The Westside Gazette

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Local Black pastors call for peace in the wake of national A Christmas gift to you protests against police killings of unarmed Blacks The New Mount Olive Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale played host to a Holiday Peace Community Forum which included a wide range of participants representing the faith based community, politicians, law enforcement, legal experts, educators, and students.

By Charles Moseley Dr. Marcus D. Davidson evoked the memory of “The 1965 March from Selma to Montgomery,” as he addressed a captive audience recently at a “Holiday Peace Community Forum.”

Forty eight years ago, the Edmund Pettus Bridge was the site of a horrific attack on some 600 civil rights demonstrators, traveling from Selma to Montgomery. Former Alabama Governor George Wallace ordered state and local police to stop the march on grounds of public safety. The group was confronted by authorities armed with billy clubs and tear gas in what infamously became known as “Bloody Sunday.”

“Selma, Ala., the site of The Edmund Pettus Bridge where people walked to Montgomery, Alabama because they didn’t have the right to vote. We always complain about racism but we are absent at the polls. I believe this with all of my heart, if we as African Americans learn how to leverage our power in the voting booth, learn how to leverage our economic power, we can turn this nation in any direction we want to turn it.”

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Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr The Christmas gift that I would like to give to you will not be found under anybody’s Christmas tree. It cannot be purchased at any of the fine jewelry or department stores nor can you buy on line from eBay or Amazon.com. Craig and EMILY’s list won’t direct you to it either.

This gift will answer the age old question of, “What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas”? It’s better than the Christmas Song with chestnuts roasting on an open fire and it created Joy To The World.

The Silent Night was awakened not because Hark The Herald Angels Sing but because of this gift I wish to give to you.

Yes indeed this gift is not just for The Twelve Days of Christmas and it will make Santa Claus, Go Straight To The Ghetto.

You might think that All I want for Christmas is My two Front Teeth; this gift will fill that void and after receiving this gift you accept that maybe Santa Claus Is A Black Man. You just may say Let it Snow and it may be a White Christmas in a Winter Wonderland. With the warmth that this gift brings you may bring on the Jingle Bells cause Jingle Bells Rock!

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Red School House’s 46th Annual City Commission decision on Sistrunk zoning changes likely January 21 Christmas Program exceeded all consider the impact that pro- commercial buildings bear the expectation Bishop C.E. Glover, Rev. Dr. Henry Green and Dr. Marcus Davidson.

Former Commissioner Bobby Dubose brings clarification to conflicting statements made in reference to those in full support of the City's recommendations.

By Audrey Peterman It felt like déjà vu all over again, walking into City Hall last Wednesday night to speak

on behalf of Sistrunk. In the late ‘90s and early into the 21st Century, Frank and I were among community members encouraging local governments to

posed new development would have on the historically Black neighborhoods of Fort Lauderdale. Laying mainly between the Florida East Coast Railroad tracks on the East and the CSX tracks to the west, neighborhoods such as Sistrunk contain the churches, schools, museum and artifacts of the Black presence in the area since the early 1900s. We cautioned that it was important for the urban development plan billed as “Eastward Ho!” to take this heritage into consideration so as not to displace this community.

Following a 10-year hiatus to Atlanta, we returned home to find Sistrunk Boulevard widened, “street scaped” with traffic calming medians and looking considerably more prosperous. A new shopping center, including a Bank of America, graced the neighborhood and multiple bright office and

names of prominent Black Fort Lauderdale families. We wondered about the impact on those families whose properties had been bought up to enable the change. Still, it’s clear that the neighborhood is now much more attractive and consistent with its prosperous downtown Fort Lauderdale location.

So when my friends at the Westside Gazette (in which we’d written copiously on the issue) told me that the zoning plan determining the future of the Sistrunk Corridor was on the agenda at the City Commission meeting Wednesday night, I felt obliged and privileged to have the opportunity to offer public comment. I thought I might even be able to add a long term perspective based upon our previous involvement.

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Former Milwaukee officer not charged in fatal shooting of mentally ill man From http://www.cbsnews.com/ MILWAUKEE, WI — A white Milwaukee police officer who was fired after he fatally shot a mentally ill Black man in a downtown park in April won’t face criminal charges, the county’s top prosecutor said Monday.

Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm said in an emailed press release that Christopher Manney won’t be charged because he shot Dontre Hamilton in self-defense.

“This was a tragic incident for the Hamilton family and for the community,” Chisholm said in a statement. “But, based on all the evidence and analysis presented in this report, I come to the conclusion that Officer Manney’s use of force in this in-

Christopher Manney, left, and Dontre Hamilton. cident was justified self-defense and that defense cannot be reasonably overcome to establish a basis to charge Officer Manney with a crime.”

Pleading Our Own Cause

Manney is at least the third white police officer to not be charged in the past month after a confrontation that led to a Black man’s death.

Manney shot 31-year-old Hamilton on April 30 after responding to a call for a welfare check on a man sleeping in the park. Manney said Hamilton resisted when he tried to frisk him. The two exchanged punches before Hamilton got a hold of Manney’s baton and hit him on the neck with it, the former officer has said. Manney then opened fire, hitting Hamilton 14 times.

CBS affiliate WDJT reported earlier this month that Hamilton’s family released a copy of the Milwaukee County autopsy report, which details all the gunshot wounds found on Hamilton’s body after the incident.

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Miss Gwen Shaw, pictured with Treasure Henry and Malik Lee from Miss LaShondra's class, performed the welcome.

By Starla Vaughns Cherin Red School House’s 46 th Annual Christmas Program played to a packed audience at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC).

Opening with its traditional Candlelight Procession to the Temptations' Silent Night parents and family were welcomed by Treasure Henry and Malike Lee..

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Produced and emceed by Red School House Director Ms. Gwendolyn Shaw who, along with Red School House alumni Rev. Eddie Harmon, prayed over the group. “You know we always open with prayer,” said Ms. Gwen. “They took prayer out of school but not out of Red School. We have devotion every morning at 8:30 a.m. You parents get there early to get in on the prayer.”

(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 • December 24 - December 31, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Local Black pastors call for peace in the wake of national protests against police killings of unarmed Blacks child? I have to educate other nationalities on how they view our children,” Martin added.

Verna Williams is a single mother with two sons ages 15 and 25. She spoke about her struggles in raising her sons in today’s society.

“We had Tracy Martin speak and not one time did he say his child was shot down because he was Black. I have good boys but tell me how I tell my son not to be scared to walk the streets because he’s Black? That is the problem.”

“It’s a race issue. My son is Black and he could be shot dead just because he is Black. How do I teach him not to be Black?

He’s Black! I feel we just have to be honest, and say this is a race issue," added Williams.

Panelist Saif Ishoof is the Executive Director, City Year Miami, an affiliate of AmeriCorps, a job training and social development organization. He made several observations.

“If we really want to have a breakthrough as a nation, not only do we need to expose our young people in African Ameri-

MEMBERS OF THE PANEL – L-r: Chief Anthony Williams, Broward County Public Schools; Howard Finklestein, Broward Chief Public Defender; Saif Ishoof, Executive Director, City Year Miami; Robert Runcie, Superintendent, Broward County Public Schools; State Senator Christopher Smith(District 31); Alton Bolden, Principal, Piney Grove Boys Academy and Bobby R. Henry, Sr., Publisher Westside Gazette Newspaper.

(Photos by Norman PhotoLand) (Cont' from FP) Not since the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s has this country seen such widespread protest concerning the South Florida has not been social issue of race relations in America. From Sanford, Fla. from Ferguson, Mo. to Staten Island, N.Y., the names of slain immune nor escaped from being Black men and boys including Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner at the hands of white male police officers included in such protests. Public or vigilantes has seen a resurgence in the social conscious of Americans from all walks of life, races, and religions. outcry has yielded more ques- Whether it be a posting of the entire Miami Heat wearing hoodies, cries by young protesters in Ferguson shouting, Hands tions than answers throughout up Don’t Shoot, or still others in N.Y.C. with “I Can’t Breath T-Shirts on; one fact is certain throughout the land and Black America. Recent police that is, BLACK LIVES MATTER. Recently, a contingent of Black clergy held a Community Peace Forum to allow the killings have generated calls community to not only hear from community leaders but also voice their opinions on important issues affecting people for justice from the White House of color nationwide. The following quotes by those who participated in the panel discussion shed light on some of the to street corners, prompting issues of concern. ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! By Charles Moseley serious conversations on the violence in America and of develop businesses and support polarizing subject of racism in our own businesses. We need to course the bill never made it to America. stop these dollars from rolling the floor. So I’m excited about Recently, several pastors reout of our community as fast as Dr. Davidson’s initiative. Right presenting Broward County’s we get them.” after the Trayvon Martin faith based community called verdict he began to make a Clafor an open dialogue to discuss rion call for peace in our comthe issues on the minds of many munity and now he’s connected Black Americans.

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, with Bishop Glover, Pastor Senior Pastor of New Mount Hughes, and Pastor Green Olive Baptist Church, Bishop where we are beginning to have Clarence Glover, Senior Pastor a series of community conversaof Mount Bethel Ministries, tions about peace that we have Rev. Dr. Derrick Hughes, Senengaged young people because ior Pastor of First Baptist Piney it’s a dialogue that we must Grove, and Rev. Dr. Henry have. As people of faith we Green, Senior Pastor of Mount must take a posture of faith Hermon AME Church, spearand that posture is peace.” headed, “A Holiday Peace FoHoward Finklestein, Gordon Weeks, Assistant rum” Dec. 17 at New Mount Public Defender Juvenile Olive Baptist Church in Fort Broward County Public Defender — “Unfortunately it Division — “Unfortunately Lauderdale. there hasn’t been any progress Charles Morton, Former takes tragedy of losing our chilmade on “Stand Your Ground” Broward County Chief Assist- dren before we’re willing to open ant Prosecuting Attorney our eyes, ears, and our hearts.

Bobby R. Henry, Sr., it’s still a law that need’s conhaving tried thousands of This has been going on. I’ve Publisher Westside Gazette siderable attention to address felony cases over his 36 year been doing public defender’s —"Does the rest of American the problem with the law which career, many of them murder work for almost four decades. I understand the frustrations of suggest that folks should be cases, began the panel discus- am not surprised at the incident Black Americans? When you taking the law into their own sion by outlining why he felt in Staten Island. It’s just that combine inadequate employ- hands as opposed to trying to the process was flawed as to everybody has woken up. People ment opportunities, public edu- get themselves out of those types how we determine whether have been killing young Black cation systems that have futile of situations. I think that partisomeone should be indicted or men in this country whether expectations for them, being cular law encourages people to they be law enforcement or not in these types of cases. faced with meager healthcare shoot first and ask questions Morton concluded that the vigilantes and there’s been no decisions now add insults to later from a state attorney stand investigative aspects, not the accountability. Even in our own injuries the authorization of point, from a legal standpoint legal aspects, were most im- county there hasn’t been a endorsed murders, what should there may be some benefits portant regarding how cases wrongful shooting charge filed America really look forward to? from a societal standpoint I are brought before a grand jury. in over 30 years. It’s impossible As we try to find some under- don’t think it’s the right mesMinister Eddie A. RoMorton called for changes in to believe that every Black standing and healing to gaping sage we should be sending out the judicial procedure in mur- person ever shot in Broward holes in our hearts and souls to our kids. We have to be vocal binson, Minister of Music der cases, citing the recent de- County deserved to die. If you from the loss of lives we have and vigilant to make sure that and Celebrative Arts at New velopments in the State of Wis- look at what’s happening this vital work to be done. What are we continue to stress the imporOlive Baptist consin where laws were en- is what I would call a tipping the factual alternatives? We need tance of changing that law. Mount acted mandating that such in- point, a paradigm shift-for the to successfully put into effect That is an National Rifle As- Church — “The Holiday Peace vestiations be conducted by an first time we can have a con- our political power. That process sociation (NRA), lobby sup- Community Forum was a much versation that’s open and bruindependent party. takes time and we don’t have ported measure that encourages needed event to discuss the feel“There needs to be indepen- tally honest because there are enough lives to be taken by the folks to carry arms and to shoot ings of the community in redence of investigation regard- two standards of justice in this police or anybody else for the and to determine what haping the manner in which a de- country, in this county and in time required. Agitators will pened later. We need to make gards to the death of the three cision to prosecute or not. I hope this city and enough is enough. distract by asking who’s guilty sure that our community voice Black males at the hands of this is the direction we take What you’re seeing across the of the most horrible behavior — is also heard in opposition to law enforcement. The forum country is people emotionally here in Florida.” killer cops or angry Black folk. the NRA. We don’t want our raised questions and offered anTracy Martin, the father of viscerally acting because this America is a capitalist society young men to be the victims of swers. While the event was well slain teenager Trayvon Martin, could be there kid. A 17-year- and one thing that America un- the shootings. Because folks set the tone for the evening old kid shouldn’t go to the store derstands very well is a loss of have a particular tendency to attended and much was said, with an impassioned message for some skittles and come back MONEY, which leaves us with be afraid of a Black male and there is yet much work to be before a nearly capacity crowd dead. A guy shouldn’t be selling impacting the economy as our its going to be the Black male done. While we are hundreds of at New Mount Olive Baptist cigarettes on a street corner and one reliable approach for Piece that’s going to be the one, so we years past slavery and decades end up dead. It’s got to end and Church.

(PEACE). The Montgomery Bus need to make sure our voices are past the Civil Rights Movement, “My son’s death was a this is a good first step.”

Boycott lasted for one year and heard as well, not only those of the heart of the matter, racism, traumatic ordeal. There is no 19 days(1955-1956) Black folk the NRA and those in favor of is alive and well. There is much compensation that can make stopped their financial support having more guns on the street.” up for the loss of a child. Someto be done in government, our to the transportation system and one has to go to sleep every churches and in our commushut down Montgomery. Even night wondering how they the U.S. Supreme Court connities to address this societal could prevent the death of their ceded! America today NEEDS ill. Education and dialogue is child. I’ve come to believe that the trillion dollars spending the key. Last night’s forum was it was God’s will. It was a very power of Black Americans. What untimely death but I couldn’t a step in the right direction. I would happen if those dollars prevent it.” hope and pray that from this went missing?"

“What do I do to try to prevent event we can see some real others from having to bury their change and strategies to change the climate of suspicion that exists from citizen to law enforcement and vice versa.”

Adam Jenkins 21, addresses the panel discussion, shedding light on being a young Black male in America. “As young Black males you try not to fit the description so much.

Based on being Black alone we fit the description. When we have dreads we fit the description. So even when I go out and have on a hoodie sometimes I wonder whether to put my hands in my pockets.”

Bishop C. E. Glover —"I’m here tonight to show my support for the activities that have been going on across the nation, as young people have become really active in trying to combat social injustice, as well as to try to come up with some solutions that will add to their protests.

We need to protest but we need to protest with a pur-pose.I see pastors now becoming more socially aware and preaching more of a social justice gospel. I think that what we need to do from a community perspective is not only to become socially intelligent but economically so.

When I say we need to protest with a purpose - we need to protest with our votes. We can’t just vote for our president; we need to be just as passionate in every election because these local elections determine what happens in our community. We also need to protest with our pocketbooks. I think it’s extremely important that we once again recycle dollars in our own community. We need to really

Rev. Dr. Derrick Hughes -- “It is time for us to move beyond the “blame game” and take responsibility for what we can do to stop the violence amongst ourselves. Sure we are outraged at anyone who takes the life of another without due process. How do we move ahead as a community regardless of what anyone does, is the question that needs to be addressed? Sure the acts of violence from some police officers, both Black and white have been egregious; but, we must be smart in the entire process of seeking justice. Our real problem is not a skin problem; our real problem is a sin problem".

Dr. Rosalind Osgood, President/CEO Mount Olive Development Corporation (MODCO, Vice-Chair Broward County School Board) — “As a community leader I’m very disturbed by the recent violence; to see the magnitude of the times that we live in where human lives are not valued. I think we have to stand up as a community of faith and begin to speak out about peace like Pastor Davidson and Bishop Glover, Pastor Green and Pastor Hughes are doing because we have to understand that if we don’t act now we’re going to lose the next generation. So as I look at the violence that is going on around the world I think about when I was getting my doctorate degree. I had the opportunity of going to Washington, D. C. and following a bill in Congress that Congressman Alcee Hastings filed to study the glorification of

State Senator Chris Smith (District 31) — “I think whenever you have conversation and dialogue it’s a positive. Too many of these conversations are held in a silo where people have their own notions and they don’t learn anything. When you have a diverse group from citizens to elected officials to pastors, it’s a chance to dialogue and learn from each other and people walk away knowing a little more of what’s going on

Tracy Martin, the father of slain teenager Trayvon Martin set the tone for the evening with an impassioned message before a nearly capacity crowd. can communities to the tragic realities of social injustice but we need to be taking children who come from privileged backgrounds and provide them an opportunity, exposing them to the grosser side of things like white privilege and having them open their eyes through a true servant leadership model, not a colonial model of what is happening in our communities around our country. “ The panel raised questions on race, class, and the cultural differences in America. Panelist Robert Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools outlined how these factors play a role in how people perceive and interact with each other.

“Part of the challenge that we have today is beyond race, a lot of it becomes about class becomes about where we live and how fragmented we’ve become.

And we need to think how we define our communities so no matter where we are geographically that spiritually goal wise we’re connected the same way. We can’t just be looking out for ourselves. We should be looking out for the entire community.”

Alton Bolden, principal, Piney Grove Boys Academy also weighed in on the importance of the family structure by giving his take on raising Black boys.

“Now these days most parents cradle their daughters but let our boys raise themselves.

But when we get down to it we need to treat our boys like we treat our daughters. We need to know who they're talking to.

The man should be the foundation of the home. The way we get to our kids is to meet them where they are.”

Senator Chris Smith put things in perspective by admonishing the community to move forward by taking several steps in finding some solutions to the issues and concerns expressed by the community.

“We love a rah, rah speech.

It should be all about discussing solutions right now. One thing we need to do is start reporting when things happen to you.

The worse thing is when you complain about an officer and say,” this officer did this” but there is not one complaint.

When they look in his file all they see are commendations.

"They will say, he did this, he did that but nobody files a complaint. Go down there and file a complaint. Go to a city hall commission meeting sometime.

I get so, so lonely in meetings sometimes. I’m the only one who looks like me bringing up issues, when nobody bothers to come to the meeting. Go to city commission and county commission meetings. Get involved. Lastly, continue to vote.” and what can we do to help it.

I’m here to talk about the legislative end, to talk about having some indepen-dent investigations when cer-tain conduct comes up, different things like that. I think this is great when the church reaches out into the community and actually deals with real life issues, it’s always a good thing.

All you have to do is look at Ferguson, Missouri which is a majority Black city, but only one African American is on the city commission; that’s Black voting. The city commission hires the city manager and the police chief. That sets the tone.

The sheriff in the county is elected, voting elects the sheriff who sets the tone. The State Attorney who kicked it to the Grand Jury who basically did not want it done is elected.

Ferguson, Missouri is a perfect example of why we need to vote and what’s most disturbing is in November in Ferguson, Missouri only four out of 10 African Americans voted who were able to vote.”

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

December 25 - December 31, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

Carolyn Davis still making it happen through her love of teaching music can know what it feels like to perform for an audience, they can learn that feeling and be proud,” Davis said.

And proud they were and they should’ve been. Some students like, 13-year-old Nathaniel Noel who plays electric guitar amongst other instruments, Noesha Noel, 14, and babysister Nyla Noel, six, who both play keyboard, have only been playing for three months but, you couldn’t tell it.

Through her music school, Carolyn Davis is enriching the communities of Broward as she always had. We laughed as we

talked about how almost every student who has come through Broward Estates Elementary, Parkway Middle and Dillard High School in the last 15 years have been touched by Davis’ music in one way or another, I would know, I was one of them.

The Making It Happen School of Music and Technology takes students aged 5 to adulthood and the winter session of music training begins January 5, 2015.

Please visit MakingIt06Happen.com or call 954)733-1760 for more information.

City Commission decision on Sistrunk zoning changes likely January 21, 2015

Hinton; Ms. Sonya Burrows whose family has owned Burrows Electrical Company on Sistrunk Blvd. for more than five decades; Ms. Jana GrayWilliams and NBA star Keyon Dooling who talked about his roots in the area and his drive to help retain it.

The political leadership, including Commissioner McKinzie and State Senator Chris Smith are also fully onboard.

Of approximately 10 people who spoke before I left the meeting near midnight, only one – Burnadette Norris-Weeks who identified herself as an attorney with offices in the area – spoke against adopting the changes.

The Commission appears favorably disposed to accept the zoning board’s recommendation, with minor tweaks to satisfy the interests of adjacent communities such as the Progresso neighborhoods, who want to be able to exceed the five-story height limit as the need arises. Developers interested in building east of North-

This past Saturday, the children of Carolyn Davis’ Making It Happen School of Music and Technology, showcased their talents to friends and family at Merrell United Methodist Church.

Children as young as five years old played classic Christmas songs including Jolly Old Saint Nicholas and Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, on keyboards, acoustic and electric guitar, piano, saxophone and violin.

The Making It Happen School also featured voice talents, including 11 year old,

Taiga Clescar, who sang Car Ride, a song self-written by Davis and Clescar and produced through Davis’ production company, Corbros Music.

Car Ride is a contemporary R&B song about taking a fun ride with friends and is currently available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, & CDBaby.com.

The Making It Happen School was founded in 2006 due to Davis’ passion of spreading music throughout the Black community showcasing the children. “They have to dress up, like really dress up so they

Sistrunk west of Seventh Avenue around 45-foot or five-stories. The changes to the Northwest Regional Activity Center (NWRAC) as the area is described were previously approved by the City’s Planning and Zoning Board Nov. 19.

At the public comment period It quickly became clear that the Sistrunk community is fully in favor of the changes, as conveyed passionately by speakers including Mickey and Mrs.

Former Milwaukee officer not charged in fatal shooting of mentally ill man (Cont'd from FP)

Retiring Director for the City of Fort Lauderdale Department of Sustainable Development, Gregory Brewton and wife Angela, receives proclamation declaring Dec. 19, 2014 as Greg Brewton Day in honor of over 35 years of service with the city from District 3 Commissioner Robert McKinzie.

(Cont'd from FP) From the moment I entered the Commission chambers, I could see and feel that things had changed. As I expected, the chamber was packed with members of the Sistrunk community, longtime residents and advocates I recognized as well as many younger people. On the dais where our (deceased) commissioner Carlton Moore had been the only Black representative, District 3 Commissioner Robert McKinzie is now the sole Black member. But the greatest change appears to have taken place among the staff which is much more diverse.

Where the mood between the commission and members of the Black public used to be com-

bative, it now appears far more collegial.

The change was evident when the mayor called upon the Director of the Department of Sustainable Development, Greg Brewton who was retiring after more than 30 years with the City, and gave him the opportunity to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Brewton and his colleague, 10-year Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Director Alfred Battle, Jr. who is also African American, led the presentation of the proposed zoning changes.

The presentation centered upon zoning changes developed by the CRA in consultation with members of the Sistrunk community that would hold the height of new development on

A Christmas gift to you (Cont'd from FP) The Little Drummer Boy pounded his drum to it, Frosty the Snowman came alive because of it and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was different from all the others when he was touched by it.

This Christmas when you get it you’ll shout Merry Christmas Baby you sure did treat me right.

This gift will make you Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Give Love On Christmas Day. The gift caused mama’s prayers to be answered when she said, “Please Come Home For Christmas”, she got up and said Go tell it to the Mountain All through the Night What Christmas Means to Me and it is the reason that you said, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

O Come All Ye Faithful to those who believe, This gift, that Someday At Christmas there will be not only in O Little Town of Bethlehem but Joy To The World!

O Holy Night even if “Twas the night before Christmas” go ahead enjoy this gift and it will never be said to you that, “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch” My gift to you would be the gift of a servant’s one that is stayed on God and willing to do His will because without Him Christmas Ain’t Christmas New Year’s Ain’t New Year’s Without The One You Love but most important the One who loves you.

IN MANY LANGUAGES: We wish you a Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noël!, Zalig Kerstfeest!, Buon Natale!, Mo’adim Lesimkha!, Gëzuar Krishlindjet!, Krismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpya, Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan, La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou, Wilujeng Natal, Noheli Nziza, Jwaye Nwel “for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11 (ASV) SERVING FOR THE LORD IS NOT HARD; IT'S HARD NOT TO SERVE FOR HIM

Hamilton’s family said he suffered from schizophrenia and had recently stopped taking his medication.

Police Chief Edward Flynn fired Manney in October, saying Manney instigated the fight with an inappropriate patdown. The chief said Manney correctly identified Hamilton as mentally ill but ignored his training and department policy, and treated him as a criminal.

“You don’t go hands-on and start frisking somebody only because they appear to be mentally ill,” Flynn said when he announced Manney had been dismissed.

Protests respond to Ferguson decision around the country Hamilton’s death preceded those of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City, but the case hasn’t attracted as much attention despite frequent, mostly peaceful protests. Hamilton’s family has used the protests to try to raise awareness about mental illness. Others said his death underlined race concerns, chanting “people of color are people, too,” and carrying signs that read “Black lives matter.”

The Milwaukee Police Association condemned Manney’s firing as a political move, and members voted no confidence in Flynn soon after the firing.

Manney has appealed his firing and applied for disability, saying the shootings in Milwaukee and Ferguson have cost him sleep and made it difficult for him to think clearly. He also has said he suffers from posttraumatic stress disorder.

Raymond Dall’Osto, a former Milwaukee public defender and former legal director of the ACLU’s Wisconsin chapter, said before Chisholm’s announcement that it was a difficult case. He said some people are employed in professions that run a greater risk of personal injury or death, “but that doesn’t give you a greater right to take someone else’s life.”

Milwaukee police announced in December they would accelerate training that equips officers for dealing with crises, including encounters with the mentally ill. Only about 20 percent of the force’s roughly 1,800 officers have had the training.

Photo features Davis and young student, five-year-old Yvens Adisson, who is playing Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. west Seventh Avenue also asked staff to think about raising height restrictions to make the area along the railroad tracks more attractive for development.

The discussion is taking place in an environment that is once again poised for explosive growth, particularly with the coming All Aboard Florida train service which will provide rapid transit from Orlando to Miami.

The Fort Lauderdale station will be erected at Northwest Second Avenue, just southeast of Sistrunk and Northwest Seventh Avenue. Its website promises that the rail will “stimulate a currently underutilized area,

driving new visitors into downtown and the surrounding cultural, economic and shopping destinations.”

This being the first reading of the proposed change, the Commission will hear the issue again at its Jan. 21 meeting and is likely to vote on it then.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. but the discussion and decision may come as late as midnight or beyond.

(Audrey Peterman is a national award winning environmentalist and writer living in Fort Lauderdale.

Audrey@legacyontheland.com)

Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa from Our Family to Your Family

Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • December 25 - December 31, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Community Digest

Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Celebration

Diaspora Arts Coalition, annual Kwanzaa celebration, “A Kwanzaa Experience”, Friday, Dec. 26, 2014 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 N.W. 22 Ave., Miami, Fla. For more info call (786) 237-5079.

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

The African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Call the Welcome Desk at (954) 3576210.

African American Research Library and Cultural Center(AARLCC) is hosting its annual Kwanzaa event, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Local talented artist, Nzingah – Sankofa’s Child. For more info call (954) 357-6210.

TO HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS POSTED CALL -(954) 525-1489 OR FAX (954) 525-1861 FOR MORE INFO

Auditions

Cynthia Bell Productions, Inc., & Cynthia's Community Theatre, Hooray for Cindy: I do not want to be a Bully", God’s Gift, Inc. Casting date, Monday, Dec. 29-30, 2014, from 7 to 8 p.m., at 516 N. State Rd. 7, Hollywood, Fla. Shoot date Thursday, March 6, 2015 at TBA South Florida. Please email your headshot, resume along with what role you are interested in: Cythiabellproductions@gamail.

For more info call (954) 5402368.

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Deserves a Chance to Succeed.

Event

Seminole Middle School is offering free tutoring for their students at the Jim Ward Center, Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. You must have your own transportation and the child must be a current student at Seminole. Contact Ms. Curry at (754) 323 4200, ext. 2012 for more info.

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Program

God’s Gift, Inc. Mentoring Program is now accepting applications for girls 7-17. This mentoring program focuses on self-esteem, etiquette, college/ career prep, and leadership skills for African American girls 7-17. For more information and/ or to receive a registration packet, email info@godsgiftinc.org or call (954) 907-9101. Registration packets can also be picked up at Roosevelt Gardens Park.

Event A 2-Year through the Bible Course that fits your lifestyle!

The Derrick C. Gillis, Sr. bible curriculum now allows you to choose 3-Month Terms until course is completed. Enroll Now! You will build a solid biblical foundation thru this comprehensive Christ-centered and quality Bible experience. See Jesus in all 66 Books of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. For additional info call The G.R.A.C.E Center at (954)792-3683.

The Sistrunk Historical Organization is now accepting applications for its parade and Urban Music Festival which will be held February 28, 2015.

Be a part of this phenomenal and festive event by visiting www.sistrunkfestival.org and completing your application. It is going to be awesome!!

United Way of Broward is looking for volunteers: We are looking for volunteers that can dedicate one hour per week, for 25 weeks to read to first grade students for the 2014-2015 school year -- No experience is necessary; just a love for children. Volunteers must complete and pass a background check.

ReadingPals takes place during school hours.ReadingPals runs from September 2014 to June 2015.

Through the ReadingPals initiative volunteers read with children at 14 public schools and 6 childcare centers throughout Broward County. For more information about volunteering, training dates and volunteer requirements for the ReadingPals initiative please contact Lola Jordan at (954) 453-3738.

From The Family & Staff and Management of the Westside Gazette Newspaper

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Opinion

December 25 - December 31, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

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.

Christmas reflects more than the politics of political spirit

By Derek Joy Oh, yes. It is the holiday season.

Christmas. A time when Christians reflect on the birth of Christ and His influence on religion in the cycle of life on earth and beyond.

So, for the moment, let’s take a little journey to paint a picture to reflect that 360 degree circle of life.

And, presto, just like that Lucie Tondreau was knocked off her throne as the first Haitian American female mayor of the City of North Miami. Not for malfeasance or misfeasance in office.

Tondreau met her waterloo when Federal Prosecutors Gera Peoples and Lois Foster-Steers won convictions in

a trial. The prosecution’s case unraveled the sordid details of a lover’s triangle and bank fraud.

What a Christmas present! As if that isn’t a humdinger, try this for a cut above.

As Republicans enjoy the fruits of their labor at Christmas, You see Jeb Bush milking the publicity clock, toying around with making a concerted run for the 2016 Republican Presidential Nominee. So, too, is Mitt Romney, who was defeated by President Barack Obama in 2012.

Bush, the son of Bush 41 (President George Herbert Walker Bush - 19881992) and brother of Bush 43 (George H. Bush - 2000-2008), was the first Republican elected to two consecutive

A wealth of unfair criticism for Obama

terms as Florida’s governor. Gov. Rick Scott became the second two-term Florida governor.

Interesting thing about Bush and Romney. Bush is of the Catholic faith, having converted from the Episcopal Church. Romney is a practicing member of the Church of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons).

No member of the Catholic Church has been elected President since John F. Kennedy in 1960. And no Mormon has ever been elected President. Well, now. . .

Could it be the reasoning of why either Bush or Romney wins or loses support of the American voters?

Should both lose, would that be grounds for either to sue the American

Blacks should support normalizing relations with Cuba

SOUTHEASTERN AFRICAN AMERICAN PUBLISHER’S ASSOCIATION (SAAPA)

cisms of President Obama revolves around issues of context and facts.

Anyone who has been watching the price of oil drop over the last weeks may have guessed that FLETCHER the global economy is having a great deal of difficulty recovering from the Great Recession. In fact, some parts of the world remain in recession or have returned to recession. Japan, for instance, has been economically stagnant. The U.S. has edged out of the recession.

The problem in the U.S. goes beyond any one presidential administration. Since 1975, the living standard for the average working person has been stagnant or dropping. This is a documented fact. It relates to several factors, including the changes in the global capitalist economy (specifically what we refer to as globalization); changes in economic policies, e.g., privatization; and de-unionization, i.e., the attacks on workers and their right to organize. The combination of these factors has led to an economic malaise.

As you will probably remember, when President Obama came into office in 2009, the economy was in free fall. He, successfully, helped to stop that. But, because of excessive caution on the part of his administration plus his allies on Wall Street, his administration was not prepared to carry out the sorts of profound economic initiatives necessary to lead to a full recovery, e.g., a greater commitment to investment in infrastructure rebuilding. By “full recovery” I mean putting people back to work on the scale that is necessary. Thus, Wall Street recovered; all of the economic figures have been up; but for most working people, there remain on-going challenges due to home foreclosures and the failure of our incomes to rise. My rich friend does not believe in anything approaching wealth redistribution, but that is precisely what we need.

As the Occupy Movement pointed out, the wealthiest 1 percent are seizing a vastly disproportionate share of the wealth of the country. That happens when workers don’t have unions.

That happens when politicians are elected based on whoever can pay them the most for their campaigns.

That happens when people despair and, instead of struggling collectively, struggle against one another, such as falling prey to the race card.

President Obama’s historic announcement that the U.S. is restoring CHAVIS diplomatic relations with Cuba, after more than five decades of strategic political and military opposition, is today resonating positively throughout Black America. It is in the economic, cultural and political interests of 42.7 million Black Americans across the United States to focus on the new emerging opportunities to strengthen relationships with the people and government of the Republic of Cuba.

President Obama stated, “In the most significant changes in our policy in more than 50 years, we will end an outdated approach that, for decades, has failed to advance our interests, and instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries.

Through these changes, we intend to create more opportunities for the American and Cuban people, and begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas.”

A key question that needs to be asked is: How will the changes that President Obama highlighted about Cuba will afford Black Americans in particular more opportunities to establish joint ventures and other business relationships with the people of Cuba?

Too often some of us limit ourselves to lengthy debates about our changing world, but miss out on a chance to participate in helping to actually shape and build new world realities.

Our worldview about has always included international perspectives.

Our consciousness is informed not just by what might be popular domestically at any given moment in time, but also how we see the international struggle for freedom, justice and equality.

In Black American education, literature, music, sports, business, religion and other cultural realms we have witnessed the benefits of defining and securing the interests of African people throughout the world.

HOW TO REACH US: (954) 525-1489 ● Fax: (954) 525-1861

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By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Columnist I had an interesting, though brief, discussion with a rich friend about President Obama. He is quite conservative, politically. He made the point that this has been the longest economic recovery since World War II. His point was that this was President Obama’s fault.

I have many criticisms of President Obama, as you know. But what unsettles me about conservative criti-

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 Norman Edwards & Ron Lyons PHOTOGRAPHERS Levi Henry, Jr. - CHAIRMAN Yvonne F. Henry EDITOR (Emeritus)

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By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

Time to reform the ‘Thug’ image of Hip Hop

By Jineea Butler, NNPA Columnist One of my mentors asked me why I was so quiet and not making my voice heard in the streets protesting for justice. First, because, I Can’t Breathe. I am still in mourning over all these babies being gunned down by the people who are supposed to protect us.

It goes back to what I have been saying all along is the Hip Hop’s Dilemma – the common distasteful physical, emotional and/or mental trauma people are experiencing when coming in contact with members of the Hip Hop community.

I am beginning to think that the Hip Hop Dilemma may need to be classified as a psychological disorder.

This is a testament to the power of Hip Hop and its ability to generate transformative energy through the music

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.

and lifestyle so much so people could kill us.

The common factor in most of these situations is the victims are all young Black males who resemble a stereotype.

In most cases, a Hip Hop stereotype. Hip Hop is not the cause but it’s the BUTLER stimulus that is triggering these reactions. The images that are created around who and what a ‘thug” in the Black community looks like is drawn from the images usually associated with Hip Hop. The old expression that “We all look alike” still applies today. How can someone who is ill- informed about the culture differentiate between someone who is doing crime and someone who is just dressing to make a statement? Let’s admit we both need to make some changes in how we roll.

We can clearly see when someone in our community is up to no good vs. someone who is getting jiggy with it.

But can everybody else? If no one was doing any crime, and no one looked like and carried out criminal activities, then we couldn’t lose. But I think the part we don’t want to acknowledge is the element in our community that is giving these people the impression that their lives are in danger.

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public like Republicans continuously threaten to sue President Barack Obama?

Hence, the question begging an answer is: What will Republicans do now that President Obama has taken steps JOY to normalize relations with Cuba? The President engineered that diplomatic agenda in the process of getting Americans imprisoned in Cuba, while releasing Cuban spies/ terrorists imprisoned in America.

Sure, Republicans can holler about Raul Castro, like his ailing brother, Fidel, before him, are cruel dictators who perpetrate injustice against its dissenting citizenry.

True. The pot can’t talk about the kettle. Both are Black. Look at institutional racism and discrimination in American government. Republicans and Democrats are both culpable.

White cops routinely kill Black Americans - many unarmed, most are young - with impunity.It was made easier in Florida for police and people in general to kill with impunity when Jeb Bush ramrodded legislation granting a license to kill in the “Stand Your Ground Law.” There they are. Living in a glass house and throwing stones. And that’s just one of the many lessons that Christ taught the faithful to live by.

Consider it all while you and yours enjoy a very Merry Christmas!!!

The Gantt Report Future of The Gantt Report

By Lucius Gantt Happy Holidays to all of the fans, readers and followers of The Gantt Report.

Even though The Gantt Report is merely one man’s GANTT opinion, I take pride in writing a column that has been unadulterated and imitated but never duplicated!

I think it is time for some young columnists to take the torch, rise up and write the columns that the people need to and want to hear.

It’s not that older, more experienced writers like me are out of touch.

We’re more out of energy.

My international business opportunities appear to be better than ever before and I expect to be traveling a whole lot more than usual.

No, I’m not going to say the “R” word (retire) but I will say I feel like I’ve earned the right to write some other things than columns before my candle has expired.

I want to write more poetry. I want to try my hand at stage plays and who knows, I may even be able to write a screen play for a future movie.

If there are young people reading this week’s column I want you to know that whatever media field you choose to enter, writing will be necessary and critical to your success.

Whatever I am, or more precisely, whatever people think I am, The Gantt Report helped make me this way!

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

To Be Equal After Cuba, hope rises in Palestine and theWestern This is why we march

By Marc H. Morial, Sahara NNPA Columnist

By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist The loudest shouting after the announcement of a thaw in the U.S.CURRY Cuba icy relationship may not have been in Havana or Washington, but in Ramallah, the de facto capital of the Palestinians in the West Bank about 10 miles north of Jerusalem and among the Sahrawis exiled in Morocco, Mauritania and five refugee camps near the city of Tindouf in southwestern Algeria.

Of the two struggles, the Palestinian plight is the better known.

Joel Beinin and Lisa Hajjar, writing for the Middle East Research and Information Project, observed: “Jewish claims to this land are based on the biblical promise to Abraham and his descendants, on the fact that the land was the historical site of the ancient Jewish kingdoms of Israel and Judea, and on Jews’ need for a haven from European anti-Semitism.

“Palestinian Arab claims to the land are based on their continuous residence in the country for hundreds of years and the fact that they represented the demographic majority until 1948. They reject the notion that a biblical-era kingdom constitutes the basis for a valid modern claim. If Arabs engage the biblical argument at all, they maintain that since Abraham’s son Ishmael is the forefather of the Arabs, then God’s promise of the land to the children of Abraham includes Arabs as well.

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“It’s just so overwhelming to see all who have come to stand with us. Look at the masses – Black, white, all races, all religions….

MORIAL We need to stand like this at all times.” – Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner, at the “Justice for All” March in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 13.

Few times in a nation’s history is the conscience of its citizens shocked and awakened – across racial, economic, generational and even ideological – lines. Times when the collective consciousness of a people screams – and demands without apology – that it’s time for a change, that things must be different and that it must start today.

So, when people ask, “Why do we march?,” I tell them we march because of the views expressed, concerns shared, and pain felt by all the people who took to the stage to speak and the tens of thousands who marched and chanted for “Justice for All” in Washington, D.C. We march for the millions more across America who know that what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail more than 50 years ago is still true today: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

In this catalytic moment driven by cataclysmic circumstances, what we have witnessed across America since the non-indictments of officers in the killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner may be new to a generation, but it is not new to a nation.

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Add economic justice Old guard marginalizes to the Black agenda Ferguson youth leaders

By Charlene Crowell NNPA Columnist

The groundswell for criminal justice reform has become nearly daily headline news.

Demonstrations spanning the nation and CROWELL many parts of the globe have demanded justice for those lives taken by questionable and fatal police behavior.

Yet, Black America also suffers from another kind of injustice that is economic in nature and as pervasive as it is cruel. According to a new analysis of the Federal Reserve’s Survey of Consumer Finances, white household wealth stands at 13 times that of Black households. Similarly, when White wealth was compared to that of Latino households, the wealth gap was more than 10 times.

After accounting for total household financial assets such as savings, investments, and business equity, the Pew Research Center then subtracted all indebtedness, including mortgages, installment loans, credit cards student loans and more.

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By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Columnist Remember these names: Ashley Yates, Johnetta Elzie, and Deray McKesson.

They could get an invite to meet President BURKE Obama in the Whites House, but for some odd reason, there was confusion about whether the young Ferguson activists could speak at the #JusticeForAll march called primarily

by Al Sharpton’s National Action Network on December 13.

There should not have been confusion. If history is a guide, it likely had to do with the well-known fact that Sharpton is finicky – to put it mildly – about who speaks at events he’s connected with. .

In the case of the Ferguson activists, they kicked off a round of unprecedented global attention on the issue of police brutality. So, an invite from Sharpton should have been automatic.

Why wouldn’t it be? The reason is obvious: Certain leaders will never ever exit the stage on their own volition.

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Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • December 25 - December 31, 2014

AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether Family That Together, Together

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Church Directory

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

1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com

WORSHIP 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”

St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church 145 NW 5th Avenue Dania Beach, FL 33004 Office: (954) 922-2529

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"

Bishop Victor T. Curry Senior Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES

6201 NW 57 Street Tamarac, FL 33319 954-721-1232 uccfaith@bellsouth.net faithbroward.org

Bible Study (Wednesday Night) ...................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 8:45 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service ............................................................. 10:00 a.m.

Obituaries

"Historically the First Church in the City of Tamarac!”

Rev. Dr. Ileana Bosenbark, Senior Pastor WEEKLY SERVICES & EVENTS SUNDAY Worship Service (Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday) ........................................................... 10 a.m.

F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Children (Spiritual Formation) K-12 ................................ 10 a.m.

TUESDAY

James C. Boyd Funeral Home

F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Adults (Spiritual Formation) - Office Complex ...... 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Worship & Arts Ministry Rehearsals (Open Auditions) - Sanctuary .............................. 7 p.m.

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 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

LEEKS Funeral services for the late Sister Carolyn Delores Leeks – 57 were held Dec. 20 at New Birth House of Prayer For All People with Apostle Clinton Bryant, Jr. officiating.

MARTIN Funeral services for the late Pastor Fannie Mae Martin - 89 were held Dec. 20 at E.A.G.L.E.S. Life Rebuilding Center with Apostle Earnestine Cooper officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

McWhite's Funeral Home

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!

A FAMIL Y THA T AMILY THAT PRA YS PRAY TOGETHER ST AYS STA TOGETHER

“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

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor

PASTOR

Faith United Church of Christ

Williams Memorial CME

ASHLEY Funeral services for the late Shelena L e t r e n a Dukes - Ashley - 47were held Dec. 20 at House of God, Miracle Temple of Miami with Bishop Roberts officiating.

DAVENPORT Funeral services for the late Ozzie M. Davenport 83 were held Dec. 20 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Timothy Jackson officiating.

GAYNOR Funeral services for the late Noel D. Gaynor – 94 were held Dec. 20 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bradfield Jacquett officiating. Interment: Bailey Memorial Gardens.

HYATT Funeral services for the late Dwayne Anthony Hyatt - 51 were held Dec. 20 Gateway Church with Rev. Dr. Preston William II officiating.

REID Funeral services for the late Gladys Victoria Reid - 94 were held Dec. 20 at Building Believes Worship Center. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

SANDERS Funeral services for the late A’Zaria Caylee sanders were held Dec. 19 at McWhite’s

Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

WRIGHT Funeral services for the late Idella Grady – Wright - 74 were held Dec. 19 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Timothy Jackson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home BOUYIE Funeral services for the late Lorraine Lee Benefield Bouyie – 66 were held Dec. 20 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Rev. Robert Shaw officiating.

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!”

KIDS TALK ABOUT GOD

Ho w can h usbands lo ve th eir How husbands love their w ives as Christ lo ves th e loves the Ch ur ch?

Chur urch?

By Carey Kinsoving and Friends (Part One of Two) “I think husbands can love their wives by showing affection, by saying, ‘I love you,’ helping with the dishes, cleaning the house and picking up the kids from school,” says Karen, age 11. “Or husbands can pay a lot of attention once in a while or maybe cook breakfast in bed.”

Cook breakfast in bed? That reminds me of a refrigerator magnet that read, “If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen.”

“Husbands should love their wives because it is very sweet,” says Blake, 8. “You can have a wife that is pregnant or a wife that is not pregnant. But if you have a wife that is pregnant, you will have a little girl or a little boy.”

Blake, you are most observant. I’ll let your parents fill in the details.

“A husband should tell other people he loves his wife. The husband should also be honest,” says Anissa, 7.

Dishonesty has ruined many marriages.

“Husbands should be fair in all ways and help out around the house,” says Zachary, 7. “It is not fair for wives to teach children how to wash clothes and dishes.”

Zachary, this may seem like a great injustice, but I predict JACKSON that your view will change Funeral serwhen you have kids. vices for the late Brandon, 9, has a different view: “My wife is not going to Andrew Jackcook. I am. I am going to help son – 50 were clean. I’m going to have three held Dec. 20 at children and a dog.”

First Baptist Brandon, you’ll also need a fat wallet if you marry Lindy, Church Piney 7: “Husbands should take their Grove with Rev. Dr. Derrick J. wives to Rome and to a very Hughes officiating. Interment: Sun- nice restaurant. They should kiss their wives a lot and not set Memorial Gardens. sin.”

“Husbands should pay comJACKSON pliments, be kind, have good Funeral sermanners and be polite,” says vices for the late Sara, 10. “These are all that my dad does to my mom every Kevin Jackson day. Sometimes, it’s just a little –55 were held something that makes a wife Dec. 20 at First love her husband.”

Baptist Church All marriage experts agree Piney Grove with Rev. Dr. Der- that every man must learn the that communicates rick J. Hughes officiating. Inter- language love to his wife. Husbands who ment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. look for creative ways to express their love will find their MOLTIMORE wives responsive to their needs.

A guy may not feel like a knight Funeral serin shining armor, but if he vices for the late starts acting like one, he’ll probLillie Ann ably find that his wife will act James – Moltilike a beautiful princess.

Take some communication more -61 were tips from Josh, 10: “If you don’t held Dec. 20 at agree on something, I would Plantation Comjust talk very nice and figure munity Church with Dr. Ray Fowler out what you are going to do. officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn (Read full story on Memorial Gardens – South. www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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December 25 - December 31, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

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It appears that under Governor Scott in Florida, things are good and there is a one billion budget surplus in the treasury. It does not matter if you CALDWELL are a Republican or Democrat, there is more money to get projects financed, and everyone is happy. This year the budget will be around $80 billion, and good times are back in Florida.

Everyone remembers back in 2009, when lawmakers and the governor faced a seven billion dollars shortfall in the budget, and no one was smiling. There was a catastrophic recession in the country, and Wall Street, and other industries were close to being bankrupted. But the federal government stepped in with TARP, and become business partners with many of the industries and saved the economy from crashing.

Governor Scott was elected in 2010 and revenues have steadily increased on his watch. State economists and estimators are predicting in 2015, that revenues for the fiscal year ending in June will grow by 5 percent. This is fantastic for the Republican Party, because there will be money left over from the budget that was approved in 2014.

In 2015, the state economist and estimators are forecasting that revenues will grow by 4 percent. As the state legislators and the governor prepare for the budget for 2015/2016, the Republicans are completely in control of both Houses. They control the purse strings, and they decide which organizations and pet projects are financed.

Since 2014 was an election year in Florida, it is time for the businesses, friends and organization that supported the governor and Republican legislators are thanked. Appreciation takes many different forms, but most businesses are thanked by receiving a contract or a favor.

“We will continue our commitment to fiscal responsibility with every dollar as we prioritize funding initiatives and seek ways to continue tax relief for Florida’s families,” says House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island.

With the present state of the Black community in Florida, I wonder what percentage of funding has been set aside for us.

Everyone knows that in the 2014 election, only a small percentage of Blacks voted for Governor Scott and the Republican legislators, therefore it would appear that our state leaders do not owe the African American community anything.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

FUNdraising Good Times

Nonprofit dating game The holiday mistletoe, love songs, and New Year’s Eve parties conjure up the allure – and the drama – of dating. Who are you dating? Who do you want to be dating? Who will you be dating in 2015? And, if you’re married, how will you reaffirm your marriage in 2015?

What does all this have to do with nonprofits and fundraising? Well, we want you to have a happy love life, and we want you to enjoy your nonprofit relationships, especially your partnerships and collaborations. While there is a lot of pressure this time of year to be in a relationship, that isn’t always the right thing for everybody. Healthy relationships are characterized by love and mutual respect. There’s also pressure for nonprofits to partner and collaborate, but as with people, it has to be a right fit.

The end of the year is a good time to reassess, recommit or plan for a mutually agreeable dissolution. Consider the following as you make your assessment: what were the objectives of the relationship when it began? Have the initial expectations been met? Did the relationship help your nonprofit increase revenue? Did it help reduce costs through joint purchasing or shared resources such as facilities, personnel, services, or joint fundraising? Were you able to allocate the time and personnel required for the collaboration to thrive, or did these relationships tax your organization in terms of time and money? Were they more of a

Pearl and Mel Shaw distraction than a benefit? Were these relationships like a planned marriage, begun with the encouragement of a foundation or funder? Has a love grown?

Or did mutual attraction ignite both parties from the beginning?

While mutually beneficial, well-managed partnerships and collaborations can put your nonprofit at the head of the class, those that are a burden or take your nonprofit off course should be reevaluated.

You may not have formed the right relationship. Related to this, it is okay if you are not a part of a partnership or collaboration, especially if such a relationship isn’t in line with your vision or if a prospective partner just isn’t a match. Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Copyright 2014 – Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success.

For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • December 25 - December 31, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Mary Wilson of the Supremes lends her powerful vocals to James Gavin’s Stormy Weather: The Music of Lena Horne at Aventura Arts & Cultural Center

Mary Wilson of the Supremes stars in James Gavin’s Stormy Weather: The Music of Lena Horne on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at 8 p.m.

The “living, breathing biography” of Horne combines powerful vocals as well as visual images to create a defining portrait of the American jazz icon, whose velvet pipes made fa-

mous everlasting hits including Stormy Weather, Honeysuckle Rose, Yesterday When I Was Young and more.

Along with the evocative performance by Wilson, the multimedia concert features a narrator, a trio of jazz musicians and rare audio and video footage from Horne’s life. Thrilling arrangements, dazzling performances and material from hundreds of interviews provide a vivid portrait the singer, actor and civil rights activist, from her Cotton Club glory days, where she began singing at age 16, to the back lots of Hollywood studios and the swanky but bigoted resorts of Las Vegas.

Vi, a proud sponsor of Aventura Arts & Cultural Center since 2010, is a sponsor of James Gavin’s Stormy Weather: The Music of Lena Horne.

Tickets are $49.50.

Ticketmaster is the only official ticketing service of the Broward Center, Aventura Arts & Cultural Center and affiliated venues. Buy tickets online at aventuracenter.org; by phone

MuHammad Ali hospitalized with pneumonia From YourBlackWorld Everyone loves Muhammad Ali, and he was one of the greatest athletes of all-time, if not the greatest. But he’s been a shadow of himself for the last 30 years, suffering from a debilitating ailment that has kept him from being the flashy, sharp man that he once was.

Now, it’s being reported by SI.com that Al is in the hospital with mild pneumonia. The 72year old former superstar has been battling Parkinson’s disease for quite some time. His brother, Rahman, says that Ali is now too sick to speak, according to the Courier-Journal.

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.

Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25, 2015

Corporate Resource & Materials Management 1608 S.E. 3rd Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33316 (954) 847-4200

INVITATION TO RESPOND FORMAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT SEALED PROPOSALS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE FORMAL RFP MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 3:00 PM, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28, 2015 FOR THE BELOW LISTED CATEGORY. A PUBLIC OPENING OF THE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THE FORMAL RFP WILL BE HELD AT 10:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015.

BH TERM ARCHITECT RFP REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Broward Health is seeking sealed Formal RFPs from persons or entities who wish to provide the goods and services requested through this RFP. SPECIFICATIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM WWW.BROWARDHEALTH.ORG (click on: “Quick Links-Business Opportunities”) AFTER 02:00 P.M. ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2014.

“BROWARD HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PROCURER OF GOODS AND SERVICES.” BROWARD HEALTH/CORPORATE RESOURCES & MATERIALS MANAGEMENT Dec. 25, 2014

Muhammad Ali But the family spokesperson seems to be saying something different on Twitter, claiming that the champ is fine.

Bob Gunnell, the family spokesperson, said “His speaking style is lower in tone, and as the day goes on, he doesn’t speak as well as he does in the morning. But Muhammad’s a strong person for his age and for the disease he has.”

BOSSes, do you ever think we’ll have another Muhammad Ali? If you’ll recall, Ali lost the ability to box during the peak years of his career because he chose to fight the federal government on the Vietnam War. His view was that with Black men fighting so much racism in America, there was no reason for them to go overseas and fight against an enemy that they don’t even know.

President Obama recently compared LeBron James to Muhammad Ali for wearing a t-shirt with the words “I Can’t Breathe” on them. Do you think that LeBron’s actions should be compared with Ali? Would LeBron give up the chance to play basketball to stand up for an important issue? But of course, Ali set the bar so high that it would be tough for any athlete to compete. That’s why he’s always been known as “The Greatest.”

SUPPORT THE BLACK PRESS, IT'S THE VOICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. CALL FOR YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TODAY! (954) 525-1489

at 800-745-3000; in person at Ticketmaster outlets or at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and 90 minutes prior to each performance. Know who you are buying from when you purchase tickets. We CANNOT PROVIDE REFUNDS OR CUS-

TOMER SERVICE for tickets purchased from unauthorized sites, brokers or secondary ticket sellers.

For group sales or general information about Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, please call (877) 311-7469.

The Broward Center for the Peforming Arts manages the

Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, a 14,864-square-foot, 330seat waterfront complex that hosts performing arts, cultural and educational programming for all ages. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center is located at 335 N.E. 188 Street in Aventura.

Join the conversation on Twitter at #aventuracenter.

TO YOUR FAMILY FROM THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE

December 25 - December 31, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Red School House’s 46thAnnual Christmas Program exceeded all expedition (Cont'd from FP) Miss LaShondra’s Class A fully costumed show, Miss LaShondra Williams' Preschool class recited an acrostic poem spelling the word Christmas. “H” by Camille Griffin and “T” by Te’a Connor went well but when Kasai Jackson’s stage fright overwhelmed him he began to cry and instead of his letter “I” he hollered “Jesus!”

Zacari Fatwa’s letter “S” was very clear as he recited, “S is for the shepherd who watches over his sheep.”

Kha’ Maya Kelly’s “Isn’t This True” conveyed every child’s sentiment. “I like to give presents and I like to get them, too.

Isn’t This True?” she said. The pre-school class finale “This Christmas” by Chris Brown was played by Mr. Fashaw with back up dancers Kha’Maya Kelly, Treasure Henry, Camille Griffin, Jada Henry and Te’a Connor wearing a grey and silver tiered dress with a dainty bow at the side of the neckline over chic silver stockings.

Miss Shana’s Class Santa Clause is Coming to Town by the Jackson Five performed by Markice Witherspoon Jr., Xavier Henry, Jr., Quincent Lewis and Khalil Petit-Frere was one of the highlighted songs from teacher Shana Wright’s pre-school class.

The guys were all dressed in black with each wearing sparkling matching red, green or white suspenders and ties but the crowd went wild when Preston Lipsey with dark shades was escorted out to his piano as Stevie Wonder in the class finale when they performed What Christmas Means to Me. Ziyonnah Alexandre recited a portion of Mahalia Jackson’s What Can I Give in her rendition of “The Gift” “What can I give Him?” she asks. “I’ll give my heart.” Ms. Shana’s girls were costumed in a red empire waist princess dress with red sparkles adorning the hem.

Miss Diane’s Class Diane McLeod who has worked with director Shaw for 33 years at the Red School House group of four year olds each had poems they recited including Kaveon Abner while holding a Westside Gazette newspaper recited his “Good News” “Good News, Good News.

Tell everyone Christ is born.”

Ms. Diane’s boys wore white shirts, red silk ties and top hats while her girls shimmered in skirts of red or cream and ruffled jackets over star burst shirts.

Aryanna Harris gave the class welcome, Shawn Liberal “Tis The Season”; Jocilyn Reyes “Have a Blessed Holiday”; Cameron Justice So Happy; Kenneth Lee Dear Friends; Khaleb Grace "It Doesn’t Matter"; Ariyanna Stehen Do You; Remy Francois Joyful; Jayden Mills Happy Birthday; Makaila Jackson “Gift from God” and Khristiana Howe-Jones “Time of Happiness.”

Miss LaTia’s Class Performing as the Cast of Glee, teacher LaTia Hines’ class recited holiday poems in between dance skits “Up On The Rooftop,” “All I Want For Christmas,” and “Beautiful Christmas” performed perfectly like Glee by Christian Sanders, Ethan Corridon, Toren Conner, DeAndre Hall, Demere Fruster, Azana Amin, Jania Jackson, Lyric Lallemand, Christiana Nelson, and Chaniya Stone.

The girls costumed in Christmas plaid three ruffled skirts with silver tights and the boys in accented red and white polka dot suspenders, matching bowties with red hats.

The Class welcome by Gabriella Conner. Poems “Season to Profess” Love, Peace and Happiness by Chaniya Stone; “Holiday Paradise” by Kevin Gaston and Mi’Khaiyah Gary; “Love on Christmas Day” by Kyenne Jackson and Khristian Clark; “Year-Round Joy” by Edrein Stenord and Ka’Maria Bell; “Christmas Joy” by Christiana Nelson and “It’s Christmas” by twins Tenilleus and Tranilleus Oliphant.

When Lyric Lallemand, whose being raised by her father, was asked how she remembers all her dance moves

and her closing speech she pointed to her forehead and said, “I remember with my mind.”

The children began practicing in October. Teacher LaShondra Williams says he assigned the parts according to her student’s personality.

Grandparent Carma Lynn Henry who has a three-yearold and five-year-old grandchildren whom she worked with to help them learn their parts.

“I would ask them randomly while they were doing something else to recite their parts for me. I would do it about five or seven times a day. During the last two weeks I increased it.”

Ms. Shaw’s vision Red School House was founded by Ms. Shaw’s mother Julia Shaw when she was 11

years old. The family moved to a new home and renovated their old home into a school house.

Caring for children from newborns to five year olds during school and the after school program for children of any age.

Operating from her mother’s vision, “We care about your children.” Shaw takes pride her schools educational thrust. “In any community someone has to watch your children,” she says.”Parents have to work, especially in our community and we want to be there helping them and providing a safe, nurturing, cultural and academic atmosphere for their children.

“Consistency gives security.

We have teachers who have been with us for 30 years. We don’t have a high turnover of teachers. We do the same drill

every day and it shows. We like to say the children have two personalities, the ones they have with their parents and the ones they have at school.

They are pure and innocent and they feed off whatever spirit is present. When they are with us they are well behaved and they listen.”

Back stage after the show speaking with a group of Red School House students we asked what kinds of stars they would be. Kha’ Maya Kelly said “I’m a big girl star.”, Camille Griffin said “I’m a Minnie Mouse star., Juanita Reese who wants to be a “Frozen star” asked If I liked her dress and shoes, yes they were beautiful. Al’leah Johnson was more specific. “I want to be an Elsa star.”

Civil Rights Icons, known as the Friendship 9, are set to have their convictions vacated, 53 years later Thanks to local South Carolina author’s influence

by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and The King Center

From l to r: David Boone, Clarence Graham, Willie McCleod, Kimberly P. Johnson (Author), and William “Dub” Massey. Front: James Wells.

(Photo credit: T. Ortega Gaines-The Charlotte Observer) ATLANTA GA. — Surviving members of the “Friendship 9,” a group of students who attended Friendship Junior College in Rock Hill, S.C., during the high tide of the modern Civil Rights Movement, were recently notified by their lawyer that his intentions are to file a motion in South Carolina’s 16th Circuit Court to va-

cate their trespassing conviction that resulted from their arrest on Jan. 31, 1961. The young activists were detained after they nonviolently protested the “separate but equal” legal precedent relative to public accommodations by sitting at an allwhite lunch counter at McCrory’s Variety Store in Rock Hill’s downtown district.

As part of the “Friendship 9,” David Williamson, Jr., James Wells, Willie McCleod, W.T. “Dub” Massey, Clarence Henry Graham, John Gaines, Thomas Gaither, Mack Workman and Robert McCullough were relentless in their fight for equality. Their activism in the state known for legendary statesmen and strict constructionists, particularly, John C. Calhoun and Strom Thurmond, helped implement the practice of “Jail, No Bail”—a strategy of civil disobedience that is as old as the Hebrew Scriptures that called for the accused to accept punishment based on principles.

Their rallying cry, “Jail, No Bail,” came from their deeplyheld belief that they should not willfully bow to a corrupt system. Their tactic was crucial in shifting the financial burden of the civil rights movement from the oppressed to the oppressor. Though the sit-in movement started a year before in Greensboro, N.C., the “Friendship 9” were among the first students to refuse to pay bail after being sentenced to 30 days of hard labor.

(Read full story on www.the westsidegazete.com)

Parent abuse: The new face of domestic violence ORLANDO FL — As Floridians enjoy the festive holiday season, there are many children as young as 11 years old who are physically and mentally abusing their parent(s) and other siblings. This is a relatively new paradigm, which most families refuse to talk about; a problematic child, and experiencing domestic violence in their home.

Rosemary Slaughter-Pate, a 30-year Lockheed Martin manager, and well respected member in the community, was stabbed and strangled to death July 15, 2013 by her 19-yearold son, Everett Pate, Jr. The violent behavior began approximately 10 years ago, and there were no local or state laws and resources to address these issues. “Parent Abuse” refers to the continued use of abusive tactics towards a parent which enable children and young people under 18 years old to exercise power over their parent(s). The abuse may be physical (e.g. punching, kicking), emotional (threats, attempts to humiliate and undermine), and/or economic (theft, damage to property), etc.

As a result of this tragic and traumatic experience, Alice Flowers (sister of Rosemary Pate) and her family are working to add Parent Abuse as a

Alice Flowers and Rosemary Slaughter-Pate. category under Domestic Violence in the Florida Legislature.

Two non-profit 501©3 organizations have been established: the Parent Abuse Action Coalition (PAAC), and the Morning After Center for Hope and Healing (TMAC). The primary goal of PAAC is political; to get legislation passed in the Florida government.

The goal of TMAC is to provide support to parents that are being abused through education, raising awareness, providing support, and through the development of critical life skills.

The University of Central Florida (UCF) [a result of the direct efforts of PAAC] has agreed to conduct a study of 10 families experiencing this type

of violence. The purpose of the study is to put forth effective measures to promote healing through education and mentoring with supportive services.

There will also be a final report which will provide innovative recommendations in an area where there have been limited studies.

The family would like to thank former Orange County FL Commissioner, Homer Hartage, Florida Senator, Geraldine Thompson, Orange County FL Sherriff, Jerry Demings, and many more for their support in helping the Parent Abuse bill pass in a Florida Legislative subcommittee.

Finally, please join Alice Flowers, her family and supporters by being an advocate for Parent Abuse prevention as we cannot discount the many parents living in secret and fear of their children. Parent Abuse prevention is everyone’s job, so let’s help spread the word about the Parent Abuse Act by making a donation: www.parentabuse.org. For more information, please contact Alice Flowers (Rosemary’s sister) at (321) 2297688, by email: aliceflowers2@yahoo.com, or by v i s i t i n g www.themorningaftercenter.org.

(Photos by Ron Lyons)

Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • December 25 - December 31, 2014

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper