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THURSDA Y, MARCH 23 - WEDNESDA Y, MARCH 29, 2017 THURSDAY WEDNESDAY

Andrew Gillum visits Broward’s Through our eyes Public Defender Office

By Nichole Richards

Candidate for Florida Govenor Andrew Gillum touched on the need to put Floridians to work, but centered around two important failing systems: criminal justice and education.

Candidate for Florida Governor Andrew Gillum’s sixminute campaign video opens with a tranquil morning scene of a father prepping a pair of well-behaved, quiet toddlers for the day. The video is fascinating for a number of reasons: the calm morning routine counters the chaos and clamor one would expect when two toddlers are involved, it is a stark reminder of the strategic value of family imagery in political campaigns (thank you, Obamas), and Gillum is Black.

That fact may excite some, but it will enflame others; we are in the Age of Trump, after all, and the racial resentment that bubbled beneath the surface for eight years floods the halls of the White House now. However, according to Gillum, he is determination and dedication in the flesh, ideals that speak to the very foundation of our nation and to the most American of Americans.

“Yet to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear.”

Deuteronomy 29:4 (NASB)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Last night while participating in the program titled Walk Through History subtitled “Through Our Eyes”, this program has grown into being one of the highlights of our Black History Month presented by State Representative Bobby Dubose who is doing excellent job. Not to cause any misrepresentation or put his program in a bad light, but thanks to the program, I was literally shocked back into reality.

The reality of a short time ago in the history of this country the inhumane treatment of its Black citizens brought me to the point of almost wanting to actually choke somebody.

(Cont'd on Page 10)

Preservation or Progress: The Case of the Von D. Mizell Center

(Cont'd on Page 5)

Still pleading our own cause: The Black Press celebrates 190 years

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA News Wire Contributor) The oldest Black business industry in America began 190 years ago today.

On March 16, 1827, the first edition of the “Freedom’s Journal” was published, thrusting African-Americans into the bustling publishing business.

At the time, Blacks in America weren’t even considered citizens, most were slaves and forbidden to read or write.

However, John Russwurm and Reverend Samuel Cornish rose up bravely declaring that, “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.”

Dorothy Leavell, publisher of the historic “Chicago Crusader” newspaper which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2015, said that when Russwurm and Cornish established the Black Press by publishing the “Freedom’s Journal,” they wanted to provide a voice for Black people. The Black Press became one of the only means of communication between Black people.

“Black men and women were vilified in the New York press in the 1800s,” said Leavell. “Some white newspaper publishers sought to defend the dignity, honor and character of Black people.

However, Russwurm and Cornish said, they ‘wish to plead our own cause.’”

In times of segregation Provident Hospital was the only place outside of their homes that allowed Black people to be cared for.

By Nichole Richards (Part II of a III Part Series)

A display wall showcases the front pages of the nation’s Black newspapers.

(Travis Riddick/NNPA) Without the Black Press, genuine stories of AfricanAmericans would go untold, said Robert W. Bogle, the publisher of the “The Philadelphia Tribune.”

Bogle said that only Black people can tell their stories accurately.

“We are as relevant today as we were when the ‘Freedom’s Journal’ said they wanted to tell our story in our words,” said Bogle.

Denise Rolark-Barnes, the chair of the NNPA and pu-

Pleading Our Own Cause

blisher of “The Washington Informer,” said she studied the history of the Black Press and used the 190-year milestone to reflect on the legacy of Black newspapers. “[What I discovered] help me understand how the Black Press played a vital role in fighting for human rights, abolishing slavery and outlawing lynching,” Rolark Barnes said. “The lesson for us, as publishers, is that we must remain important in our communities and con-

WWW.

tinue to be the voice for victims and spotlight those who have achieved success.”

While mainstream media seems distracted by the current political atmosphere, Rolark Barnes said that it’s vital that the Black Press continue to focus on telling the stories that are relevant to the Black community and recording Black history.

(Cont'd on Page 10)

There are parallels that can be drawn between the world’s treatment of the continent of Africa and the conflicting solutions proposed to address the “community blight” along the Sistrunk Corridor.

Since the toppling of colonial systems beginning in the late 1950s, international agencies and governing bodies have hammered Africa with free aid and social services, continuing the dependent relationship between the continent and its former colonial masters. Despite its proven ability to empower, capacity building, a form of aid that teaches individuals skills that support economic and political development, remains controversially contested as free food, free clothing, and free money continues to pour into Africa and, most times, into corrupt pockets. This has stifled the advancement of our beloved motherland.

How does this connect to the Von D. Mizell Center?

Like Africa, there are multiple voices debating the best strategy to revitalize the Sistrunk Community; however, the two dominating opinions represent an argument for the need of social services from external sources and the demand for community based economic empowerment. Both arguments consider the Von D.

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Mizell Center vital property to usher in their respective visions.

No one can argue the Sistrunk community is in dire need of help. Years of economic neglect has left the community in disrepair. Just a walk or a drive during any hour of the day reveals issues of homelessness and drug addiction. That is reality.

According to Cheryl Woods, President of the YMCA of South Florida, building the L.A. Lee Family YMCA is the direct way to address these issues.

“All we’re trying to do is to do good for the community,” Woods stated, “It seems logical that [the Mizell Center] would be a good location to truly provide services.”

Woods emphasized the land has not yet been given to the YMCA, but they have simply been “investigating the option” and believe the new added programs and services the L.A. Lee Family YMCA is proposing to provide would require a brand new facility. According to Woods, there is not an option to expand or grow at their current location, just two blocks south of the Von D. Mizell Center.

(Cont'd on Page 3) MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

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Volkswagen Group of America celebrates Black American racers

By Darcy Kohn In celebration of the contributions of African Americans in auto racing, the Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) welcomed the Black American Racers (BAR) to Volkswagen’s headquarters in Herndon, Va., for an inspiring “Lunch and Learn” and the reveal of the team’s newly-refurbished Formula Super Vee race car.

Leonard W. Miller, the first African American motorsport owner to have a team compete in the Indianapolis 500, was among the special guests at the event. Miller’s BAR team was founded in 1972, the same year he began the Black American Racers Association (BARA) to give recognition to African American racing drivers, mechanics, car owners and sponsors of African Americans in motorsports.

Miller’s racing team fielded cars for African American driver Benny Scott in the VolksPictured l to r: Leonard T. Miller, son of Leonard W. Miller; Dr. Benjamin wagen Gold Cup Super Vee Series throughout Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers the mid-1970s. During its heyday, BAR was Association; Machelle Williams, the senior director of Diversity and Corporate ranked within the top 60 racing teams in the Social Responsibility for VWGoA; Leonard W. Miller, founder of the Black world.

American Racers; and Ernest Green, civil rights icon and one of the “Little Machelle Williams, the senior director of Rock Nine” pose for a photo with the Super Vee. (Volkswagen Group of America) Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility for the Volkswagen Group of A- state National Guard to prevent Historic Vehicle Association After the speakers, the Volksmerica, kicked off the program, the nine students from entering (HVA), who discussed the ex- wagen Experiential Marketing welcoming colleagues and BAR the building on the first day of haustive search Volkswagen team revealed the newly-refurguests to the “Lunch and school, President Dwight D. and HVA conducted to find the bished Super Vee, parked in Learn.” Sean Maynard, the Eisenhower ordered federal original Super Vee race car the VW Showroom. The car’s consumer events coordinator for troops to escort the “Little Rock driven by Benny Scott and the restoration was completed in Volkswagen Marketing, fol- Nine” into school. car’s importance in automotive two months, with every detail lowed with a brief history of “You don’t know when you’re history. Leonard T. Miller, son matching the car raced during African American racing in the doing something that you’re of BARA founder Leonard W. the 1975 season. The restoration U.S. and discussed Volkswa- making a mark on history,” Miller, also previewed the new team used old race footage and gen’s involvement.

Green said. “You’re simply there documentary, out later this rare photographs to carefully “It was so inspiring to hear trying to win races and do the year, that will tell the story of complete the project. the story of these automotive very best you can. And then the Black American Racers and At the conclusion of the pioneers, and to know that you look back on it, like the include original racing footage “Lunch and Learn,” attendees Volkswagen was a part of their folks here at Volkswagen did of the famous Super Vee. The groundbreaking achievement and Leonard did, and you’re a film is based on Leonard W. also had the opportunity to win was especially rewarding,” Wil- part of history.”

Miller’s book, “Silent Thunder: copies of Miller’s book, “Silent liams said.

During the program, at- Breaking Through Cultural, Thunder: Breaking Through Leonard W. Miller headlined tendees also heard from Mark Racial, and Class Barriers in Cultural, Racial, and Class Barriers in Motorsports.” the “Lunch and Learn” and told Gessler, the president of the Motorsports.” incredible stories from his racing days, discussed the inspiration behind his work, and relived the day when Benny Scott became the first African American driver to set the fastest qualifying time in a professional auto race—putting his Formula Super Vee on pole at Laguna By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, is that they need more informaJr. (President and CEO, NNPA) tion concerning how each state Seca in 1975. is planning to respond to the “The experience today was a mandates that the new ESSA Today, across the United historic one because this is the first time in my life that a major States in nearly every African law requires.

The National Newspaper automotive corporation has American community, millions acknowledged our achieve- of parents are striving to do all Publishers Association (NNPA) ments as a race team,” Miller that they can to ensure that reaches more than 20 million said. “The story behind the their children receive the high- African Americans per week team, in our VW-powered car, est quality education possible. and the feedback that we are has never been told before and In many cities and towns, the receiving from interested paI was honored to join Volkswa- public school dropout rate is rents is very telling and ingen employees, along with my now declining among African structive. Education is a priority issue and parents in our comBAR colleagues, friends and American students.

This is the perfect time to munities are “fired-up and family, to unveil the beautifully restored Black American Racers reaffirm the critical importance ready to go!”

Black parents today are beSuper Vee, thanks to Volks- of attaining a good education.

The Every Student Succeeds coming more involved in parentwagen.”

Ernest Green, civil rights Act (ESSA), we believe, offers teacher association (PTA) meeticon and one of the “Little African American parents more ings in record numbers across Rock Nine,” also attended the opportunities to get involved in the country, because of the pre- Dr. Chavis , the president event and spoke to Volkswagen determining the quality of edu- vailing uncertainties and chaland CEO of the NNPA, says employees about the Civil cation for their students at the lenges concerning the funding that the task of the NNPA and accountability of public edulocal level.

Rights Movement and the role Even while there are more cation in America. That’s the and its partners is to African American racing played encourage more parental during the time. The Little Rock legislative debates in the U.S. good news. awareness, involvement, We have always advocated today concerning funding for Nine refers to a group of nine and engagement. for more parental involvement education, until a different law Black students who were barred from entering an all-White high is enacted, ESSA is the law of in the education of our children. cation advocates believe that school in Little Rock, Ark., fol- the land. Our task is to encour- Yet, the bipartisan passage and their opposition to ESSA stems lowing the U.S. Supreme Court age more parental awareness, enactment of ESSA is now from lingering resentment toruling declaring segregation involvement and engagement. being undermined and chal- wards President Barack ObaWhat we are hearing from lenged by some of the most ma, who signed the bill into law unconstitutional in public African American parents from ultra-conservative members of in December 2015. The law is schools. After Arkansas Goverthe west coast to the east coast the U.S. Congress; some edu- currently being implemented nor Orval Faubus called in the state by state.

MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017 • PAGE 3

Cultural Humility Humility:: An impor importtant tool for fighting HIV/AIDS Although HIV does not discriminate, race and economic class can affect your odds of being infected, as well as your likelihood of receiving effective treatment. To combat such disparities, cultural humility can help organizations provide more effective care.

That was the resounding message relayed at a Brown Bag Lunch Webinar held by the Black AIDS Institute in February 2017. The webinar, titled “Developing Cultural Humility,” looked at the role of cultural humility and how it can help reduce health disparities in the prevention and treatment of HIV. There is no denying that such disparities exist. In 2015: · Black Americans made up 12 percent of the population but 45 percent of new HIV infections. · Three-quarters of men who filled out pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescriptions were White, while only 9 percent were Black. · The HIV diagnosis rate for Black women was 16 times as high as the rate for White women.

If these statistics are going to change, providers must approach prevention and treatment from a cultural perspective.

Where Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility Meet The key to creating a comfortable environment for both providers and clients is practicing cultural competency and cultural humility, the webinar proclaimed.

Cultural competency is the ability of providers to deliver services that meet the social, cultural and linguistic needs of their patients. A clinical worker who has cultural competency has some insight into the unique challenges and needs that a client or patient has from a cultural standpoint. For example, a hospital might have a translator available to work with patients who don’t understand English.

Cultural humility, however, goes a bit further. It seeks to create a partnership with clients that is respectful of each client’s needs while avoiding power imbalances. So instead of telling a client what to do, a provider seeks to have a discussion about what the client needs. One way to practice humility is by “asking questions to understand what the client actually wants,” said Raniyah Copeland, director of programs for the Black AIDS Institute.

Putting the Knowledge Into Action There are a number of ways that providers can practice cultural competency. One way is by learning about common Simply put, we cannot afford struggles that affect people of to be silent about the education different cultures. Training of our children. As a parent and should be thorough so that prograndparent, I know personally viders don’t run the risk of havhow important every day and ing their judgment clouded by every year of education is to the stereotypes and generalifuture development of one’s life zations. and career success.

Providers should also familiIn our communities, we all arize themselves with solutions know that it takes a village to to problems that are common to raise a child successfully, but many members of specific comthat village must have an ade- munities. For example, if many quately funded and high qua- people in a certain socioeconolity, effective public school sys- mic class depend on mass trantem for the village to do its job sportation, a provider might with respect to the education of familiarize him or herself with every child in the village, with- a variety of transportation optiout discrimination and un- ons in case a client needs them. equal educational opportunities Adding cultural humility to and access. the mix can create a stronger Thus, let’s keep standing up relationship between providers and speaking up at PTA meetings. As parents, let’s demand and clients. Here’s how to add the implementation of ESSA to cultural humility to your inhelp bridge the educational teractions: Avoid making assumptions. gaps caused by prior inequities Instead of assuming that you and poor funding.

The future of the village and know what the client wants or the future of the nation are at needs, let the client tell you.

Keep your experiences out stake. Education is the key to empowerment. Let’s remain of it. Even if you and the client vigilant and active. This is not have a lot in common, every the time for passivity. All the person’s experiences are difchildren and youth of our com- ferent. Be open to the client munities deserve a better edu- having a different perspective from you. cation and life.

Be attuned to the client’s moods and feelings. Pay attention to the interaction and don’t ask prying questions. Let clients lead the discussion.

Remember that the client knows best. Often providers can be tempted to tell clients what’s best for them. However, it’s the job of the provider to provide information and allow the client to make his or her own informed decisions.

It is also important that organizations promote cultural humility internally. To do so, they might implement trainings so that all employees understand the concept. Organizations should also pay attention to the space where providers meet with clients. For cent in January to 8.1 percent example, clients and providers in February. The labor force might sit side by side rather than across from each other to participation rate, which is the facilitate a more balanced intershare of the population that is action. employed or looking for work, Because HIV affects comticked down from 62.4 percent munities differently, cultural to 62.3 percent in February. competency and cultural huThe employment-population mility are two of the greatest ratio, which is the share of the tools we have to help bring an population that has jobs, also end to the epidemic for everyone.

Tamara E. Holmes is a declined for Black workers from D.C.-based 57.5 percent to 57.3 percent in Washington, journalist who writes about February. health, wealth and personal (Cont'd on Page 10) growth.

ESS A and tthe he im por ESSA impor porttance of a g grreat education

It’s time for Black parents to stand up for the Every Student Succeeds Act

Preservation or Progress: The Case of the Von D. Mizell Center (Cont'd from FP) “The new location will give us a bigger footprint to do bigger outreach.” said Woods, adding, “We are really proud of the L.A. Lee YMCA. It is probably the most important in the community.”

Some would argue the most important structure in the community would be the Mizell Center itself. Situated on Sistrunk Boulevard and 14th Terrace, the site of the historical Provident Hospital, the center sits in disrepair and neglect at the hands of the City of Fort Lauderdale. According to Jasmin Shirley, Vice President of Broward Health’s Community Health Services, this has not been the first time.

“The Mizell Center has fallen into disrepair before.” stated Shirley at the “Preserving Our History” meeting held at the historic St. Christopher Episcopal Church, this past Thursday on March 16. She added it was through community input and determination that the building became a social services hub in Fort Lauderdale’s Black community.

Many who attended the

meeting argue for the Center to be repurposed as a small business incubator that would draw much needed economic development to the Sistrunk Corridor.

“This community needs an economic engine,” argued Sonya Burrows, Sistrunk business owner and President of the Fort Lauderdale Negro Chamber of Commerce, “A repurposed Mizell Center could be it.”

“That engine should be run by the people it represents.”

Bobby R. Henry, Sr., Publisher of the Westside Gazette, added.

Similar plans to revamp the Mizell Center into a small business hub were proposed years ago, but were not adopted by the city. No one knows why.

What is known is demolishing the center and erecting the new L.A. Lee Family YMCA in its place will not provide economic development to the area, a goal that has been touted by the City for years.

“Our biggest issue as Black people, no matter where we are, is money, and we must do what we can to change that,” Commissioner Dale Holness em-

phasized at the meeting. As an economic epicenter, the Mizell Center could help accomplish that goal.

The historical significance of the Mizell Center site was slightly touched at the meeting with ideas on how to reverence Provident Hospital in this fight.

“We have to honor the historical continuity of this land.”

Said Burrows.

That fact has not gone unnoticed by the YMCA. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for the history and legacy of the land,” emphasized Woods. “We think it is important to make the history come alive in our new building, but it requires a conversation.”

“At the beginning of this conversation the community was not even involved, just certain people.” Henry argued.

What has become obvious is the serious need for a candid conversation to take place where both sides are heard and valued. Deborah Mizell, descendent of Dr. Von D. Mizell, agrees.

“We’re almost at a stalemate,” she stated, “We need to come together and most importantly get the larger comunity involved.”

Under Trump, unemployment rate rises for Black workers

By Freddie Allen (Managing Editor, NNPA Newswire) During President Donald Trump’s first full month in office, the Black unemployment rate rose as the White unemployment rate fell, according to the latest jobs report.

Key employment indicators show that Black workers lost ground in February. The unemployment rate for Black workers increased from 7.7 per-

PAGE 4 • MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017

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Community Digest

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Celebration

The Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami presents a celebration of Women in the Arts on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at 8 p.m., at the Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. Vanessa Williams, Judith Jamison, and Gloria Estefan and Alvin Ailey are among the list of participants.

For ticket prices and info log on to www.http:// www.arshtcenter.org

Program Construction Management Development Program: Free Live Training at Broward County Public Schools (BCSP) · Wednesday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Course 1: - Becoming an FDOT Contractor · Wednesday, April 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Course 2: - Plan Reading & Estimating · Wednesday, April 12, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Course 3: Constructing & Submitting an FDPT Bid · Wednesday, April 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Course 4: Project Planning & Scheduling · Wednesday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Course 5:- Fundamental Business Operations

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. For more info call (954) 357-6210. * Opportunity for Teens on Thursday, March 23, 2017 Joyce Mandel, Job Assistance Coach, will work with teenagers, ages 16 and up, in an Employability Skills: Get the Job! workshop. To register for this seminar call Youth Services at (954) 357-6209. * Magical Kenya is April's Destination Friday, April 7, 2017 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., ages 21 and over event. Payable at the door or through Eventbrite.

TODAY'S BLACK NEWS IS TOMORROW'S BLACK HISTORY

Banquet

Mays High Alumni Association hosts annual Curtis Armstrong Scholarship Fundraiser Banquet on Saturday, April 1, 2017. The annual dinner/ dance benefits the Arthur Polly Mays Conservatory of the Arts. For time and additional info call (305) 910-5259 or (305) 7669604 Carolyn Taylor.

Celebration

Touch Weekly Events

Strategies for Success: Women's Path to Power and Reinvention on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 5 p.m., at Diplomat Golf & Tennis Club, 501 Hollywood, Fla. A free lecture presented by the Dr. Thomas A .nd Joan Rodenberg Lecture Series of Memorial Foundation. This event will be featuring physicians from Memorial Cancer Institute and special guest speaker Joan Lunden, TV journalist, best-selling author and breast cancer survivor.

Westside Gazette Dania Beach CRA announces the Fifth Annual Arts & Seafood Celebration on Saturday, April 8-9, 2017 on Saturday, April 8 , from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Frost Park, 300 N.E. Second St., Dania Beach, Fla. For additional info call (954) 924-6801.

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Derserves a Chance

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper 46 Years 1971-2017

Urban League of Broward County Events

* Free Health Education & Fitness Classes. The Urban League of Broward County’s Living Well Team invites participation in our FREE, bi weekly physical activities to help keep you healthy and fit.

All classes at the Urban League of Broward County, 560 N.W. 27 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. All classes at 10 a.m., in the Multi-Purpose Room. For more info contact Kareisha Davis at (954) 625-2566. ·Thursday, March 30 - Yoga ·Thursday, April 6 - Line Dancing ·Thursday, April 20 - Cooking Demonstration * The Urban League of Broward County's College Ready Day prepares high school students for a successful higer education experience, Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Urban League of Broward County, 560 N.W. 27 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Registration closes at 8:45 a.m.

For mor info call (954) 5840777. * The Urban League is excited to host our Living Well Program's Diabetes Self-Management Workshop, on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Oswald Park, 2220 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. All classes will be held inside the Recreation Center. Sign up now. For more info contact Kareisha Davis, at (954) 625-2566.

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

OR EMAIL: wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com

Fundraiser

Calling all Churches to Church Row!!! Relay for Life , the grassroot fundraiser for American Cancer Society, will take place on Friday, May 19 20, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Joseph C. Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Carter Park – Relay for Life community bonds together to hosts an overnight event full of music, food, and entertainment.

For more info contact Rosalind Hankerson (954) 667-9025 Rosalind.CarterRelay@gmail.com

ELDER ABUSE Did you know that elders in our communities are being abused?

Did you know that elders in our communities are selfnegelcted?

Did you know that elders in our communities are being exploited?

Do you know what to do when you hecome aware of an elder with one or more of these problems?

For information on Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation, please call: 1-800-96ELDER or 1-800-963-5337 to report elder abuse: 1-80096-ABUSE or 1-800-9622873

NOTARY PUBLIC ON PREMISES

545 N.W. 7th Terrace,

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Mon. thru Fri. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more info call -(954) 525-1489

DILLARD HIGH CLASS OF 1967 50 YEAR CLASS REUNION JUNE 1-4, 2017 FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

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MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017 • PAGE 5

Mass deportation would cost U.S. economy billions, experts say

Andy Shallal, a first-generation Iraqi-American and the owner of Busboys and Poets, said that, as an immigrant, he had to speak up for immigrant rights in the current political climate in the U.S. “Staying on the sidelines in these times is no longer an option,” said Shallal. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA). This photo was taken during an immigrant rights march for amnesty in downtown Los Angeles, California on May Day in 2006.

(Jonathan McIntosh/Wikimedia Commons)

By Barrington Salmon (NNPA Newswire Contributor) Immigration and labor experts say that mass deportation would cost the federal government nearly $900 billion in lost revenue over 10 years and would immediately reduce the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.4 percent.

That GDP shortfall would grow by 2.6 percent, and reduce the cumulative GDP over 10 years by $4.7 trillion. Overall, the U.S. economy would lose $434.4 billion in GDP every year in losses in the construction, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality industries, if unauthorized immigrants were forced to leave the country.

“This would cripple the economy,” said Rita Medina, the immigrant campaign manager for the Center for American Progress Action Fund (CPAF). Medina said that a state law in Alabama forced agricultural workers to leave their jobs, which had a negative effect on crop yields and the economy.

“It takes a toll on communities.

People are moving, because of the fear of [Immigration Customs Enforcement] and taking their children out of school.

Small businesses and the housing market will be deeply affected.”

Medina continued: “It’s pretty scary. It’s also important to make sure that we’re not causing panic.”

Medina said that the updated 287(g) program in President Trump’s memo on undocumented immigration, which deputizes state and local law enforcement officers to act as ICE agents, is basically like the original program on steroids.

“With some of the policies, you can’t say are they’re unconstitutional, because they’ve been in place for a while,” Medina explained. “I’m sure there are those in legal circles who are looking at options and ways to counter administration policy.”

According to the National Restaurant Association and Restaurants Opportunities Cen-

ters United, estimated one in four restaurant workers is foreign-born. Immigrants comprise a significant majority of farm workers and many of them are undocumented.

During protests over President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, hundreds of immigrants and their families marched to the White House, instead of going to work, shutting down more than 100 area restaurants in the Washington, D.C. metro area, to show what a day without immigrants in the workforce would look like.

Demonstrations took place in cities around the country. In the district, protestors sought assurances from city officials that they would refuse requests from ICE to arrest and hold undocumented immigrants, demanded a halt to unchecked police violence committed against immigrants and asked for a fund to pay for a sanctuary program in the district.

For Andy Shallal, owner of Busboys and Poets, standing in solidarity with the protesters was a no-brainer. He closed his six locations, gave his employees a paid day off and also gave them the option of coming into the restaurants to partake in other activities on that day.

“As an immigrant myself, I have to speak up,” he said.

“Staying on the sidelines in these times is no longer an option. We need true immigration reform that considers the human aspect of immigration— not just building walls, hiring agents, and expanding prisons.”

Shallal, a first-generation Iraqi-American who is married to an Iranian immigrant, said that his restaurants serve about 4,000 to 5,000 people every day.

“We’re sending a clear message that to hurt one is to hurt all. I stand with my customers, employees and immigrants,” said Shallal. “All of us come from different parts. It’s not possible to lose this. There are always people seeking sanctuary, refugees fleeing war and

Andrew Gillum visits Broward’s Public Defender Office (Cont'd from FP) The challenge is to appeal to all and unite a state that mirrors the racial, economic, and partyaffiliated fracture of the larger country.

And this is what Gillum seems prepared to do. Just two weeks into his campaign, the current Mayor of Tallahassee has commenced an “introduction tour” across the State of Florida, connecting name to face and emphasizing issues important to Floridians. On March 16, Gillum visited Broward’s Public Defender Office and linked his dynamic life story to his platform.

Born in Miami, Gillum watched his single mother bare the pain of her sons’ constant interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. It was enough to move her to tears.

“I wasn’t going to make my mom cry like that,” Gillum told the audience, “If she was going to cry it was because she’s happy.”

Motivated by his mom’s anguish, Gillum was determined to plot a different course in life, graduating from FAMU and becoming the first to graduate from college in his family. At the impressive age of 23, Gillum was elected to the Tallahassee City Commission in 2003, earning the nickname “The Kid”.

He continued the climb up Tallahassee’s political ladder, eventually winning the mayoral election in 2014.

Gillum’s March 16 talk touched on the need to put Floridians to work, but centered around two important failing systems: criminal justice and education. Gillum’s observation of his brothers’ difficulties reentering public life upon completion of their time served, a problem pervasive in the Black community, is a motivating factor in his work in criminal justice reformation. He is a proponent of the Ban the Box legislation that would make it illegal for employers to request candidates to divulge their criminal history.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Gillum

Marsha Ellison, President of NAACP -- Fort Lauderdale Branch; Gillum and Gordon Weeks, Chief Assistant Broward Public Defender. emphasized, “ I believe if you make a mistake you ought to pay the penalty, but you should not spend a lifetime paying for it.”

Gillum also addressed the over-policing of Black and Brown communities and the overrepresentation of minorities standing before judges and crammed into prison, mostly for victimless crimes. The audience erupted in discussion on implicit bias.

“Intentional bias,” shouted a white audience member, “There’s nothing implicit about it.”

As a product of the public education system, Gillum’s passion for strengthening it across the State of Florida was palpable. He focused primarily on the thankless hard work of Florida’s educators.

“I don’t believe our teachers are evil,” he said addressing the heavy burden of accountability placed on them, adding, “They ought to be paid for what they do and the sacrifices they make.”

It is clear Gillum is an advocate for the need of the public sector, stressing that the tactic to delegitimize the public system

is an attempt to usher in the privatization of goods and services. The strategy is to breed distrust, which is something Gillum has addressed head on through community initiatives, such as the City of Tallahassee’s “The Longest Table” event, a gathering of nearly 400 citizens around a makeshift table in downtown Tallahassee in order to encourage conversation across diverse communities.

“We need to replace judgment with curiosity,” Gillum argued.

As Gillum continues to move about Florida, he invites all to collaborate with him in setting an agenda on his policy table set to launch over the summer and encourages community input on his website at www.andrewgillum.com.

“This man is a Man of God and he cares about the people we care about,” said Public Defender of Broward County, Howard Finkelstein, “He has my vote.”

“Broward County will be pivotal in this election,” Gillum expressed after the event, “As a South Florida native, I have a great affinity and love for this area and its people.”

conflict. If you build a 20-foot wall, they’ll find a 21-foot ladder.

Shallal’s restaurants are sanctuaries and bastions of progressive thought and politics in the Washington, D.C., metro area. Shallal, who once hosted former President Barack Obama, said that the Trump Administration’s rhetoric has produced a hostile and dangerous environment.

“All of us have concerns about going home because of the heated rhetoric, even those who didn’t think about it. My wife is nervous about going home to see her family during the Iranian New Year. It still feels like we’re outsiders,” said Shal-

lal. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with the administration. The new executive order makes this much harder.

It’s very xenophobic and it’s offensive.”

Veteran trade unionist Dwight Kirk agreed with Shallal, echoing his friend’s position that people of good conscience were being compelled to stand up to the forces of regression and oppression seeking to rollback more than half a century of social, political and economic gains.

“It’s very, very inspiring to see what’s happening. The struggle over immigration flows out of the ‘Fight for $15’ move-

ment, where immigrants and other workers are employed and being underpaid,” Kirk explained. “These struggles have been generated over the past two years and flow naturally into immigrant rights. Around the country, labor unions are supporting these efforts.”

Kirk said that the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants would “definitely be a hit to people’s pockets and lower-income people would pay more for products.

“This will lower the standard of living in the U.S. I think we’re going to see a gut check,” said Kirk. “I anticipate restrictions on the workforce and reduction in the standard of living. Even under ‘Reaganomics,’ there wasn’t this scale of pullback.”

USDA Director: Agriculture census important for Black farmers

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Northeastern Regional Field Office Director King Whetstone, (r) meets with attendees on Jan. 15, 2016 at the 2016 Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the U.S. (USDA)

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) At first glance, King Whetstone might present an unusual visual.

First, he appears younger than his 40 years—but that’s not why he might stand out.

Whetstone once played basketball at Prairie View A&M University, a historically Black university and the secondoldest institution of higher learning in Texas, renowned for its engineering and agriculture.

On the basketball court, Whetstone played against such NBA greats as Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce and helped his team to its only NCAA Tournament appearance in 1998 where they lost to Kansas in the first round.

Instead of competing in the NBA, Whetstone is promoting “National Ag Day”—“Ag” as in Agriculture.

And, he’s also trying to reach out to farmers—particularly minorities—as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) prepare for the Census of Agriculture.

“Ag Day’ is a day to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by agriculture. Tuesday, March 21 marks the 44th anniversary of ‘Ag Day’ and every year, producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities and government agencies and others join to recognize the contributions of agriculture,” said Whetstone, the first African-American Northeastern Regional Director of USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS), which covers the six New England states: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

The theme this year is, “Agriculture: Food for Life.”

While Ag Day tops the current list of priorities, Whetstone and others at the NASS make it clear that the census is the primary focus this year, which counts as a comprehensive summary of agricultural activity for the United States and for each state.

The census includes the number of farms by size and type, inventory and values for crops and livestock, operator characteristics, and other analysis.

“It’s a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them,” said Whetstone, a Greenville, Texas native who has spent more than 20 years at the USDA in various locations including in New York, Oklahoma, Hawaii, Arkansas and Washington, D.C. He now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife of 15 years, April, and daughter, Shalyn.

Whetstone said even small plots of land—whether rural or urban—growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count during the census if $1,000 or more of those products have been raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.

NASS has created a new web form for the census to make it easier for respondents to participate.

Also, mailings, telephone calls and other forms of contacting farmers are planned for the census, taken every five years.

It looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.

“Our goal is to make sure that we have a complete count,” Whetstone said. “The census [data] is used to help shape the future of agriculture now and in the years to come, so farmers are helping themselves by participating.”

Through the census, producers can show the nation the value and importance of agriculture, and they can help influence the decisions that will shape the future of American agriculture for years to come, according to the USDA. By responding, producers are helping themselves, their communities, and all agriculture across the country and they’re also in line to receive various grants and other benefits that might be available for farmers. Officials stress that accuracy in reporting is key.

African American and other minority farmers are of interest to Whetstone, an AfricanAmerican who oversees a diverse department of about 45 individuals.

Whetstone said that it’s historically been a tough task getting Blacks and other minority groups to respond, but stresses that it’s a priority.

“Part of my job includes making sure farmers want to re-

spond to our surveys and censuses and that researchers choose to use our data because it is the most accurate and unbiased,” Whetstone said.

In 2012, the census revealed that the number of Black farmers in the U.S. stood at 44,269, a 12 percent increase over the previous survey five years earlier.

Nationally, Black farmers made up 1.4 percent of the country’s 3.2 million farmers; while 33,371 African Americans counted as principal operators – the individual in charge of the farm’s day-to-day operations, a nine percent increase over the previous census while principal operators of all farms declined by four percent.

Although farms with Black operators tend to be smaller than others and with fewer acres and lower sales, Black principal operators sold $846 million of agriculture products in 2012, including $502 million in crop sales and $344 million in livestock while operating 3.6 million acres of farmland.

Still, getting farmers, especially minorities, to respond to the census is important to Whetstone who, despite his hardwood success, has farming in his blood.

Recently, he discovered a World War I draft card of ancestor Neal Whetstone, which listed his occupation as “farmer.”

Whetstone’s paternal grandfather also farmed in Lincoln, Texas and a maternal grandfather, Lafayette Garrett, raised cattle in the south.

“I’m the grandson of a cattle rancher, so intrepid that even after my then seventy-something year-old grandfather was kicked by a horse, he continued to ranch,” Whetstone said in a posting on the USDA website.

“I like to think I’ve inherited that tenacious nature and apply it to everything I do, even building awareness of the relevance of agricultural statistics.

Whetstone continued: “I have found that farmers respond to my agency’s requests for information when they understand how official government statistics help them manage risks, conserve natural resources and promote a healthy agricultural production and marketing system in which they benefit.”

To sign up for the agricultural census, visit https:// www.agcensus.usda.gov.

PAGE 6 • MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017

Opinion

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Westside Gazette The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this newspaper.

Alternative facts are not working for the Trump administration, but they continue to use them. The egregious accusations coming out of the Trump White House is a significant problem, because around the world people are asking questions about the credibility of the American leadership.

As Trump’s administration hits sixty days in office, there is scandal after scandal, and everyone is starting to ask the question,” Is our President mentally stable.”

White supremacy and superiority is a sickness, which has come to the forefront of American society with the election of President Donald Trump.

In America the racial demographics are changing, and there are more people of color and cultural diversity now

living in the country. It is no longer possible to make America White again.

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC), and Vice Chairman Mark Warren (DVA) made the following joint statement regarding evidence that Trump Towers was wiretapped. “Based on the information available to us, we see no indications that Trump Tower was the subject of surveillance by any element of the United States government either before or after Election Day 2016.”

The finding by the Senate Intelligence Committee proved that the president is making things up, or maybe he does not understand that his decisions affect his public trust.

“No matter how much we hope and pray that the president will grow into one who respects and understands the

Constitution, separation of powers, role of a free press, responsibilities as the leader of the free world, or demonstrates even the most basic regard for the truth, we must now accept that President Trump will never become that man,” explains California Rep. Adam Schiff, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee.

There is insanity within the Trump administration, and everyday there are numerous false and misleading claims coming out of the White House.

Trump and his advisors have falsely accused the media of fake news, but it appears that fabrications and alternative facts are coming from them.

President Trump is one of the most powerful men in the world, and no one has any idea what he is going to do next. In Trump’s alternative fact uni-

Exploitation gave rise to America’s addiction epidemic

By Kevin Palmer Exploitation is one reason why many Americans no longer bother to exercise their unalienable right to pursue happiness. Instead of feeling blessed, millions of Americans feel cursed because of mounting debt, subsistence type wages, and existing in an expanding police-surveillance state.

Therefore, instead of pursuing happiness, a vast number of disillusioned Americans have decided to pursue alcohol and drugs, which has led to an addiction epidemic. For some, the addiction epidemic is good news because it is another opportunity for exploitation.

Alcohol manufacturers, drug manufacturers (both legal and illicit), and addiction treatment centers, earn tremendous profits feeding and treating substance abuse with no end in sight.

Repeatedly, millions of Americans consume mass quantities of drugs and alcohol in order to cope and find a little genuine happiness. However, drug

and alcohol abuse usually leads to irresponsible behavior and trouble with the law. One example is provided by author Dorothy Parker who described her experience with alcohol. She wrote, “I like to have a martini, two at the very most. After three I’m under the table, after four I’m under my host.”

For this reason, Americans will not find happiness by smoking marijuana, snorting cocaine, injecting heroin into their veins, attending happy hour at a local bar, or ingesting an opiate based prescription drug. In other words, happiness cannot be found by selfmedicating, but by becoming aware as described by author Henry David Thoreau. He wrote, “Happiness is like a butterfly - the more you chase it, the more it will evade you. But, if you notice the other things around you, it will gently come and sit on your shoulder.” Indeed, happiness will sit on your shoulder, but exploitation will ride on your back.

Religious commentary importance of hope

By Deangelo Thompson thompsondeangelo@yahoo.com Copyright © 2015 When the Lakers had Shaquille O’ Neal and Kobe Bryant ,they won three championships together. However, these two players had issues with each other and disputes. In short, O’ Neal left the Lakers. Meanwhile, Bryant stayed with the Lakers. He kept hope alive.

In fact, O’ Neal argued that Bryant could not win without him. Bryant did not win right away and the Lakers looked hopeless. But Bryant kept on playing, and eventually he ended up winning two more championships.

In comparison, O’ Neal won one with the Miami Heat. Collectively, Bryant won 5 championships and O’ Neal won 4. What is the take away? In life, you should not let negative situations or negative people stop you from your achieving your dreams.

Allow me to illustrate. The New York Knicks looked terrible at one point in time. Fans were angry at Stephon Marbury. It has been alleged that Marbury was suicidal and things looked hopeless for him.

However, Marbury moved to China and won 3 championships in 4 years,

coupled with a finals M.V.P. Furthermore, there is something that makes this story even more interesting.

Marbury is 39 years old. Simply put, a lot of players can’t perform in the realm of basketball this well at 39.

Marbury, like Bryant, decided not give up the game of basketball and it paid off. He kept hope alive.

Allow me to use a final illustration.

For instance, when the global economy was in recession a lot of people committed suicide. The suicide rates were high in many countries. However, the global economy is improving and people are getting jobs. It’s clear that suicide was not a good choice. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

In summation, in life we will have dark days and difficult challenges.

But we should trust in Jesus in the good times and the bad times. We need to keep hope alive. Zechariah 9: 12 says, “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”

Trump’s budget cuts hurt the same people that voted for him Julianne Malveaux says that the proposed White House budget is not a fait accompli, and it won’t be unless we roll over and accept this madness.

By Julianne Malveaux (NNPA Newswire Columnist)

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.

If you happened to have voted for the man who now occupies the White House, you may be feeling bamboozled, right about now. The man who said that he wanted to take care of the little people, those who were forgotten by the elites, now wants to cut programs that affect these working-class people, ranging from Legal Aid to Meals on Wheels to housing assistance to job training. He would cut the Environmental Protection Agency by more than 31 percent, leaving more than 3000 workers in the cold. Many of his other budget provisions will call for federal reductions-inforce (RIFs), and these chaotic RIFs may cause in-

Black aspirations

By Lucius Gantt

Together Republicans and Democrats Debunk PresidentTrump’s wiretapping claims

By Roger Caldwell

The Gantt Report

stability in some government agencies, since workers can appeal their RIF, or bump other workers out of their jobs.

And he’s not using a scalpel to make the cuts; he’s using machetes and weed whackers. His budget makes his position on the culture wars clear. He would entirely eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and National Public Radio. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will get $6.2 billion cut, and even though the Department of Education will get a 12 percent cut, $1.4 billion dollars are slated to support private schools through school choice.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

verse, he can operate as a moral monster, and his advisors and supporters still trust him.

As a moral monster, Trump is just beginning to show his cruelness and insensitivity. America is spilt and Donald Trump is only concerned with his agenda, because he knows he is a moving target. The longer he remains in office, the longer the billionaires in his cabinet will continue to steal money and increase their profits.

Intelligence expert Malcolm Nance says, “We have a saying in the military. The stupid shall be punished.

This nation voted for stupid, and we are going to get punished because these people have no sense of decorum, no sense of decency, no sense of living up to any of the traditions enacted over 240 years of this great nation.”

Many Americans are asking Trump to apologize to President Obama for smearing his character, and making criminal allegations without a thread of evidence. But moral monsters violate the law and use fear and eventually violence to stay in power.

As Trump and his administration continue to be a moving target, the media is not able to focus on any one scandal, and must develop courage to challenge their shenanigans. Once the Republican leadership begins to challenge Trump’s lies, the Democrats can begin to work together with them.

Truth is the strongest argument to heal the divisions in America. Many Americans have a problem with President Trump’s temperament, his lies, and his behavior. Trump’s conduct continues to alienate and embarrass Americans, and it is time to stop pretending, because he is not going to change.

I have begun to compile the data for my next book which will be titled “The Light is the Truth”.

God willing, the book will be released later this year, 2017.

In addition to your favorite Gantt Report columns and opinions, the book will also include what I call Black Aspirations, short messages about Black life and experiences.

Some of the messages will be about relationships, business, religion, culture, education and other topics.

In this Gantt Report I’m going to share a sample of some of the messages that should number in the hundreds in the book.

Enjoy the sample messages below: Oftentimes, many of your problems are created when you outgrow your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid of the status quo. A lot of times, when you move out, you move up! Put that bad life in your rear view mirror!

Even if you dislike the messenger you can love the message. Respect the truth and recognize the wisdom and knowledge!

It is not always about the different things that happen to us. What is important is how we react to situations and how we deal with our circumstances! God gave you the power to help yourself and change your lifestyle!

Your and your partner’s love life is like a stew. If you don’t keep your romance heated and stirred up, it can get cold and become spoiled!

In a troubled relationship, the grass always looks greener on another man’s or woman’s side. However, don’t burn down the bridge when you decide to make your move across because what you thought was a greener pasture may turn out to be a field of broken down and poisonous weeds! Oftentimes, men and women that look good from afar are far from looking and being good!

Some men and women will say anything to you to get what they want.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Why are Black Republicans afraid to speak out?

Raynard Jackson says that the Black entrepreneurs are the real leaders in the Black community, not the attention-seeking charlatans appointed by the mainstream media.

By Raynard Jackson (NNPA Newswire Columnist) Sometimes I wonder if I was a Black Democrat, a retired Black athlete or a Black comedian would it be easier for me to get a meeting with the leadership of the Republican Party or harder.

As a life-long, die hard Black Republican, it seems almost impossible to get noticed in the Republican Party.

Black Republicans with party experience and credentials need not seek any substantive engagement with the very party they have been taking arrows in the back for over the years.

Needless to say, my mouth hit the floor when I began to get calls last week from the media about newly confirmed, Attorney general Jeff Sessions, agreeing to meet with radical “civil entitlements” leaders like Marc Morial, Al Sharpton, Melanie Campbell and Wade Henderson.

C’mon man!

I worked for Sessions during his first Senate campaign in 1996 and I know that he is a good and decent per-

son, but I don’t understand how he can justify the fact that one of his first meetings as Attorney General is with people who have called him a racist.

This doesn’t sound like the Jeff Sessions that I know. It sounds like this meeting was forced on him by that smart Black staffer in the White House. On this point, I will continue to give you the benefit of the doubt until I have evidence to the contrary.

The biggest disappointment about this constant dissing of Black Republicans by the party leadership is the loud silence of Black Republicans.

Memo to Black Republicans: “Grow a pair!”

This is why Republicans ignore you and why Blacks despise you.

I have been threatened many times in my life by various folks in the party for my outspokenness about the lack of “real” Blacks in this party. As I have told them in private meetings and as I have written constantly in my columns, “My integrity is not for sale!”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

FTC takes action against ‘Yo-Yo scams’ in the auto industry Charlene Crowell says that a yo-yo scam occurs when a car dealer sends a consumer home thinking that the financing is final, but then later tells the consumer that he or she has to agree to a new financing contract or return the car

By Charlene Crowell (NNPA Newswire Columnist) When it comes to purchasing and financing a vehicle, Black and Latino consumers—more often than other racial or ethnic groups—are frequently targets of deceptive advertising and abusive financing practices.

In recent days, two law enforcement agencies have acted to curb yoyo scams and other abusive and deceptive practices of auto dealer groups.

The separate actions link a shared consumer abuse that occurs from Los Angeles to New York.

A settlement announced in midMarch between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Sage Automotive, which has dealers throughout the Los Angeles area, requires Sage to stop yo-yo scams and deceptive financing and advertising practices. Sage will also pay more than $3.6 million to

be returned to consumers who were harmed by these illegal actions. This enforcement action is the firsttime that the FTC has taken action on yo-yo scams.

Yo-yo scam occurs when a car dealer sends a consumer home thinking that the financing is final, but then later tells the consumer that he or she has to agree to a new financing contract or return the car. Often, dealers tell the consumer that the down payment is non-refundable, the car traded-in has been sold, and/or threatens to have the consumer prosecuted for theft, if the car is not returned.

According to FTC’s complaint, Sage frequently engaged in yo-yo scams, falsely told consumers that their money or trade-ins would not be returned, and threatened consumers with criminal prosecution or repossession if they did not sign new, more expensive finance contracts than they were initially promised.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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BUSINESS

Westside Gazette

UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017 • PAGE 7

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What does menthol have to do with it? Everything!

Tobacco and Social Injustice Community Forum SF Community Forum Attendees included community leaders from Booker T. Washington Community Center,National Coalition of 100 BlackWomen,Mothers in Charge,and the African American Arts and Cultural Complex

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(Photo Credit: Forum Photos by Malaika Kambon, People’s Eye Photography, malaikakambon@gmail.com #Stopprofiling courtesy of www.truthinitiative.org) SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Cancer Initiative (SF-CAN) and the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) hosted: What Does Menthol Have to Do with It? Everything! Tobacco and Social Injustice Community Forum with African American leaders and community members. The forum took place this month at the historic African American Arts and Culture Complex. Its purpose was to educate the broader community about the devastating impact that menthol and flavored tobacco products has had on the African American community and to empower them to take action and deal with the number one killer of Black people.

The forum, which was exciting and informative in its own right, received a big boost from friends at the Truth Initiative,

who allowed a sneak preview of their latest hard-hitting national media campaign #STOPROFILING: Tobacco is a social justice issue. The campaign, which had its official premiere at this year’s Grammys, validates one of AATCLC’s key messages: “the tobacco industry is the biggest and deadliest profiler of the Black community.”

“I came away inspired to take action,” said Dr. Maxine Hickman, President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women San Francisco Chapter. “Dr. Phillip Gardiner, Dr. Valerie Yerger, and Carol McGruder made powerful presentations with data to back it up. The most devastating truth is that for decades Blacks have been systematically and strategically targeted by tobacco companies, which have scientifically engineered tobacco products to be more addictive. You

can’t hear that kind of truth and not take action,” added Dr. Hickman.

Dr. Yerger, a health policy researcher from the University of California at San Francisco, talked about how nicotine accumulates in tissues containing melanin. “Melanin is what gives Black people their skin color; because Blacks tend to have higher levels of melanin than whites, Blacks are more likely to hold more nicotine in their bodies than whites. For decades, the tobacco industry has known about this relationship between nicotine and melanin.” She also discussed the difficulty of getting the message out about the lies perpetrated

by Big Tobacco that keep people in bondage and eventually kills them. “It’s confusing to the community when we get mixed messages from celebrity community leaders like Rev. Al Sharpton,”

said Dr. Yerger. “Sharpton has been sponsored by Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI) to host forums in Black communities purporting that the elimination of menthol from cigarettes would cause criminalization of the Black community.” (RAI is the parent company of Reynolds Tobacco Company, which manufactures Newport cigarettes, the largest selling menthol cigarette in the U.S. market.)

“It’s simply not true that restricting the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products would lead to the criminalization of our community. Regulating these tobacco products is a key component in preventing the annual deaths of 45,000 Black people.

The tobacco industry is not trying to protect our community they are afraid of losing the 3.3 Billion dollars that Blacks spend with them every year,” added, AATCLC Co-Chair, Carol McGruder.

Mattie Scott, Executive Director of Healing for Our Families and Our Nation and a nationally recognized violence prevention advocate, added, “The bullet is the last thing that takes our children’s lives. But the battle is on all fronts from unhealthy food, to alcohol and tobacco on just about every corner… you don’t see any liquor stores in Pacific Heights, but look at our neighborhoods… death traps all around.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 8 • MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017

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Leadership, Ownership and Worship F.L.O.W. To Greatness!

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home 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 Funeral services for the late Alcindor Juarez Williams – 46 were held March 18 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Bishop L.L. Ward officiating.

McWhite's Funeral Home MCKINNON Funeral services for the late Flossie M. McKinnon – 96 were held March 18 at Mount Hermon AME Church with Rev. Henry E. Green, Jr., officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................ 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m.

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

"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"

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 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

SILVERA Funeral services for the late Enid Silvera – 91 were held March 19 at McWhite’s Funeral Home with Michael Curry officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Central.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home

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!”

Chuck Berry, a Founding Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll, dies at 90

CHANCE Funeral services for the late Walter Mae Chance – 80 were held March 18 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Jim Beasley officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

DAVIS Funeral services for the late Madis Davis – 64 were held March 18 at New Golden Heights Church of Christ with Dr. W.F. Washington, Sr. officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

LEWIS Funeral services for the late Derick Lewis – 64 were held March 18 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Dr. James B. Darling, Jr. officiating.

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Sister Marion Williams – 79 were held March 18 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Dr. W.F. Washington, Sr., officiating.

Interment: Lakeside Memorial Park, Winter Haven, Fla.

By Jennifer Frederick Chuck Berry, the singer, songwriter and guitar great who practically defined rock music with his impeccably twangy hits “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Memphis,” “My Ding-a-Ling” and “Sweet Little Sixteen,” has died.

He was 90.

The singer/songwriter, whose classic “Johnny B. Goode” was chosen by Carl Sagan to be included on the golden record of Earth Sounds and Music launched with Voyager in 1977, died Saturday afternoon, St. Charles County Police Department confirmed.

The cause of death was not revealed.

During his 60-plus years in show business, Berry in 1986

became one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He entered The Blues Foundation’s Blues Hall of Fame in ’85 and that year also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Chuck Berry in 1958.

A History of Chuck Berry’s Biggest Billboard Hits.

He performed in 1979 for President Jimmy Carter at the White House, landed at No. 6 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and trademarked his stage showmanship with his famous “duck walk.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Legendary bluesman James Cotton passes away

Q&A: What Does Reverend Deal Say This Week?

‘The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead’ Question: How long was the gap between the Old Testament and the New Testament and were there any social or religious changes between the Testaments?

Answer: The time between the Old Testament and the New Testament was approximately 400 years. Writers call this gap of 400 years ‘the silent years: when God stop talking’. Between Malachi and Matthew (although many believe that the Gospel of Mark was the first book recorded in the New Testament) due to the transformation of leadership, Judaism was shaped into many religious sects. There were the (1) Sadducees – wealthy and the upper-class. They wanted status instead of following the word of God. The Sanhedrin Council were comprised by many. (2) Pharisees – followed the word of God. Believed in the resurrection. Many believe that Jesus was a Pharisee. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. (3) Essenes- the group that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls. They believed in the resurrection as well. Some say that John the Baptist falls under this sect. (4) Zealots – believed in fighting for their Jewish religion. They were fanatics, extremist and militant. The word Zeal comes to mind. A group of assassins entitled’ Sicarii- cloak and daggers - were members of this sect.

Other sects were the Publicans, Scribes, Nazarenes, and Nazarites (Sampson’s sect). Prayer, meditation and biblical research from Nehemiah to Christ will unfold certain truths you did not know.

Reverend David Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church is Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Rev Deal can be reached in care of the Westside Gazette, 545 NW 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. or email at David.Deal55@gmail.com

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.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Westside Gazette

Honor your loved one with an In Memoriam in The Westside Gazette Newspaper Call - (954) 525-1489

By Jody Callahan When James Cotton was still a youngster, he’d come in after picking cotton all day under the broiling Mississippi sun to a payment of just 3 dollars.

One day, he pulled out his harmonica on the porch where the cotton money was doled out and started playing. A halfhour later, Mr. Cotton told The Commercial Appeal in an interview in 1999, he had $36 in tips in his pocket.

That was an eye-opening experience for the young boy, and it didn’t take him long to see that music was his future.

Thanks to his talent and a chance meeting with a blues legend, a then 9-year-old Cotton embarked on a musical career that would see him honored and loved the world over.

“James Cotton was probably among the half-dozen most important blues harmonica players.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Film Review: I called him Morgan

MISCELLEANOUS

By Dwight Brown (NNPA Newswire Film Critic) Bee Bop. Jazz. The 1950s and 1960s were a hotbed for cool music, and the hip musicians, who played those genres on records and in smoky, dimly lit nightclubs, were a special breed. Years later, most people still revere legendary trumpeters like Miles Davis and Chet Baker and are amazed by the lives they led. Time to add another artist of note to that list of iconic instrumentalists. His name is Lee Morgan. His life was as colorful and tragic; his talent as deep. This enlightening and haunting documentary gives him his due.

Credit Swedish musical documentarian Kasper Collin for reassembling the sordid pieces of Edward Lee Morgan’s’ life. Collin has had some practice. He also documented the career of American avant-garde jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler in My Name Is Albert Ayler, in 2006.

He continues his tributes to lesser-known jazz artists with this absolutely spellbinding non-fiction film that plays out like a torrid novel. It tells the story of an ambitious young man, who was shepherded by the greats, fought the demons of drug addiction but was finally undone by a paramour.

The story is so primal and tortured it also deserves to be a

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.

March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2017

MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2107 • PAGE 9

Westside Gazette

feature film starring someone like Michael B. Jordan or Nate Parker. Someone with depth.

Lee Morgan, born in Philly and a gifted trumpeter as a young adolescent, joined the Dizzy Gillespie Big Band at age 18 in the early ‘50s. Stints or guest performances with John Coltrane and Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers further solidified his reputation in the jazz community for blowing a sweet horn. Recording around 25 records, mostly for the famed Blue Note Records label, added sheen to his career and allure.

But as a musician’s life can go, he had his troubles. An addiction to drugs got him kicked out of Blakey’s band. He was broke, homeless and often sold his worldly possessions for a fix Heroin.

The stabilizing force in Morgan’s increasingly harrowing life was a magnanimous older woman named Helen. She fed him, put a roof over his head, was his ardent lover, and his biggest fan. If Morgan regained his footing at all, it was because of her unwavering support. She loved him with all her heart, but not unconditionally.

She had her pride. When Morgan turned his attention to a younger lover, his commonlaw-wife was not about to take it on the chin. She had a plan— and a gun.

Reconstructing Lee Morgan’s bio through old interviews with Morgan, anecdotes from jazz greats like Wayne Shorter, photos and archival footage vividly recreates the jazz age and the trumpeter’s travails.

The most soul-crushing recollections, however, come from Helen herself. Her stories can be heard on an audio cassette interview that was arranged by a night school teacher who was intrigued to find out that one of his students did a stint in prison for committing perhaps one of the most heinous acts of violence in the jazz world.

Hearing Helen recall the ups and downs of her relationship that left her in an emotional fog is like hearing an old jazz 78rpm record that is so scratched you can barely make

out the tune, but you do. Everything you hear and see leads up to an ill-fated, cold wintry New York City night in 1972.

Performers and an audience are gathered at an East Village jazz bar. Morgan is there with a girl on his arm. A shot rings out. An irrevocable crime of passion occurs. Time stands still.

People live or die with the consequences.

Kasper Collin has assembled a top-notch tech crew for this urban tale. The splendid cinematography of Bradford Young (Arrival, Selma) recreates scenes with the artistry of a painter. Editing by Collins with the help of Hanna Lejonqvist, Eva HillstrÜm and Dino Jonsäter make you feel like a picture book has come alive, reeling out photos with a

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ARIES- You’ve done a lot of things in life that no one has agreed with at the beginning. Finding agreement this week will be difficult, but it should not deter you from moving forward.

Feeling sorry for your loneliness will discolor what you are doing. Be happy that you are alone. I get joy from giving good things. 3,18, 31 TAURUS- Eternal optimist, eternity is now. Get in touch with your hopefulness and be a beacon to others. Try not to be taken in by promises made by others or promises you’ve made to yourself. Concerning your own affairs, avoid contemplating lofty subjects and seeking long ranged solutions. Time is the greatest peacemaker of them all. 6, 28, 39

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GEMINI- Some say optimism is fantasy. Suppose the good thing you’re optimistic about never comes. This week you’ll know that the joy of anticipating it is joy enough. Just the certainty of coming goodness is present goodness. The joy of tomorrow is available this week. This week is the week the Lord has made. I rejoice in it. 22, 36, 38 CANCER-You might be looking into the buying or selling of a piece of property, and this week seems to be a favorable week for this type of negotiation. Be careful with the intricacies of the matter. Pay attention to details or it could cost you a great deal later. I care deeply about the feelings of others.

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You’ll find that many are on your wavelength this week.

Appreciate your ability to bring people together. Luck is my best friend this week. 5, 16, 29, SCORPIO-You’ll be full of good ideas this week, so make sure you write down the ones you don’t have time to put into action. You’ll want to share your thoughts on a grand scale, and your mind will seem truly universal to you. Try to be patient with those who are staggered by your brilliance.

Light from my soul shines in many directions. 3, 7, 9 SAGITTARIUS-This week let your gentle spirit shine through. Your rough and tumble side is not appropriate for the relationships that you’ll encounter. Someone will need your understanding and sympathy. Give it with sensitivity.

My life itself is my greatest creation. 06, 54, 34 CAPRICORN-You’re faced with a formidable task but when you defeat it, you’ll take big steps toward a goal.

Weigh in and give it your best. Your energy is high. The task looks larger before you start. Compromise with a partner.

The immediate future promises love. I enjoy the spirits of people whose spirits are akin to mine this week. 33, 34, 52

LEO-Your multi-tasking abilities will kick into high gear this week. While it’s sometimes difficult for you to know how to handle a particular situation, this week you’ll know the perfect answer. Everything good is unfolding! New intuitions create new plans and a new cast of characters. 23, 45, 17

AQUARIUS-Yield to the harmony that lies below the surface of any seeming disagreement. Serenity is more important than your sense of righteousness. Questioning the motives of others will make your mind too suspicious to benefit from the unclear way in which love will present itself this week. Freedom of mind is the greatest gift for me this week. 65,88,23

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People will be watching as you zip around with style and grace!

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PISCES-Your intuition is showing, and you may surprise yourself as much as you surprise another by making a sudden intuitive leap and saying what you feel. You may feel as if you can read a certain someone’s mind. Use your gift for good.

I let my luck work for me. 10, 23, 46

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Watch â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Called Him Morgan,â&#x20AC;? and you will sit enraptured. Morganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music and Helenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foggy memories will take your breath away.

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An exceptional documentary. Haunting.

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PAGE 10 • MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017

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Westside Gazette

Five questions for House Republicans on Health Care Reform in access and benefits, and many, many other aspects of the public’s health care experience. Close your eyes and

imagine the town hall meetings, daily interactions with constituents, and campaign ads that connect you to Trumpcare.

Are you ready to own it?

If your answers to all of the above are in the affirmative, then you are ready to vote yes.

Just don’t say you weren’t warned. Jim Papa Partner at Global Strategy Group. Political strategist and communicator.

Trump Administration targets immigrants man beings who have experienced dislocation and are often entangled in a lifelong struggle to belong.

“I live in Harlem on a street that has become known as ‘Little Senegal,’” said the Jamaican professor, who spoke under condition of anonymity in the interest of protecting family members who are undocumented. “I came here as a grad student.

There used to be burned out buildings. These Sub-Saharan residents shifted the community to one that is now very chichi’

By Jim Papa This week, House Republicans will vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Because I worked as part of President Obama’s legislative team to pass that law, and lived through the turbulent politics that followed, I suggest House Republicans answer these five questions before they leap off their political precipice. Unless they can answer all five questions with a firm “yes,” Republicans should either oppose the bill or convince their leadership to spend more time on it.

1. Are you prepared for a marathon?

Starting next week, there are only 13 weeks of legislative session before the August recess. In that time, the Senate must develop, deliberate, and vote on a new version of the health care bill while also confirming a Supreme Court nominee, finishing spending for FY17, developing a budget plan for FY18, raising the debt ceiling, and addressing critical deadlines for FISA and FDA user fees. Then there are important but not “must do” matters like filling more than 500 executive branch vacancies, confirming more than 100 lower court judges, and of course, tax reform. Everything on this list will consume time, energy, and political oxygen. Are you prepared for many months of health care debate?

If yes, proceed to #2.

2. Have you accepted that the Senate will get the last word?

Let there be no illusions: the House bill is not becoming law.

Too many Senate Republicans have expressed opposition, and the President has said major changes are coming.

Knowing this, the Republican leadership will use several arguments to get you to vote for this dead cat. They’ll promise a Manager’s Amendment to fix the worst of the political problems.

They’ll say the bill is a strong start for negotiations with the Senate. They’ll argue that pausing now dooms the bill and your party. These are familiar arguments to me —I made similar ones, believing them at the time. But trust me: a yes vote on the current bill will get you condemnation from conservative voices, nonideological constituents, the health care community, consumer advocates, and pretty much every American who has a bad experience with their health care going forward. According to numerous public polls, the current law is substantially more popular than your draft bill…let that sink in.

In political parlance, when the House votes for a political stinker that has no viable path through the Senate, this is called “walking the plank.” You ready to take that stroll?

If yes, proceed to #3.

3. Are you prepared to defend a partisan bill?

In 2009, Democrats spent months courting Senators Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, and Chuck Grassley. I personally met with dozens of House Republicans to solicit ideas and win support.

When the House passed its version of the Affordable Care Act, it didn’t have nearly as many Republicans as we once hoped, but it did have the support of one—Congressman Joseph Cao of Louisiana. Further, the enacted law included several elements that were verifiably Republican in pedigree, including the exchanges (see Mitt Romney’s plan in Massachusetts), the individual mandate (Sen. Bob Dole’s alternative to President Clinton’s employer mandate), and a provision allowing cross-border insurance with the agreement of the states involved. Are you comfortable with a bill that has even less bipartisan buy-in?

If yes, proceed to #4.

4. Are you confident that the President will have your back?

In a quiet moment, ask yourself: Is the President a reliable ally? You and your leaders are making difficult choices—will President Trump defend your choices, or will he saw off the branch after you’ve climbed onto it? He has already said that your bill will hurt a lot of people, particularly in rural areas. Is he likely to spend his political capital on provisions that can’t pass the Senate?

If yes, proceed to #5.

5. For the rest of your days, are you willing to defend the realworld results of “Trump-Care?”

Just as the Affordable Care Act became known as “Obamacare,” this legislation will not be known by its formal name. In the years to come, you’ll be defending “Trumpcare” and the baggage or benefit his name brings with it. You’ll also carry responsibility for constituents losing health care, premium changes, fluctuations

Under Trump, unemployment rate rises for Black workers (Cont'd from page 3) Meanwhile, the White unemployment rate inched closer to 4 percent, decreasing from 4.3 percent in January to 4.1 percent in February. The labor force participation rate and the employment-population ratio for White workers also improved.

The jobless rate for White men 20 years-old and over dipped below 4 percent in February (3.8 percent). The labor force participation rate for White men slipped from 72.1 percent to 72 percent and the employmentpopulation ratio for White men increased from 69.2 percent in January to 69.3 percent last month.

The unemployment rate for White women 20 years-old and over decreased from 3.9 percent in January to 3.7 percent in February. The labor force participation rate and the employment-population ratio for White women also showed gains in February, which indicates that

White women were able to join the labor market and find work at higher rates last month compared to January.

Black men fared worse than other adult groups in the job market last month.

The unemployment rate for Black men over 20 years-old increased from 7.3 percent in January to 7.8 percent in February. The labor force participation rate slipped from 68.1 percent in January to 67.8 percent in February. The employment-population ratio also declined, falling from 63.1 percent to 62.5 percent in February, the biggest decline for any adult group that month.

Not only did the unemployment rate for both Black men and women 20-years-old and over move in the opposite direction to their White counterparts, the share of Black men and women that looked for jobs and found work decreased from January to February.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents enjoy new powers in the field under the Trump administration. This photo was taken during Operation Cross Check, an effort

by ICE to arrest and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records in September 2011.

(ICE/Wikimedia Commons)

By Barrington M. Salmon (NNPA Newswire Contributor) In recent weeks, squads of officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have descended on communities from the suburbs of Langley Park, Maryland, and Austin, Texas to the city streets of Brooklyn and Queens, New York and Los Angeles, California.

Armed with new powers, ICE agents swept into the homes, living spaces and workplaces of undocumented immigrants stopped them at roadblocks and checkpoints and unceremoniously remanded men, women and young people to jail cells.

The Trump Administration released two memos, recently, that strengthen ICE powers, igniting fears that the administration would ratchet up efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants, even those who’ve committed no crimes.

Franklin Garcia, a Washington, D.C. shadow representative, said that he’s never seen or experienced what’s playing out in the various local immigrant communities he represents.

“The two new memos have everyone anxious. No one is secure,” said Garcia, a longtime activist and former president of the D.C. Latino Caucus. “I came here in 1980 and I’ve never seen anything like this. People are saying they don’t know if

they should go to work. Children are scared that they’ll come home from school and their parents will be gone.”

Garcia continued: “They have criminalized immigrants.

I have heard horrific and horrible stories. If you commit a crime or if you’re just suspected of that, you can be deported.

The administration wants to reduce the number of immigrants in this country and we’re simply not going to stand for it. We’re not going to abandon this country. The solution is to fight.”

Immigrant communities are caught up in the maelstrom, reeling from the steady assault from the president and certain administration officials who have relentlessly disparaged all immigrants, documented and undocumented, and who have now put that animus into public policy.

President Donald Trump described the crackdown on immigrants as a “military operation.” Two memos in the executive order broadened the parameters of the Obama administration provisions that allowed for the arrest and deportation of immigrants convicted of serious crimes, which had crossed the border into the U.S. recently and were considered threats to national security.

What is often forgotten, a New York University professor and longtime Harlem resident said, is that words written on a piece of paper deeply affect hu-

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., said that March 16, 2017 is a sacred historical day in the long, multidimensional freedom struggle of African people in America and throughout the world, because of the courage of John Brown Russwurm and Samuel Cornish who dared first to publish the “Freedom’s Journal.”

Chavis said that the Black Press in America has been on the frontlines of social change in the United States for 190 years.

“Today, more than ever, the Black Press remains the trusted and audacious voice of Black America,” said Chavis. “Today, the NNPA continues this irrepressible tradition of publishing truth to power. Our freedom fighting publishers are all united as we reaffirm the vital importance and relevance of the Black Press now and into the future.”

Jacqueline Miles, publisher of the half-century-old “Pensacola Press” in Florida said that it’s important to note that the Black Press has become the source of information for jobs, weddings, births, deaths and even entertainment.

“Today, the Black Press still serves the African-American community with news that is vital to them,” said Miles. “We still endeavor to bring about news that will educate and keep our communities aware of what’s going on.”

Further, Miles said, with the term “fake news” emanating regularly from the White House and the new administration,

it’s imperative that the Black Press remains vigilant.

“We must be the glue to hold our community together and encourage togetherness, in business and economically, in this new Donald Trump era,” Miles said.

Harry Colbert Jr. recently summarized the importance of the Black Press in a column for “Insight News,” an NNPA member newspaper, where he touted the achievements of many that were noted only through the pages of the Black Press.

Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of “Hidden Figures,” said if not for the archives of the Black Press such as the “Norfolk Journal and Guide” and the “Pittsburgh Courier,” the inspiring story of Black women geniuses at NASA would not have been possible to tell.

If not for the “Florida Sun” newspaper in Orlando, the story of the great training in science and technology taking place at Bethune-Cookman University—one of the nation’s historicallyBlack universities— would go untold and unnoticed, Colbert said.

Colbert continued: “In Baton Rouge, it may have been a citizen’s lens that captured the senseless killing of Alton Sterling at the hands of police, but it is ‘The Drum’ that keeps Sterling’s memory alive and is shining the white-hot spotlight on those responsible for his homicide.”

Hiram Jackson, the publisher of Real Times Media in Michigan said that it’s important to note the significance of Russwurm and Cornish’s words.

“We wish to plead our own

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Through our eyes (Cont'd from FP) At the beginning of the program there was a video shown.

The video had a lot of historical footage of the pain and agony of the unsolicited violence and death forced upon Black people. Much of the footage was less than 10 years old. However, the scab from the historical wounds of the past were torn from my heart like a baby from the arms of his enslaved mother.

Crying on the inside I made my way to the stage allowing God to keep me under control.

I cannot take anything away from the families of the Groveland Four, the four young Black man who were murdered for allegedly raping a 17-year-old white woman.

I know that according to the records, even though two of the young man we’re literally shot to death, they all were murdered because they lost their lives in one way or another to this vicious lying acts of racism and so too are those killed in recent times by aged old fears and deed rooted prejudice.

What was also reinforced to me last night is that prejudice has manifested itself in all facets of our lives as Black people towards Black people.

I said last night that all white people are not bad and all Black are not good. This is becoming so obvious to those who can truly see - not with the physical eye but with the spiritual eye. However, all is not lost in the actions of some adults.

There were some children on the program last night, who have taken it upon themselves to do something to combat this spirit of racism. They have created a means to rebuild the self-esteem of young Black girls by giving away Black dolls with compliments that “you are beautiful”. They have attempted to address the wrongs that were created from a racist judicial system by writing a book and sending post cards to elected officials to bring justice to a situation which caused wrongful deaths.

Not all is lost, for those who are selfish, afraid and use their position or authority for personal gain off the misrepresentation of the truth, we see you. And yes through our eyes we can find a way out of this hell hold of self-pity and allowing others to dictate who we are.

Through our eyes that have been open by the truth and for the truth we see you, those who have caused the pain that has tried to blind us to the truth. We see you but not physically because the pain that you have caused has been an attempt to destroy us spiritually and therefore we see you spiritually and your spirit is not pure - it is rotten and decayed and thereby it is dead and cannot hurt us. We see you!

“Dear God I pray that You open our eyes to be stayed on You allowing our focused to be God centered. In Jesus name, Amen.”

TUNNEL VISION WITH GOD IS ALRIGHT!

Still pleading our own cause: The Black Press celebrates 190 years (Cont'dfrom FP)

with Starbucks, and all that stuff.”

The professor continued: “They are facing so much anxiety. I hear them in the hallways. They talk about it constantly. It’s fear like you’ve never seen before. People are afraid to go to the hospital, and when they do, sick sometimes close to death, they beg the nurses not to say anything.”

cause.’ Words that continue to be as inspirational today as the movement they declared on the front pages of ‘Freedom’s Journal,’” Jackson said. “Looking at those words today, I am awestruck at the vision of the Black Press forefathers and I’m heartened knowing that this statement continues to shine as our collective beacon.

Jackson continued: “The voice of the Black Press is as important today as it has ever been. In today’s political climate, we cannot afford to miss any opportunity to educate, enlighten, and inform our community on the issues that our very lives depend on.”

Journalist, author, activist and Black Press historian A. Peter Bailey said the NNPA has always provided a great service to African-Americans through the pages of its newspapers.

An adjunct professor at the University of District of Columbia, Bailey said it’s also vital that coverage continues to spotlight Black economics.

Bailey said that, according to Black author Lionel Barrow, there are four basic functions of the Black Press: to act as a watchdog for the Black community; to answer attacks on the Black community; to preserve Black culture and to present a different viewpoint.

“I believe the Black Press is doing okay on those, but we could do better by working more closely together and it would really help if the [NNPA] would dedicate a reporter to the United Nations, who could send news to its member papers, and a reporter on Wall Street, because economics are the most important thing that the Black Press can report on for Black people.”

Editors of the “Pasadena Journal” noted that Blackowned and operated media has been filled with the stories of trailblazers, pioneers and forerunners that helped get us to where we are today, with 48 Black elected United States Congressmen and women.

In the aftermath of the Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court ruling in 1896 that said that no Black man has any rights that a White man must honor, there came a flood of Black publications that advocated for Black rights and protested the wrongs done to Blacks. Newspapers like “Freedom’s Journal,” the “TriState Defender” and the “Chicago Defender” paved the way for freedom, justice and equality.

Brenda Andrews, the publisher of “The New Journal and Guide,” said that after 190 years, the primary challenge facing the Black Press remains its limited human and financial resources needed to continue to tell news from the perspective of being Black in America “It is a mission that, at times, can seem like making bricks without sand; tying shoes without strings; pulling yourself up by your bootstraps without boots,” Andrews said. “But, for me it’s a personally fulfilling mission that has been guided for the past 35 years by my deep spiritual faith.”

Andrews continued: “To keep aiming to thrive, rather than occupying a posture of survival, for me, requires immense faith in the destiny of Black America and a passion to ensure the American story includes the perspective of its Black citizens.”

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Taking leaps of faith to pursue her passion: An Ex clusive Interview with HB O Baller’s Exclusive HBO ose Rose Stacy R

By Arri Henry Best known for her role as Dr. Robbins on the HBO series Ballers with Dwayne Johnson, Stacy Rose, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, has been dreaming and working tediously for this career from as early as 8-yearsold. She recalls at the tender age of 2, leaving her mom’s side while attending a concert on the island and ending up on stage with the performers!

Shortly after that moment, Stacy’s parents moved ahead to the United States to prepare their family for better opportunities, leaving her and her siblings to be raised by family.

“Thankfully, I have a very strong family; I never felt like anything was missing anything in terms of our care or the love we received”. In elementary school, she began touring and performing in plays with her church’s drama group. She later migrated to the Miami, Fla to live with her parents.

Although she was passionate about pursuing a field

in theatre as a young adult, she obtained a Master’s Degree in International Business because her parents “wouldn’t hear of her studying the arts in college”.

She knew that if she wanted to be an actress, she would have to make it a financially viable career and she did so through commercial jobs until the quality of auditions improved, ultimately landing the role on HBO, playing a neurologistturned-counselor helping a retired football player (Dwayne Johnson’s character) navigate a series of medical concerns.

“I owe my family the honor of doing something excellent with my life, because they poured so much into me.”

Stacy recently produced her first feature-length film, “Breaking the Stage” about a young girl who has to come to terms with who she is, facing her demons in order to work well with her step team. She is currently working on distribution for the film.

Even with her newfound successes, Stacy Rose admits (Photo credit: Third Eye Media) that her journey in performing arts has been a laborious process. There were times in past when she wondered if God was torturing her because, although she was working diligently towards her goals, the opportunities still felt out of reach. She then came to the realization that “God has a plan for me. It’s just a matter of being prepared.”

Her advice for striving artists: “When opportunity meets preparation then you have success. You have to keep

Florida AIDS Walk/Happy Hiney/WAM Team for 2017.

MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017 • PAGE 11 working hard on your craft so when the time comes, you’re already prepared. Just get ready, because the time will come”

HBO Ballers has been renewed for a third season so be sure to keep a look out for Dr. Robbins (Rose) in future episodes.

PAGE 12 • MARCH 23 - MARCH 29, 2017

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Westside Gazette

AdModX on a mission to help Black ne wspapers surviv e and thriv e newspapers survive thrive AdModX benefits both Black Newspapers and the businesses in their community. Black Newspapers get a versatile advertising gateway where the community comes to see, share, and buy ads previously unavailable.

Meanwhile, community businesses enjoy advertising that’s just better. Ads look better, incorporating attention-grabbing action and movement; they perform better, maximizing reach and exposure via social media sharing; and they sell better, costing less than conventional ads but with way

New advertising media company gives Black Newspapers their own vehicle to make money online with ads that look better... do more... and cost less for community businesses.

Roderick Harris, President and CEO of AdModX Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — Launched in February, AdModX (www.admodx.com) can be an x-factor for Black Newspapers. It lets them sell and show ads unlike any they’ve sold before – splashy little info-clips available on Black News sites and shared across social media. Black Newspapers co-opt AdModX to generate more revenue online.

“AdModX was built with three objectives,” explained President and CEO Roderick Harris, “create cutting-edge solutions exclusively for Black Newspapers, develop a model that actually makes the papers money, and keep out-of-pocket costs for the papers at $0.” Put simply, “Black Newspapers can offer their own unique brand of advertising without the worry of incurring any costs.”

more functional value. The ads are all about driving online traffic... to community business sites through built-in links, and to hosting Black News sites through their clickable logo on every ad they sell.

Unlike most other online ads, AdModX ads are not sold on CPM (cost per thousand) or CPC (cost per click) based rates. Instead, community businesses buy ads for a flat fee through the setup AdModX provides Black Newspapers. The actual ad buy is transacted through AdModX’s e-commerce provider.

A flat fee works better for all

involved; community businesses know exactly how much they’ll pay for ads, and papers can better project potential gains.

Black Newspapers get set up, free of charge, with their own Ad Display Page and Ad Buy Page. Papers connect both pages to their site with a simple link. Once connected, papers pay a monthly fee, but only during months they sell ads.

That way, there’s no out-ofpocket cost since a portion of just one ad sell covers the month’s entire fee. Buying ads takes only a few minutes with-

out any special knowledge or skills whatsoever. Besides, AdModX walks community businesses through the whole transaction.

Ads run for 30 days, starting the 1st of each month, providing exposure for three specific adbuyer profiles: 1) people promoting themselves and their business, 2) those promoting a house that’s for sale, and 3) anyone promoting an upcoming event. All of them exploit the inherent ease ads can be shared across social media for maximum exposure, far beyond the Black News sites they start off

on.

Harris added: “In our community, Black Newspapers have a pivotal voice in bringing truth to power... and we must embrace a shared responsibility in making sure “that voice” continues being heard.”

AdModX envisions becoming a part of every major Black Newspaper by the end of this year. Once papers understand that cost-free is real, and community businesses see that ads can do so much more for less, demand for AdModX will grow and Black News will have its xfactor.

ESSA Law must provide necessary investments for success, educators say

Allen E. Lipscomb is the author of the 2016 book “Black Male Grief Reaction to Trauma: A Clinical Case Study of One Man’s Mental Health Treatment.” (Allen E. Lipscomb)

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) Across the nation, educators say that federal dollars must follow former President Barack

Obama’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), in order for the law to be effective.

“Sufficient federal Title I and Title II funding is critical in targeting resources to students and schools with the highest need, developing and supporting our educators working in these schools, and enabling states to meet their ESSA commitments,” said Liam Goldrick, the director of policy at New Teacher Center, a Santa Cruz, Calif., based non-profit that’s dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of new teachers, experienced educators and school leaders. “Without these federal commitments and investments, students in underresourced schools will continue to face an inequitable educational system and the work of educators will be made even more challenging.”

President Barack Obama signed the ESSA legislation on December 10, 2015. The bipartisan measure reathorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the 1965 federal education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students, according to the Obama Administration. ESSA was drafted to build on key areas of progress in recent years, made possible

by the efforts of educators, communities, parents, and students across the country, officials with the Obama Administrations said.

When it comes to progress that was made during the Obama years, today, high school graduation rates are at all-time highs, dropout rates are at historic lows, and more students are going to college than ever before.

ESSA states that the new law will, “Advance equity by upholding critical protections for America’s disadvantaged and high-need students.”

Some education advocates have said that the new law doesn’t go far enough to address long-standing racial discrimination that plays out in our education system.

“The law perpetuates an academic system of oppression in the lack of recognition to deconstruct [White supremacy],” said Allen E. Lipscomb, author of the 2016 book “Black Male Grief Reaction to Trauma: A Clinical Case Study of One Man’s Mental Health Treatment.”

Lipscomb also said that the law does not take into consideration the person-in-environ-

ment perspective and the mental health needs of some students.

“What does trauma look like?

What are [the impacts of] additional stressors on intersectional identities,” for Blacks, poor people, or queer and transgender people, Lipscomb asked. “These identity markers also play a crucial role in the student’s ability to succeed, academically speaking, and this law must look at all of the nuances that impede a student’s ability to function and succeed within an oppressive educational system.”

Kim L. Defibaugh, the president of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) in Williamsburg, Va., said that the newest incarnation of federal legislation guiding K-12 education maintains the basic components of state plans and district report cards as accountability measures.

“A major change from the previous legislation is that it removes responsibility for outlining and monitoring implementation of the law from the U.S. Department of Education and returns it to the states,” Defibaugh said.

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