The Westside Gazette

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WEDR/99JAMZ, OffLease.Com Donate Mini Van To Volunteer PAGE 2

Cops Lied About 'Suicides' Of Two Handcuffed Black Men PAGE 6

Black Man Killed In Syria Fighting For Islamic Militants PAGE 13

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper VOL. 43 NO. 30 50¢ A Pr oud PPaper aper ffor or a Pr oud PPeople...Sinc eople...Sinc Proud Proud eople...Sincee 1971 THURSDA THURSDAYY, SEPTEMBER 4 - WEDNESDA WEDNESDAYY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Silver lining: Ferguson, African Americans and Indians in America

Troubling image.

By Sandip Roy Special to the NNPA via New America Media It is a troubling image. The hazy security camera screen captures from the convenience store reinforced those fears. The store clerk was slightly built.

Michael Brown, the customer holding him by the collar was a much larger man. Though the storeowner, Andy Patel, later

told the St. Louis PostDispatch no shoplifting or robbery had occurred in his store, the screen-grab encapsulated a story of suspicion, tension, and conflict.

Soon thereafter, Michael Brown was gunned down by police in Ferguson.

We have seen this storyline before. With Korean shopkeepers in the 1992 Los Angeles riots, for example. Four white

police officers beat up a Black motorist named Rodney King.

But, when riots broke out after the verdict, armed Korean shopkeepers were the ones standing guard against looters in front of their stores. Korean-Black tensions were high.

“I think the Black people are jealous of the Koreans,” Carl Rhyu, a member of the community’s security force candidly told the New York Times at the time. “They’re lazy; we are working hard. They’re not making money; we’re making money.” It was a prejudice many had but rarely shared in public.

If any good came out of the horror of Ferguson it was this: It didn’t turn into a Black vs.

Brown issue.

Ferguson’s South Asian population is very low but storeowner Mumtaz Lalani tells (India Abroad) that of the 30-50 minority-owned small businesses, at least a dozen are Indianowned. Lalani’s own store was burned and looted. But he said

so were other stores. “So it is not only that our community was targeted,” he said.

“The violence affects an entire community, including all of its citizens,” Anil Gopal, president of the St. Louis Asian Indian Business Association, told India Abroad. “Therefore I would not turn this into an issue about Indian Americans only.”

But, it could easily have become one. Indian storeowners are highly vulnerable. They run small convenience stores in crime-ridden pockets of inner cities and small towns. Miscommunication festers across a language gap. They are an easy target for robberies and violence because they have cash in their registers. Often they do not even report thefts. Sometimes it’s because they think the police will not care beyond filing a cursory report. Sometimes it’s because the clerk himself might not have his immigration papers in order.

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Why is it that we are preyed upon as a people then we are asked to pray for others?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”.

Matthew 5:44 (KJV)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. We would like to thank the following individuals for their commitment to serve others through the gifts that God has given them: Ms. Jenell Blake, Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward County School Board Member; Saxophonist Randy Corinthian; Rev. Johnny L. Barber, II Senior Pastor Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Miami, Fla.; The Honorable Ilona Holmes, Circuit Court Judge - 17th Judicial Circuit Broward County Florida; Chief Anthony Williams, Chief of Police for Broward County School District; Rev. Larry Thompson, Senior Pastor First Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale; Rasheed Z. Baaith, Pastor Christ Resurrection Community Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Rev. Ricky Scott, Senior Pastor New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Rev. Robert Stanley, Senior Pastor Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Pompano Beach, Fla. and Minister Eddie Robinson and the Voices of Mount Olive.

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Former St. Louis police officer weighs in on Ferguson shooting from a historical perspective

By Charles Moseley Part I Up until that fateful day of Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014 the most famous name probably to be associated with the small mid-western town of Ferguson, Mo. would be that of Gram-my Award winner singer Michael McDonald. Ironically the untimely death of an un-armed Black teenager named Michael Brown at the hands of Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson, would forever link the name

Michael Brown with the town of Ferguson, Missouri. Wilson has yet to be charged with any criminal offense pend-ing further investigation and has been placed on admini-strative leave.

The incident sparked protests resulting in some looting, followed by violent confrontations between some protesters and local law enforcement officials. In a major show of force the National Guard was deployed to the area. In the days that followed, the area became embroiled in controversy not

Obama’s African legacy already being debated

only due TO the shooting death of Brown but what many perceived as the excessive use of force by law enforcement including firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds of protestors.

On Aug. 11, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) opened a parallel civil rights investigation into the incident, and Attorney General Eric Holder instructed the Justice

Former St. Louis police officer Edward Kendrick and wife Verna lived in St. Louis for many years. Kendrick shares his views regarding his life and times there and the issues facing Ferguson, Missouri in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown.

Department staff to closely monitor the events in Ferguson as they unfold.

On Thursday, Aug. 14, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon ordered the state’s Highway Patrol under the command of Captain Ronald Johnson, a native of Ferguson to help bring some stability and restore calm to the area.

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Fort Lauderdale PioneersAl and Ruth Giles celebrate 65th wedding anniversary with a stroll down historical memory lane

Dosage of HIV drug may be ineffective for half of African-Americans

President Obama at US-Africa Summit. (White House photo)

By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief (Part One of a Two Part Series) WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – President Obama showed a deeply personal side of him rarely seen in public as he toasted African leaders at a State Dinner at the White House at the recently-concluded U.S.-Africa Summit in Washington.

“Tonight we are making history, and it’s an honor to have all of you here,” he said on Aug. 5. “And I stand before you as the President of the United States and a proud American. I also stand before you as the son of a man from Africa. The blood of Africa runs through our family. And so for us, the bonds between our countries, our continents, are deeply personal.”

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Pleading Our Own Cause

Alphonso “Al" and Ruth Giles in 2012.

By Yvette M. Giles, Ed.D.

Many African-Americans may not be getting effective doses of the HIV drug Maraviroc, a new study from Johns Hopkins suggests.

The initial dosing studies, completed before the drug was

licensed in 2007, included mostly European-Americans, who generally lack a protein that is key to removing Maraviroc from the body.

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WWW. thewestsidegazette.com Westside Gazette Newspaper

Wednesday, Sept. 10 will mark the rarely achieved milestone of 65 years of marriage for Fort Lauderdale pioneers and retired Broward County educators, Alphonso “Al” Giles and Ruth Yvette Taylor Giles.

Al served more than 30 years in the school system, first as

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science department head at Dillard High and then Wingate Junior High, which later became Everglades Middle (now William Dandy Middle). He retired as science department head at Lauderdale Lakes Middle in 1983.

(Cont'd on Page 5) 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 • September 4 - September 10, 2014

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

WEDR/99JAMZ, Off Lease.Com donate minivan to volunteer The root of the violence

By Nate Jackson

Eileen Fisher (r) and her husband Mark, Offlease.Com owner who donated the 2007 Ford Mini Van to Charles and Beverly Holloway.

By Derek Joy It was a blessing many times over for Charles and Beverly Holloway when WEDR/

99JAMZ and Offlease.com joined forces in a charitable gesture.

Radio Station 99JAMZ morning drive time personality

Rickey Smiley journeyed from his Atlanta, Ga., worksite to participate in bringing to recognition Holloway for his years of volunteer work in the community.

“I’m happy to be here,” said Smiley, a native of Birmingham, Ala. “I’m happy to be a part of something to help somebody less fortunate than we are. It’s just a blessing to be a part of something like this. It makes the trip worthwhile.”

The charitable gesture also recognized the efforts of Urban Construction Acade-my, which trains unemployed and low income people in the construction trades and the art of becoming entrepre-neurs.

Much of that training comes with volunteer work helping senior citizens repair their homes, in addition to helping local churches make repairs and help with cleaning up blighted areas in Miami Gardens.

New Xulon title states, ‘God is Love,’ what that means to readers Tyson declares a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity made possible through grace MAITLAND, FL - The story behind Zadia Brown Tyson’s book began in her backyard.

After pulling weeds for a while, the author realized the weeds actually dominated the grass.

One morning, the Holy Spirit spoke to her inner spirit, saying, “This is the way sin is in the life of the Christian.”

Eventually, the Holy Spirit instructed that she should write about how sin in the life of the Christian impedes his or her spiritual growth.

Tyson’s new book, From Salvation to Sanctification; Then Eternal Life ($24.99, paperback, 9781628397819; $9.99, e-book, 9781628397826) delves into the wonderful reality that, although all of mankind has been born into sin, each

person has been lovingly granted the opportunity to spend all of eternity with God. “[I hope that readers will gain] the truth and that is, God is love and that He loves them,” states the author. “He loves them so much that He allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for their sins, so that they can be saved. After salvation, God teaches them in His word how and what to do in order to live holy and righteous lives before He and the world.”

Zadia Brown Tyson is a born-again Christian that loves the Lord. The author is a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, but most of all, a child of God. She currently teaches the median, adult Sunday school class, which she has taught for the

past 30 years. She also serves as Director of Christian Education and Children’s Church, and is a member of the Missionary Society and Women’s Ministry at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach, Fla. where Rev. Anthony Burrell is the pastor.

Xu Ion Press, a division of Salem Communications, is the world’s largest Christian selfpublisher, with more than 8,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order From Salvation to Sanctification; Then Eternal Life through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors.

The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Holloway has been a constant in his volunteer efforts since enrolling in Urban Construction Academy. His efforts are more notable considering he rides a bicycle to and from the training center and the various volunteer worksites.

“I feel we’re really blessed ourselves,” said OffLease.Com owner Mark Fisher, who was joined by his wife, Eileen, in presenting the Holloways with a 2007 Ford Mini Van. “It makes me really happy to give something back to the community.”

“This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me,” said Charles Holloway, who, with his wife Beverly, have raised seven children. “It’s a real blessing.

I’m humbled and thankful.”

Having raised seven children, the youngest being 23, is an accomplishment. Mak-ing that journey without transportation was that much more difficult.

And his volunteer work without transportation made his selection for the gift all the more worthy.

“This is the first time we’ve paired with OffLease.Com,” said 99JAMZ Account Executive Jereme Swain. “They’ve done events. We’ve done events like this. So we got together with our involvement in the community to make this possible.

“Now that we’ve had success with it we’ll do other things in the future, things around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Regardless of what this man has, he’s always giving back to the community. It’s inspirational.”

Such is the inspiration that moved Fisher, who has built OffLease.Com into a growing auto enterprise in the 20 years since he founded the dealership.

The event brought the Holloways to tears.

“It’s a blessing. I’m thankful. I’ve been riding the bus for 32 years. Going to and from work, to the grocery store, the laundry mat. I’m just thankful,” said a tearful Beverly Holloway. “Now we can take a trip to Atlanta to see our grandchildren.”

Added Bill Dozier, president of Urban Construction Acdemy: “This is one of those true stories.

This guy (Charles Holloway) rode a bike to to school. He rides a bike to volunteer. He’s deserving.”

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(Part I of Two Parts) The death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri has triggered destruction for a community and possible irreversible harm. My JACKSON name is Nate Jackson and I am an African-American retired Fort Lauderdale, Fla. police detective with 32 years of law enforcement experience. My law enforcement career was launched in Detroit, Michigan, which provides me with firsthand knowledge of the effects of what rioting can do to a community and the nation. I want to offer my sincere condolences to Michael Brown’s family. It is a tragedy that no parent should have to endure. The premature death and burial of a child through a violent act is truly a calamity. I extend my sympathy to all parents who have suffered such heart wrenching catastrophes.

However, the majority of the premature deaths of our young African-American (Black) males did not actually begin by the penetration of a bullet or through some other violent means. As sad as it may sound or even appear the annihilation of many of our young Black males is initiated at birth. I will elaborate on that shortly. On the job, I encountered a parent that arrived to a scene after learning her son had been shot. Six weeks earlier, I remember talking to her son because he wasn’t in school. I took the time to counsel him informing him of the importance of an education.

While looking at this young man lying on the pavement, there were obvious signs that he was dying, but I had to lie to his mother and tell her that her son would be okay. That lie tormented me!

I too am a parent, and no parent should face the agony of seeing their child dying.

Personally, I don’t know Michael Brown; I can only theorize based on the footage on television that shows him as a high school graduate smiling with lots of potential, to a much different image captured by the surveillance camera in the convenience store where he seems to show aggressive behavior. The camera appears to reveal that Michael possibly stole something from the store, and as he exits the store, a male, which may be an employee or the store’s owner, attempts to stop him and was shoved. Michael’s physical statute discloses a considerable sized individual with an intimidating demeanor. Yet, my assessment of Michael could be inaccurate and of course, it is not meant to offend his family, friends and love ones that are going through a grieving period.

The purpose of this article is for an educational tool where lives can be liberated not slaughtered by police officers or by anyone because of race or nationality. I am unable to account for Officer Wilson’s motive for firing six rounds into Michael from a distance.

Also, I am unable to imagine his mental state when the two encountered each other. It has not been determined, if Officer Wilson had knowledge of a robbery at the store or if there was a police broadcast providing a description of a possible robbery suspect. Yet, one can only wonder if Michael, having an obvious awareness of what occurred in the store, may have become the aggressor. Michael’s physique can look intimidating, therefore did his size cause Officer Wilson to panic and overreact by fatally wounding him? I am the first to acknowledge that white officers are more likely to kill Black males. As horrifying as it may be, history has disclosed that Caucasian male police officers fatality wound and murder African-American males at an incredible proportion. But, if Michael was killed in the same circumstances, but by a Black male on the streets, would there be as much protest and rioting? I believe the answer is a big No! There are more fatalities of Black males at the hands of other Black males than by a different race or nationality. If we know this is the case, why aren’t these cases in Ferguson and other parts of the country being protested and riots breaking out in order to initiate change?

There is obviously a lot of reasonable anger due to past events of white police officers murdering Black males with absolutely no consequences. But, let us also take a look at what is occurring today. African-American males are killing each other at an extremely alarming rate, more so than the KKK or any other racial group.

With that said, we should put the same energy (if not more) into preventing these tragedies and killings in our communities. I too am a husband and father of three African-American males. I have personally experienced the struggle of being a parent. I’ve felt the agony of what peer pressure can do to our young men and experienced of how drugs can have a devastating effect on our loved ones’ lives. I’ve witness my wife’s sleepless nights because she is afraid that a call will come through delivering heart breaking news. I’ve also witnessed peer pressure drive our son to dabble with gang life, only to discover that it is real and has serious consequences. And, witnessed what happens when a loved one makes poor choices and commits a crime that causes emotional and financial suffering for the entire family.

There is an epidemic of Black male casualties for a variety of reasons, but it starts from birth. Many Black males are born to young single mothers, some with multiple children. When the father is absent from the home and provides no guidance and direction, it can be difficult for a male to understand how to be a father or a true man himself. I have met men that have multiple children with a variety of women and this deprives their children the quality of life which a devoted parent brings. In economical deprived communities, our young men are oftentimes looking up to people committing the majority of the crime in their neighborhoods. So, our boys are getting their guidance and direction from “the streets” or are involved in gangs. As a law enforcement agent I’ve had unfortunate experiences of working multiple homicides cases involving our young Black men. I recall a case when a young man approached me around 7:00 in the evening seeking advice of what to do if he is approached by another male with a gun. I was stunned and shocked with the question and replied; “Do you have a weapon?”, and he responded “no”. I told him, “run like hell”. Approximately three hours later, at the end of my shift, I received a police radio broadcast of a shooting. I responded to the scene to find the same man lying face down in the sand suffering a gunshot wound to the chest. The man literally died in my arms and was only able to talk to me with his eyes. I had to pronounce him dead.

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

September 4 - September 10, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

CSC leverages funds for juvenile crime and targets early childhood literacy LAUDERHILL, FL – Over the past two years, the Children’s Services Council of Broward County (CSC) and the City of West Park have partnered in providing juvenile crime prevention programs to middle school youth. At their August meeting, the Council voted to renew a contract leveraging the Law Enforcement

Trust Fund grant of $73,806.45 to continue to provide this yearround violence prevention program.

The success has shown over the past year, when the Council approved a $1 to $1 match request from the City of West Park for the program, included outcomes such as 100 percent of participating youth not using

drugs or alcohol, nor obtaining new law violations. The program is contracted to serve students attending high-need middle schools. It serves 42 youth during the school year and 77 youth during the summer, exceeding their targets of 40 and 60, respectively. Since its inception, more than 150

youth have benefitted from the program.

CSC will also partner with local businesses, non-profit organizations and other community stakeholders to make an impact on the literacy development of nearly 40,000 of Broward’s youngest residents.

At its monthly meeting, the CSC

Tom Joyner HBCU Presidential panel: Thriving and surviving

FAMU Law School Dean LeRoy Pernell; FAMU President Dr. Elmira Mangum; Alabama A&M University President Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr. and Norfolk State University President Eddie N. Moore at The Tom Joyner Foundation Presidents’ Roundtable . of Alabama A & M University, Eddie N. Moore, President of Norfolk State University and FAMU Law School Dean LeRoy Pernell discussed their efforts to keep their HBCU ahead of evolving trends in higher education.

Funding tops the critical need list for these institutions.

Cuts to financial aid and

grants are new hurdles for the universities and students who largely depend on those resources. According to NSU President Moore,” these challenges to financing have to be used to help us redesign and grow.”

FAMU President Mangum laid out plans to increase endowments to be competitive with bigger institutions, reduce stu-

Obama’s African legacy already being debated

June 26-July 2, 2013, visiting Senegal, where he toured Goree Island; South Africa and Tanzania.

Obama visited Kenya, his father’s place of birth, prior to assuming office.

As Obama noted in his toast to African leaders, “Of all the incredible moments of our trips to Africa, one of the most memorable was being able to bring Michelle, and later our little girls, to my father’s hometown in Kenya, where we were embraced by so many relatives.

“We’ve walked the steps of a painful past – in Ghana, at Cape Coast Castle; in Senegal, at Gorée Island – standing with our daughters in those doors of no return through which so many Africans passed in chains.

"We’ll never forget bringing our daughters to Robben Island, to the cell from which Madiba showed the unconquerable strength and dignity of an African heart. We’ve been inspired

by Africans – ordinary Africans doing extraordinary things...”

With slightly more than two years left in his two-term presidency, scholars and activists are already debating what will be the African legacy of the first African American elected president of the United States.

By Gayle Andrews Gaylord Palms Resort, Kissimmee, Florida— The Tom Joyner Foundation Presidents’ Roundtable initiated an important dialog between the nation’s top university education leaders. Florida A & M University President Dr. Elmira Mangum, Dr. Andrew Hugine, President

President Obama says Africa is on the rise. (White House photo) (Cont'd from FP) It was precisely because of those special bonds that Africans and African Americans had such high –some say unrealistic – expectations of what Obama would do for Africa when he was first elected president in 2008.

Now those expectations have faded with the passage of time.

Since his election, President Obama has made only two trips

to Africa, not counting his brief trip to Johannesburg in December 2013 to attend a memorial service following the death of Nelson Mandela. His first trip as President was July 10-11, 2009 to Ghana, where he met with the president, addressed the Ghanaian Parliament and toured Cape Coast Castle, where enslaved Africans were kept before being taken to the West.

He took a three-nation trip

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Silver lining: Ferguson,AfricanAmericans and Indians inAmerica (Cont'd from FP) “A convenience store clerk, often a Patel or someone of Indian origin, is killed in a robbery every few months somewhere in America,” writes Chidanand Rajghatta in Times of India. Though the Ferguson store altercation was not fatal or armed, it can be, writes Rajghatta: “In July this year, Rahul Patel, 26, was shot dead at a family-run liquor store in Montgomery, Alabama in a suspect robbery attempt. In June, Satish Patel, who was working at the Phillips 66 off of Highway 59, just north of Beltway 8 in Humble, Tex., was shot dead by three masked gunmen who stormed inside just before midnight in yet another robbery attempt.

In December 2013, Lexington police charged an 18-yearold man with murder and robbery in the fatal shooting of store clerk Parag Patel of A&M Beverage, another botched robbery.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. might have drawn inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi but closer to the ground IndianBlack relations have always been complicated.

“There is no racial conflict between Blacks and Indians or other South Asians,” Lalani told India Abroad. That was probably a bit of wishful thinking.

Prejudice and suspicion run on both sides even as there are points of convergence.

In the 1970 census 75 percent of Indian-headed households identified as “white.” Immigrants carry their own racial baggage with them to America.

African Americans resented many immigrants and white women for taking fuller advantage of the opportunities afforded to them, thanks to the affirmative action.

“If you’re a newcomer, ‘an outsider’, it’s always been clear that the way to become an American is to join the general prejudice against African -Americans,” wrote Hugh B. Price, former president of the National Urban League.

African Americans complained that South Asian cabdrivers in New York routinely refused to take them as passengers. But cab drivers say it’s not about race, it’s about going into far away crime-ridden neighborhoods.

Cab drivers carry cash, like liquor store clerks, making them especially vulnerable, noted CNN. Palash Ghosh wrote in IBTimes “they are caught in a vortex of prejudice in which they are both the victim and perpetrators of racism and discrimination.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

dent debt before graduation and pointed to the constant battle to increase giving from alumni and corporations.

AA&MU President Hugine agreed that alumni need to see “giving back as an investment.”

Innovation and anticipating trends in higher education is the key to growth and survival for Black colleges and universities, and these leaders are focused on agendas that bring results.FAMU Law School Dean Pernell reminded everyone that his school is one of the most diverse in the nation, and graduates the largest number of African American lawyers in the Country.

FAMU continues to be the nation’s largest HBCU. President Mangum awarded degrees to 2,200 graduates in May. The prominent research and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs at FAMU boast two Fulbright Scholars, and Mangum plans to step it up with her Sustainability Institute to find solutions to global socio-economic, ecological and energy issues.

Continuing to increase graduation rates, as has been the case at AA&MU continues to be a priority for the institution.

According to President Moore, maintaining the title of Best Urban Based HBCU for Norfolk state means continued emphasis on research driven programs.

The survival of Black Colleges and Universities has always depended on the very kinds of innovation and foresight offered by these education experts. It has also resulted in lasting benefits for many generations

At their August meeting, the Council voted to renew a contract leveraging the Law Enforcement Trust Fund grant to continue to provide this year-round violence prevention program. approved up to $130,000 to purchase books for Broward Reads for the Record, the local effort based on the national campaign that celebrates literacy by mobilizing millions of children and adults to read the same book on the same day.

On Oct. 21, 2014 readers including teachers, parents, caregivers, local officials, and older children will participate in reading “Bunny Cakes,” a comical story of sibling bonding and birthday shenanigans. The campaign goal in Broward is to ensure that every four and fiveyear-old gets a copy of the book to take home. That number is just under 40,000, including students from 500 voluntary pre-Kindergarten centers, 225 schools and 1,500 classrooms.

“With this broad effort, we can help remind and educate the community about the importance of early literacy and its link to ensuring success in school and beyond,” said Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, CSC President/CEO. Community support is already off to a great start with the Jim Moran Foundation contributing $30,000 toward the initiative. Other partners include the School Board of Broward County, United Way of

Broward County, Community Foundation of Broward, Early Learning Coalition of Broward, Family Central and more.

Broward Reads for the Record will kick off the CSC’s Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to provide resources to assist children who suffer the most from the education achievement gap.

The Children’s Services Council of Broward County is an independent taxing authority which was established by a public referendum on Sept.

5, 2000, which, through Public Act, Chapter 2000-461 of the laws of Florida, authorized the Council to levy up to 0.5 mills of property taxes. The role of the Council is to provide the leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to enhance children’s lives and empower them to become responsible, productive adults through collaborative planning and funding of a continuum of quality care.

Follow us on Twitter at @CSCBroward and on Facebook. For more information about the Children’s Services Council of Broward County, please call (954) 3771000 or visit www.cscbroward.org.

Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • September 4 - September 10, 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 Pat Casterlow and Friends present A Celebration of Life ‘5’ with a fashion show celebrating life of cancer survivors on Oct. 18, 2104 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Northwest Federated Women’s Club (NFWC), 2161 N. W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Proceeds to benefit the NFWC, The ministry of Missionary Janice Lewis and Lakeisha Daniels Hamilton Scholarship Fund. For more info call (954) 760-7519 or (954) 730-3442.

Revival

The House of God Church Hallandale Youth Revival, Tuesday, Sept. 2-5, 2014 at 7:30 nightly at 512 N.W. Third Ave., Hallandale, Fla. Elder Jerry Taylor, pastor and Rev. Pamela Knowles, asst. pastor. “Who Do You Identify With?” Rev. Raynard Brant, of West Palm Beach HOGC speaker.

Retreat Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Miami Chapter Fourth Annual Weekend Retreat, Friday, Sept. 12-14, 2014 at Hampton Inn & Suites, 11600 N.W. 41 St., Miami, Fla. For more info contact Lady Mary L. Walton, at (305) 635-0504.

Tribute

Forum

Old Dillard Museum presents Not Forgotten, Cannonball Birthday Tribute, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 7 p.m., at 1009 N.W. Fourth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For tickets and additional info call (754) 3228828.

Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated will sponsor its annual political forum on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kathleen C. Wright Community Center, Joseph C. Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise, Blvd. Marlon Hill, Esq., of delancyhill P.A., will serve as moderator. This forum is opened to all community participants and the public is invited to attend.

Homecoming

Flea Market

Mt. Hermon AME Church Homecoming 2014 Thursday, Sept. 18-21, 2014 Honoring Dillard High School 1938-2014.

For cost, time and additional info call Mt. Hermon AME Church at (954) 463-6309 or Elaine Stevens, at (954) 5796951. The President Bethune Cookman College, Rev. Dr. Edison Jackson, guest speaker for Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

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Community Flea Martket, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hope Outreach Love Center, 3271 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Have stuff you want to get rid of? Furniture, clothes, shoes, kincknacks, etc.

To purchase a vendor space and aditional info call (954) 791-4723 or (954) 548-1619.

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. MuHannad Mosque No. 82 presents Khalilah CamachoAli, enjoy a memorable afternoon with Khaliliah CamachoAli and a chance to get an autographed photograph and a copy of the new documentary, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 at 1 p.m.

Seating is limited. For cost and additional info call (954) 9189240.

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

Voters' Registration Drive

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Chi Psi Omega Chapter’s Connection Committee will sponsor a voter registration drive Saturday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., Aug. 30, 2014, Wal-Mart Super Center, 3001 North State Road 7, Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. This event is for community persons in need of a new voter registration, card replacement and for address/ signature update or party/name changes. For additional information, contact the Connection Committee at (954) 410-6673 or visit the chapter’s website, Chipsiomega@info.org or on Face Book.

Saba Temple #186 and Saba Court # 172 presents a "Strike For A Cure of Diabetes with a Bowling Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014 held at the Striker Family Center Bowling Ally, 8500 N.W. 44 Street, Lauderhill, Fla. The cost/ donation is $20.00 per adult, $10.00 for ages 7 to 17, and $5.00 for children 6 and under.

The donation includes food, non-alcoholic beverages and shoes. The bowling hours are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be prizes given to teams and individuals in different categories so come out and have some fun while supporting this worthy cause at the same time.

For more info call David Nuby, Jr. at (954) 275-2579, Dosica Johnson at (954) 980-4107 or Ed Gibbons at (954) 336-8726.

BROWARD MEGA REUNION CLASS OF 73' THRU 77' Piper Alumni is hosting a Broward Mega Reunion Class of 73" thru 77" Schools, Dillard, Boyd Anderson, Plantation, South Plantation, Ely, Fort Lauderdale, Stranahan, Nova, and Piper on Friday Night Friday, October 17, 2014: Meet and Greet -- $25; Saturday Night, October 18: Formal Banquet cost $60 and Sunday, October 19: Church Service - First Baptist Church Piney Grove, 4699 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes Fla., DEADLINE FOR MONEY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2014. Other classes are welcome to participate.To receive Registration Forms you can email me at Browardmegareunion75.76.77@gmail.com or send a Self Address Stamped Envelope to c/o Cecelia Armstrong Edwards- P.O. Box 120242 Lauderhill Fl., 33312.

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.

The 20th Annual Search Under Way for Nation’s Top Youth Volunteers, Awards Program Honors Students in Grades five12 for Outstanding Volunteer Service. The search begins to identify thousands more who have made meaningful contributions to their communities over the past 12 months, as the awards program kicks off its 20th year.

These awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), honor outstanding community service by students in grades five through 12 at the local, state and national level. Young volunteers can apply online at http:// spirit.prudential.com or at www.nassp.org/spirit.

Applications must be completed

by Nov. 4, 2014, and then submitted to a middle or high school principal, Girl Scout council, county 4-H agent, American Red Cross chapter, YMCA or HandsOn Network affiliate. Paper versions of the application form are available by calling (877) 525-8491.

ATTENTION RADIO LISTENERS We have free gifts for everybody who calls into the show and shares their opinion. Listen every Saturday at 4 p.m. to Spiritual Downloads with Anna Stephenson on WWNN Radio AM 1470. It’s a live Call in talk show that discusses 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 1-888-5651470. Also e-mail Anna Stephenson at annasmiami@aol.com with a subject you want to hear discussed on the show. The show also interviews special guests Like Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best. Shelia Raye Charles, Melba Moore and different preachers and gospel musical artists and politicians.

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

September 4 - September 10, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

Fort Lauderdale pioneers Al and Ruth Giles celebrate 65th wedding anniversary with a stroll down historical memory lane (Cont' from FP) Ruth began her teaching career with one year as a home economics instructor at Braithwaite in Deerfield Beach and retired as grade coordinator in 1994, after teaching 46 years at Deerfield Park Elementary.

The early Dillard graduates met in downtown Fort Lauderdale in 1946, during a chance encounter on a warm summer day. Fort Lauderdale was different then.

Small shops and other businesses on Fifth Avenue were at the heart of the African American community. Dillard was only local school area Blacks could attend, from elementary through secondary grades. And the “Black Beach” was located on the other side of a palmetto thicket on the strip of oceanfront land now known as Galt Ocean Mile.

Racial segregation was the law of the land, Black citizens were denied the right to vote and the man who would become the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was just 16 years old.

At 24, Al had just returned from Army service during World War II as a water purification specialist in the sweltering jungles of New Guinea, north of Australia, and on Leyte Island in the Philippines. He was serving on the island of Okinawa in Japan when the propeller-driven Enola Gay dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

It was widely rumored that Al’s unit would have been de-

ployed to fight the Japanese had those devastating bombs not been released to bring about the war’s end. If Al’s unit had engaged in armed combat at that time, many more soldiers would have lost their lives. After an honorable discharge, Al returned to Florida and was completing his studies in science at Florida A&M College (FAMC, now Florida A&M University) when he met Ruth, his future wife.

As a student at Bethune Cookman College (BCC, now Bethune Cookman University), Ruth followed in the footsteps of her mother, Fastenia, and Aunt Marie, who were among Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune’s first students.

During the early 1900s, Fastenia and Marie attended the Daytona Educational and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls, which would later become BCC. Ruth was studying at the college to fulfill her dream of one day becoming a school teacher when she met Al, her future husband.

The year was 1946 and the bright summer sun was high in the sky when Al walked up town on Southeast First Avenue with his cousin, Herman Mosely, a local carpenter. Al was the first to notice the ambitious young Ruth walking in his direction. He was immediately attracted to this petite and lovely woman, who had long shiny black hair.

Al asked Herman, “Who’s that fine-looking little skinny broad with the long pretty hair?”

Ruth and Alphonso in 1948.

Herman replied, “Would you like to meet her? I know her!”

“Yeah man,” Al eagerly responded with an expression of the times, “latch me on to her!”

Their paths crossed on a dusty sidewalk near the railroad track.

As they nervously chatted during this first meeting, Al was intrigued by Ruth’s beauty and ambition. Ruth was impressed by Al’s charm, good looks and intellect. When Al asked Ruth if he could visit her, as a proper young lady of the 1940s era, she replied “You’ll have to ask for permission from my uncle, Clayton Taylor.”

Ruth’s “Uncle Clayton” was a disciplinarian and a kind, softspoken man of faith. He was a prolific local farmer, who owned and operated the neighborhood store across the street from the east side of the old Dillard

School. He was also one of the earliest members of Mount Hermon AME Church and a former president of the Fort Lauderdale chapter of the NAACP. Clayton brought Ruth and her siblings, Susie, Willie (“Bubba”) and Charlie, to Fort Lauderdale as children from the small country town of Bolden in rural North Florida, near Monticello, to educate them.

And although Al and Ruth both attended Dillard and worshipped at Mt. Hermon AME during the 1930s when the Rev. Collins was pastor, they had never previously met. As fate would have it, their families were well acquainted, so Uncle Clayton gladly granted his permission for Al to visit Ruth.

Al Giles and Ruth Taylor were married three years later, on Sept. 10, 1949. They became the parents of one daughter, Yvette.

Al, a founding member of Fort Lauderdale’s Zeta Alpha Lambda graduate chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., continued his education, pursuing graduate and postgraduate studies at Howard, Temple, and North Carolina A&T. Al was also among a small group of individuals from Fort Lauderdale who made history as the first Black students to attend Florida State College (FSC, now Florida State University).

Al and his colleagues were selected by the Broward County School Board to study graduate-level math and science at FSC through a National Science

Foundation grant. Fellow students included his fraternity brothers, Ellis Miller, Jr.; former Fort Lauderdale commissioner, Andrew DeGraffenreidt, the Reverend Dr. Allen E. Orr; and John T. Saunders. Other students included Leonelda Fullins, as well as Cody Swan and Alfred Thurston, both from Pompano Beach.

Al and his colleagues integrated the college in 1962, during the height of racial unrest in the South. Earlier that year, George Wallace defied a court order to integrate the University of Alabama by standing in a doorway at the college to block the admission of two Black

A PORTION OF AIA/ OCEAN DRIVE RENAMED DR. VON MI-

students. He famously vowed in his gubernatorial inaugural address, “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” The following year, 1963, four little Black girls were tragically killed in an explosion when their Birmingham church was bombed.

Prior to departing for Tallahassee to become the first Black students to attend FSC, the group met with Wilbur Marshall, Director of Secondary Education for Broward County Schools. Marshall cautioned the students that Tallahassee was not like Fort Lauderdale.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) ZELL DRIVE -- On Aug. 5, 2014 State Rep. Joseph “Joe” Gibbons (D-Hallandale held a Road Renaming Ceremony in memory of Dr. Von D. Mizell renaming a portion of Interstate SR A1A/Ocean Drive, “Dr. Von Mizell Drive.” State Rep. Gibbons and the Florida State Legislature passed SB 820 designating a portion of Interstate SR A1A/ Ocean Drive between SR 822/Sheridan Street and Cambridge Street leading up to the entry of John U. Lloyd Park in Broward County as “Dr. Von Mizell Drive.”

Dr. W. Blanca Moore-Velez president of the Broward Top executive, entrepreneur and elected official to headline County Chapter United NationsAssociation honored Fourth Annual Women of Color Empowerment Conference

By Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Esq. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Los Angeles corporate media legend Paula Williams Madison, Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and Chicago author and activist Maggie Anderson have been announced as keynote speakers for the Fourth Annual Women of Color Empower Conference (WOCEC) taking place on Saturday, Sept.

13, 2014 at the Bahia Mar Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The trio will join more than 20 accomplished presenters from business, government, nonprofit and the professions speaking on the 2014 conference theme, “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds.”

“Each year we are committed to providing the dynamic women leaders who attend the conference with inspiring keynote speakers and top tier experts on our breakout panels,”

said WOCEC Founder and Chair Burnadette NorrisWeeks, Esq. Paula Williams Madison spent 22 years as a top media executive, including seven years as general manager of KNBC-TV in Los Angeles before being promoted to executive vice president of NBC Universal in 2007. Holdings LLC, which now has significant ownership and investments in She has been named one of the “75 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise magazine, and to the “Power 100” lists of both The Hollywood Reporter and Ebony magazine.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards became the first African American woman to represent Maryland after winning a special election to Congress in June 2008. She began her first full term in the 111th Congress in 2009. She also is an Executive Committee member of the

Human Rights Commission and is co-chair of the Bipartisan Congressional Women’s Caucus.

A first-generation Cuban-American, activist, speaker and author Margarita “Maggie” Anderson is the founder of The NEW Empowerment Experiment (EE) and MaggiesList.com.

Anderson exploded on the national media scene during her family’s experiment, living exclusively off Black businesses, professionals and products for an entire year.

The daylong Women of Color Empowerment Conference has sold out in each of its first three years. For information, registration and sponsorship opportunities, visit the website at www.SouthFloridaWomenOfColor.com or call Burnadette NorrisWeeks or Kathy Eggleston at (954) 522-2290.

Former St. Louis police officer weighs in on Ferguson shooting opened to Negroes. I had an unfrom a historical perspective (Cont' from FP) In a major show of force the National Guard was deployed to the area on Monday, August.

18, 2014. They were deployed

by Governor Nixon to Ferguson and an 8 p.m. curfew was imposed. In the days that followed, the area became embroiled in controversy; not only due to the shooting death of Brown but what many perceived as the excessive use of force by law enforcement, including firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds of protestors.

Also on Monday, Aug. 18th, reportedly Brown’s family and Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner who examined Brown’s body on Sunday, released findings which showed Brown had been shot at least six times to the front of his body, that the fatal shot was fired into the top of his head and exited from the front, and that he did not appear to have been shot from very close range because no powder burns were found on his body.

Edward Kendrick grew up in St. Louis not very far from Ferguson. He and his wife Verna, now both retired, moved to Broward County from St. Louis, 10 years ago.

By all accounts Edward Kendrick has led an exemplary life. He was born in St. Louis, Mo. on Sept. 9, 1927. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He also was a police officer with the St. Louis Police Department

from 1953 to 1955. Kendrick grew up on the heels of The Great Depression.

Kendrick recently agreed to sit down with the Westside Gazette and agreed to shed some light on the Ferguson shooting, the people that live there, and based on 86 years of experience; provide some insight on the situation.

Westside Gazette Newspaper (WG): What was St. Louis like when you were growing up there?

Kendrick: "As children, segregation was the thing back then. We (Blacks) were not mistreated that I was aware of.

Everybody knew their place.

Our school system was segregated. As I was a child that was shortly after the Depression and times were pretty hard for everybody. My father was able to find work under a federal work program begun by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal called the Works Progress Administration(WPA). Most of the Black people were on what was known at the time as Providence, where we received food from the government. After the war started things began to pick up.”

WG: What was it like serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II? Kendrick: "In 1943 I quit high school to join the Navy at 16 -years-old. I put my age up to 18 in order to register. We enlisted in the Seamen’s Branch of the Navy because at that time the Seamen’s Branch had just

cle who was in the Army who had become a Second Lieutenant in the Army who was my hero. I began my Navy career in Great Lakes, Ill. At that time Black Seaman were not stationed aboard ships. The only Black people who were stationed aboard ships were Stewards. I was placed into the Medical Core. I was transferred to Hastings, Nebraska and from there to Okinawa, Japan. I was used basically to do clerical work while in the service. I developed racial consciousness in the service. I had some experiences that were not very good and I always tried to fight racial discrimination and racial violence against me.”

WG: How were Blacks perceived by those who lived in South Pacific that you came in contact with?

Kendrick: "When I was stationed in Hawaii I didn’t go out much beyond the naval base because Black people were treated pretty poorly. It was reported that some of the Hawaiian women thought that Black people had tales. I didn’t want any parts of that so I stayed on base. For the most part my navel experience was positive because I grew into manhood. But it was a negative experience as far as my relationship with whites.

Because I saw that we were all in segregated living quarters but all our officers were white.

There were not nice especially to me and I was not trying to be a good boy either. I was a nonconformist.”

L to r: Kamala Anandam, Ed.D., Dr. Blanca Moore-Velez and Yvonne Salas, vice president of Mujeres Latinas IML co-sponsor the event.

WESTON, FL -- Dr. W. Blanca Moore-Velez on be-half of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Weston Branch was presented with The 2014 Community Star Award at the celebration of International Women’s Day; Kamala Anamdan. Ed. D. president of AAUW, did the honors.

The facility was filled to capacity with the sound of joy, laughter and excitement, guest included dignitaries, community leaders and many Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The highlight of the event was the presentation to W. Blanca Moore-Velez of The Prestigious Community Star Award.

Blanca believes in loving everyone as they love you. As a result of her countless contributions to her community, Dr. Moore-Velez as deservingly received many awards including The Keys To Fort Lauderdale by the late Commissioner Carlton Moore and the key to Broward County By Commissioner Eileen Lieberman and inducted into the

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE CALL TODAY (954) 525-1489 FOR MORE INFO

Broward Hall Of Fame by the Broward County Women’s History Coalition, The International Leadership Award as Organizer and Visionary Mentor

by The United Nations Representative Dr. Beryl Borseti, The Distinguished Service in support of the principles of The United Nations, Pioneer Award Kaumbu Umojo of Fort

Lauderdale, The Sojourner Truth Award presented by NAMBPW, Inc. Dr. Moore-Velez, thank you for your commitment to the community locally and globally. The 71st United Nations Day Celebration will be held on Oct. 26, 2014 at the Inverrary Country Club, 3840 Inverrary Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla.

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • September 4 - September 10, 2014

Opinion

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

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.

Cops lied about ‘suicides’ of two handcuffed Black men

By George E. Curry NNPA Columnist Caught cheating by his wife, comedian Groucho Marx asked, “Who you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?”

In case after case, when police are caught killing an unarmed African American – and trying to cover it up – they expect us to suspend our sight and our common sense. This is particularly true in the case of 22-yearold Victor White, III in New Iberia, La., about two hours south of his family home of Alexandria, La. and more than two hours west of New Orleans.

Authorities want us to believe that White, who died March 2 in the back seat of a police cruiser, shot himself in the back while his hands were cuffed behind his back. Even the nimblest among us couldn’t pull off such an acrobatic feat.

In a press release issued March 3, Louisiana State Police said, “The initial investigation indicates that last night at about 11:22 p.m., deputies with the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office

This “New” Jesus

By Pastor Rasheed Z Baaith “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

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)

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

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were responding to the report of a fight in the 300 block of Lewis Street.

Upon responding to the area, deputies located [Victor] White and discovered he was in possession of illegal narcotics. White was taken into custody, handcuffed behind his back, and transported to the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office for processing. Once at the Sheriff’s Office, White became uncooperative and refused to exit the deputy’s patrol vehicle. As the deputy requested assistance from other deputies, White produced a handgun and fired one round striking himself in the back. White was transported to a local hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

According to the coroner’s report on White, “A small caliber pistol was found and a projectile was found within his shirt.” However, two separate police searches of White prior to his being placed in a patrol car produced no weapon.

An investigation by NBC News revealed that the Iberia Parish coroner’s report found that White was shot in

the front, not the back as police had contended. The bullet entered White’s right chest and exited his left armpit.

That White could have shot himself in the back while handcuffed behind the back is difficult to fathom. White was left-handed, making it even more implausible that he could have shot himself in the right chest while in police handcuffs.

NBC said the forensic pathologist found gunshot residue in the wound, but not the kind normally associated with a close-range shooting. White’s hands were never tested for gunpowder residue. Two lacerations were found on the left side of White’s face. Still, Dr. Carl Ditch, the Iberia Parish coroner, declared White’s death a suicide.

The Louisiana case is strikingly similar to that of Chavis Carter in Arkansas. Carter also supposedly committed suicide July 28 while in the backseat of a Jonesboro patrol car.

A crime lab report obtained by the Associated Press under a Freedom of Information Act request said, “In consideration of the circumstances of death and after autopsy of the body, it is our

Recently I was speaking with one of my mentors, Pastor Sterling Clowers who possesses one of the finest hermeneutical minds ever seen, in addition to having an electrifying anointing about the Jesus so many are preaching about today. “This is a new Jesus,” Pastor Clowers said. And he’s right.

This Jesus so many are preaching today is a Jesus whose chief attribute and primary concern is not righteousness but love. He is a Jesus who is unconcerned with holiness or morality, a Jesus who while he does not condone sin, he is accepting of it. A Jesus who comes to you and says stay just as you are, no transformation needed.

This is a Jesus the Apostles would not recognize and we will not find in the Bible.

This new Jesus they are preaching does not want to interrupt your lifestyle, he does not mind you living to please you, he sees no need for a newness of your soul or for you to live a moral life, and he just wants you to come to church.

As A. W. Tozier wrote: “The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his

self-respect. To the selfassertive, it says, “Come and assert yourself in Christ.” To the egotist, it says, “Come and do your boasting in the Lord.” To the thrill seeker it says, “Come and enjoy the thrill of BAAITH Christian fellowship.” The Christian message is slanted in the direction of the current vogue in order to make it acceptable to the public.”

Tozier is absolutely correct and “slanted” is the operative word. The church of today has become so consumed with making Christianity pleasing to the unsaved and the unchurched, it has made Jesus a God who says to His creations, “Let me make you happy, tell Me what you want to do and what you do not.” Creflow Dollar even preaches that God needs our permission to operate in the earth. That’s as blasphemous as it is stupid. God doesn’t need our permission to do anything, if He did, He would not be God. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Education taps resources in the politics of political confusion

By Derek Joy Hardly time for the dust to settle and the smoke to clear in the aftermath of last week’s elections before the rat killing opened full blast.

Everybody pretty much expected Republican Governor Rick Scott and and former Republican Governor turned Independent turn Democrat Charlie Crist would spark the fireworks.

Scott had a mere write-candidate to knock off, while Crist won fairly easily over former State Senator Nan Rich.

And the battle is on, dirt and all.

Interestingly enough, Black Americans had another poor showing at the polls. Some wonder if it’ll be the same in the general elections on Nov. 6.

Others wonder if people know, or care about the excess baggage and liabilities that both Scott and Crist carry.

Trouble is, there are people who insist that much of the population isn’t aware of the scandalous facts about the gubernatorial contestants.

One activist who requested anonymity, said: “Most Black people who vote are senior citizens. They don’t know about how Rick Scott and his

healthcare organization with $200 million while the company has billions in fines. They don’t look at the news or read the paper.”

Perhaps the same could be said for young Black American voters.

JOY Maybe they need to get up on the issues of who wins or who loses. And maybe those senior citizens shouldn’t be so derelict in their responsibilities for being the guiding hand of wisdom for our youth.

Sure. Scott got a golden parachute when he got out of Dodge just ahead of the posse. Maybe he should do the same now.

After all, he left the healthcare organization that he founded and built.

Got out after the Justice Department nailed his company for multiple counts of perpetrating medicare fraud.

Put his $200 million to work and bought the Florida Governor’s mansion. This happened after Crist abdicated the Governor’s mansion for an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Perry Thurston lost to George Sheldon as the Democratic candidate for the position of Attorney General, because his strategy was CALDWELL to not run as a Black candidate. In 2014, it is not politically expedient or politically correct to acknowledge that you are a Black man or a Black woman in a campaign. Since Black folks do

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.

To Be Equal The lessons of Ferguson, Part I: Economic inequality

By Marc H. Morial NNPA Columnist “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of MORIAL challenge and controversy.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I am haunted by the words spoken

by Lesley McSpadden immediately following the shooting death of her son, Michael Brown, at the hands of Ferguson, Mo. Police Officer Darren Wilson almost a month ago. She said, “Do you know how hard it was for me to get him to stay in school and graduate? You know how many Black men graduate? Not many. Because you bring them down to this type of level, where they feel like they don’t got nothing to live for anyway.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Marching to the ballot box

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. NNPA Columnist

not know that a Black candidate is running for office, they don’t educate themselves to vote Black.

Floridians would like to think that they are smart politically, but when only 15 percent of all registered voters vote in a primary, they do not understand the power of voting. There are 2.5 million registered Black voters in Florida and only 3 percent to 5 percent of voters voted in the primary. The reason Perry Thurston lost was because he refused to use a Black strategy, and Black Floridians don’t understand why we must all be in, for every election.

Black Floridians must take a page from our history, and remember our trailblazers died, were water hosed, lynched, and their homes bombed for the right to vote.

Black candidates forget why they are able to get on a ballot, and now to them politics are color-blind. But race still matters in Florida, and the KKK is now the new Tea Party, and Blacks must not forget their history.

It is inaccurate for newscasters to say, “In the aftermath of the recent racial turmoil in Ferguson, Mo., calm and peace has now been re- CHAVIS stored.” Peace is not the absence of violence, war, inhumanity or oppression. Peace is the presence of equality, empowerment and justice.

The truth is that across the United States of America, in the wake of the tragic murder of unarmed 18-year old Michael Brown in Ferguson, there are still raised emotions, traumatic stress, and serious racial disparities. Because of the murders of Trayvon Martin, Eric Gardner, Michael Brown and many others, Black America continues to endure physical and spiritual trauma as a result of persistent racial violence, hatred and injustice.

Let’s first be crystal clear. There is no justification for murder. No one of any race or ethnicity or religion should be killed as a result of prejudice, hatred or fear. No one acting under the color of law enforcement has the right to use race and prejudice as a conscious or subconscious basis to lynch, execute or to assassinate people.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Blacks in Florida must form coalitions to get the vote out in 2014

By Roger Caldwell

opinion that Chavis Carter, a 21-year-old Black male, died of a gunshot wound of the head. The agencies responsible for the investigation of his death were the Jonesboro Police Department and the CURRY Craighead County Coroner’s Office.

They reported that he was detained during a traffic stop.

“He was cuffed and placed into a police car, where apparently he produced a weapon, and despite being handcuffed, shot himself in the head.”

Like Victor White, III, Carter was Black and left handed. Also like the Carter debacle, authorities want us to believe that he managed to conceal a pistol – in Carter’s case, a 380-caliber semi-automatic – during two police pat downs. Despite being left-handed, police would have us believe he used his right hand to shoot himself in the right temple.

The Associated Press reported, “Carter’s death came after police stopped a truck in which he was riding.

The driver and another passenger eventually were allowed to go, but police said Carter had an outstanding arrest warrant. Court records show it had to do with a drug charge.

“Carter was searched twice and police said they found a small amount of marijuana, but no gun.

After the first search, an officer put Carter into a patrol car without handcuffing him. He was later searched again, handcuffed and returned to the same car.

“Officers a short time later saw Carter slumped over in the backseat and covered in blood, according to the report, which concluded he had managed to conceal a handgun with which he shot himself. He later died at a hospital, and the report listed his death as a suicide.”

Unlike Grouch Marx, you don’t have to worry about your lying eyes. Instead, we need to worry about lying police.

Child Watch

The emotional toll of growing up Black

By Marian Wright Edelman NNPA Columnist Terrell Strayhorn, a brilliant Black Ohio State University professor, recently opened the Educational Testing Service and Children’s Defense Fund co-sponsored symposium on Advancing Success for Black Men in College by sharing a question his 14-year-old son asked him: Why did EDELMAN he get in trouble for speaking out of turn when he jumped in to answer his teacher’s question? When his white friend did the same thing, she was praised for being excited about learning?

Strayhorn noted that many parents and grandparents and educators and policy experts are concerned about the same question: “There are lots of Black and Brown boys who are often penalized for committing the same exact act that non-Black and nonBrown, usually white kids, commit in school – and some students are praised for certain behaviors that other kids are penalized for. It sends a very mixed message, because my son is confused: ‘So what should I do? Not be excited about learning? What If you just can’t wait for the question? How do I signal to the teacher I’m not a rule-breaker?’”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The Gantt Report The Gantt Report

Any Negro won’t do

By Lucius Gantt Success is always the best revenge! When people constantly tell you that you are no good, you are inferior, you are incompetent, you are unworthy and that every- GANTT body is better and more professional than you all you have to do is make things happen!

Just win baby!

I’m still in country Sint Maarten in the Caribbean where I took on the task of helping one of the islands most powerful politicians’ cruse to a reelection victory.

For many years his political party excelled in the role of “opposition party” but today they are celebrating a new position as unquestioned leaders of a coalition of political parties that gives my guy and his coalition complete political control of country Sint Maarten!

A good man is never honored in his own country and the same is true about good Black political consultants!

The political party of choice for America’s African American voters is the Democratic Party but it seems no matter how many votes we cast for Democratic candidates, no matter how much money we contribute to Democratic coffers and no matter how many weeks, days and hours we spend doing volunteer work for Democratic candidates we seem to never get an opportunity to make decisions for Democrats and we never the chance to run or manage campaigns for Democratic Party candidates and it doesn’t matter if the candidates are white or Black!

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Michael Brown’s size doesn’t matter

By Lee A. Daniels NNPA Columnist We’ve now moved to a new stage of the racist DANIELS reaction to the police killing of Michael Brown: the largely overt assertion that he deserved to be killed.

In the immediate aftermath of Brown, though unarmed, being shot “multiple times” after being stopped while walking in the middle of the street, the “ballad” being played in some quarters went like this: we don’t know all the facts so we shouldn’t rush to judgment.

But, once the Ferguson police released the video of Michael Brown purportedly snatching a box of cigars from the convenience store and intimidating its clerk, that advice was quickly replaced by that old standby: criminalizing the person who was killed.

Now, the slimers have simplified their defense of Brown’s killing.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

September 4 - September 10, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

St. Ruth 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 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 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”

What will you do when you see God? Part 1 of 2

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

Kids Talk About God

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 Elijah Bell's Funeral Services RHUE Funeral services for the late Jewel Rhue.

James C. Boyd Funeral Home MELVIN Funeral services for the late Coach Terry Ann Melvin- 49 were held Aug. 30 at Blanche Ely High School with Rev. Samuel Sneed, Sr., officiating.

McWhite's Funeral Home BASKIN Funeral services for the late Howard Baskin, Jr. - 75 were held Aug. 30 at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor John Little officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

A Family That Prays Together, Stays Together New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church is prayerfully searching for a Minister of Music to lead and develop our music ministry. Our music ministry currently consists of two adult choirs, one young adult choir, one youth choir, and one male chorus.

We currently have two worship services (7:45 AM and 11:30 AM), and the Minister of Music will work on average 12-15 hours weekly. You can find more information about New Bethel Church, the qualifications, and responsibilities of this opportunity at our website www.newbethelpbchurch.org If you are interested in applying you may mail your resume to 1100 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 or you may email your resume to newbethelpbchurch@gmail.com.

For specific questions you may call our church office at (954)792-2440 and leave a message if no one is available.

BURNETTE Funeral services for the late Hugh Theodore Burnette - 67 were held Aug. 27 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.

CLARKSTON Funeral services for the late Kathleen Clarkston- 89 were held Aug. 30 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Steve McAllister officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

CUNIGAN Funeral services for the late Ondra R. Cuni gan - 55 were held Aug. 30 at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Joe Lewis, Sr. officiating.

MCNAIR Funeral services for the late Willie James McNair - 48 were held Aug. 30 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Apostle Amos Benefield, Jr. officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

WORSHIP THIS AND EVERY SUNDAY AT THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE

“When I see God, I will give him a big hug,” says Whitney.

“Then I will go say ‘hi’ to all the people in Bible times. Then I will ask him everything I ask my parents that they can’t answer.”

Whitney, I’m sure your parents will rejoice with you.

“I will fall down on my face and worship God,” says Blain, 8. “Then I will go to see my dog in heaven. Next, I will go see my cousin.”

If Blain’s cousin is reading this column, please don’t feel bad about waiting in line behind Blain’s dog. It’s amazing how many of my friends said they look forward to seeing their dogs in heaven. Of course, I’m speaking of the canine type.

We can confidently say that God will fulfill the hearts of his people. If you need your dog to make your heavenly life com-

Richardson Funeral Home CLEAR Funeral services for the late Carolyn Laverne Clear – 68 were held Aug. 29 at The Historic Saint Agnes Episcopal Church with with Rev. Father Denrick E. Rolle officiating.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home BUTLER Funeral services for the late Theodosia Latson Butler – 77 were held Aug. 29 at First Baptist Church Piney Grove with Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes officiating. Interment; Sunset Memorial Gardens.

FELTON Funeral services for the late Tonica M. Rawls - Felton - 50 were held Aug. 30 at Roy Mizell and Kurtz Worship Center with Rev. James Allen officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

YOUNG Funeral services for the late Lee Watts Young – 64 were held Aug. 30 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Rev. James B. Darling officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens – Central.

plete, maybe God will give you a dog you’ll never have to feed.

“I will go to see Jesus and ask him if you ever get to play in heaven. I love God,” says Carson, 8.

I can assure you, Carson, you’ll have more enjoyment in heaven than you’ve ever had on Earth. Anyone who stops long enough to examine God’s artistry in creation can’t help but notice playfulness. Consider dolphins as they swim, foals as they frolic and children as they pretend to be heroic characters. Play seems so natural to all of them.

What’s the purpose behind all this play, scientists may ask?

Maybe playfulness is an overflow of God’s life. God’s life will flow unhindered through his people, his creatures and his kingdom.

“My eyeballs will fly out of their sockets, and my mouth will fall to the ground!” says Hillary, 8. “And God will be glowing! I will hold onto his leg so tight that he can’t let me go, no matter how much power he has.”

Hillary, the good news is that you won’t have to grab God’s leg. He’s the one holding you. Speaking of those who have trusted him as their savior, Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

As for God’s glowing, Trevor, 7, says, “I will close my eyes because God is full of glory.”

The Lord told Moses, “No man can see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). God covered Moses with his hand as he passed by.

Moses didn’t see God’s glory straight on but probably from behind as it trailed off, so to speak.

Three of Jesus’ disciples saw a brief unveiling of God’s glory when Jesus took them to the top of a mountain. Jesus’ face became as bright as the sun, and his clothes looked like a flash of lightning. In God’s kingdom, the sun and moon won’t be needed because the light will be supplied by God’s glory (Revelation 21:23). Now that’s glory!

“Kids Talk About God” is distributed by Creators Syndicate. To access free, online “Kids Color Me Bible” books, “Mission Explorers” videos and all columns in a Bible Lesson Archive, visit at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org.

To read journey-of-faith feature stories written by Carey Kinsolving, visit www.FaithProfiles.org.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • September 4 - September 10, 2014

BUSINESS

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

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FUNdraising Good Times

So you want to launch an ice-bucket challenge of your own...

Part 2

Eric L. Wilson Owner

Last week we focused on the excitement – and revenue! – generated by the ALS Foundation’s “ice bucket challenge.”

We’re talking millions and millions of dollars. And we imagine your nonprofit organization or college is thinking “why didn’t we think of that?!” Or maybe a board member has approached your executive or development director with a request launch your own challenge.

Here’s our two cents: make sure your fundraising fundamentals are in place. We are talking about things such as a board gives and fundraises.

Thanking people within 48 hours. Using a donor management system to track gifts, pledges, relationships and interactions. A case for support that defines your vision, what you are raising money for, how the funds will be used, and what the impact will be.

If you are thinking about a “challenge” you want go globally social you may need to consider a few other items. These include: what do you want donors to do and why? What will motivate donors to give and share your message? How will you succinctly communicate your uniqueness, value and impact?

What structure will you put in place to launch and monitor your challenge? Who within your network has strong social media networks they are willing to engage? Who has strong in-person networks to engage for events that energize supporters and engage new ones? Who will kick-start your challenge? What are your media connections?

Which celebrity can provide a

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jumpstart? What will be the “buzz?” There are so many social giving campaigns: what will make yours stand out?

What about donor benefits?

What can you offer donors as an incentive to give at increasing levels? Say $100 instead of $25?

Regarding infrastructure: how will you respond? Do you have technology in place that can automatically respond with a thank you and tax receipt?

Do you have people in place to look each day at who is giving, what level they are giving at, and to reach out with a personal touch – a phone call or personal email – to say thank you? Do you have patience, persistence and a “plan b?” Using a “if you build it, they will come” approach to your challenge would be a recipe for “unsuccess.”

Having a plan to promote your challenge – and consistently working your plan – can increase your chances of success.

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

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

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Back to school, back to basics

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA Columnist

Phone: (954) 581-2915 Fax: (954) 581-2390 Cell: (954) 224-9866

FRANKIN BAIL BONDS 771 N.W. 22nd Road Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311

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Pearl and Mel Shaw

rjfl@aol.com

CALL AND HAVE YOUR AD PLACED ON THIS PAGE FOR A DISCOUNTED PRICE, FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY CALL -- (954) 525-1489

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE CALL -- (954) 525-1489 FOR MORE INFO

Between early August and late September, students are going back to school. Before they go to school, though, they and their parents will hit the malls and stationary stores to prepare for their return. Retailers say that students and their parents will spend $75 billion on back to school items, and clothing represents about a third of this spending.

Cash registers are also busy collecting money for school supplies, electronic goods and, for college students, accessories for their dorm rooms. While many students feel it is important to make the first day of school a fashion show, others can’t afford new clothes and are often stigmatized at school.

What if K-12 students wore uniforms? Parents might have

to buy two or three uniforms, and costs would be cut. Of course you can “jack” your uniform. I distinctly MALVEAUX recall sneaking green suede boots into my tote bag and then changing them on the bus, I realized the boring uniform didn’t have to be boring (of course, I was sent home).

Still, minor accessories – pins, headbands, and other goodies can adorn uniforms. The bottom line – uniforms save money for parents and reduce the clothing competition among students, The dollars saved on clothing, especially for high school students, can be used for afterschool programs that include SAT and PSAT tutoring.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

September 4 - September 10, 2014 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

Beyond Ferguson: Time for young Black leaders

By Freddie Allen NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – During a rousing, standing-room only town hall discussion dedicated to the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and police killings of young, Black men across the nation, Ron Daniels, declared, “a state of emergency in Black America.”

Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), a group de-

voted to the social, political and economic empowerment of the Black community, said that there are two Black Americas.

“Some Black people are doing quite well, unless they get stopped for driving while Black, they’re living in the suburbs and exurbs,” said Daniels. “But in the urban inner city areas, America’s dark ghettos, as Malcolm X would say, ‘people are catching more hell than ever before."

One of those people was Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager who was shot to death

in the middle of the road in Ferguson, Mo., by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. Brown’s lifeless body was left face down in the street for more than four hours as onlookers snapped photos and videos with their smartphones and news of the shooting spread on social media.

During the town hall discussion, Hilary Shelton, Washington, D.C. bureau chief for

the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said that he grew up in St. Louis and knows Ferguson very well and saw it transition from a town that was majority white to one that is 67 percent Black.

Shelton noted that only three of the 53 policemen that serve Ferguson are Black. The mayor is a white Republican and five

PLUS loan fix comes too late for some students Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, speaks during the town hall discussion on Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., and police brutality.

Why is it that we are preyed upon as a people then we are asked to pray for others?

(Cont'd from FP) Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, senior pastor of New Mount Olive Baptist Church, South Florida pastors and the Westside Gazette Newspaper hosted a prayer rally for peace.

“In light of the recent events in Ferguson Mo. we must come together to address the issues as a community and provide our support through prayer. We must ensure that peace prevails among our people and in our communities. this is not just a prayer rally for Ferguson, Mo., this is a call for peace nationwide.”—Dr. Marcus D. Davison Deep in the heart of Africa’s wilderness, you can find animals of all walks of life at the watering hole. They come in all shapes and sizes, big and small, spotted and lined, tall and short, you even have those who are considered prey and those who prey upon them. Yes, prey upon others as in to devour, eat, consume, obliterate, or kill. However the watering hole is where life is sustained, made whole, revitalized and brought forth.

The Prayer Rally on Thursday at New Mount Olive Baptist Church can be liken to the watering hole. A place where folks from all walks of life came to pray to God for forgiveness and solutions. There were law enforcement, political candidates, clergy, elected officials, people from the state attorney’s office, judges, recovering addicts, youth, ex-cons, and those who help ex-cons and addicts; the community was well reflective. Yes they were all there praying for a better day. Praying with love and compassion in their hearts. Praying that we will continue this prayer rally for days and years to come. Praying that this Prayer Rally for Peace was built upon the foundation of God Almighty and not man. Yes we were praying rather than preying.

Janice Hayes, a mother of a young Black man said that we should put actions to our prayers. “If we want to reach our young Black men, we’ve got to extend our hand and hearts to them. Our young Black men are inundated with subliminal and overt messages telling them they are worthless, depleting them of hope. Without an expectation of a bright future, life appears dismal and therefore devalued.

“We can start the process of reaching our young Black men, by speaking hope, faith and love into their lives. People typically respond favorably to those who favor them. Or as FDR said, People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care”.

It was suggested that the community meet on a regular basis to keep us united and aware of the actions of others.

“After such a great turnout, and emotional response, I would meet quarterly with community workers. You notice that I said community workers. Incorporating the Broward churches with the Westside Gazette was a great move.

Now, by utilizing the grassroots into this equation could change the dynamics and provide better outcomes, to include increasing the voting turn out,” stated Guy Wheeler.

There are needs that our community is missing, even though there are organizations that are on the battle fields.

When we come together from all aspects of our communities, we present an audacious presentation that is very hard to ignore and treat with blatant disrespect.

Rev. Robert Stanley was moved by the possibility of an everlasting sharing of aims to galvanize communities to irritate change that is truly needed.

“The Prayer Rally for Peace was not only timely but transforming. We were convicted by our own possible complacency and challenged to acknowledge and accept our need for permanent provoking solidarity moving forward,” Stanley said.

“As a young person that has not seen any civil unrest first hand. I really enjoyed the Prayer Rally for Peace. It was very inspiring, touching and powerful! I’m thankful and glad that I was in attendance for Prayer for Peace,” said Tawanna Taylor.

By Freddie Allen NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – A few weeks before thousands of Black college students returned to college campues to begin the Fall semester, the Department of Education issued updated standards for the PLUS loan program, but the changes may come too late for students already forced to delay their dreams of a college education, according to activists.

Since the summer of 2011, groups working to increase graduation rates among Black students have railed against changes that the Education Department made to PLUS loan requirements that disqualified families with shaky credit histories, because they seemed to ignore the damage that occurred as a result from the economic downturn that followed Great Recession. In an effort to keep parents from taking on more debt, the department effectively slammed the door on the college dreams of thousands of Black students.

In August, the department announced it they would relax those rules, but the changes won’t take effect until next school year.

The changes include decreasing “the time period a borrower’s credit history is reviewed from the last five years to the last two years for charge offs and collections to determine adverse credit history” and adjusting “the combined outstanding balance adverse debt threshold of $2,085 as necessary.”

Until the final rules are published in November, parents that failed to qualify for PLUS loans under the 2011 requirements can go through a reconsideration process.

In a press release about the proposed changes, Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of the

Thurgood Marshall College Fund,said that the proposed reform with a 2015 effective date, doesn’t help the students forced to withdraw two years ago or the students hoping to begin their college career this Fall.

“The Education Department repeatedly ignored proposals from higher education leaders that would’ve substantially mitigated the damage done to children from lower and middle-income families devastated by the Great Recession,” said Taylor.

“This reform is too little, too late. We are literally watching some of our best students and colleges suffer needlessly as a result of this continued delay. I am urging HBCU leaders, advocates, students, and alumni to comment on the [PLUS loan] reform and speak out to help the tens of thousands of students denied college access.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Hip Hop artist and activist Jasiri X (r) speaks during a town hall discussion on Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Mo., and police brutality as Ron Hampton, former executive director of the National Black Police Association, looks on.

(Photos by Freddie Allen/NNPA) out of six councilmembers are also white.

“When you have a scenario where everything is set up as if it were some occupying force and that occupying force is suppressing rather than protecting those communities, you end up with the kind of response that we got with Michael Brown,” explained Shelton.

Ron Hampton, a former executive director of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) , said that the Black community can’t look at the Michael Brown killing as a single incident in time.

“[The Michael Brown shooting] is the continuation of the assault and the attack on Black men and women in the Black community,” stated Hampton. “The militarization of police departments started after Vietnam. Police departments received military equipment after the Vietnam War, after Desert Storm, and after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

And now that equipment is being used in the War on Drugs waged in the Black communities.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • September 4 - September 10, 2014

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

LDF to challenge discriminatory photo ID law in Texas Federal Court Texas’s photo ID one of the most discriminatory in the country

Happy Birthday to Charles 'Papa' Williams September 5, 2014

From your Family and Extended Family We love you, very much.

CORPUS CHRISTI, TX – Recently (Sept. 2, 2014) a twoweek trial begins in United States v. Texas, a federal challenge to Texas’s discriminatory photo ID law, Senate Bill 14. In this case with important national implications, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) and its cocounsel law firm Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr LLP (WilmerHale), represent the Texas League of Young Voters Education Fund and Imani Clark.

Ms. Clark, an undergraduate student at Prairie View A & M University, a historically Black Texas university, previously voted using her student ID but does not have the photo ID that Texas is now requiring.

“Context matters greatly in this case. Texas adopted its restrictive, discriminatory photo ID law in response to the substantial recent population growth of Black and Latino communities in Texas,” said Ryan P. Haygood, Director of LDF’s Political Participation Group.

“In the past 10 years, Texas’s population has grown by 4

million people, 90 percent of which are people of color. This demographic shift pre-sented Texas with an important opportunity to welcome its rich diversity by expanding its electorate.

Instead, it chose a more insidious and illegal course of action: to intentionally erect one of the nation’s most strict photo ID laws in an effort to minimize the growing political power of voters of color. Fortunately, the Voting Rights Act and the United States Constitution prohibit that result.”

“Although Texas has yet to identify a single instance of inperson voter fraud, the State nevertheless insists that a racially discriminatory photo ID law is necessary to prevent it,” said Natasha Korgaonkar, LDF Assistant Counsel.”

But here’s what we know: an estimated hundreds of thousands of registered voters, a significant number of whom are voters of color, lack acceptable photo IDs under SB 14. In particular, Texas’s photo ID law imposes significant burdens on young Black student voters, many of whom have relied on student IDs to vote in past elections.”

LDF previously was successful in blocking Texas from implementing its photo ID law.

In 2012, another federal court concluded that Texas’s photo ID law imposes “strict, unforgiving burdens” on the poor, disabled, elderly, and people of color. However, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s devastating decision in Shelby County, Alabama v. Holder, which effectively dismantled Section 5’s protections, Texas

immediately implemented its photo ID law.

LDF and WilmerHale seek to block the discriminatory photo ID law, and have peti-

tioned the federal court to “bailin” the State of Texas to require the State to receive preclearance review of all future voting changes in the State because

Texas’s implementation of its photo ID law continues its serial attempts to limit, rather than expand, voting opportunities for people of color in Texas.

Dosage of HIV drug may be ineffective for half of African-Americans (Cont'd from FP) The current study shows that people with maximum levels of the protein — including nearly half of African Americans — end up with less maravi roc in their bodies compared to those who lack the protein even when given the same dose. A simple genetic test for the gene that makes the CYP3A5 protein could be used to determine what doses would achieve effec tive levels in individuals, the re searchers say.

The results of the small study were published online on Aug. 12 in the journal Drug Metabolism and Disposition.

“Because African Americans are disproportionately affected

by HIV infection, it is doubly important that we get the dosing right,” says Namandje Bumpus, Ph.D., an assistant professor of pharmacology and molecular sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

CYP3A5 is a protein found in abundance in liver and intestinal cells. It adds an oxygen molecule to various drugs to make them more water-soluble so they can ultimately enter the urine and leave the body.

Eighty to 90 percent of European-Americans have no CYP3A5, because they have in-

herited two dysfunctional copies of the CYP3A5 gene.

Normally, the absence of CYP3A5 is not noticeable; a very similar protein, CYP3A4, acts on most of the same drugs.

But, for a few drugs, like maraviroc and the cancer drug vincristine, CYP3A5 seems to play a particularly prominent role in helping to remove them from the body. In those cases, the presence or absence of CYP3A5 would likely affect the amount of a drug in the bloodstream, the Johns Hopkins team predicted. And since 85 percent of participants in the maraviroc dosing study were EuropeanAmericans, who typically lack functional CYP3A5, the researchers surmised that the recommended dose for maraviroc could be too low for anyone with two functional copies of the gene — including 45 percent of African Americans.

To test this idea, the research team grouped 24 healthy volunteers according to how many functional copies of the CYP3A5 gene they had — zero, one or two. They were each given a single dose of maraviroc in the recommended dose of 300 milligrams, and each participant’s blood was taken at 10 time points over 32 hours.

At almost all time points, the concentrations of maraviroc

were similar for the groups with zero or one functioning copies of CYP3A5 but were lower in those with two functioning copies. Compared to those with two poorly functioning copies of the gene, those with two functioning copies had a 41 percent lower concentration overall.

Importantly, as a group, those with two functioning copies had an average concentration that was just above the lowest level determined to be effective against the virus. And four of the eight had individual average concentrations that dropped below that.

“The trend we saw was that the more functional CYP3A5 a person had, the faster maraviroc was processed and left the body, so the lower its concentration in the bloodstream,” explains Bumpus. “What’s nice is that, if a larger study confirms that we are underdosing this group, a simple genetic test prior to dosing decisions could rectify the situation.”

She adds that this study highlights the importance of designing clinical trials in which the participants are as ethnically diverse as the population to be treated.

Story Source: The above story is based on materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine.

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Special education students bypass common obstacles

By Jazelle Hunt NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – A new law for special education students in Louisiana is making waves among parents, education officials, and advocacy groups.

The legislation, H.B. 1015, allows special education teachers to circumvent state standardized test requirements and assume sole authority to promote a student who has scored below proficiency, even up to granting a high school diploma.

After Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law over the summer, several education and disability advocacy organizations, including the Education Trust, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, and Autism National Committee, objected.

They contend that the law encourages lower expectations for special education students, and offers a detrimental illusion of achievement. Proponents, on the other hand, believe it evens the playing field of academic achievement while allowing students’ work to represent them, as opposed to a high-stakes exam score.

“I feel like it’s a hindrance to students. A line needs to be drawn,” says Bryndan Bailey.

Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, Bailey went through elementary, middle, and high school as a special education

student. Now a student at Clatsop Community College in Oregon, he maintains a 3.7 GPA, without special accommodations or aids.

“I like when people expect a lot from me. I feel like [the exemption] causes more of a handicap to a person who already has a handicap.”

For most of his education, Bailey has had an IEP team overseeing his progress.

All special education students in federally-funded schools must have Individualized Education Plans, or IEPs that lay out accommodations and an evolving, personalized roadmap for special education students to achieve the same educational goals as their peers.

For example, a dyslexic student may be allowed to take exams in pri-vate and have them read aloud as part of his or her IEP. IEP teams—comprised of the instructors, specialists, and/or caregivers in-volved in the student’s matriculation—continually collaborate on these plans.

Under H.B. 1015, IEP teams can determine whether to waive the state standardized exam requirements for a particular student—but only after that student performs below proficiency.

If exemption is granted, the IEP team must create “rigorous educational goals” that “promote college or workforce readiness.”

The new plan must include alternative means of assessment; lesson plans; and personalized bare-minimum requirements. The student will be promoted or held back based on performance with these new goals.

In the case of high school seniors, exempted students must achieve their IEP goals, plus become employed and self-sufficient; demonstrate “specific employable skills;” or, be able to access needed services beyond graduation. The law also mandates that parents must be informed of how the different standards might affect college and career options. It doesn’t provide direction on what happens if an exempted high school graduate does not meet these post-grad requirements.

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson urges South Florida cities to take advantage of billions of federal dollars for community improvement and economic development

CONGRESSWOMAN WILSON MIAMI, FL — Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL24) will host a Green Impact Zone initiative workshop to help

South Florida cities in district 24 access federal funds to revitalize their urban cores. The workshop will be held Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Double Tree Grand Hotel, 1717 N. Bayshore Dr., in Miami, Fla. Elected officials and representatives of district 24’s municipalities are invited to attend.

Since the elimination of earmarks in the federal budget process, cities are having a difficult time accessing federal dollars for community improvements and economic development. Congresswoman Wilson has invited Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5), an award winning former Kansas City Mayor, to Miami to work

District to host annual 'Conversation with the District' Town hall-style community meetings With the new school year off to a great start, Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announces the annual Conversation with the District series of town hall-style meetings aimed at gaining input and feedback from parents, students and community members.

This year, the Conversation with the District continues the discussions regarding how the District will prepare today’s students to be successful in tomorrow’s world. Among the topics of discussion will be the upcoming $800 million General Obligation Bond Referendum that will be on the November 4th ballot.

The public is invited to take part in the Conversation with the District events. There is no fee to attend and parking is available at each location. Registration for speakers begins at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 6:30 p.m. · Monday, Sept. 8, Northeast High School, 700 N.E. 56 St., Oakland Park, Fla.

· Wednesday, Sept. 10, Atlantic Technical College, 4700 Coconut Creek Pkwy., Coconut Creek, Fla. · Wednesday, Sept. 17, Cypress Bay High School, 18600 Vista Park Blvd., Weston, Fla. · Monday, Sept. 22, Hollywood Hills High School, 5400 Stirling Rd., Hollywood, Fla. · Tuesday, Sept. 30, Flanagan High School, 12800 Taft St., Pembroke Pines, Fla. · Wednesday, Oct. 1, J.P. Taravella High School, 10600 Riverside Dr., Coral Springs, Fla. · Monday, Oct. 27, Piper High School, 8000 N.W. 44 St., Sunrise, Fla.

with local municipalities on how to access federal funds. In 2009, Congressman Cleaver introduced the Green Impact Zone of Missouri and with the aid of close to $200 million dollars in federal funds transformed parts of Kansas City’s declining urban core and created hundreds of jobs.

“There are billions of dollars in the federal budget that are left untapped annually because cities are not aware of the process for acquiring these funds.

It is vital that municipalities in district 24 attend this workshop and take advantage of the resources the federal government has to offer. It is also important that the public understands the role of their elected officials in ascertaining important assistance that tax payers pay into,” said Congresswoman Wilson.

“In the long run, high school is preparing students for the real world. It’s not beneficial to have kids depend on [their IEPs], or use it as a copout, because your IEP is not going to help with everyday life problems,” Bailey says. “You’re not going to have a teacher to come to your boss and say, ‘Oh, he counted the change wrong be-

cause he’s dyslexic.’ That’s not how life works.”

Mercia Williams-Murray, a six-year middle and high school math and science special education teacher in Washington, D.C., agrees, adding that it’s especially troubling for Black and Latino boys, who are significantly more likely to be diagnosed and put into special education than others.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, particularly when you’re dealing with a high population of Black kids, knowing that they are more likely to be identified as special needs, and therefore going to be disproportionately affected by a law like that,” she says, adding that finishing school with limited job options pushes boys of color closer to a life of crime.

“I think it not only lowers expectations for kids, but it also sets them up for failure beyond school. If anything, they need more discipline and to have the bar raised even higher, because everyone expects so little of them.”

Although there is debate about the merits of exemption, almost everyone agrees that high stakes state exams are problematic.

“The whole process of a test grading someone and telling you, hey, this is how intelligent they are based on these questions I asked them – that whole system is flawed in the first place,” says Bailey. “It doesn’t have anything to do with having an IEP or not, even someone with nothing wrong with them, per se, can still be subjected to look like they’re less than, or like they’re not as intelligent.”

Williams-Murray echoes the sentiment, adding that it is frustrating and disheartening for both students and teachers to miss the mark on state exams.

For this reason, Amy Angrand, a two-year special education kindergarten teacher in Maryland, believes that H.B. 1015 is a great opportunity for teachers and students to show their true capabilities.

“It would be great to eliminate the state test, because it doesn’t really show what they can do. Just through observation with my students, I can tell if they’re capable of taking one…and most of the time, they’re not ready for it,” she says, adding that teachers are offer more accurate evaluations of their students.

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Beyond the Rhetoric

CBC:The clueless Black Caucus

The awakening of Black Costa Rica

By Harry C. Alford NNPA Columnist I am writing this article from the beautiful nation of Costa Rica (Rich Coast in English). It is our mission to connect the dots of the African Diaspora and this dot is pretty key to accomplishing that mission. The seven nations of Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua and Panama) are all heavily populated with descendants of Africa. A group of Black Costa Ricans were referred to us by the U.S. State Department.

They informed them that we just organized a chapter of ours in nearby Colombia and would have an interest in working with them.

Most of the Blacks in Central America are second stage “immigrants.” They were first kidnapped and sold into slavery and sent to the Caribbean islands. Soon after emancipation in Jamaica, many of the freedmen journeyed to Central America to work the Panama Canal and to join in the plantation farming industry. Costa Rica is a prime example of that.

Most of the Blacks in the nation have English surnames and are bilingual (perfect Spanish and English). Culturally, their Jamaican roots trump any other culture to which they had to adapt. Also, many of the Black entrepreneurs now living in Costa Rica have spent a considerable amount of time living throughout America for educational and career purposes.

They now want to bring their skills and talents back home to Costa Rica.

Race relations in Costa Rica, from my initial assessment, appear to be rather positive compared to many other Western Hemisphere nations. However, the statistics will show that from an economic and entrepreneurial basis, there is disparity.

Softly, the descendants of Africa want that disparity to be addressed. Costa Rica is being primed for explosive growth and it is the concern of many that it must be imperative that all entities of the nation take an active part in that, especially from the African descendants.

Costa Rica, like its name describes, is very rich in natural resources. Its rich land allows it to be a world leader in pineapples, cocoa, bananas, coconut, coffee, tobacco, tea, flowers, timber, exotic birds, etc. It is a very serious exporter with a trade

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.

Sept. 4. 11, 18, 25, 2014

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Florida Department of Transportation Project Bids will be received by the Tallahassee Office until 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, for Proposal ID T4380. The improvements under this contract consist of extending the left turn lane, replacing the existing strain pole signal with mast arms, roadway lighting and other miscellaneous work on SR 848 in Broward County. This is a Business Development Initiative (BDI) project, and Certification of Qualification is not required for this project. Budget Estimate $477,452.00. Complete letting advertisement information for this project is available on our website at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/cca d m i n / L e t t i n g s / Letting_Project_Info.shtm or by calling (850) 414-4000.

Aug. 28, Sept. 4, 2014

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balance superior to most small nations.

We have never seen such gigantic plantations featuring fruits of every ALFORD kind. There were shipping containers by the thousands stacked up along the countryside. It was like the ports of Oakland and San Francisco lying side by side. But there was one glaring feature: There was no viable deep water container port. This land relies on exports but have no decent container port to maximize that advantage.

Also, their highway system is totally inefficient. We drove from the capital, San Jose, to their eastern Caribbean Coast port of Limon. It is an 85-mile trip but it took three hours, with one lane each way through the mountains and traversed by heavily loaded trucks.

Fortunately, the nation sees that to grow they must modernize. On the drawing board is a $1.8 billion container port in the Limon region located on its Caribbean side. A viable railway is in the planning stage. A joint venture between China and the nation to build a one billion dollar-plus oil refinery will begin shortly, also in the Limon region.

Limon will be the industrial and agricultural belt of the nation. That is sweet music to us because Limon’s population is 71 percent Black. They are going to see 450,000 new jobs evolving and $4 - 6 million in infrastructures. The key is that there will be diversity in all of this. Keep in mind that despite all of the above, there are few billionaires in the nation. History shows that the government has been pretty much in control of their economy and corporate vitality. This is in obvious conflict with growth and the task of beginning to privatize its economic sectors must begin soon.

One person at the economic summit we are presently attending declared, “There must not be the continuation of the 3 D’s – Disbelief, Disgust and Disenfranchisement. Like the Mafia, interests have come to build, sell their goods and run back home with all of the money.” Another said, “We must have a strategic plan... Bingo!

It is clear that what is needed is a roadmap on how you get to your objective. I am certain that the powers to be have a significant plan. But does that plan include all of the people and is frankly shared with them? Certainly not. To be a part of the plan we must be at the “table.”

Somehow the Black segment of Costa Rica must be incorporated into the plan along with everyone else. First, they should organize and draw up their own strategic plan to be interfaced with the official one when it is publicized. We are going to work with them on this. Costa Rica, prepare for a viable Black middle class and viable Black entrepreneurship.

FOR RENT HOUSE FOR RENT

By Raynard Jackson NNPA Columnist On the very day that Michael Brown, the slain teenager from Ferguson, Mo., was buried, the Congressional Black Caucus made a major announcement.

They sent a letter complaining to President Obama. Yep, you heard correctly. They took the bold move of asking the President to investigate issues of racism and discrimination within local law enforcement nationally by setting up a police czar.

Now that you have finished laughing, let’s discuss this a little further.

It took plodding through the CBC’s meandering letter, they see that they made a few strong recommendations to the President.

They first want Obama to appoint the “Department of Justice (DOJ) to train every police department in the country on the issue of racial bias.” It’s amazing that members of congress need to be reminded that policing is a lo-

cal issue, not a federal one.

The federal government has its hands full trying to eradicate racism from its own ranks. So I have a recommendation for the CBC: Let the states and municipal governments deal with the issue on the local level.

The second recommendation concerned accountability. According to the CBC’s letter, “Police departments should not be solely responsible for investigating themselves.” Oh really?

These same members of congress seem to have no problem when it comes to congress investigating itself. If another member of congress or the public files a complaint against a member of congress, Congress refuses to bring in an independent investigator.

The third recommendation deals with the issue of diversity. “Police department personnel should be representative of the communities they serve… DOJ must set, implement, and monitor diversity

hiring and retention guidelines for local police departments,” according to the letter. Again, this is a local issue and DOJ has no authority to engage in such an activity. Why won’t Congress agree to be subjected to this same standard? Besides, Congress conveniently exempts itself from some of the law it passes.

The fourth recommendation revolved around engagement.

“Too often law enforcement personnel hold stereotypes about Black and brown youth and vice versa. Lack of familiarity breeds lack of understanding and increased opportunities for conflict...” These same members of Congress perpetuate stereotypes that Republicans hate Blacks; and don’t care about the poor.

Democrats rarely engage with Republicans on any issues; and people wonder why no legislation gets passed in D.C. The fifth recommendation: “… The Administration must quickly establish a national commission to review existing police policies and practices and identify the best policies and practices that can prevent more Fergusons and vastly improve

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ARIES-You’ve done a lot of things in life that no one has agreed with at the beginning. Finding agreement this week will be difficult, but it should not deter you from moving forward. Feeling sorry for your loneliness will discolor what you are doing. Be happy that you are alone.I get joy from giving good things. 2, 10, 31

GEMINI-Some say optimism is fantasy. Suppose the good thing you’re optimistic about never comes. This week you’ll know that the joy of anticipating it is joy enough. Just the certainty of coming goodness is present goodness. The joy of tomorrow is available this week.This week is the week the Lord has made.

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SCORPIO-You’ll be full of good ideas this week, so make sure you write down the ones you don’t have time to put into action. You’ll want to share your thoughts on a grand scale, and your mind will seem truly universal to you. Try to be patient with those who are staggered by your brilliance.Light from my soul shines in many directions. 2, 3, 9 SAGITTARIUS-This week let your gentle spirit shine through. Your rough and tumble side is not appropriate for the relationships that you’ll encounter. Someone will need your understanding and sympathy. Give it with sensitivity.My life itself is my greatest creation. 30, 37, 44 CAPRICORN-You’re faced with a formidable task but when you defeat it, you’ll take big steps toward a goal. Weigh in and give it your best. Your energy is high. The task looks larger before you start. Compromise with a partner. The immediate future promises love.I enjoy the spirits of people whose spirits are akin to mine this week 33, 34, 52

LEO-What a blessed week this will be. Spend it meditating on all that God has given you. This week think hard about some form of worship. Curtis Mayfield wrote a song called “Who Do You Love?”

Someone should write one called “How Do You Love?” For your love lesson, the second song would be the one you should sing.New intuitions create new plans and a new cast of characters. 7, 16, 25

AQUARIUS-Yield to the harmony that lies below the surface of any seeming disagreement. Serenity is more important than your sense of righteousness.

Questioning the motives of others will make your mind too suspicious to benefit from the unclear way in which love will present itself this week.Freedom of mind is the greatest gift for me this week.Lucky Numbers: 12, 53, 54

VIRGO-Your self-discipline helps you to do more this week. People will be watching as you zip around with style and grace! Broaden your cultural horizons by trying new foods and meeting new people. You’ll be pleasantly surprised! I am patient with all that comes my way this week. 3, 4, 14

PISCES-Always remember that loved ones make the world a wonderful habitat. Otherwise it is an empty place and no amount of material gain can give it the excitement you want and deserve.I let my luck work for me. 16, 23, 46

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CANCER-You might be looking into the buying or selling of a piece of property, and this week seems to be a favorable week for this type of negotiation. Be careful with the intricacies of the matter. Pay attention to details or it could cost you a great deal later.

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policing in communities across the nation.” Is anyone listening? This is a local issue.

The final recommendation called for more JACKSON bureaucracy. “The Administration must appoint a federal Czar, housed in the U.S. Department of Justice, who is specifically tasked with promoting the professionalization of local law enforcement, monitoring egregious law enforcement activities, and adjudicating suspicious actions of local law enforcement agencies that receive federal funding.”

In essence, the CBC wants to nationalize all local and municipal police departments. This is yet another example of why no one takes the CBC seriously.

They constantly advocate positions that have no chance of passing Congress; and in this case, are not even legal.

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Black man killed in Syria fighting for Islamic militants

By Frederick H. Lowe Special to the NNPA News Staff from The NorthStar News & Analysis Douglas McAuthur McCain, a Black man from the Minneapolis, Minn. area, was killed in Syria, fighting for ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq, the White House has confirmed.

Caitlin Hayden, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, announced on Tuesday that McCain, who was born in Chicago and raised in the Minneapolis area, had died.

“We are aware of U.S. citizen Douglas McAuthur McCain’s presence in Syria and can confirm his death,” Hayden said in a statement. “We continue to use every tool we possess to disrupt and dissuade individuals from traveling abroad for violent jihad and to track and engage those who return.”

Kenyata McCain, a first cousin, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that a U.S. State Department official called Douglas McCain’s mother Sunday night to tell her that her son had been killed in Syria over the weekend. His mother lives in San Diego.

The Star Tribune reported that McCain was killed in Marea, Syria, during a gun battle with members of the Free Syrian Army. McCain converted

Stop killing our Black sons

By Irma McClaurin Special to the NNPA from Insight News PERSPECTIVE They are not insurgents.

They are not enemy combatants. They are not hostile enemy forces. They are not terrorists. They are our Black sons.

And I beg you America to stop killing them in their own backyards, in the streets outside of nightclubs, on the phone talking to their girlfriend, and a few blocks from convenience stores from which they may or may not have stolen cigars.

They do not deserve to die for such trivial incidents.

America, the young Black men you kill are our future and potential scientists and doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs; they are our future bus drivers, train conductors, teachers, garbage men, mechanics, cable TV guys, the clerk at the neighborhood grocery stores. Whatever their roles in the future, large or small, they do not deserve to die.

It is true. Some of our Black sons are misdirected and misguided, to be sure. But doesn’t every society have those disaffected youth who may follow the path to crime and violence?

A few of them may deserve to be labelled thugs and hoodlums, but this is not every Black male child born, and our country says they are innocent until proven guilty. Even the “bad apples” don’t deserve to be gunned down and die like animals in the streets.

Do we condemn every White young disaffected 21-year-old male because of Columbine; Aurora, Tucson, Fort Hood, and most recently Newtown? No. In their article, “White Men have much to discuss about mass shootings, Charlotte and Harriet Childress point out that White boys and men are often given a pass and attention turned to mental health issues, rather than the fact that disproportionately, White men have been involved in mass shooting sprees. Yet, they are not racially profiled.

You would never know it from the images of Ferguson, but this is not Iraq. We are not living in Afghanistan. This is not the Gaza Strip. This is the United States of America and Ferguson, Mo. So who gave ipso facto permission? In other words, what powers that be authorized today’s policemen, living in small town America in the heartland, to function like trained military and to treat our young Black sons as if they were terrorists and the enemy without justification or evidence?

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

from Christianity to the Muslim faith in 2004.

Family members had recently talked to Douglas McCain, and he said he was in Turkey, which is a common route to Syria. Kenyata McCain noted that on his Facebook page that her cousin supported ISIS or ISIL, which President Barack Obama has tapped as one of the United States’ top security concerns. Government officials

believe more than 100 Americans have joined ISIS. The NorthStar News & Analysis sent a request for an interview to Kenyata McCain through Facebook, but she did not respond. NorthStar also called the U.S. State Department about McCain, but officials did not respond to its request for information, including how they determined he was an American.

Several news reports said an American passport and $800 were found on his body.

Douglas McCain’s death occurred shortly after the disclosure of the beheading of American photographer James Foley by ISIS. A video of Foley’s execution was released Aug. 19.

The Star Tribune reported that the 33-year-old McCain graduated in 1999 from Robbinsdale Cooper High School in

New Hope, Minn., a Minneapolis suburb. Although some reports said he did not graduate.

Some reports described McCain as Tunisian and Egyptian, but he said on his Facebook page that he was 10 percent African American. While in Chicago, he lived in the Robert Taylor Homes, a giant public housing project on the South Side. The complex has since been demolished. ( His Facebook page has been taken down.)

MCCAIN

Page 14 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • September 4 - September 10, 2014

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

Emergency preparedness plans marginalize Blacks

By Jazelle Hunt NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – This September marks the 10th anniversary for National Preparedness Month.

And when it comes to emergency situations, Black communities tend to be among the most vulnerable and least prepared.

Henry Louis Taylor, Jr., professor of urban and regional planning, and founding director of the Center for Urban Studies at the University at Buffalo, believes that emergency preparedness efforts sometimes reflect the marginalization of low-income and communities of color.

“The reality is that a person grappling with decisions like survival, making ends meet…is not going to be thinking about terror attacks or explosions or ice storms and how to prepare for that. They have to prepare for basic things, like, where is my next meal coming from, or how will I get my kids to school.

They’re not going to be able to [get prepared] on their own,” Taylor explains.

“When you combine that with [the fact that] the authorities and people involved in disaster preparedness planning do not understand those neglected communities, and have little meaningful relationships with those inside it,

it’s clear why they’re not equipped with this information. There isn’t a system in place to work with residents…even the formation of these plans has nothing to do with them.”

This hasn’t gone unnoticed.

In 2007, the Office of Minority Health convened a National Consensus Panel on Emergency Preparedness and Cultural Diversity, tasked with creating guidelines to help state and local officials include and accommodate communities of color in their preparedness efforts.

Suzet McKinney, deputy commissioner for Chicago’s Bureau of Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Re-

DEL’S LAUNCH, SHENANDOAH VISIT SHOW DR. KING’S ‘FINER WORLD TO LIVE IN — “Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for Equal Rights - you will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in.”- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King’s wisdom (quoted under my friend’s email signature) went straight to my heart when contemplating this summer. Since June Frank and I have had the privilege of traveling to Yosemite National Park retracing the ride of the Buffalo Soldiers, United States Army, to protect the Range of Light in 1904. Early August we took a group of more than 30 DEL speakers to the Grand Canyon National Park, including our closest friends who are environmental leaders, and young speakers such as Dorien Paul Blythers and Tony C Anderson, whose careers we helped to seed.

PICTURED: DEL speakers are the picture of inclusiveness at the Press Conference, joined by guests Danielle Deane (first row, far right ) and John Reynolds, directly behind her. Aug. 25 we launched the Diverse Environmental Leaders (DEL) National Speakers Bureau at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, which a retired federal agency leader described thus, “The several people of color who spoke about their commitment to the environment constituted one of the most stimulating and exciting events I have ever been at. They were overwhelming in their eloquence...” Until then, visit our website at DEL’s website and call or email us to book our speakers. And yes, Dr. King! It truly feels like a finer life and a finer nation!

sponse, echoes many of the panel’s findings.

“You really have to know your community, and know what the populations are that exist in the city,” she says, adding that finding and creating provisions for those who are elderly or disabled, have language barriers, limited means of transportation, or lack access to social services, is a monumental task.

“In areas where communities are socially isolated…we could have issues with trust,” McKinney continued. “We recognize and understand that, so we try to identify the advocates and groups where trust is already established who can help us in government and other officials to reach those in insolation.”

The 9/11 terrorist attacks and subsequent anthrax threat placed our nation’s unpreparedness at center stage. The intervening years have underscored this need, bringing disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the H1N1 pandemic flu, a string of mass shootings, two major blackouts in New York City, a barrage of extreme weather events, and more. In response, the federal government launched resources, Ready.gov for citizens, FEMA

preparedness grants for state and local governments, and more recently, the Tribal Climate Resilience Program for Indian country.

“Preparedness is a live process. I am of the belief that a plan is never complete, because when going from one emergency to another, there are always going to be some nuances that require us to alter our plans or responses in some way,” McKinney says.

Ordinary citizens are a large variable in the process as well.

In recent years, the work of being prepared has been framed as a civic duty, a call to arms, and a collective effort.

“We’re encouraging (citizens) to be resilient, to be resources for one another, because we’ve realized that government entities cannot be everywhere at the same time,” McKinney says. “We want people checking on their neighbors, making arrangements in case of emergencies…we’re encouraging people to return to those behaviors that we remember when we were growing up.”

The national Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program hinges on this concept. Through this free program, disseminated by FEMA but administered by local groups and governments, ordi-

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nary citizens can take a course on basic first responder, rescue, and emergency skills. At the end of the course, participants can opt to join a citizen corps of auxiliary first responders, who can be deployed in their communities in the event of a nonterrorism emergency.

“These trainings are about empowering our residents to stand up and be great in their neighborhoods. People with this knowledge and information can do good for all the people around them,” says Charsaree Clay, Washington, D.C. CERT program officer. She offers three recommendations for people looking to become more disaster ready.

“Know yourself. What are the names of the medications you take? If you only take [public transportation], how would you get out of the city if you needed to? If you had to walk out of the city, could you?”

Clay prompts. “Network and connect with people; you want to create a web of intermeshed people who help each other out in times of crisis. Lastly, learn— and not just by taking [CERT] training. Get online. And your community is also a resource, people in your building might know things.”

McKinney offers similar advice for whole communities, sharing that connections—between trusted officials, advocates, and organizations (such as churches)—are key to filling the gaps in government capacity.

Taylor advises people to heed, and quickly respond to all official warnings. He also recommends knowing simple but vital things, such as all of the routes out of one’s home, even in pitch darkness; the locations of the community’s safest structures; and the items needed to aid vulnerable relatives and neighbors.

“It takes all of us to be able to make this work; we can’t say the responsibility of being resilient lies in just one place,” Clay says. “It lies in our connectedness, our ability to communicate, our ability to support each other, and our ability to work together toward a common goal of having safe communities, resilient communities.

Really being able to contribute… makes this sort of ripple effect. Each person that knows this information adds to our national resiliency.”