a project, as opposed of what is right with the project. Millions of Americans who never had health insurance are signing up for the program, but the Republicans are still trying to repeal the law. They rather look for a problem and say the President is lying, as opposed to he did a good job. In 2014, no one wants to talk about individual and systematic racism but it still exist. When representatives in Congress say racial slurs and create images of monkeys when they talk about the President, we all know they are stuck in the Jim Crow period, when Blacks were thought of as second class citizens. Based on the conservatives, the Tea Party, and Republicans’ behavior toward race relations, they refuse to move the clock forward, and they practice
white supremacy. Col Lawrence Wilkerson, a self-identified Republican and was Gen. Colin Powell’s chief of staff told the truth about the majority of members in his party. “Let me just be candid. My party is full of racists. And the real reason a considerable portion of my party wants President Obama out of the White House has nothing to do with the content of his character, nothing to do with his competence as Commander in Chief and President, and everything to do with the color of his skin,” says Col. Lawrence Wilkerson. In the younger generation things are changing and the older generation is being challenged. Race relations in America are improving, because there is a transformation of power and minorities are wining political positions at every level. But remember, racism is entrenched in every aspect of the country and system, and Americans of good will must continue to fight when racism raises its ugly head.
BLACK HISTORY FACT The World-Famous Super Soaker Sure, he’s an aerospace engineer, but Lonnie G. Johnson (born 1949) is best known for creating the world-famous Super Soaker water gun, which has earned more than $200 million in sales. Perhaps you’ve contri-buted to that number every summer. When he’s not adding to summertime fun, Johnson spends most of his time inventing mechanical and electrical systems for NASA rockets, and has earned more than 40 patents for his work.
From Kristina DaSilva LAUDERHILL, FL -- Some well-deserving Broward County individuals received a surprise delivery last Friday, from staff members of the local nonprofit, HandsOn Broward. With balloons, candy and other goodies in hand, the staff members visited the homes, offices and nonprofit service sites of several of its most dedicated volunteers. The organization, which works to mobilize volunteers in service activities that affect positive change in local communities, kicked off their day of thanks in Pompano Beach. There, they surprised long-time volunteer Stephanie Posada, of Coral Springs, who was donating her birthday to serve at Broward Outreach Center, a nonprofit that provides shelter and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. The show of appreciation continued from Weston to Lauderhill as deliveries were made to six more volunteers who have spent countless hours providing support to projects that help strengthen communities and build the capacity of local nonprofits to provide services. Volunteers included Laura McRell of Sunrise, Debbie Barkins of Hollywood, Rebecca Liberty of Davie, Maria Hernandez of Weston, Sarah Goodrum of Pompano Beach and Janet Rooks of Lauderhill. “We wanted to spend Valentine’s Day saying thanks to some of our volunteers who show great love for our communities,” said Dale Hirsch, President and CEO of HandsOn
Pictured clockwise: Stephanie Posada-Blanca Camacho, Sarah Goodrum, Maria Hernandez, Laura McRell, Janet Rooks and Debbie Barkins. Broward. “By contributing their time and talents, these volunteers are making a significant impact in the lives of others every day.” Powered by Children’s Services Council of Broward County, HandsOn Broward provides year-round opportunities for individuals and families to volunteer in Broward. The organization also provides direct service programming in the areas of economic development, youth leadership, urban gardening, disaster pre-paredness and response and nonprofit capacity building. About HandsOn Broward: HandsOn Broward inspires, equips and mobi-
lizes people to take action to positively affect change in Broward County. To learn more about HandsOn Broward’s up-coming service opportu-nities or to schedule a volunteer orientation at your organization or place of business, please call (954) 233-1300 or visit us online at www.HandsOnBroward.org
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Proud mother touts daughter’s full figure success
By Derek Joy There are countless reasons for mothers to be proud of their children. Some multiply when it is an only child - a daughter. That is the case for Vanessa Thomas when she speaks of her daughter, Monique Robinson. It all begins with the obstacles Thomas had to overcome in being a single parent while raising Robinson. The obstacles were no less daunting for Robinson, a 2000 graduate of Pompano Beach Blanche Ely High School, who went on to earn an undergraduate degree in psychology from Clark Atlanta University and graduate degree in mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University. “I’m just a proud parent. She’s my only child. She’s from Pompano. I cried myself to sleep many nights because I didn’t know where I’d get the money to support us,” said Thomas, a stock clerk with Broward District Schools. “I lived in public housing for seven years, longer than I wanted to. I worked three jobs at times, two jobs while I was pregnant with her, did that until I reached nine months.” Mother and daughter persevered through the rough times. That Robinson graduated from high school was indeed a challenge and an accomplishment. Earning undergraduate and graduate degrees were elevated challenges conquered by Robinson.
Obviously, such academic success in the face of daunting odds is ample reason to make any parent proud. But there is more. There were deaths in the family to cope with, in addition to the pressures of coming from a single parent home where that parent works two and three jobs to make ends meet. “She’s in Queens, N.Y., working as a case manager for Safe Heaven Group Home for girls who were forced into prostitution against their will,” Thomas said, in giving another reason she is proud of Robinson. “And she’s really progressing as a full figure model. This month she is on the cover of Plus Size Model Magazine. They list her among the Top 10 Plus Size Models for 2014. She’s the only Black on that list. “My daughter has gone further than some of the other full figure models who have been in the business much longer. I just want her to know how proud I am of her. Just something I want to do to let her know I love her in case something happens to me.” Added reason for a mother to be proud, so, too, is Robinson’s success as a Plus Size Model for Ashley Stewart during Fashion Week Show in New York.
Being tabbed as one of the Top 10 Plus Size Models to look for in 2014 signals heightened success for Robinson, 32, and for Thomas, 53. The best seems yet to come for both. “It’s a good thing for full figure models to finally get some recognition. They have been disrespecting the full figure woman. Major designers don’t have any women of color on the runway. “It’s changing now. I’m glad because plus size women are beautiful. Like they say; ‘to each his own’. I’m happy about how my daughter turned out, especially coming from a single parent home,” added Thomas, who noted her daughter, Robinson, is a size 16. Thomas also sees her daughter’s success as an inspiration, not only to full figure women, but women in general who face daunting challenges in life. “The plus size industry is really growing now. What people don’t know is that the average size woman is now a 12. That’s why the plus size is growing. People are beginning to realize that all women are not the size of the models you see in magazines and fashion shows,” said Thomas.
Proud mother Vanessa and Monique.
Page 12 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Februry 27 - March 5, 2014
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper