The Westside Gazette

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23 - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

A M E S S A GE F ROM OU R PU BL IS H E R

Holness Pushes to Keep People Out of Jail When God changes your BROWARD COUNTY, FL – At the November 14 Broward County Commission meeting, commissioners unanimously supported Commissioner Holness’ agenda item to direct the Broward County Attorney’s office to expand the current ordinance and create Broward County Adult Civil Citation Program for cannabis and will include non-violent misdemeanor offenses under Florida law.

In attendance at the commission meeting and voicing their support of Holness’ item were Chief Judge Jack Tuter,

Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Florida; Brenda D. Forman, Broward County Clerk of Courts; Howard Finkelstein, Public Defender, Broward County; David Sharp, Broward Sheriff’s Office; and the State Attorney’s Office.

Eligible offenses would include but are not limited to, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, littering, loitering, passion of alcoholic beverages by persons under age 21, retail theft of a shopping cart.

The importance of those in attendance from the judicial and (Cont’d on page 9)

Rev. Jesse Jackson Announces Parkinson’s Diagnosis Friends, Medical Community Weigh-In on Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Parkinson’s Diagnosis

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Parkinson’s disease diagnosis caught many by surprise, but those who know him said they’re confident that he’ll

overcome the life-threatening challenge before him.

“He’s in the rumble of his life, but he’s rumbled some big foes before,” said Vincent Hughes, a Democratic state senator from Pennsylvania who campaigned for Jackson in 1984 and again in 1988.

Hughes said that Jackson’s campaigns were birthed in the Black empowerment movement that followed the

Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. “I’m one of those African Americans, who took office and was a part of that issue of ‘protest to power’ and Rev. Jackson was, in many respects, our leader and he still is.”

More than anyone else, Jackson opened the door for the election of Barack Obama, the first African American (Cont’d on page 3)

Civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., recently announced that he has Parkinson’s disease. This photo was taken during the recent 2017 Rainbow PUSH Coalition Global Automotive Summit.

(Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

Black Press mourns a New York Beacon Rags to Riches Story Made Publisher Walter “Ball” Smith Jr. a Light for Many

Bishop William J. Barber, II to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thanksgiving Day

By Cash Michaels (The Wilmington Journal/NNPA Member) In an exclusive interview with The Wilmington Journal, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, the president of Repairers of the Breach, a nonpartisan, nonprofit social advocacy group, has confirmed that he and a delegation of “moral, workers’ rights, antipoverty and ecological justice advocates…” will be meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thanksgiving Day. Dr. Barber, who was consecrated as a bishop over (Cont’d on page 9)

Crusader Staff Report (Crusader Newspaper Group/NNPA Member) The Black Press lost one of its most devoted freedom warriors, last week. Walter “Ball” Smith, the publisher of New York’s Beacon and the

Philadelphia Observer died on Friday, November 10. He was 83.

“The Black Press has lost a true giant in Black America,” said Dorothy R. Leavell, Chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and publisher of the Chicago and Gary Crusader newspapers.

“Walter Smith made a difference in so many lives of Black readers and Black publishers in

SMITH the Northeast, and America, in general.”

As CEO of the Smith Haj Group, Smith published New York’s premier weekly, New York’s Beacon and the Philadelphia Observer.

Like Black newspapers across the (Cont’d on page 3)

name it’s for His purpose She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. Ruth 1:20 (NASB)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving several thoughts crossed my mind: a name change, unballing my fist and the need for hope.

Throughout the Bible God changed the names of many people and places. The Bible doesn’t state God’s explanations, but then again maybe it was to bring to their attention that they were set apart for a totally unplanned assignment in their life on their part.

Perhaps the new name was a way to let them in on the divine plan that God had in store for them or also to assure them that God’s plan would be fulfilled through them for His bigger picture.

(Cont’d on page 5)

Congresswoman Wilson Calls for House Investigation of Nursing Home Deaths and Stronger HHS Regulations to Protect Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In keeping with her pledge to do all that she can to reduce the likelihood of tragedies like the 14 deaths that occurred because of negligence at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is calling on the House Committee on Ways and Means to conduct a comprehensive investigation.

CONGRESSWOMAN As was widely reported, the WILSON facility was unable to power its air conditioning system after Hurricane Irma swept across Florida. Instead of taking patients to the fully powered hospital across the street, the nursing home forced patients, many of them elderly, to endure extreme temperatures. Sadly, 14 people died as a result of that exposure.

In a letter to Congressmen Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.), who serve as the committee’s chairman and ranking Democrat, respectively, Congresswoman Wilson, joined by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), cite a pattern of failed inspections at the nursing home that likely contributed to its inability to properly care for patients.

“We believe that the pattern of failures at this facility also highlights the need to reexamine emergency preparedness parameters and requirements for nursing facilities during natural disasters,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The tragedy in Hollywood Hills has shocked our community and our nation and we must take steps to ensure it never happens again. It is critical that we take steps to protect our most vulnerable citizens. We hope to have your committee’s assistance in order Thursday to understand what Nov. 23rd PM Showers led to such a horrific incident and how we Sunrise: 6:45am Sunset: 5:28pm can prevent such a tragedy in the future.”

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services 81° 81° 77° 77° 78° (Cont’d on page 3) 66° 61° 63° 66° 69°

NAACP Travel Advisory for American Airlines Update Hundred of Calls Fielded by NAACP Staff in Response to Advisory BALTIMORE, MD – Since issuing a travel advisory for American Airlines on October 24, 2017, the NAACP has received testimony from hundreds of concerned passengers and employees, regarding alleged racially discriminatory and racially-biased treatment.

Our national staff fielded approximately 600 phone calls on the subject, including nearly 50 from current and past American Airlines employees. A form posted on www.naacp.org, seeking reports of irregularities experienced on American Airlines or another travel

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

provider, garnered around 200 responses.

Twelve of these responses came from current or former employees. While the vast majority referred to experiences on American Airlines, eight testified to encountering inappropriate treatment on three other major air carriers and one bus company.

Among the disturbing stories by passengers and employees were: · A young Black woman who was asked to get off the planeso that her seat could accommodate a white man’s dog.

(Cont’d on page 3)

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WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

PAGE 2 • NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017

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VITAS Healthcar e accepts National Black Nurses Association’s ‘End-of-Life’ Healthcare FL — Board mem- are entitled to appropriate, cul- reavement support to the City Car Caree Resolution at Miami headquarters bersMIAMI, of the National Black turally sensitive end-of-life care of New Orleans after Hurri-

Each member of the VITAS leadership team received a “Key to the NBNA New Orleans Chapter.” The engraving said, “Action is the foundational key to all success.”

Miami Dolphins and Publix partner for 15th year to host 125 students at Kids and Fins shopping spree

Gabe Wright (98), Rey Maualuga (58) and Malcom Lewis (18) at Publix Kids and Fins Shopping Spree.

Photo credit Miami Dolphins Submitted by Theresa Garner The Miami Dolphins and Publix came together to take 125 students from four schools in the tri-county area shopping

for Thanksgiving meals. Dolphins' players, cheerleaders, mascot T.D. as well as Miami Dolphins Women’s Organization members and Ft. Lauderdale Police walked up and down

the Publix aisles with kids checking items off their Thanksgiving shopping lists. The event, started in 2003, celebrates 15 years and hosting more than 1,400 students throughout the Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade area as they shop and prepare for the upcoming holiday.

“We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Miami Dolphins,” Publix Director of Media & Community Relations Maria Brous said.

“We are in a unique position to make an impactful difference in the lives of our children and to make memories that will last a lifetime. We are grateful to have this opportunity to serve our community.”

Prior to embarking on their shopping spree, the kids –rangingfrom 6 to 18-years-old – (Cont'd on Page 9)

Nurses Association (NBNA) met with executive leaders of VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, to present a joint resolution entitled “End-of-Life Care: Transitioning Patients with Dignity and Family Support.”

The resolution was first presented at the NBNA’s Annual Institute and Conference in August in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Representing the NBNA at VITAS’ Miami headquarters were board members Sheldon D. Fields, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Professor, School of Health Professions at New York Institute of Technology; Martha Dawson, DNP, RN, FACHE, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Nursing and Systems Administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing, and Trilby Barnes-Green, RN, Telemedicine Triage Nurse, Accountable Care Division at Ochsner Hospital, New Orleans, LA. Together they presented VITAS CEO Nick Westfall, President David Wester and Vice President of Community Affairs Diane Deese a framed copy of the VITAS / NBNA resolution.

“This end-of-life resolution is representative of the supportive and organic 14-year partnership we have enjoyed with VITAS Healthcare. It also serves to advance NBNA’s service activities, promotes education and research, and increases evidence-based practice around end-of-life care,” said Dr. Dawson. Dr. Fields, representing NBNA president Dr. Eric J. Williams, noted the importance of “including end-of-life care in schools of nursing curricula to introduce students to palliative and hospice care early in their careers.”

“VITAS is proud to be a longtime supporter of NBNA, working together to promote the importance of end-of-life care and to bring hospice services to underserved communities,” said Diane Deese.” This resolution is a declaration that all patients

options, and nurses have a significant role to play in providing that care.”

Ms. Barnes-Green reviewed some NBNA program highlights that VITAS championed in many of their 100 chapters, such as Missing our Moms, Sons and Daughters Remembrance, Crossing Over Jordan, ELNEC Training, scholarships and other events. NBNA also acknowledged VITAS for their be-

cane Katrina devastated the community. For that reason, the NBNA New Orleans chapter extended the “Keys to their chapter” and a proclamation by the New Orleans City Council to each VITAS executive. This special recognition was also extended to VITAS Executive Vice President Peggy Pettit, who is a lifetime member of the NBNA and was not present at the meeting.

FPL engineers engage with s tudents at SECME e vent ev f eatur ing a g ener at or eaturing gener enerat ator or-building exercise

Right with glasses, Clive Campbell, an electrical engineer with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), tests the amount of voltage created by a handmade electric generator as part of the SECME generator build event with volunteers from FPL’s African American Professional Employees Group and other FPL team members at Florida International University’s College of Engineering& Computing. The program provides opportunities for MiamiDade County students to advance their Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills.

More than 75 students in grade levels ranging from elementary to high school took part in the event.

(Photo credit Sonshine Communication)

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Government awards major grant to UC Berkeley to honor Black Panther Party’s Legacy

Bobby Seale, chairman of the Black Panther Party, addresses a rally outside the party headquarters in Oakland, Calif., urging members to boycott certain liquor stores.

(File/AP Images)

By Anne Branigin The U.S. National Park Service announced last week that it will be awarding the University of California, Berkeley, a little under $100,000 for a pro-

ject dedicated to “truthfully honoring the legacy” of Black Panther Party activists.

The exact amount in federal funding comes to $97,999.70, according to the official award notice that was posted at the

Washington Free Beacon.

Berkeley’s program, titled “Black Panther Party Research, Interpretation & Memory Project,” aims to bring together a multitude of voices and populations to “understand their

341 grants and almost 600 publications. On the other hand, homicide, the leading cause of premature death among Blacks, received support by only a few grants and publications.

Blacks affected more economically, too Study author Molly Rosenberg points out another inequality regarding premature deaths among Blacks compared to whites. Very often, the “loss of human potential can push families into poverty and societies toward heightened inequality,” she stated. Black

families are more inclined to feel the affects of the loss of a family member to a greater degree, pushing them further into poverty.

Since homicide is the leading cause of death among Blacks, it deserves more funding for public health research. Otherwise, we are perpetuating “a system that disadvantages the health of Black Americans.”

Black lives matter! Period.

For more information on Black health disparities, visit www.medlineplus.gov/news/ fullstory_169115.html

collective past and inspire a better future.” With regard to the Black Panther Party, this includes identifying important BPP sites around Oakland, Calif., and the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, as well as collecting and documenting how the BPP impacted the “visual arts, music, dance, and styles of the 1960s, 70s and 80s.”

The Black Panthers continue to be a widely misunderstood group and are often mischaracterized as a terrorist organization. But as this Huff Post article mentions, the BPP helped monitor police interactions in Southern California’s black communities way before the advent of camera phones, as well as launching a free breakfast program for children in impoverished neighborhoods.

According to Okay player, the program will be led by Berkeley’s incoming chair of the Department of African American Studies, Dr. Ula Y. Taylor, and will tap consultants like J. Tarika Lewis, the first woman to join Oakland’s BPP. Berkeley’s Black Panther project is slated to run from Aug. 30, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2019.

NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017 • PAGE 3

Florida Memorial University Journalism Students Awarded Grant by NASCAR Foundation The Florida Memorial University chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ-FMU) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the NASCAR Foundation. The grant will help fund broadcast equipment for communication students at the Miami Gardens, Fla. campus.

“This is the boost my communication program needs to not only purchase new video cameras, but to encourage my students to become excellent, creative journalists,” said Russell Motley, FMU’s broadcast journalism professor and NABJ-FMU’s adviser.

In front of thousands of racing fans, NABJ-FMU will be awarded the grant on Nov. 19 at the start of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla. As part of NASCAR’s diversity program, 18 FMU broadcast students will have the opportunity to put their media skills to work at the championship

race Nov. 18-19. The student journalists, who attend South Florida’s only HBCU, will be assigned various duties, including filming, writing, on-air reporting and managing NASCAR’s social media platforms during the race.

“It’s my dream to work behind the scenes in NASCAR’s media department,” said Joseph Ellick, an FMU senior and president of NABJ-FMU. “This experience puts me in the center of all the action at NASCAR. Now it’s time to apply everything I learned in the classroom and prove that I’m ready for the workforce.

This is the second consecutive year NABJ-FMU members have been invited to cover NASCAR’s championship race in Homestead.

Pharmaceutical Giant Eli Lilly Meets with Multicultural Gr oups to Discuss Groups Confirmed: Black Lives Matter Matter,, but not as much Healthcar e in the U.S. Healthcare

as White Lives!

By Minority/Black Health Blog While homicide is the leading cause of premature death among Blacks, it is the 12th leading cause among whites. Yet, there is very little research devoted to Black homicides, causing many to conclude that Black lives matter but not as much as white lives.

Consider the facts A recent study evaluated the leading causes of death in 2015 by race in the United States.

Researchers found that Blacks accounted for 20 percent of the nearly 21.4 million potential years of life lost in 2015 even though they make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population.

Further, they found that birth defects and suicides occur among Blacks more than ten years earlier than whites. Yet funding for research on premature deaths focuses on whites, not Blacks.

For example, in 2015 researchers found that heart disease is the leading cause of potential years of life lost among whites.

This research was supported by

Jackson Announces Parkinson’s Diagnosis (Cont'd from FP) President of the United States, said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA).

Chavis was one of Jackson’s contemporaries during the Civil Rights Movement. “Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., is a living, global civil rights icon. As a colleague in the Civil Rights Movement dating back to the 1960s and under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I have personally witnessed the selfless sacrifice and dedication of Rev. Jackson.”

Chavis continued: “For all who have cried out for freedom justice and equality, the news of his Parkinson’s disease should only serve to re-dedicate a movement now for healthcare equality for all, not only as a civil right, but as a human right.”

On Friday, November 17, Jackson, 76, issued a statement informing the world of his illness.

In the statement, Jackson recalled his foray into activism, being arrested on July 17, 1960 with seven other college students who advocated for the right to use a public library in his hometown of Greenville, S.C.

He said that he remembers the arrest as if it happened yesterday and it was a day that forever changed his life.

“From that experience, I lost (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Investigation of Nursing Home Deaths (Cont'd from FP) acting secretary and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Congresswoman Wilson, joined by 36 House members, urged the agencies to “consider additional regulations requiring some nursing homes to possess alternate energy sources capable of sustaining heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and to maintain a fuel supply” to operate the energy sources for at least seven days. The lawmakers also are calling on the agencies to “consider regulations to encourage state and local municipalities to warehouse additional alternate energy sources to sustain HVAC systems at strategic locations” across each state that facilities can easily access in the event that their emergency plans fail.

Last month, Congresswoman Wilson held a town hall meeting at which she launched an honorary task force to address first response efforts at long-term care facilities in her

district. In addition, she hosted a congressional field hearing in Miami on nursing homes’ emergency preparedness and response to disasters.

“I also plan to introduce legislation to require nursing homes and other long-term care facilities that receive federal funding and resources to have a backup generator or other power source to protect residents, particularly senior citizens, during severe weather conditions.

Other measures include a bill to create a grant program to fund generators and backup power source equipment for certain nursing homes and longterm care facilities, and a bill that would prioritize assistance to nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the aftermath of a major disaster or emergency,” the congresswoman adds. “The most heartbreaking aspect of the Hollywood Hills deaths is that they didn’t have to happen. It is incumbent upon every lawmaker to adopt the maxim ‘Never Again’.”

(See letters on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

A group of leaders from national multicultural organizations, including Ron Burke from the NNPA (center, gray jacket, blue shirt), visited Eli Lilly headquarters to learn more about the pharmaceutical industry’s role in the healthcare system.

(Eli Lilly and Company) Submitted by Eli Lilly and Company Nineteen leaders of select, national multicultural organizations visited the headquarters of Eli Lilly and Company, the global pharmaceutical maker, for an all-day “learning lab” about the pharmaceutical industry’s role in the healthcare system. Attendees heard from Lilly’s senior leadership team, as well as, individuals working in clinical trials,

research, manufacturing and medicine. Attendees also toured a drug development lab, participated in informational sessions on healthcare topics, and learned about the variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives underway at Lilly.

Lilly’s senior leadership team talked about how the company values the hard work and dedication of community groups that are also committed to ensuring quality healthcare for patients and caregivers. As a

company dedicated to discovering breakthrough therapies, Lilly’s senior leadership team said that Lilly welcomed opportunities to share an innovator’s perspective on the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States and their efforts to provide value to the healthcare delivery system; the company’s leaders also look forward to gaining more insight from organizations that represent multicultural communities.

Black Press mourns a New York Beacon American Airlines (Cont'd from FP) country, both publications catered to a loyal Black readership that made Smith a prominent figure in the Black community. For 26 years, he led the Beacon, an edgy publication that shared America’s largest Black media market with several Black newspapers that included the venerable New York Amsterdam News.

NNPA members, colleagues, friends and family are mourning the loss of a publisher who never forgot his humble beginnings.

Walter Smith, Jr. was the seventh of 10 children born to Walter Smith Sr. and his wife Belle. He was raised in Badlin, N.C. where his father, a prominent civic leader, worked for ALCOA, an aluminum company. When he was 18, Smith was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in Korea.

Upon his return, Smith completed a degree in business from the University of North Carolina. He landed a job in New York as a founding employee with ADP (Automatic Data Processing), a newly created company known for processing em-

ployee payrolls for companies across the country. Today, the ADP has $10 billion in revenue and serves 570,000 clients.

During a 2013 interview with the “Stanly News & Press” in Albemarle, N.C., Smith said he had been working for ADP for less than a year, making $75 per week, sometimes $100 with overtime, when he suddenly noticed something about his pay.

“I looked at my paycheck one week, and $15 a week was coming out for stock options. Isaid, ‘I can’t afford this,’’ Smith told the newspaper.

His boss replied, “Its’ stock.

I’m giving you an option to buy stock,” Smith remembered.

“He said, ‘You keep that and pretty soon it will be worth some money.’”

Smith’s boss was right. On paper Smith learned he was $2 million richer, later, when he was trying to buy a house on New York’s Long Island in 1964.

“I’m struggling to get to work and back and was a millionaire and didn’t know it,” Smith said.

“It was just a real Cinderella story.”

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Cont'd from FP) • A young Black mother traveling with her infant daughter who was belittled and screamed at by a white pilot for simply asking for her child’s stroller.

• A retired Black firefighter was cursed at and physically assaulted by an employee while traveling with his church group.

• A person of color who was nearly obstructed from boarding an airline by a gate agent who told him “American is for Americans.”

• A Black female flight attendant who is routinely seated in the back of the plane, separate from white flight attendants, when flying stand-by.

• An employee with several decades experience reportedly kicked off a flight by a white pilot.

The NAACP issued a travel advisory warning African Americans about their safety and well-being when patronizing American Airlines or traveling on American Airlines flights following a pattern of disturbing incidents reported by African American passengers, specific to American Airlines.

The NAACP will continue to seek testimony from affected passengers and employees and a productive dialogue with the American Airlines leadership.

PAGE 4 • NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29 2017

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Local Events In The Community Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Party

The City of Lauderhill is hosting a Tree Lighting and Holiday Party on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 8 p.m., at Lauderhill City Hall, 5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla. Entertainment by DJ Big Man Kelly and more. For more info call (954) 730-3000.

We will also be accepting toys for the Fire Rescue Holiday Toy Drive that evening.

Ceremony

Anniversary

The Town of Lake Park is kicking off the holiday season with its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m., at the Town Green (located on the corner of Park Avenue and Ninth St.), with festivities ending at 8 p.m.

For more info call (561) 8400160 or visit www.lakeparkflorida.gov.

Classical Music , Jazz, Theater & Ballet 10th Anniversary Jazz Roots at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, at 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. · Friday, Dec. 15 – An Evening with Jon Batiste & Stay Human · Friday, Jan. 12 – Generations: Joey Alexander & Ramsey Lewis · Friday, Feb. 16 – George Benson: A Night of Breezin’ & Greatest Hits · Friday, March 2 – Gregory Porter: The Voice Of Our Time · Friday, April 20 – Cubismo!

Chucho Valdes: Irakere 45 For ticket info call (305) 9496722.

Showcase

Toy Drive

Second annual Lauderhill Fire Rescue Holiday Toy Drive.

Fire & Police Stations will accept donations every day from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. City Hall will accept donations from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Thursday. Donations can be dropped off through Dec. 14, 2017.

Drop Locations: · Fire Station 57 (1980 N.W. 56 Ave., Lauderhill, Fla · Fire Station 73 (7801 N.W. 50 St., Lauderhill, Fla. · Fire Station 30 (1181 N.W. 41 Terr., Lauderhill, Fla. · Fire Station 110 (3120 N.W. 12 Place, Lauderhill, Fla. · Police Station (6279 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla. · City Hall (5581 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderhill, Fla.

Event

Musical Paintbrush, Inc., presents the Third Annual South Florida Showvase 2017 on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 1:30 p.m., at the Broward County Main Library Auditorium, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdael, Fla. Tickets available at musicalpaintbrush.org Or at Eventbrite.com Dania Beach Community

Redevelopment Agency, Second Annual Business Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2018 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center Third Floor Auditorium, 8000 N. Ocean Dr., Dania Beach, Fla. For more info call (954) 9246801.

Tours

Broward County Public Schools meet the prime with LEGO Construction and T&G Constructors on Friday, Dec. 1, 2018 from 12 to 2 p.m., at 7770 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, Fla.

Luncheon

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TO HAVE YOUR UPCOMING EVENTS POSTED CALL (954) 525-1489 FOR MORE INFO FAX - (954) 525-1861 OR EMAIL: wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com

CHAT is pleased to partner with Art of Black Miami to presents the Art Basel & Art of Black: A Taste of Cultural Arts & Cuisine VIP Tours. This oneof-a-kind VIP tour experience will highlight Art of Black shows in Little Haiti, Little Havana, Historic Overtown & Coconut Grove Village West. Each tour culminates with dinner at a local restaurant in Little Haiti, Historic Overtown or Little Havana.

Tour Dates: · Friday, Dec. 8, from 3 to 7 p.m. · Saturday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 7 p.m. · Sunday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism, Inc., 990 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 503.

Art & Africa, Miami arts fair 2017 presents Back to Black No On/Off Ramps from Tuesday, Dec. 5 to 10.

Now or Neverland Art Fair from Wednesday, Dec. 6-10. · Fifth Annual Umbrellas of Little Havana Art Festival from Friday, Dec. 8-10., at the Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism, Inc., 990 Biscayne Blvd., Ste. 503. For cost and additional info call (786) 5078500.

Trip Travelier Cruising to Alaska, Sunday July 8 thru Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Contact Bessie Postell at (954) 322-6058 or (954) 261-3757 or Latorsha Kemp at (954) 6487124.

The Westside Gazette Wishes Your Family A Safe And Happy Thanksgiving

I will give Thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1 Bethel Miami Men at-Risk Project-provides free behavioral health prevention, intervention and treatment for Black/African American at risk for HIV, Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders in Miami Gardens- Annex Building on the campus of Bethel Family Enrichment Center. For more info call (305) 627-0396.

Aging Agency Applauds Advocates The Area wide Council on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center’s Advisory Council will host their 38th Annual Installation Dinner on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale-Plantation Hotel. Close to 300 individuals usually attend this significant event, which is the foremost opportunity to gather with a diverse audience/attendees that includes local business leaders, elected and appointed officials, project personnel and advocates who come together as a vibrant community.

The event will honor Project Director of the Year, Karin Diaz, Executive Director, Northwest Focal Point Senior Center; Volunteer of the Year, Samuel S. Goren, Esq.; and Corporation of the Year, Centennial Bank. In addition, the fundraiser welcomes the new 2018 Advisory Council Members.

During the evening, the Town of Pembroke Park also will be celebrated for reaching a milestone in allocating the Full Fare Share for the last 25 Years, in matching funds for the 501-(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center plans, develops, coordinates, and evaluates programs and fundraising services and is the prime advocate for Broward residents 60 years of age or older. It is the nonprofit 501-(c)(3) umbrella organization charged with the responsibilities of planning, coordinating, monitoring, and funding programs designed to meet the needs of over 421,000 year-round Broward senior residents.

For further information regarding the 2018 Installation Dinner, please contact Cheryl Morrow, at (954) 745-9567, ext.

10206, or morrowc@adrcbrowrd.org.

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NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017 • PAGE 5

The horrors of abuse, racism, and death that African migrants encounter along Libyan Route to Europe

By Daniel Peterson In an extraordinary move, a German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel recently wrote a powerful tribute to more than 33,000-strangers, the majority of them Black, by filling the popular European daily’s pages with a list of their names.

Unfortunately, none were alive. The migrants, refugees and asylum seekers all perished over the past 25-years in their desperate attempts to cross the Mediterranean and get to what they believed, “a safer and better existence in Europe.”

In 2016 alone, the U.N. reported that over 5000 went missing or died, trying to cross over. Thousands would’ve passed through Libya since the northern African country has the most popular and largest route for African migrants trying to make it to Europe.

In October 2011, migrants escaping poverty and conflict from western African states like

Nigeria, Gambia and Mali risked crossing the Mediterranean.

As a result, thousands were detained either by smugglers, government security forces or militias—where they were sexually abused, beaten, starved, killed, extorted or sold in public slave markets.

In August, the Italian government lifted a finger. But it was not a helpful one.

“The Italian government has shown that for them, it’s more important, keeping migrants and refugees away from their seashores than to protect their welfare and lives,” said deputy director for Amnesty International (Europe) Gauri Van Gulik.

“Facilitating the return and interception of migrants and refugees to Libya results in them being detained where they’re raped, tortured and killed.”

Although the new policy has decreased migrants rates usingthe Libya-to-Italy route, migrant traffic on various alternative and (even more

dangerous) routes have increased.

An evidence of how Italian new policy is hurtful is the recent horrific discovery of the 26 bodies of teenage migrant girls dumped in the Mediterranean.

Italy is unsure if the Nigerian girls ,ranging from 14-18 yearsold, drowned during on their attempted journey or were murdered on the way and thrown at sea.

And while the population of migrants attempting to cross Mediterranean—from Libya to Italy—has declined with the new Italian policy, deadly alternatives like Tunisia have now become major routes.

“Those migrants are African, and nobody is interested in them,” a Tunisian fisherman Chamseddine Marzoug, says.

“If it had been men with green eyes and blond hair, you would all be interested.”

Marzoug stressed how Italy and the European Union is wasting a lot of Euros on border control, instead of investing in people in the countries where the migrants are fleeing.

“Do not invest in the corrupt governments,” Marzoug says.

“Invest in the people.”

NAACP Outraged by Attorney General’s Ignorance of FBI Report Washington State University Scholar Cornelius BALTIMORE, MD – The NAACP, the nation’s original civil rights organization, is outraged by AtAdewale set to be awarded $100,000 Bullitt torney General Jeff Sessions’ alleged ignorance of a recent FBI report on “Black identity extremists.”

Environmental Prize During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on November 14, 2017, Mr. Sessions claimed that he was unaware of the troublesome report, which characterizes certain protestors of police brutality as potential terrorists.

Mr. Sessions did admit, when pressed by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA37), that he was “aware that there are groups that do have an extraordinary commitment to their racial identity, and some have transformed themselves even into violent activists.” However, he evaded Rep. Bass’ questions regarding FBI intelligence on white identity groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

“The NAACP finds it deeply disturbing that the head of the Department of Justice would be unaware of a such a highly criticized report regarding the dangerous tactic by the FBI of linking protestors of police brutality to violence and terrorism,” said Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO. “Mr. Sessions’ willingness to name Black activists as a threat and refusal to condemn white supremacist terrorist organizations evokes a double standard that we have seen time and again from this administration and remains unacceptable.”

By Susan Johnes

JOHNSON

Statement from an Haitian TPS Recipient

By M. Farah Larrieux Haitian TPS Recipient Miramar, Florida

When God changes your name (Cont'd from FP) When God gave a person a different name or a new name, generally a brand new personality was created.

Why did God choose new names for some people? No one truly knows, but we do know that their lives changed. They had a spiritual encounter that changed them forever, and they fully accepted their mission after the change.

He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Genesis 32:28; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. Genesis 17:5 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

Genesis 17:15 Even though the name may have been changed, the fight is a little different.

A name change may mean that sometimes we have to unball our fist to fight.

Remember a closed hand can’t receive anything and through opened hands many blessing were given. “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.” Luke 4:40 Remember its Thanksgiving, not thanks for taking. You give with opened hands and throughout the history of this country things have been forced from the hands of others through balled up hands turned into fist, used for taking and destroying.

Let’s stop taking with our fist and begin to love more with our opened hands.

When I was younger I heard my grandmother say “let me hope you”. Let me hope you to do such and such...

When I first heard her say that I thought it was kind of funny and I said to myself, wow grandma used the wrong word. Now that I have gotten older, I understand that the words are interchangeable based upon the spiritual intent.

I have heard this word used a number of times, even used by my father. What is strange though is how I only heard older Black people use the term.

I’m not saying that other races of people do not use it in the same way of my parents, grandparents and older Black people; it’s just that I’ve never heard a white or non-Black person use it.

As I think about its use, I really believe that I would rather one to “hope me” than to help me. I say that because in today’s thought process by a lot of people, help is associated with money.

I’m sure that when our elders used hope it never was associated with any form of pay.

We made it because we hope each other through prayer, reciprocal services, trusting and standing up to our word.

So this Thanksgiving my prayer is that we get a name change from God, we unball our fist and extend open hands to one another to help, not to hurt and hope each other to be better children of God. Happy Thanksgiving!!

GOD DESERVES ALL OF THE THANKS FOR GIVING HIS ONLY SON

In the aftermath of DHS decision regarding TPS designation for Haiti granting an extension of 18 months which will expire on July 22, 2019, it seems many have misunderstood the request of Haitian TPS recipients and Immigrants advocacy organizations to the Trump administration.

Since March 2017, we, TPS recipients and all immigrants and community advocacy groups have constantly requested to President Donald Trump and to the Department of Homeland Security an extension of 18 months or 24 months, giving time to Congress to work on a new law that will give to all TPS recipients a path to permanent residency.

We understand the Temporary Protected Status is a “Temporary” program granted by the U.S. President with an executive order. We understand only Congress can give a permanent solution by passing a new law that will give permanent residency to all TPS recipients - not only Haitians.

Therefore, today DHS has responded to our request. And for that, we are grateful to President Trump and to acting Secretary Homeland Security Elaine Duke. We also want to thank all members of Congress and Haitian-American elected officials who have been advocating on behalf of the Haitian people; to the Haitian government and to all Haitian community leaders around United States; and to all media who have covered and still continue to cover this issue.

We will continue to fight for our dignity, immigrant and human rights as we are intensifying dialogue with members of Congress so they can act promptly and pass a new law that will give permanent residency to over 300,000 TPS recipients and to over 800,000 DACA recipients.

The fight is not over.

Cornelius Adewale, a doctoral student in the School of the Environment at Washington State University, and a native of Nigeria has been selected to receive the Bullitt Environmental Prize from the Bullitt Foundation.

The award comes with a $100,000 grant for continued research, and always presented to individuals who have “extraordinary potential to come powerful and effective leaders in the environmental movement.”

Adewale’s research focuses on improving the environmental impact of agriculture. He also hopes to develop methods to reduce chemical fertilizers but produces more food at the same time.

“Without food in their bellies, people have no time for anything else. I am working at the leading edge of research to find ways to produce more food, even as we fight climate change and dramatically reduce the use of pesticides. I am trying to change the way we farm,” said Adewale.

Cornelius Adewale became the winner of the 11th Annual Bullitt Environmental Prize. His research focuses on improving the environmental impact of agriculture.

Additionally, he is developing tools that farmers can use to evaluate farming practice so that they can store more carbon, reduce chemical fertilizers, and produce more food.

“One thing my grandmother taught me was to think big,” Adewale said. “This award offers me the chance to expand my work to a global scale.”

However, one surprising news; about Adewale is that he turned down a safe job with a steady income to pursue his dream.

After building a successful organic farm in his home country in Lagos with just $20, Adewale came to Washington State University and is now trying to change the way people farm.

“Cornelius’ work is the type of forward-thinking research we’ve come to measure our college,” said Ron Mittelhammer, dean of the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

“He is a perfect fit of how to overcome obstacles, think globally, and create positive impact. This recognition is well-deserved.”

Congratulations to Adewale for such an incredible achievement. He is likely to advance his research using the $100,000 prize, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for him.

Why Trump’ T ax Proposal Should W orry Tax Worry You as A Blac kP erson, Ev en More Black Person, Even

By Daniel Peterson In contrast to the 2016 tax proposal by Hillary Clinton, the recent tax proposal by the Republicans is specifically aimed to hurt the poor Americans.

Blacks —more so, poor the African Americans — are the most likely to be hit the most by these tax proposals. These amendments are likely to increase poverty rates and the wealth disparity gap.

While it sounds nice that the Senate and House plans call for deep reductions to the corporate tax rate (it will increase America’s competitiveness in world markets), other changes are highly concerning.

Affordable housing advocates criticized the House bill for trying to eliminate tax-exempt private-activity bonds which fund many public-private infrastructure projects— including more than 50 percent

of the affordable housing units developed under the ‘Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program’ (LIHTC).

Take renting, for instance.

Blacks outpace all other races when it comes to households, paying rent for their primary residences.

As of the Third quarter 2017, only 42% of Black households owned their homes, compared to 72.5% of the non-Hispanic whites, 46-percent of Hispanics, and 57.1% of all other races, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

This’s troubling when taken together with the fact that in 2016, the average African American households paid 44% of their take-home incomes in rent.

LIHTC has been loaning those who want to build their own homes (including Blacks) and, therefore, reducing its funding will automatically re-

duce its financial capability to do so—and also increase rental charges.

Actually, the new move is intending to cause an affordability crisis, because many African American families will now have to pay even more for housing, and save less to buy their own houses. This will ensure that the Black households remain renters longer.

The ‘Low-Income Housing Tax Credit that the House,’ is singularly the country’s chief financier for affordable housing investments. The organization gives credit for the construction of affordable housing for the Americans with low incomes.

Approximately 90 percent of all the affordable housing developments in the United States is partially funded through the ‘Low Income Housing Tax Credit.’

In reality, the Republicans’ tax plan to reduce the funding will make the poor spend much of their incomes on rent. And that can create a cash crunch which would limit the ability for the poor Blacks to buy food and other essential staffs and to have any other discretionary spending.

This could hurt the economy of the African American community, creating a sectored economic recession. Such a scenario wouldn’t only worsen the wealth disparity gap but would also endanger the wellbeing and health of millions.

PAGE 6 • NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017

Opinion

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers that 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 submits comments published in this newspaper.

NAACP Report on Air Pollution Misses the Mark We Have to Focus on the Real Causes of Health Disparities in the Black Community Uni Blake, a scientific adviser at the American Petroleum Institute, says that the NAACP failed to demonstrate a causal relationship between natural gas activity and the health disparities reported in the Black community.

By Uni Blake (Scientific Adviser, American Petroleum Institute) The health of African American communities is a genuine cause for concern in our country, but attacking the natural gas and oil industry is the wrong approach and detracts from the real work that should be done to reduce disparately high rates of disease among African Americans. Let’s be clear—the natural gas and oil industry is: · Committed to the health and safety of the communities where it operates and to its workers. · Leading the way on reducing U.S. greenhouse gas and other air emissions. · Supporting millions of wellpaying jobs—one of the most important factors in the well-being of Americans.

Recently, I read a NAACP paper that accused the natural gas and oil industry of emissions that disproportionately burden African American communities. As a scientist, my overall observation is that the paper fails to demonstrate a causal relationship between natural gas activity and the health disparities, reported or predicted, within the African American community.

Rather, scholarly research attributes those health disparities to other factors that have nothing to do with natural gas and oil operations—such as genetics, indoor allergens and unequal access to preventative care. The objective should be to address the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to the disparities, and one of the best vehicles is via the good jobs the natural gas and oil industry supports.

More specifically, the paper misleads on the information associated with asthma and cancer prevalence by conflating industry-associated emissions, hazards and risks. When we review health data from the states where energy development is occurring, we see a different outcome. For example, the latest Pennsylvania Department of Health data shows asthma hospitalizations among African Americans have decreased significantly at a time

of increased natural gas production in the state.

Let’s look at some facts: · Thanks to increased use of clean and abundant natural gas, carbon dioxide emissions from power generation have fallen 25 percent since 2005, and emissions from energy use across the entire economy are at their lowest levels in nearly 25 years. The use of domestic natural gas also is playing an important part in reducing other emissions, including nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide. Both are important developments for everyone’s health. · The industry has improved its fuel products, eliminating lead in gasoline and reducing its sulfur content by more than 90 percent from 1990 to 2016. · Ambient benzene concentrations dropped by 71 percent from 19942013 nationwide, according to data from EPA’s 2008 and 2015 Reports on the Environment – largely due to reductions in refinery emissions and improvements in gasoline. · During development of its 2015 Refinery Sector Rule, the EPA concluded that the public was protected from refinery emissions, including benzene, by existing regulations, and that protection would only increase with full implementation of the final rule.

“He Said- She Said”

What’s with the “Ghetto Names”

· Methane emissions from natural gas systems are down 16 percent since 1990, according to the EPA—a time period in which natural gas production has increased more than 50 percent. While not a direct public health concern, methane is an important greenhouse gas that the industry is working to reduce even more. · The industry is committed to making continuous improvements in the environmental performance of its operations and products, spending more than $320 billion on these improvements since 1990. Between 1990 and 2015, U.S. refiners alone spent $160.1 billion on improving their facilities. · The natural gas and oil industry supports 10.3 million jobs across the country—jobs that pay for health care, good nutrition, livable homes and more. Tens of thousands of our current employees are African Americans, a number that is projected to grow significantly in the future. · Natural gas and oil companies are invested in the communities where they operate. Our employees live, work and raise families in these communities.

In short, the natural gas and oil industry demonstrates its commitment, every day, to ensuring the protection of human health, safety and the environment for all Americans while providing millions of American families the benefits of affordable, reliable energy.

Our industry is a leader in reducing emissions and is committed to continuing that progress in the future through the use of data, new technologies and equipment—each reflecting our companies’ desire to strengthen the communities where they operate.

No Sympathy for Becky

By Kevin Palmer

By Nicole Nutting and Don Valentine She said: Not trying to be offensive here, but I’ve always been curious about this. What is up with those crazy names Blacks give their children?! You can read any list of names and know instantly which people are Black. That seems like an unnecessary stigma for your children to bear.

He Said: Nicole, you and I don’t always agree on everything. This time I know you’re spot on. There are multiple articles lampooning the absurdity of the over inventive Ghetto Names. Try “Top Tens.com” for laughs. They feature “Labronce”, “Jewleigh” [someone could not spell Julie?], “Airwrecka” or “Sharkeisha” to name a few. I bet the readers have more!

Every time a resume or school roster is reviewed and you see “Darquan, or Portiea” the reader assigns their personal pejorative about “Colored Folk”.

She said: Don, I’m not senile yet and I get that everybody wants their child to be unique and special, but here’s a cautionary tale: Have you ever noticed news stories like “Rayshon and his girlfriend Bonquisha were arrested for robbing the 7-11...”? Mean-

while, Shirley (Chisholm) and Martin (L. King) were community stalwarts.

It appears we are either blessed or cursed by our names!

He Said: Right on, girl. In the Black community you have to “be the Gold Standard to get the Silver Standard job”. I would never employ someone named Marijuana Washington!

She said: Well, you could always employ her as a dope dealer! But seriously, if you want to be unique in a sea of Caucasians why not draw on your heritage instead of making up wacky names? Something African-derived would simultaneously provide personal dignity and honor your ancestors.

Then all us honkies can perform verbal somersaults in an effort to pronounce them! Seemed to work out for that guy named Barack Obama.

He Said: . Every police stop, interaction with customer service or job interview you have made your child overcome your vanity to have them be noticed.

Invest your time on what Dr. King said, “.. be judged on the content of your character.” Parents you would benefit your child more by spending your energy on fortifying their character. Rather than finding some unique spelling of their name!

Reader comments encouraged “donvwestsidegazette@gmail.com”

America became what JFK Opposed

By Kevin Palmer

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.

In addressing the American Newspaper Publishers Association on April 27, 1961, President John F. Kennedy said, “The very word “secrecy” is repugnant in a free and open republic; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and warranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweigh the dangers which are cited to justify it.”

Kennedy continued, “Even today there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.

That I do not intend to permit. And no

official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public facts they deserve to know.”

Furthermore, Kennedy said, “In time of “clear and present danger”, the courts have held that even the privileged rights of the First Amendment must yield to the public’s need for national security.” Kennedy warned, “For we are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means of expanding its sphere of influence—on infiltration instead of invasion. It is a system which has conscripted vast human and material resources into the building of a tightly-knit, highly efficient machine that combines military, diplomatic, intelligence, economic, scientific and political operations.”

Unfortunately, America no longer opposes secret societies and now resembles the monolithic and ruthless conspiracy which considers conscious and freedom loving Americans as a “clear and present danger” whose dissent must be stifled and censored.

Because of what happened to 14-yearold Emmett Till, to the innocent victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot, to the innocent Black males who were lynched, and to the innocent Black males who were unjustly imprisoned, many cannot sympathize with the sobbing white woman who alleges sexual assault.

The Emmett Till story was featured in a January 27, 2017 New York Times article, Emmett Till’s Murder: What Really Happened That Day in the Store? According to the article, “On a Wednesday evening in August 1955, Till allegedly flirted with and grabbed the hand of Carolyn Bryant, a white woman who worked as the cashier at a local market.” Naturally, she accused Till of sexual assault. Then, later in court, she testified, “He let out a “wolf whistle” as she exited the store.” Next, Bryant’s husband and brother upheld American white supremacy tradition; “Till was abducted, beaten, shot in the head, and thrown into the Tallahatchie River. A 74-pound gin fan was tied to his neck with barbed wire; with the hope he would never be found.” As stated by writer Jason Parham, “Affronted white supremacy drove every blow.” Later in 2008, lying “Becky” admitted Till never “grabbed her around the waist and uttered obscenities”, as she avowed on the witness stand.

In similar fashion, lying “Becky” caused the 1921Tulsa Race Riot. On May 30, 1921, a white female elevator operator accused a Black male shoe shiner of sexual assault. Afterwards, all hell broke loose when racist white rubes, led by the Ku Klux Klan, go crazy and mercilessly kill Black men, women, and children. Then, they systematically bombed, burned, and destroyed Black owned businesses and homes. According to the San Francisco Bay View newspaper, “when the smoke cleared, more than 1,400 homes and businesses in Tulsa’s Greenwood District, a prosperous area known as the “Black Wall Street”, lay in ruins.

Experts now estimate at least 3,000 died.”

Hence, many cannot sympathize with a white woman claiming sexual assault. Too many Black lives have been destroyed because white supremacy has allowed others to suffer for Becky’s self-serving lies.

AG Jeff Sessions and Other Republicans The Gantt Report Keep Having Mental Lapses

By Roger Caldwell Attorney General Jeff Sessions is having problems with remembering and maybe needs to take better notes. This appears to be a problem in the entire Trump administration, and maybe the president himself should teach a note taking class.

Maybe the administration is unable to get seven or eight hours of sleep and this also affects memory/ clarity in thinking. There could also be a problem with the beginning of Alzheimer’s, or just absent mindedness, but America is counting on the administrations’ judgment.

“Jeff Sessions was selected to serve as chief law enforcement officer of the United States, but a web of lies that he’s been caught in casts his qualification for the position into serious question. Now he has a new excuse for his lying – the Trump campaign was in such a state of “chaos” that according to him, there’s no way he should be expected to remember all the times that a staffer reached out or attempted to reach out to Russia,” says Caleb Newton , reporter of Bipartisan Report.

This is a bizarre defense for the Attorney General of the United States, but Sessions used this defense while appearing before the House Judiciary Committee last week. This is really weird because it does not appear that anything Jeff Sessions says is close to the truth, and he keeps changing his original statements.

Late last month, former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, and longtime Manafort and Trump associate Rick Gates were indicted by Robert Mueller’s investigation team. They were indicted on charges associated with money laundering, but they had a small and insignificant role in Trump’s campaign, according to his press secretary.

On the same day, George Papadopolous, who also had an insignificant role in the Trump campaign, was revealed to have pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. At a meeting on March 2016, between Trump and top members of his campaign, Papadopolous suggested a secret meeting between the U.S. president and Russian President Putin that Sessions initially did not remember, but last week he somehow remembered.

Here again, it appears the president needs to have a class on note-taking because Sessions is having mental lapses concerning many campaign members having contact with any Russian associates.

“Most of you have not participated in a presidential campaign. And none of you had a part in the Trump campaign. It was a brilliant campaign in many ways. But it was a form of chaos every day from day one. We traveled all the time, sometimes to several places in one day. Sleep was in short supply. And I was still a full-time Senator keeping a very full schedule during this time,” explained Attorney General Sessions.

So Sessions should get a pass for things he cannot remember. Maybe it does not matter how many times he has to change his stories until he gets it right, because Republicans believe in alternative facts anyway.

When the number one cop in the land is struggling to remember things, and is having mental lapses, it is probably time to replace him. How can citizens trust the Attorney General when he cannot remember what happened a year ago?

According to Wikipedia, the United States Attorney General is appointed by the President of the United States, and takes office after confirmation by the United States Senate. The Attorney General is subject to summary dismissal by the President and impeachment by Congress. Hopefully, Trump is aware of the process required to fire Sessions.

Again it appears Trump needs to give his entire cabinet and top members of his campaign team, a note taking class because they are having problems with remembering. Maybe the president should start with himself because he definitely has problems with mental lapses and remembering things.

Hi my name is Roger DeHart and I live in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. On March 31, 2018 I am doing a walk from Fort Lauderdale, Fla to Washington D.C. to raise awareness and educate people along the way. As you know when young Black girls go missing, not much exposure in the media is given. My goal is to shine the light on this sad reality. I recently started a 501c3 nonprofit organization First S.T.O.P. Inc. to help fight this cause. Please consider doing an article about this mission.

Thank you in advance, Roger DeHart

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BUSINESS

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NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017 • PAGE 7

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By BlackNews.com NATIONWIDE — R&B singer Chrisette Michele was heavily criticized when she sang for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, and now the criticism continues with the release of her new single “Black Lives Matter”.

The song’s message is about love and compassion for everyone despite their ethnicity or political views, but Black Twitter is already making fun of it.

She does still have fans though who are standing by her side.

Here are some comments that have been posted on social media: “I was kind of mad at Chrisette. But I feel her pain. I pray she can heal and move on from this.” — Neph Pierre “That’s my girl. I love her music. Im not gonna stop listing to her music because she did a JOB, which was singing for the inauguration.” — Roshonda Robinson “Maybe I’m naive but I feel like she’s being genuine; I hope she finds peace.” — Madelin

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PAGE 8 • NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017

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

Church Directory

Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice This

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net

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.

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"

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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!

Honor your loved ones in the Westside Gazette Newspaper Call -- (954) 525-1489 * In Memoriam * Happy Birthday Remembrance * Death Notice * Obituaires * Cards Of Thanks

Keep Their Memory alive with a Guestbook on www.thewestsidegazette.com share pictures, stories, even videos. The perfect tribute for someone speical.

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home LAMAR Funeral services for the late Vernon Lamar 82 were held November 20 at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Dr. Ronald N. Fox officiating. Interment: South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla. RAMSEY Funeral services for the late Herman Ramsey - 74 were held at Nov. 18 at First Baptist Church Piney Grove with Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes officiating.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

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.

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!”

Victory Independent Baptist Church Pastor Keith & Sister Maria Cunningham 2241 Davie Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Church Telephone: (754) 214-6753 Visit: www.victoryweb.org

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 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"

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church Rev Henry E. Green, Jr. PASTOR 401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 - FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Email: infor@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Worship Service ................................................................................... 10 a.m.

Church School ..................................................................................... 9:15 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday ................................................................... 10 a.m.

Gems & Jewels Ministry Senior Wednesday Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................... 12 Noon & 7- 8 p.m.

Daily Prayer Line ...................................................................................... 6 a.m.

(712) 432-1500- Access Code296233#

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350

SundaySchool………………………..........................................................................................................9:45a.m.

WorshipServiceSundayMorning………………………..................................................................11:00a.m.

SundayEveningService………………………………………..............................................................................6:00p.m.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study & Prayer……………..........................................................7:00 p.m.

Saturday Morning Soul Winning/Visitation……………….....................................................10:00 a.m.

Men’s Fellowship (Every 2nd & last Tuesdays)………….....................................................6:00 p.m.

Ladies Fellowship (the last Saturday of each month)……..........................................5:00 p.m.

5th Sunday – Family Fellowship (April 30, 2017)……………………..................................... .5:00 p.m.

YouthFellowship(EveryFriday)………………………….....................................................................6:30p.m.

Discover GOD Let Us Help You End The Way To Jesus Christ

Q & A: What does Reverend Deal say this week?

‘Too many people are not thankful anymore’ Gratitude is a qualification one must be willing to perform to be considered a follower of Jesus. Too many people are not thankful anymore. In many ways Scripture urges us to thank God. Expressing gratitude should be of a continual interest. No matter how long you have known Him, you will always have a fresh jar of oil, or a reason to thank Him. Psalm 136:1-3 shows us three titles for God that are each a reason for gratitude. The first title “the Lord” signifies His awesome, sovereign name, Yahweh. The second title “God of gods” highlights His supremacy. God is dominate over all other gods. We can’t accept any substitutes. And the third title “Lord of lords” points to God’s divine authority and His rightful rule in our lives. Please read the entire chapter when possible..

We serve an awesome, supreme, and an authoritative God who rules over us with love and mercy. What a God we serve. Yet, we still find it difficult to thank Him in all that we do. It appears that we need a school in gratitude with Jesus as the instructor.

We claim to be enrolled in Jesus' school of thankfulness.

Unfortunately, many are flunking out.

Stop whatever you are doing and say,” Thank You, God, for everything that you do”.

Reverend David Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rev. Deal can be reached at the Westside Gazette, 545 NW Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33311, or by email at David.deal55@gmail.com

www.mtzionmbc1161.com

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES Worship Service ............................................................................................................ 10:15 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................................................................................ 9:00 a.m.

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ........................................................................... 10:15 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ........................................................................... 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Christian Growth & Orientation ................................... 8:30 a.m.

But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”

Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Oakland Park "The Miracle On 33rd Street" 420 N.E. 33rd Street Oakland Park, Florida 33334 Church: (954) 563-3060 Email: mtzion420@gmail.com

Rev. George A. Hardy, Pastor SERVICES Sunday Church School ................................................................... 8:45 a.m.

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

Tuesday Night (Family Prayer & Bible Study) ........................... 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday (Prayer Conference Line) ................................................ 8:00 p.m.

(Dail (786) 233-6715 - Acess Code 703513) Oakland Park CDC (Senior Activity Center) Daily ............10 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Greetings, The First Baptist Church of Collier City, Pompano Beach Florida, is prayerfully seeking and currently accepting resumes for a prospective Pastor. In this position, the Pastor is to oversee the life and direction of the church, along with and under the guidance of the Board of Deacons.

A potential candidates should have a growth mindset, be responsible for preparing sermons, conducting services, attending meetings, leading and equipping members and other duties to be determined. The prospective Pastor should be a great leader, spirit filled, family and community focused, with a passion for the youth. The Pastor should lead the church in accordance with our church constitution and by-laws. Additionally, the candidate must have the ability to communicate, both written and oral, with members of all ages. Applicants should be an ordained minister with license and/or certification.

Apply Now by submitting your Resume and Artifacts to: Attn: Pastor Search Committee

By Email: Firstbaptistchurch@aol.com – yesgodIsable@gmail.com

By Mail: First Baptist Church of Collier City P.O. Box 1721: Pompano Beach, Florida 33061 In His Service, FBC Pastor Search Committee

SEYMORE Funeral services for the late Leroy Seymore, Sr. – 63 were held November 18 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Bishop L.L. Ward officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

McWhite's Funeral Home FOBBS Funeral services for the late Edward L. Fobbs - 84 were held November 17 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Willie Coleman officiating. Interment: South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla.

SIMPSON Funeral services for the late Raymond Simpson - 74 were held November 18 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Bobby James officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery Central, Fla.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home DIXON Funeral services for the late Earl “Big Dog” Dixon – 68 were held November 10 at William Memorial CME with Pastor Cal Hopkins officiating. Interment: South Florida National VA Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla. FLOWERS Funeral services for the late Martin Deonta Flowers - 26 were held November 18 at New Birth House of Prayer with Rev. Charles Ross officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MCINTOSH Funeral services for the late Carrie Harrison McIntosh - 76 were held November 18 Mount Hermon AME Church with Rev. Henry E. Green, Jr. officiating. Interment: South Florida National Military Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla.

HARRIS Funeral services for the late Georgia Stephens Harris - 91 were held November 18 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

REID Funeral services for the late Lester August Reid - 85 were held November 18 at St Luke Baptist Church with Pastor W.J. Gaskins officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SMITH Funeral services for the late Lorraine Lorna Smith- 55 were held November 18 at Christian Community Church of God with Bishop Christopher Lewis officiating.

TUCKER Funeral service for the late Mattie Tucker - 72 were held November 18 at Mount Bethel Baptist Church with Elder Wardell Chadwrick officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Actress & Singer, Della Reese, dead at 86

By Aria Ellise, blackdoctor.com Singer and long-time actress Della Reese thrilled audiences for decades in shows like Touched By an Angel and movies like Harlem Nights. The curtain closed on her long life Sunday evening when she died at the age of 86.

She leaves behind children James, Franklin, and Dominique, as well as husband Franklin Lett. She was predeceased by daughter Deloreese.

“On behalf of her husband, Franklin Lett, and all her friends and family, I share with you the news that our beloved Della Reese has passed away peacefully at her California home last evening surrounded by love. She was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and pastor as well as an award-winning actress and singer. Through her life and

REESE work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people,” her costar Roma Downey confirmed to PEOPLE in an exclusive statement.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017 • PAGE 9

On The Scene at Jay Z’s 4:44 concert…

By Crystal Mathis Press Release Marketing If hip hop was church, Jay Z, born Sean Cater, would definitely be a Bishop, delivering relatable truths over catchy beats that give insight on how to get to the promise land… Or the land of love, as the concept of love was undeniably present and prevalent throughout his past concert. A documented legend in the hip hop game, Jay Z produced 4:44 which topped

the charts, and filled a void by providing head-bobbing lyrical content for true hip hop fans to groove to. It is safe to say that Jay Z single- handedly saved the summer in the name of hip hop, allowing powerfully witty and poetically conscious lines to permeate the radio airwaves.

Accordingly, 17,000 fans filled the stands of the American Airlines Arena to hear the hip hop mogul perform the next chapter of his life live.

The theme throughout the concert was love, and Jay Z exuded love from his wardrobe, to his lyrics, from his message to his fans, to his demeanor. He performed solo doing a consistent, yet energetic four-step on a raised octagon shaped stage with visible band members underneath allowing fans to see Jay Z and the band from any seat in the stadium. The crowd was vast; it was diverse, and intimately connected simply by their love for the man we all

knew as Jigga at one point.

Concert goers recited and echoed vintage and recent Jigga rap lyrics while reminiscing to that time when you could listen to a rapper’s story, enter their lives and escape the perils of yours… Times have changed but for a moment in time, we held up the Roc and rocked for the nation of rap fans everywhere.

With “Blind for Love” stitched on the back of his leather sports jacket, Jay Z performed the album’s title track, 4:44. He

Film Review: Roman J. Israel, Esq.

By Dwight Brown (NNPA Newswire Film Critic) Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Denzel Washington may be the most accomplished actor of our generation. Like a chameleon, he’s morphed from the stern father in “Fences” to a dorky, introverted attorney in this meandering crime-drama/thriller. His talent is more than enough reason to sit through the two hours and nine minutes of misguided, anticlimactic storytelling.

Writer/director Dan Gilroy’s feature film debut “Nightcrawler,” about a sleazy paparazzo, hinted at a bright future. His second piece of direction—and tenth screenplay—is noteworthy for creating a uniquely, memorable character: Roman J. Israel, Esq. Israel is a socially conscious, politically-minded attorney. He’s a remnant of the ‘70s pro-Black movement. The puffy Afro, big glasses and boxy-looking suits make him look like a college professor frozen in time.

Now in his mid-sixties, he’s spent the better part of his career sequestered in a Los Angeles law office, surrounded by files and books. He’s an egghead; the brains of the firm, not the dazzling

Comm odor es L eg end Commodor odores Leg egend Talks Reunion, New Book

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) Thomas McClary, the legendary founder of the super group, the Commodores, has a new book that takes readers on a journey through Motown, the Civil Rights Movement and a backstage war for the ages.

McClary, who co-founded the group with Lionel Richie, recently released “Rock and Soul,” a stirring autobiography where readers also learn about his activism.

“I kept getting questions as to when are the original Commodores going to do reunion and, after hearing that for the ‘umpteenth’ time I realized that people wanted to know,” said McClary. “So, I started to think about it and started writing things down.”

The book details McClary’s recruitment of Richie, one of the biggest selling artists in the history of Motown Records.

“When I met Lionel, he was a very shy guy and I had to convince his grandmother and parents to allow him to play in the band,” McClary said. “I

Commodores Legend Thomas McClary wrote a new book about his time with the iconic band and his activism during the Civil Rights Movement.

(Wikimedia Commons) pushed him out to become the lead singer after our initial lead singer was drafted into the Vietnam War. I overheard Lionel singing in the shower one day and I said, ‘hey, you can sing.’”

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Mathis at Jay Z concert.

Denzel Washington stars in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (Sony Pictures Entertainment) courtroom attorney. At home, with record albums stacked around his cluttered apartment, it looks as if he has idiosyncrasies akin to a hoarder. His brilliant mind (he memorizes legal statutes like Martha Stewart recalls recipes) is evident. His awkwardness around people is profound, like someone with Asperger’s Syndrome.

When Roman’s extroverted law partner suffers a heart attack and can’t return to work, the bookworm is forced to plead cases in criminal courtrooms, to no success. He finds work at a glitzy law firm run by a slick attorney (Colin Farrell, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”), and fails to fit in. A budding romance with a teacher/social activist (Carmen Ejogo, “Alien: Covenant”) brings him to the doorstep of reality. Working a case for a defendant, who is accused of murder, puts the naïve and income-challenged Roman in a tempting situation, where he can collect a reward.

“I’m tired of doing the impossible for the ungrateful,” Israel says.

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Michael Grant resigns from National Bankers Association to lead Regional Mortgage Banking Office and launch national speaking tour

By Hazel Trice Edney (TriceEdneyWire.com) -- Michael A. Grant, who has gained a national reputation for his advocacy for Black economic empowerment for nearly a quarter of a century, has announced that he is resigning from the presidency of the National Bankers Association (NBA) effective Dec. 31, 2017.

“After nine years, I feel like I have taken GRANT this organization as far as I can take it,” Grant said in an interview with the Trice Edney News Wire this week. “I used the NBA as a platform to promote Black economic empowerment because I feel honestly that that is where we are right now in our evolution in this country.”

He continued, “But it’s more than just wealth. There are issues that are ancillary and tied into this wealth. If you look at us in terms of what’s happening to us with incarceration rates, look at how our system of justice treats African Americans, look at how we are positioned in business and what networks are we in or not in. From every level of government to the private sector, we are still not first class citizens.”

It is this level of insight that has not only sustained Grant at the NBA, but will now take him to the next level of his career, according to those who know and support him. Grant publicly announced his resignation at the close of the NBA’s 90th anniversary celebration Oct. 6.

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

READ THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT BLACK FRIDAY (at :www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Miami Dolphins (Cont'd from Page 2) received a Kids and Fins Tshirt and got to mingle and enjoy a dinner party with cheerleaders and alumni. Alumnus Twan Russell MC’d the event while cheerleaders Agustina, Britt, Emily, Jamie, Jenny and Whitney danced and spent time with the participants. The students, from Henry D. Perry Center in Broward County, H.L. Watkins Middle School in Palm Beach County and Agenoria S. Paschal/Olinda Elementary School and West Homestead K-8 Center in MiamiDade County, were selected by their principals to participate in this event.

In all, 16 players – Leonte Carroo, John Denney, Kenyan Drake, Matt Haack, Malcolm Lewis, Kolby Listenbee, Rey Maualuga, Drew Morgan, Cody Parkey, Rashawn Scott, De’Veon Smith, Eric Smith, Kenny Stills, Ryan Tannehill,

Gabe Wright and Sam Young – were at Publix to help the kids fill up their shopping carts for the holiday. The Miami Dolphins Special Teams volunteers, members of the Miami Dolphins Women’s Organization, Fort Lauderdale police officers and Dolphins alumni Elmer Bailey, Larry Ball, Bob Brudzinski, Troy Drayton, Roy Foster, Lorenzo Hampton, Anthony Harris, Jim Jensen, Lousaka Polite, Ken Poole, Twan Russell, Bryant Salter, Jed Weaver and Shawn Wooden also aided in the shopping effort.

“We had a great time. The boys I was with didn’t have a list or anything so we just went through every aisle and figured out what they wanted,” Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills said of the event. “This event is special because I get to spend time with the kids and let them make all of the decisions. I love spending time with the kids and having the opportunity to be out here.”

Real Estate Mogul, Tiffany Curry, Named Woman Of The Year at the 2017 Global Power Tour In Houston

Tiffany Curry

By BlackNews.com HOUSTON, TX (BlackNews.com) — Tiffany Curry has been named “Woman of the Year” at the 2017 Global Power Tour, a multi-city, multicountry, hands-on and engaging summit for women entrepreneurs focusing on building their business brand, strategy and finances.

Curry is a dynamic GameChanging Real Estate Broker Associate in Houston, TX who ranks in the Top 2% of the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services brokerage network world-

wide. Tiffany spoke at the conference sharing hands on with fellow entrepreneurs how she started her business initially with her 401K. Curry also shared how she uses a global online presence in innovating her business and exposing her clients’ properties to broad audiences worldwide. Tiffany also spoke on the importance of businesses finding a niche.

The Women CEO Project and Global Power Tour Founder and CEO, Kristi Jackson, was excited to present Curry as the 2017 award recipient. “I’ve witnessed Curry grow from afar.

Real estate is not an easy business. I have watched as she has thrived in multiple areas of the industry as an entrepreneur in addition to sales and leadership, an accomplishment and balance few possess.”

Curry is a National Director for the Berkshire Hathaway (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

intro’ed the track with a message to fans of how this was the most uncomfortable song he had ever recorded. He told concert goers that we had to push past the uncomfortable to grow, and then an awkward but necessary silence penetrated the concert atmosphere allowing all of us to recall areas we needed to grow from… It was group therapy at its finest. Then he placed the mic between his hands in a caressing manner and began to recite the Beyoncé inspired lines. Head down, possibly hiding tears, he disappeared in

the music but he took us with him.

It was sentimental experience that none of us will ever forget. Personally, it reminded of when he made his, “Song Cry” in 2002. There was such emotional greatness in those bars, but this time, 15 years later a more mature, married with kids Jay Z, makes the song apologize and love at the same time. Beyoncé and Blu Ivy’s essence was in the building, and (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Keep People Out of Jail (Cont'd from FP) court system is to be noted as Clerk of Court Brenda Forman offered her office as a centralized clearing house for information needed by law enforcement to implement the program, an important component needed by law enforcement.

Broward County Public Defender Finkelstein thanked Commissioner Holness for introducing this item championing this issue Finkelstein gave a history lesson as he brought to everyone’s attention for the past 60 years Broward County has had an institutionalized racist justice system. He shared The Sarasota Tribune did a study that showed African Americans are not only arrested at percentages that are completely dramatically inconsistent with white people but their sentences are also far more harsh. “We have created a Jim Crow criminal justice system where when you walk into the courtrooms in Broward County almost every single person in that courtroom that’s handcuffed is black and when you put all of your law enforcement officials in poor Black communities, don’t be surprised that the people that get arrested are poor and Black. This bill will allow law enforcement to continue doing what they’re doing but at the same time not inflict the damage that has been done to the African American community in Broward County for the past four decades. We owe this to poor communities of color to start taking steps to remedy the harm that we have inflicted for the past four decades,” said Finkelstein.

Commissioner Holness has spent over a year tirelessly working on this effort, meeting with the City of Fort Lauderdale Commission, Broward

County Sheriff Scott Israel, Office of the State Attorney, The Public Defender’s Office, the chief of police from Fort Lauderdale, and other community stakeholders. “Over this process I’ve learned there are a lot of low-income people in our jail system because of petty theft.

Judge Tuter pointed out someone could go to a WalMart and steal $18 worth of items, would be caught, give back the goods to WalMart, yet the police officer would spend three hours booking that person downtown and then the person gets locked up. They have a $500 to $2,000 cash bond they cannot pay, they couldn’t afford it in the first place, and they are kept in jail, costing $140 a night. We’re spending about $230 million annually on our jail system, which is unsustainable. The civil citation program for juveniles has had a 94% success rate, which comes at a savings of $14 million for tax payers,” said Commissioner Holness.

According to the American Bar Association, individuals who are locked up due to have little to no impact on public safety. With the court system overburdened with minor offense cases, an arrest record can have long term impacts on employability, housing, not to mention the economic impacts.

“Contrary to what some believe, this program is practical and prudent and will hold people accountable for their actions, but if we do not give people a chance they get caught deeper in the system. Holistically this program will benefit our community tremendously and will empower people not to be branded at a young age as a criminal,, as most civil citations are issued to people under the age of 30,” said Commissioner Holness.

Bishop William J. Barber II to meet Pope (Cont'd from FP) the summer, received the invitation from the Vatican last September, along with invitations to visit England and Africa to join other labor and workers’ rights advocates. “[The Pope] wants to bless this movement and meet with other activists from around the world who are fighting against poverty,” Dr. Barber said.

Dr. Barber, who officially stepped down from his post as the president of North Carolina’s branch of the NAACP in October after serving 12 years, will be part of a

two-day conference attended by social justice advocates from countries like Canada, Senegal, Italy, Ireland, Tunisia, Ghana, Brazil, and the United States, among others.

It’s no doubt that Dr. Barber’s involvement in the fiftieth anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s 1968 Poor People’s Campaign caught the attention of, not only national, but international, social justice leadership, like Pope Francis, who is worldrenowned for his personal and official advocacy for the poor.

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 10 • NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017

www.thewestsidegazette.com

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

Good News: Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z top NAACP Image Award nominations “The NAACP Image Awards continues to reflect diversity in television, music, film and literature that brings everyone together,� said Derrick Johnson, president, and CEO of NAACP. Other nominees for some of the critical categories included:Entertainment of the year which went to Ava DuVernay, Bruno Mars, Chadwick Boseman, Chance the Rapper,

and singer Ledesi, they earned three nods each.

On the business side, streaming giant Netflix and cable network OWN led the TV nominations with 23 and 17 nominations, respectively.

RCA Records and Capitol Records led the recording category with 12 and six nominations, respectively.

By Susan Johnes Recently, the NAACP Image Awards announced Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z as the leading nominees for five apiece.

The awards show, which is now in its 49th year, honors entertainers and writers of color.

The winners will be announced during a two-hour show on Jan. 15 hosted by Anthony Anderson of “black-ish�- who is also a nominee for the best TV comedy actor.

What favored Blige’s nominations are songs and videos off her album “Strength of a Woman.� On the other hand, Jay-Z was nominated for his “4:44� album and songs contained on it.

Other celebrities nominated for entertainer of the year category are Bruno Mars, Issa Rae, Chance the Rapper, Chadwick Boseman, and director Ava DuVernay.

Second nominations for the four-piece went to Bruno Mars, Issa Rae, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA all who had a tie.

Netflix and Oprah Winfrey’s network were the leading television nominees. “Get Out,�

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.

December 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017

NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to enage in business under the fictitous name of NOT YOUR AVERAGE GIRL intend(s) to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee, Florida and/or Clerk of the Circuit Court of Broward County, Florida.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE GIRL 3241Northwest 14th Court Lauderhill, Florida 33311 November 16, 23, 2017

Issa Rae and Jay-Z. On the comedy series, the nominations went to “Ballers�

(HBO), “Black-ish� (ABC), “Dear White People� (Netflix), “Insecure� (HBO), and “Survivor’s Remorse� (Starz).

For the actor in a comedy series, nominations went to Anthony Anderson – “black-ish�

(ABC), Danielle Brooks – “Or-

MIAMI RED

“Girls Trip,� and “Detroit� are among the nominees for best motion picture.

Idris Elba was nominated for the leading acting role. Together with musician Charlie Wilson

42

NOVEMBER 23, 2017

56

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LIBRA-A practical solution is at hand to one of your inventions. Give yourself some space to allow the answer to come to you. Any repetitive task, such as weeding the garden or washing the dishes or car, will be conducive to your receiving the solution. I know where I’m going because I know where I’ve been. 9, 10, 27

NOVEMBER 23- NOVEMBER 292017

ARIES-Authority issues may arise early in the week. You can handle these thoughts by observing them and letting them go. Listen to some music that fills you with positive vibrations. I see myself as a finisher rather than a starter this week. 14, 40, 46

TAURUS-You have strong physical energy this week. Make the most of it and get a lot of the work done that you’ve been meaning to get around to. This week’s a great week to get around to it! You’ll be very pleased at the end of the week with what you have created. I concentrate on the highest possibilities this week. 18, 22, 53

SCORPIO-You may feel an internal pressure towards responsibility this week. Go with the flow on this and the week will be like a gift. Let your words assist others in becoming more self-responsible. You are a good teacher of right actions. I take it easy on myself this week. 17, 40, 48

GEMINI-Freedom needs may be high this week. Use your powerful imagination to discover a way to feel freer in your current situation. At least in your personal space, let yourself be free and surrounded by objects and vibes that set your spirit soaring. I speak my mind knowing that truth is my best defense this week. 41, 44, 48

SAGITTARIUS-Money may come to you from an unlikely source this week. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunity. Let your words this week paint the images of better ways of being in the world for yourself and for those under your care. I invest new faith in everything I do this week. 6, 23, 46

CAPRICORN-You may decide to visit a friend you haven’t CANCER-Passing on knowledge, or gaining some seen in a while, or you may hear from one while you are at new knowledge, preoccupies your fine mind this week. work. How did they get your number? You’ll be pleased to You can teach as well as learn. Look for a way to combine connect again with this person. Things are as I know them to these two activities. It will benefit the many that you attract.I am uplifted by the presence of friends. 7, 28, 29 be. 9, 12, 48 LEO-Details, details, details. They are cluttering up your vision of the big picture. Be patient and deal with one detail at a time. You’ll soon see your big picture very clearly again.

You are kind, and can be amazingly tolerant. Giving is a luxury that a rich spirit can afford. 8, 54, 55

AQUARIUS-You are full of ideas this week, and some of them have practical application. Pick and choose which ones to test as you move through your week. Keep a very positive outlook on all relationships. I find comfort in the familiar. 32, 34, 37

VIRGO-Lots of wild ideas may occur to you this week, and you may want to act the mental daredevil. Be patient with those who are just learning or who want to do things the way they’ve always done them. Lead by example. When I feel good about myself, the world feels good to me.17, 29, 36

PISCES-Too much information is as confining as too little information for you. Try to find a balance in your conversations with others. Listen and observe, and you’ll learn the thing that you are looking for this week. I enlarge my happiness by forgetting about myself this week. 11, 28, 41

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NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017 • PAGE 11

New Mt .Olive Baptist 99 Anniversary celebration th

New Mt. Oliv e Baptist Olive Church celebrates 99 yyears ears

By Byler Henry

Pastor Marcus Davidson and Luereen Flournoy, who has been a member for 68 years.

By Tony Thompson Occasion 2017, New Mount Olive Baptist Church Giving Honor to God, our senior pastor, Dr. Marcus DDavidson, our first lady, Sister Yvokia Davidson, our guest speaker, our Ministrial Staff, Church Officials, Members, Saints and Friends, Good Morning!

We celebrate our Church Anniversary because in 1918 eight former members of Piney Grove First Baptist Church decided to found a new church in this community which would become a safe harbor and beacon of light which has grown to a congregation with over 10,000 members.

We thank God for how He has Blessed Us! When we look closely at our church history we realize that for more than half of those 99 years this church has been led by just three powerful and Dynamic preachers: Rev. George E. Weaver, from 1962 to 1982, a total of 20 years: Dr. Mack King Carter, from 1982 to 2009, a total of 27 years; and Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, from 2010 until the present for over seven years. That is a total of 54 years!

Certainly we are thankful to God for their dedicated leadership!

Recently at our 11 a.m. service we honoring 46 senior members who are 85-years-old

November 25, 1918 was the day that eight people were given a vision from God to find a place to worship. They found it in Northwest Fort Lauderdale. Throughout the years many pastors have come to preach the word of Christ and have made an impact in some way. We thank the Lord for past preachers: Rev. G.T. Green, Rev., G.S. McClover, Rev. Walter Bryant, Rev. S.T. Stafford, Rev. Henry P. Bragdon, Rev. Charles H. Williams, Rev. O.W. Wells, Rev. R.H. Lee, Rev. George Edward Weaver and Dr. Mack King Carter. In 1923, under Reverend Henry P. Bragdon, the church’s name was changed to New Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

They wanted to build a new church, so a small wooden structure was built on the corner of fourth street and ninth avenue in 1925.

In 1929, the permanent building was completed, and the congregation moved into that building. The church now had an attendance of about 500 people. Rev. Bragdon stepped down in 1930.

In 1937, Rev. O.W. Wells took over to lead the congregation and under him the congregation grew along with the size of the church. March of 1962, Reverend George E. Weaver came to lead the congregation. The old church was given a new wing with eighteen classrooms and 200 additional seating spaces for the sanctuary. In 1981, Dr. Mack King Carter came along as a copastor and took over after Rev. Weaver’s retirement in 1982. The church grew more under the leadership of Dr. Mack King Carter.

He stepped down after 27 years, and in 2009 the congregation selected our current pastor Rev. Marcus D. Davidson to lead us in Kingdome building; we thank the Lord for him as well.

By the grace of God Mt. Olive Baptist Church has been able to stand the test of time for 99 years, and the congregation has come faithfully, moving along with the sanctuary. The pastors that were chosen to lead have made their mark and may His will continue to be done. and older. Their names are listed in today’s program and we want to thank each of them for the for their dedicated Christian Service to the New Mount Olive Baptist Church and we pray God’s blessings upon them!

Today I want to share with you what Mount Olive means to me: M-motivated to serve mankind.

O-observing God’s Ten Commandments.

There’s a new player joining the Pompano Beach Arts

Herman LeVern Jones (second from the right) pictured with Esther Rolle, Dr. Maya Angelou, Louis Gossett and Larry Leon Hamlin during the 1989 National Black Theatre Festival, a festival Jones helped start that has raised over $700 million for the City of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

By Samantha Davis There’s a new player joining the theatre arts scene in Pompano Beach and if you haven’t already met him or heard of him, you probably will soon! Though he is new to Pompano, he is certainly not new to theatre. He comes with a wealth of experience and a burning desire to shake up the art scene in Pompano as well as expose its residents to quality theatre programming.

Meet Herman LeVern Jones, a 45-year theatre veteran from Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina. Jones received his Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Theatre and English from North Carolina State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). After touring all over the world, working with celebrities, starting theatre companies across the United States and positively impacting the lives of thousands of youth, adults and seniors, Jones is now putting down roots here in Pompano Beach.

His company, TheatreSouth Atlanta, Inc. (dba Herman LeVern Jones’ TheatreSouth) was recently selected to be a Cultural Alliance Member at the newly built Pompano Beach Cultural Center. Jones and his team have a season of four dynamic productions that is cur-

rently underway. The season is starting with a Christmas production called “A Civil War Christmas” written by Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel. The production is a family friendly adventure that takes place during the Christmas of 1864 and contains many of the Christmas songs that we all know and love such as Silent Night, I Heard the Bells, What Child is This?, God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, The Holly and the Ivy, and O Christmas Tree.

Herman LeVern Jones and his team are not just in Pompano to put on a play, though.

They have come with the desire to get to know Pompano residents and leadership on an intimate level by incorporating them into their theatre programming. Pompano Beach residents will have the opportunity Jones' plays, regardless of their background or previous theatre experience.

“I believe in getting the community actively involved in theatre by giving them roles in my plays and providing the coaching they need to take their acting skills to the next level,” said Jones. “I also like to introduce people to the lucrative career opportunities that are available in the backstage realm of the theatre,” he added.

Jones has already cast several people from the Pompano Beach and surrounding comm-

unities in his first play, “A Civil War Christmas”.

In addition to community casting in his season of plays at the Cultural Center, Jones and his team will be offering the community acting workshops, individual and group coaching, entertainment at Pompano events, theatre consulting, directing assistance and any service that will elevate the theatre arts in Pompano Beach.

Jones and his team have discovered that there are many up and coming performers in Pompano Beach who are looking for opportunities to shine on stage and advance in their artistic career. Having several decades of experience in the theatre, Jones fully realizes the challenges of being an artist, especially a new or aspiring artist. His goal is to show Pompano residents that a career in the theatre can be a very fulfilling and rewarding line of work.

He has helped many high school students get accepted into prestigious performing arts institutions and launched countless artists’ careers and he certainly plans to do the same thing here in Pompano.

“I am convinced that there are some very talented artists here in Pompano with the potential to make it to Broadway or even the big screen. They just need an opportunity.

Esther Rolle was a good friend of mine and she was from Pompano Beach. That’s a huge inspiration to Pompano residents and my goal to is to create more success stories like Esther’s. I want Pompano residents to have some of the incredible experiences I’ve had in theatre.”

Jones and his company are members of the Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce and have begun forming relationships with various entities such as Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach Middle School, Ocean Spirit Recovery, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, PF Insurance, and the Tiger Trail Committee to name a few.

They are in Pompano for the long haul and they’re here for residents who are looking for opportunities and engagement with theatre arts.

U-united for Kingdom Building.

N-never doubting God’s word.

T-thanking God eternally.

O-organized and committed.

L- loving God and our fellow man.

I-involved in our community.

V-virtuously praying.

E-experiencing God’s grace and mercy.

Today as we reflect on our past, we realize how blessed we truly are! Mount Olive, we are a proud and grateful church, serving a great God! May God continue to bless each of you on this our special day! Amen!

Carrie Thomas, who has been a member for 84 years and Pastor Frank Kennedy, Jr. Today we honor our Senior members who are 85 years old or older. They are seated in a special section in the middle of the congregation. When I call your name please stand or raise your hand as we want to present you with a token of our appreciation for your dedicated Christian Service to this great church!

Thank you! Let’s give them all a round of applause! May God Bless you all!

2017, 99th Anniversary of New Mount Olive Baptist Church Members 85 Years Old and Older Thelma Aikens – 86 Freddie Mae Bell – 92 Ann Bouie – 88 Sumpter Bristol – 92 Tillie Adams Charlton – 86 James P. Cheever – 85 Ponzella Choice – 90 Rosetta Clark – 89 Deacons Electa Cone – 92 Hattie Mae Courley- 91 Carrie Dennis – 91 Cora Lee Etheridge – 94 Viola Fincher – 99 Luereen Flournoy – 102 Faye Franklin Charlotte Fullins – 91

Annie Mae Glover – 85 Annie Gregory – 95 Cornelius Grooms – 85 Ross A. Grooms – 97 Hazel Hankerson – 87 Olivia Harris – 91 Annie Hennings – 85 Pastor Levi Henry – 85 Oneather Holly – 89 Willie Horne – 88 Elouise Jamerson – 89 Willie Mae Johnson – 86 Dr. Magdaline Lewis – 89 Willie Mae Martin – 88 Deacon Blanton Mitchell – 89 Doris Mitchell – 88 Clara Priester – 86 Annie Grace Rose – 88 Rosa Marie Saulsby – 90 Lillian Shield – 89 Mary Helen Shy – 88 Sarah Sloane – 93 Carrie Thomas – 99 Rosa M. Thornton – 85 Alberta Timmons – 87 Clain Triplett – 88 Sylvia Tullock – 88 Grace Vaughn – 91 Katherine Washington – 96 Andrew Williams – 87 Ruby Williams – 92 Samuel Williams – 85 Theodora Williams - 90

PAGE 12 • NOVEMBER 23 - NOVEMBER 29, 2017

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You Better W atch Y our Mouth: Dental Car e in the Black Community Watch Your Care

By Julianne Malveaux (NNPA Newswire Columnist) From the time I was a little girl, to just a day or so ago, someone has always told me to watch my mouth. Why? My mouth runs and sometimes it runs unplugged. I’ve been known to flim flam folks with flattery or eviscerate them with evil, sometimes moving from one to the other with just a shrug of my shoulders. But my “mouth-watching” is not the kind of mouth-watching I’m writing about in this column.

I’m writing about the healthy mouth-watching that is critical to our health.

Nearly a hundred folks gathered at the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) headquarters at 633 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C., to hear two dynamic women talk about dental health. Dr.

Julianne Malveaux on dental care, health, op-ed, commentary, NNPA Newswire Columnist, Action for Dental Health Act, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and HR2422 Diane Earle, the managing dental director at Kool Smiles,

in Lancaster, Texas, talked about dental health and its importance. Your mouth, she said, is the gateway to your body, so it is important for you to take care of it by getting regular checkups, taking care of your mouth and, especially, ensuring that children have early dental care as soon as they have even a single tooth. She was joined by healthy living expert Debra Peek Haynes, who is passionate about the way we eat and how what we eat can transform our lives.

These two women held an audience for an hour, focusing on the many ways we can improve our lives so that we can better resist these oppressive political times. There was talk of the ways we can eat better, exercise better, and live better, with both Dr. Earle and Mrs. Haynes presenting as great examples of healthy living. Dr.

Earle, for example, said she had never had a cavity in her life.

Deb Haynes (whose husband, the Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III, has expertly pastored Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas) shared the ways she used healthy eating to turn her health around after a diagnosis of infertility. I was thrilled to bring the women together and to moderate a discussion that had significant meaning for our community.

NCNW, under the transformative leadership of Attorney Janice Mathis (who led Rainbow PUSH’s Atlanta office until she came to Washington), is the only space owned by Black people on Pennsylvania Avenue. It is close enough to the “People’s House” at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue that one might walk there, which perhaps means that it is close to the devil. That proximity offers an opportunity

for resistance, and while much of our resistance must be political, some of it hinges on our personal commitment to a physical excellence that prepares us to have resilience for the struggle.

Even as we met, the devil was busy. The House of Representative passed the new “tax overhaul” package that they say will create jobs, but we know will create wealth for billionaires; to benefit the top one percent, the bottom 80 percent will be hit hard, but Congress doesn’t seem to care. The Senate has a version of the legislation, and the two houses will have to come up with compromise legislation, but both the House and the Senate agree that corporations should pay less tax.

At NCNW, we talked about Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) and her Action for

Dental Health Act (HR 2422).

The bipartisan legislation, cosponsored with Republican Iniana dentist and Congressman Mike Simpson, would make dental care more accessible, but with issues like these having low priority in this ideologically divided Congress, it is not likely to even make it to the floor for a vote. Instead, the new tax law would weaken, not strengthen, healthcare access.

Dental care and nutrition issues don’t get as much visibility as Russia, or sexual harassment, or jiving Jeff Sessions.

But they are also important issues. So when we “watch our mouth” by watching what we eat and how we manage our dental care, we are strengthening ourselves for the inevitable struggle against the inequality that is part of the status quo.

High blood Pressure redefined for the first time in 14 years: 130 is the new high Highlights: * High blood pressure is now defined as readings of 130 mm Hg and higher for the systolic blood pressure measurement, or readings of 80 and higher for the diastolic measurement. That is a change from the old definition of 140/ 90 and higher, reflecting complications that can occur at those lower numbers. * Among African Americans, 56 percent of women and 59 percent of men will have high blood pressure under the new guidelines. The change means African American men have the highest rate of hypertension; previously, Black women did. * In the first update to comprehensive U.S. guidelines on blood pressure detection and treatment since 2003, the category of prehypertension is eliminated. * While about 14 percent more people will be diagnosed with high blood pressure and counseled about lifestyle chan-

Most African-American men and women will have high blood pressure under new American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Guidelines ges, there will only be a small increase in those who will be prescribed medication. * By lowering the definition of high blood pressure, the guidelines recommend earlier intervention to prevent further increases in blood pressure and the complications of hypertension.

DALLAS, TEX. — High blood pressure should be treated earlier with lifestyle changes and in some patients with medication at 130/80 mm Hg rather than 140/90 according to the first comprehensive new high blood pressure guidelines in more than a decade. The guidelines are being published by the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for detection, prevention, management and treatment of high blood pressure. The guidelines were presented this week at the

Association’s 2017 Scientific Sessions conference in Anaheim, Calif., the premier global cardiovascular science meeting for the exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.

Rather than 1 in 3 U.S. adults having high blood pressure (32 percent) with the previous definition, the new guidelines will result in nearly half of the U.S. adult population (46 percent) having high blood pressure, or hypertension. However, there will only be a small increase in the number of U.S. adults who will require antihypertensive medication, authors said. Additionally, more African Americans, a population that faces a higher risk for high blood pressure than other demographics, will have high blood pressure under the new guidelines.

Fifty-six percent of women will be affected compared to 59 percent of men, which reflects an increase from 42 percent for women and 46 percent for men.

This now means African American men have the highest rate of hypertension while, previously, Black women did.

These guidelines, the first update to offer comprehensive guidance to doctors on managing adults with high blood pressure since 2003, are designed to help people address the potentially deadly condition much earlier.

The new guidelines stress the importance of using proper technique to measure blood pressure. Blood pressure levels should be based on an average of two to three readings on at least two different occasions, the authors said.

High blood pressure accounts for the second largest number of preventable heart disease and

stroke deaths, following smoking. It’s known as the silent killer because many times there are no obvious symptoms, and it significantly increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Paul K. Whelton, M.B., M.D., M.Sc., lead author of the guidelines published in the

American Heart Association journal, Hypertension and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, noted the dangers of blood pressure levels between 130-139/80-89 mm Hg. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)