Misty Moon, Jerry Satterwhite, Molly McConville, Auri Paterson, Shakeitha Tatum
Misty Moon, Jerry Satterwhite, Molly McConville, Auri Paterson, Shakeitha Tatum
United Way’s Priority Veteran helps homeless veterans transition into stable housing
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Homeless veterans in Central Alabama, with help from United Way of Central Alabama’s Priority Veteran program are moving into places of their own and receiving much-needed household items donated by associates at Alabama Power Service Organization. Priority Veteran, a statewide United Way of Central Alabama initiative, helps homeless veterans transition into affordable housing and stabilize their lives. To date the program has helped more than 600 homeless veterans across Alabama.
“When we first meet with veterans in need, they are homeless and have little to no possessions,” said Auri Patterson, with United Way’s Priority Veteran in Birmingham. Patterson, continues, “When they are ready to move into a place of their own, these donated household items mean so much. It lets our veterans know they are valued by their community, and we thank Alabama Power associates for their generosity.”
Many homeless veterans struggle with challenges related to re-integration, and Priority Veteran helps them enroll in their veterans benefits and receive guidance to access resources to help stabilize their lives – including developing a plan for safe, affordable housing.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana University School of Education at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis honored three alumni who have made a mark on their field during the third annual “Celebration of Transformational Educators” ceremony Thursday night: former Snacks Crossing Elementary Principal Mariama Shaheed Carson, Phalen Leadership Academy teacher April Williams and Ben Davis High School Student Services Director Sherman Woodard.
The event is to honor the achievements of early career alumni for their transformational work in public schools. A committee selects honorees from a pool of nominees. Each honoree receives a $1,000 award to advance his or her work.
Thursday’s program at the Madame Walker Theater featured a formal presentation to the award recipients. Scholar of African American, religion and cultural studies Michael Eric Dyson provided the keynote address.
Carson, MS’07 in educational leadership, is the first Indiana educator to receive an Education Entrepreneur Fellowship from the Mind Trust and a recipient of the 2004 Milken Family Foundation award, popularly known as the “Oscar of Teaching.” She is using the $250,000 fellowship to launch a K-8 Spanish immersion charter school serving high-poverty communities in Indianapolis.
Carson was in the first cohort of the IU School of Education at IUPUI’s Urban Principalship Program. She has won numerous honors and awards for her work, including a 2013 United Way Student Success Grant of $242,000 to implement innovative practices for students and teachers at Snacks Crossing Elementary, where she served as principal. Purdue University awarded her a Science Education Fellowship in 2006, and she was named a “People to People” delegate to South Africa by that prestigious ambassador program in the same year.
“I believe that transformational education begins with seeing possibilities and opportunities where there may not have been, and then doing the best you can to blaze the trail and lead,” Carson said in her acceptance.
Williams, MS’08 in elementary education, is a third-grade teacher at Phalen Leadership Academy after teaching fourth and fifth grades at North Wayne Elementary in Fort Wayne. She is known for her particular emphasis on reading, which has resulted in remarkable literacy success among her students. Her students have outpaced those in peer classes, with 85 percent of her students passing the ISTEP exam.
She is a member of the Young Leaders in Urban Education, African American and minority teachers who share best practices, develop curriculum and mentor pre-service minority teachers. Last year, the Lillian Davis Foundation Summer Program chose Williams as lead teacher for its summer learning and enrichment program. Williams earned the Benjamin Banneker Outstanding Teacher of Math Award in 2010.
“What a tremendous honor,” said Earl Phalen, founder of the Phalen Leadership Academy, whom Williams thanked personally in her acceptance remarks. “I have been blessed to work with over 10,000 educators throughout the United States, and April truly is one of the best of the best!”
Woodard, MS’00, has focused his work on helping the achievement of African American young men. In 2007, he started the “Giant Kings” program intended to facilitate the identity, academic, social and career development of these students. The program is credited with helping to develop a great number of African American male leaders and creating a positive impact throughout the school system.
Participants in the Giant Kings, of whom 73 percent qualified for free or reduced-price lunch, have graduated at a rate between 94 and 100 percent every year. Every participant in the program has been accepted to a college or university upon graduation. Woodard is currently in the urban education Ph.D. program at the IU School of Education at IUPUI.
Chalmer Thompson, associate dean for research and academic affairs at the IU School of Education at IUPUI, praised Woodard for engaging the Giant Kings with information on their African ancestry.
“His strategy is not to kowtow to messages that paint Black males as criminally inclined or cognitively inferior or inherently lazy, messages we receive again and again in our society,” Thompson said. “What he does is feed their consciousness; enlighten them with knowledge that is too often hidden away, deemed irrelevant or questionable; and together with other Black male counselors at the school helps the Kings understand that they are important, worthy and, indeed, regal.
The Indiana University School of Education at IUPUI is an institution defined by its place, while at the same time defining the role of urban education in the 21st century. Located in the heart of a major metropolitan area, the school prepares exemplary educators and leaders for urban settings.
During the Birmingham City Council meeting on December 2, 2014 Council:
Approved an Ordinance “To further amend the Grants Fund Budget” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, by appropriating $61,989.00 to Police from the State of Alabama Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Grant. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
Other items approved by the Council at today’s meeting include the following:
1. Approved an Ordinance “To Further amend the Grants Fund Budget” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, by appropriating $6,234.00 to Fire – Heritage Program by Fireman’s Fund Grant to purchase a Hazmat 3 Camera to allow senior personnel to zoom into emergency scenes and direct mitigation efforts of responders as well as provide a measure of safety for responders that is not available with direct line of sight. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
2. Approved a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to submit to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Section 108 Loan Guarantee application in an amount up to $3,710,000.00 for a term of twenty (20) years to provide partial financing for removal of slums and blight and housing rehabilitation costs for the Powell School Building project; said loan guarantee will be secured by the City’s pledge of current and future CDBG funds and acknowledging that HUD may impose additional security requirements to assure repayment of said guaranteed obligations and that a portion of those additional security requirements may include assets financed by the guaranteed loan and, additionally, upon HUD’s approval of the City’s Section 108 Loan guarantee application, further authorizing the Mayor to enter into a loan agreement with Integral Development, LLC, or other affiliates of The Integral Group that may be formed to complete the Powell School Building Project for Section 108 financing in an amount up to $3,710,000.00 for a term of twenty (20) years to provide partial financing for slum and blight removal and housing rehabilitation costs for the Powell School Building Project. For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
3. Approved a Resolution determining that the 29th Annual MLK Unity Breakfast to be held January 19, 2015 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex North Meeting Hall, serves a public purpose that promotes goodwill and serves a public interest, and requesting that City funds in an amount not to exceed $8,000.00 to REV Birmingham, be administered to pay for this event in accordance with Section 3-1-7 of the General Code of the City of Birmingham. For more information please contact the Office of Council President Johnathan Austin at 205.254.2679.
4. Approved a resolution regarding the agreement with Urbanis USA, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, in an amount not to exceed $25,000, inclusive of any reimbursable expenses, to provide advisory, assessment, appraisal, analysis and structuring services in the development and implementation of an economic development strategic plan for the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement on behalf of the City. [Appropriated for in FY2014-2015 Budget; G/L Account: 001_031_03700.527-014] For more information please contact the Office of the Mayor at 205.254.2771.
5. Approved the allocation of funds in the amount of $7,800.00 to the Board of Education for the purchase of a grand piano for the Ramsay High School Choir. For more information please contact the Office of Council President Johnathan Austin at 205.254.2679.
Announcements and Reminders
1. There will be a Federal Legislative Agenda Workshop Tuesday December 2, 2014 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E.
2. The Annual City of Birmingham Christmas Tree Lighting will be held Tuesday December 2, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. at Linn Park.
3. The Transportation and Communications Committee Meeting will be held Wednesday December 3, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room A.
4. Councilor Lashunda Scales will host the 5th Annual District 1 Holiday Gala on Friday December 5, 2014. Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. The Gala begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Huffman High School Gym.
5. The Joint Budget and Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting will be held Monday December 8, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms D&E.
6. The Planning and Zoning Committee Meeting will be held Tuesday December 9, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the 5th Floor Engineering Conference Room.
7. Councilor Kim Rafferty, along with Fresh Air Family, is excited to announce the fourth annual Wacky Tacky Christmas Light Tour, scheduled for Tuesday December 16, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. at the Avondale Brewing Company. Proceeds will go to scholarships for students in our award-winning science camp, Gross Out Camp.
Are you unable to attend the Birmingham City Council meetings? Watch Council Meetings on demand. From anywhere in the world you can log on to www.birminghamalcitycouncil.org and click on the tab Watch Council Meetings; or from the comfort of your home, tune to Bright House Cable Channel 340. The Birmingham City Council meetings are free and on demand.
The City of Birmingham will make reasonable accommodations to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to enjoy all city services, programs and activities. If accommodations are required for public meetings, please contact Chiara Morrow, Public Information Officer, with reasonable advance notice by emailing chiara.morrow@birminghamal.gov or by calling 205-254-2055.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! LET’S CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE NATIVE AMERICAN MONTH!!
Enjoy the Holiday Season with family and friends!
TSU SCHOLARSHIP BRUNCH – The New Year is right around the corner and so is TSU Scholarship Brunch. Let’s bring the New Year in and help students that attend TSU by attending the TSU brunch. Tennessee State University National Alumni Association, Birmingham Chapter is hosting its Annual Scholarship Brunch January 3, 2015, 11 a.m., at the Harbert Center. Mr. Dwayne H. Tucker is a TSU graduate, the Tennessee State University Foundation Board Chairman, Lead Academy Board Chairman, Dallas County Community College District Foundation member, and Gleneagles County Club Board of Governors among many other affiliations. He is a True Tennessee State University graduate and dedicated alumnus. Join other TSU alumni on the first Saturday of the year and attend the scholarship brunch. Call Angela Day at (205) 601-0801 or email angelalbday@aol.com or Jacquelyn A. Fail (205) 566-3746 or email tsujf8@gmail.com.
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH – Native American Heritage Month was November, but there is still time to celebrate the heritage throughout the year. Here is a little information about the month and how it was started…
What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.
One of the very first proponents of an American Indian Day was Dr. Arthur C. Parker, a Seneca Indian, who was the director of the Museum of Arts and Science in Rochester, N.Y. He persuaded the Boy Scouts of America to set aside a day for the “First Americans” and for three years they adopted such a day. In 1915, the annual Congress of the American Indian Association meeting in Lawrence, Kan., formally approved a plan concerning American Indian Day. It directed its president, Rev. Sherman Coolidge, an Arapahoe, to call upon the country to observe such a day. Coolidge issued a proclamation on Sept. 28, 1915, which declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day and contained the first formal appeal for recognition of Indians as citizens.
The year before this proclamation was issued, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. On December 14, 1915, he presented the endorsements of 24 state governments at the White House. There is no record, however, of such a national day being proclaimed.
The first American Indian Day in a state was declared on the second Saturday in May, 1916 by the governor of New York. Several states celebrate the fourth Friday in September. In Illinois, for example, legislators enacted such a day in 1919. Presently, several states have designated Columbus Day as Native American Day, but it continues to be a day we observe without any recognition as a national legal holiday.
In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994.
There are Indians all over the country. Four of the five civilized tribes are in Alabama: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Creek. (Some taken from Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior) TODAY… LET’S LAUGH A LITTLE! Head to the New Tide and Tiger Lounge, tonight for LAUGHTER IN THE HOOD, 7 p.m. showtime with Happy Hour drinks, food and prices, 6-8 p.m. Comedian host is CHARLES WINSTON. For more call (205) 503-3880.
FIRST THURSDAYS AT THE BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM OF ART – This is the last event for 2014 for the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) FREE. There will be Holiday Printmaking, 5:30 p.m., Gallery Talk, 6 p.m. with Chief Curator and Curator of American Art Graham C. Boettcher, Ph.D for a talk about the ‘rockstar’ of the American art collection, Albert Bierstadt’s Looking Down Yosemite Valley, California, Film Screening, 7 p.m. with the film Art and Craft where you can learn about Mark Landis 30-year ruse and see some of his forgeries on display. AND, you can enjoy the Open Galleries, Tapas and Cocktails with a sample of Oscar’s Cafe Tapas for a small cost and Live Music by local jazz quartet, Chansonnier. FRIDAY… GET MONEY STOP HATING TOUR IN BIRMINGHAM – The Sixth Annual Get Money Stop Hating (G$SH) TOUR stops in Birmingham tomorrow night at The High Note, 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. starring JESS J with DJ Host JAYALI and featuring TEAGUE, AVI-OFFYI, KINGS OF DIXIE, PIERRE AND MORE. The High Note is located at 414 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd, S. 35233.
FRIDAY AND SATURDAY… TANNEHILL CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOUR – The Christmas Candlelight Tour offers a holiday presentation of historical events based during the Civil War Era at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY… CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON – Celebrate with Arlington’s as they commemorate the mansion’s 56th Anniversary as Birmingham’s historic house museum. See local floral designers transform the interior into replications of Christmas past, Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. at Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens.
SUNDAY… 78th ANNUAL SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS – The Birmingham-Southern Concert Choir, Southern Chorale and Alumni Choir will ring in the season in the college’s annual service featuring the music of the holiday season at Birmingham-Southern College. Childcare is available by reservation.
EVERY WEEKEND IN DECEMBER… ZOOLIGHT SAFARI – See the million plus lights. Enjoy the holiday music and plenty of festive activities as the Zoo comes alive for 18 nights of holiday fun, 5- 9 p.m. during December for the entire family. FOR CHILDREN… AN ELF TALE – It’s the day when job assignments are handed out at the North Pole. Gobo the elf has worked hard all year and is in the running for Head Elf. Will he help Santa keep Christmas on track, or will his efforts be stopped by a naughty elf? This is children ages 2 – 6 at the Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Wee Folks Production, on December 4 – 14. BABES IN TOYLAND – Widow Piper’s husband has passed away and left her alone with 14 children working in a toy factory for mean Barnaby. Three of her children have disappeared and now it seems like Barnaby is plotting to get rid of three more. Can the children in Toyland escape his evil plot, find the other missing children, and be home in time to spend Christmas together as a family? This is full of adventure, hope and is good for the family but most of all for children ages 6 – 12 at the Birmingham Children’s Theatre Mainstage Production on December 6, 13 and 14. CHRISTMAS AT THE LIBRARY… HOLIDAYS AND HOT COCOA – Join others as the public library starts the holiday season in style! Write letters to Santa and drink hot cocoa while listening to favorite holiday tunes. There will even be Wii Ski for gaming enthusiasts that can practice before you hit the slopes at the Smithfield Branch Library Friday at 4 p.m. NO ROOM AT THE INN – For an evening of Christmas music with songs from the Birmingham Heritage Jazz Band; recording artist Denita Gibbs, ; Lawson College Choir and Cleo Kennedy head to the West End Branch Library on December 9 at 6 p.m.
FOR OUT DOOR LOVERS… DECEMBER 10, Wednesday, 9 a.m. – Southeastern Outings Weekday Dayhike on Montevallo Parks Trail. This is a newly established weekday hike for those that can make it. Enjoy an easy three or so mile hike on a trail in Montevallo. The main trail is probably less than a mile one way and goes through parks, by two picturesque, flowing streams, and around a beautiful University-owned lake in a wooded park. Total hiking distance may be about three miles. If you are retired or not working on this particular Wednesday, you are urged to participate in the group hike on the trail and get a feel for the location and scale of the land. Bring plenty of water and wear good walking shoes or boots for this guided tour of a walkable train. Dress appropriately for the weather. Depart 9 a.m. from the McDonald’s Galleria or meet the group at 9:50 a.m. at the parking lot beside the larger bridge over Shoal Creek which is the wide creek that flows through Orr Park between the ball fields and the open recreational area in the park in Montevallo. The bridge is right beside the parking lot along the creek at the back of the ball fields. Optional lunch after the hike will be at the eclectic Eclipse Café in Montevallo. Admission to Park: Free. For driving directions from Hoover to Orr Park or more information, contact Dan Frederick at seoutings@bellsouth.net or 205/631-4680. OAK MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – The Oak Mountain Festival of Lights open now through December 28. The nights are December 4-6, December 11-14 and December 18-28. Experience a true Winter Wonderland with a Trail of Lights over a mile long featuring millions of twinkling lights in dazzling holiday displays featuring a Live Nativity and Real Snow that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own car. At the end of the Trail of Lights, families can enjoy Bud’s Best Cookies Holiday Village with free samples of cookies and milk, with complimentary popcorn, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, vendors, train rides, live entertainment and more. Take the entire family and get into the holiday spirit while indulging your inner Clark Griswold. Special priced advance tickets on sale at participating Walgreens for $15 per car through December 18. For more go to: www.Oakmountainfestivaloflights.com. LAUGHTER IN DA HOOD EVERY THURSDAY – Comedians from all walks of life will be at TIDE AND TIGER for ‘Laugher in Da Hood’ every Thursday, 7 p.m. drinks, food and more. Call (205) 503-3880 for more. COMEDIANS INTERESTED IN BEING DISCOVERED… AND SEEN….Email me at thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com and also gwenderu@yahoo.com. CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE – Join others at the 79th annual BSC Carol Service to help ring in the Christmas season. One of Birmingham-Southern College’s oldest traditions, the Service of Lessons and Carols, will be held Friday, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, 4:30 p.m., by the Concert Choir, Southern Chorale, and BSC Alumni Choir. Profs. Jeff Kensmoe and Lester Seigel are leading the choirs, Rev. Jack Hinnen is serving as liturgist, and Prof. Leon Couch is organist. Child care is available by advance reservation for the Sunday service by calling 874-1546 by Dec. 5 at noon. The 90-minute services will be held at Canterbury United Methodist Church, located at 350 Overbrook Road in Mountain Brook. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (205) 226-4957.
Don’t Forget….WATCH AND FEEL THE FIGHT WITH THE EA SPORTS™ UFC® COLLEGE TOUR – The EA SPORTS™ UFC College Tour in Tuscaloosa, Ala. at Buffalo Wild Wings for UFC Pay-Per-View event, Saturday, 10 p.m. ET /7 p.m. PT: UFC 181 Hendricks vs. Lawler. Compete against other students for awesome prizes and merchandise. Win Bragging Rights with EA SPORTS™ UFC! Come out early to get in the game and feel the fight with EA SPORTS™ UFC. For more visit the official EA SPORTS UFC website. WATCH AND FEEL THE FIGHT for yourself.
FOR LOVE OF LAUGHTER…THIS WEEKEND… Or coming soon…Don’t miss any of the LAUGHTER AT THE STARDOME COMEDY CLUB… Check out, JOHN MORGAN this weekend and December 9-14. The Holiday Season is just merrier at the StarDome when John Morgan is there. The original Ragin’ Cajun comes to us from Louisiana. With more energy than he knows what to do with, John customizes his show with the audience to create a show you will never forget. Perfect for any age and any walk of life.
FOR MORE LAUGHTER…NEXT WEEK, check out, December 18-20 – HENRY CHO, December 26-31 – HEATH HYCHE, January 2-4 – GARY OWEN, January 22 – StarDome Concert Series, and February 7 – MIRANDA SINGS. (Tell Bruce that Gwen sent you!) Call (205) 444-0008 for more. ENJOY THE WEEKEND…and ‘every’ day as much as you can!! I WILL!! NOW…. a BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT FOR DECEMBER! HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERSHEL HAMILTON. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL CELEBRATING!! THIS MEANS YOU… HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU BIRTHDAY BALLERS…MANY, MANY MORE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!! ENJOY!!
Get outdoors, laugh and enjoy the time with family and friends! Check out our ‘What’s Happening Travel and Tourism Guide’… whenever you can.
Well, that’s it. Tell you more ‘next’ time.
(People, Places and Things by Gwen DeRu is a weekly column. Send comments to my emails: thelewisgroup@birminghamtimes.com or gwenderu@yahoo.com)
The President is between a Rock and a Hard Place
by Jesse J. Lewis, Sr.
The President of the United States is not the president for Black people only. He is president of all the people who live and reside in the United States of America.
There are a lot of things I’m sure he would like to say regarding the situation in Ferguson. We still must remember that he is also Darren Wilson’s president who shot and murdered teenager Michael Brown.
We need to have a conversation on racism in America on how difficult it is for young Black teenagers, especially when the town is 75 percent Black and 95 percent of the police officers are white.
I reared two sons in Birmingham, Alabama in the ’60s and ’70’s. Every time they left home when they were teenagers I gave them a lecture and never slept until they returned. My lecture was – “If the police stops you, keep your hands on the wheel, and whatever they ask you for, say ‘Yes,sir’ and give it to them. Make sure you are not in the car with any white people, especially white women.”
The people in Ferguson have a right to be upset, but they still must have peaceful demonstrations and should not break any laws like blocking traffic or looting. Activists are calling for students to walk out of school and employees to walk off the job nationwide at 1 p.m. ET Monday to protest police violence. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, Ferguson-area organizers called for a Black Friday shopping boycott, forcing the St. Louis Galleria to shut down temporarily on the busiest shopping day of the year. Ferguson’s mayor outlined a new initiative in an attempt to forge a better relationship between the city’s police department and the community. Mayor James Knowles announced a new civilian review board to provide input on police efforts as well as a scholarship program to try to recruit more African-American officers.
There’s not a person in America who has kept up with this story, who is not well aware of the fact that something is wrong. They cannot blame anyone for fanning the fire. District Attorney McCollum refused to do his job. When the grand jury failed to indict Officer Wilson, Robert McCulloch got what he wanted. After a review of the 5,675 pages of transcript released from the grand jury deliberations, it is becoming increasingly clear that McCulloch probably had little intentions to ever deliver an indictment of Officer Wilson. It looks as if he used the grand jury process as cover to avoid the political fallout of taking an unpopular stand.
He could have indicted Wilson on his own. It is a well-documented practice that when a prosecutor engages in a grand jury to seek an indictment against a criminal suspect, the prosecutor gets exactly what he seeks – an indictment. It happens in more than 99 percent of the cases. Rather than guide them toward a sure indictment he apparently made sure his team of deputies did everything possible to muddy the waters. Rather than present a streamlined case, he overwhelmed them with an avalanche of everything under the guise of “complete disclosure.”
There were three Blacks on the jury, and it will be revealed what happened in the grand jury sessions.
The president is between a rock and a hard place he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t, but we must have the conversation about racism in America.
There is no question in my mind that Michael Brown’s tragic murder highlights a legitimate fear felt by many in the African American community that in too many cases, because of fear and stereotyping, Police are too quick to use lethal force against African Americans in general and against African American men in particular. This relates not just to the death of Michael Brown, but to the death of too many young African American men across this great nation. The question becomes how do we respond and at what point do we hold our own folks liable for behaviors that do not contribute to the community.
To be true the problems in Ferguson started long before the tragic night when Michael Brown lost his life under questionable circumstances. Why is a city that is now over 80 percent African American still ruled by a white minority? How does a city with over 80 percent of its residents African American have a Police Department where 52 out of 55 members are white, and have a documented history of antagonizing African American residents? How does the fire department reflect the same demographics?
One obvious answer would be that somebody is not voting. The next question becomes are they choosing not to vote, or is the KKK or some other lethal entity standing in their way. Because to my mind the first solution is to use the power of the vote to change who is in power and making decisions.
There was a mini debate between Jessie Jackson and Don Lemon on whether or not those people who are rioting and looting should be held accountable. Jackson said something to the effect of they are just expressing their frustration, and he could understand. Don Lemon’s response was one of the only things he has said that I agree with, when he noted that violence is wrong, that looting is wrong, that burning down businesses where people work to make a living and a profit is wrong, and that he felt the job of people like Jackson was to help re-direct people’s rage into productive outlets, like perhaps voter registration.
The police and city attitudes are definitely wrong, but so is the attitude that I can loot and burn and steal, to express my frustration. Anyone looting, burning or stealing needs to be arrested, and the greater community needs to express its displeasure at the behavior.
What is needed in Ferguson, as around the country, is real leadership. What is needed is someone to ask what are the short term, intermediate term and long term steps that need to be taken to as Dr. King once said, “Get the people to pour the gas out of the bottles and come to the table looking for meaningful change.”
It does not help any cause to have those who claim to represent it act in ways that are reprehensible to those who might be sympathetic to their cause. I know the rioters and looters represent only a small portion of the protestors, but the failure to call them out, to denounce their behavior and to let the world know that what they are doing is not representative of you or your community in my mind weakens the ethos of your cause.
The way to make lasting change in Ferguson is simpler than in most communities. Sometime in the next four years there will be citywide elections. Let the 80 percent of the city that has had no voice turn out in force and elect office holders who will hear their needs and represent their community. These elected leaders can then appoint police and fire chiefs who will serve the entire community and hold those trusted with a badge to a standard that is acceptable to the community. This would be a much more effective strategy than burning down businesses that provide crucial services and goods in the very community you are trying to make better.
Or at least that is the way I see it.
(Do you have a question or comment on this column? Look me up on Facebook/HollisWormsby or email me at hjwormsby@aol.com.)
Are you putting your retirement finances at risk by underestimating your life expectancy? If so, you are in good company.
According to a report by the Society of Actuaries, more than half of retirees and pre-retirees are in this category. And, significantly, 40 percent underestimate their life expectancies by five or more years.
Underestimating your life expectancy can result in inadequate resources for your retirement needs. You may run out of money before you run out of life and spend your last years without adequate funds to live as you would like.
Much of the problem lies in the increased life expectancy among Americans. Advances in medicine, better nutrition, and healthy lifestyles have caused people to live considerably longer than their parents and grandparents. To illustrate, look at how life expectancies have changed over the past half century.
In 1960, when Dwight Eisenhower was president, the life expectancy for a newborn male was 66.6 years. By 2012, the latest year for which complete actuarial data are available, this had jumped to 78.8 years. Female life expectancy rose from 73.1 years in 1960 to 81.2years in 2012.
Of greater importance for retirement planning, even if you correctly determine your life expectancy, chances are you have not provided sufficient funds for the possibility of exceeding it. The recently-updated Society of Actuaries 2014 mortality table estimates that a male who reaches 65 years of age in 2014 has a life expectancy of 21.6 years. A female who reaches age 65 has a life expectancy of 23.8 years.
The implication of the findings is that all citizens should be more aware of their longevity and what it means for financial planning. Information on life expectancies can be gleaned from one of numerous readily available mortality tables from the Internet, libraries, and insurance companies.
Various studies underscore the fact that many people have little or no retirement savings. If you are in this category, it is imperative that you start investing funds for retirement. You should also put aside an extra amount in the likely event – given the advances in medicine and science you will live beyond your normal life expectancy.
As a side note, the best way to invest is to pay yourself first by having funds automatically deducted from your paycheck.
Wayne Curtis, former superintendent of Alabama banks, is a retired Troy University business school dean. Email him at wccurtis39@gmail.com.
The 2014 elections were quite uneventful. The seven statewide constitutional offices were all retained by Republicans. In fact, the reason the election was so dull was because the top five constitutional offices were held by incumbent Republicans who all waltzed to reelection. These included, Gov. Robert Bentley, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, State Treasurer Young Boozer, Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan and Attorney General Luther Strange.
Therefore, the best races were in the State Senate contests. The Alabama State Senate will remain overwhelmingly majority Republican. The numbers going into the new quadrennium will be 25 Republicans, nine Democrats and one Independent. It helped that the Republicans controlled the pencil when the legislature redrew the lines for Reapportionment.
In addition to controlling the Senate floor, the presiding officer who wields the gavel will be Republican Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey. The most important Senator has been and will continue to be Del Marsh from Anniston. He is the President Pro Tem. By virtue of his leadership position as President of the Senate, he became the target of well-financed opposition in both the Republican primary and again in the November General Election. However, he prevailed both onslaughts and will return as conservative as ever.
The Northwest Alabama District 1 seat was held by a Democrat, Tammy Irons. This is a district the GOP changed dramatically in order to carve out a Republican pick up. Ms. Irons saw the writing on the wall. She chose not to run and indeed a Republican, Dr. Tim Melson, took the seat for the GOP.
Huntsville Republican Bill Holtzclaw retained District 2 with no opposition in either the Primary or General Election.
Sen. Arthur Orr had the same scenario in his Decatur based District 3 seat. He, however, stockpiled a lot of campaign money for a future statewide race in 2018.
Republican Senator Paul Bussman had very little opposition holding onto his Cullman based District 4.
State Senator Greg Reed of Jasper will return to his District 5 Republican seat. He is extremely popular in his area and is considered one of the rising stars in the State Senate.
Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead made it a personal mission to defeat veteran State Senator Roger Bedford. The GOP unseated the Democratic icon with Dr. Larry Stutts.
The very Republican Senator Paul Sanford will return to represent his suburban Huntsville district. Steve Livingston kept the Northeast Alabama District 8 seat in the GOP column and the same is true for incumbent Republican Senator Clay Scofield, who ran unopposed in the Primary and General Election.
The suburban Republican enclaves of Jefferson and Shelby counties saw three popular incumbent State Senators run unopposed. Senators Jabo Waggoner, Cam Ward and Slade Blackwell will return. The three urban Democratic districts of Jefferson County will remain Democratic with Senators Roger Smitherman, Priscilla Dunn and Linda Coleman all returning. The same is true for Black Belt Democratic Senators Hank Sanders, Bobby Singleton and Quinton Ross
Dr. Jim McClendon defeated incumbent Jerry Fielding in the GOP primary in June. However, the St. Clair County seat is solidly Republican. Shay Shelnutt will replace Scott Beason in the conservative Republican North Jefferson Senate seat.
Popular incumbent Republican Senator Dick Brewbaker ran unopposed in his Montgomery seat and newcomer Clyde Chambliss captured the open Republican seat in suburban Autauga and Elmore counties. Longtime Wiregrass Senator Jimmy Holley trounced his GOP primary opponent to return for another four years. Baldwin and Mobile Republicans Trip Pittman, Rusty Glover and Bill Hightower waltzed to reelection, as did Democrat Vivian Figures.
The loan Independent Senator, Harri Ann Smith, turned back a challenge from a well-financed Republican opponent in her Dothan/Wiregrass district. She will continue to represent one of the State’s most Republican districts as an Independent.
In short, the state Senate became even more Republican. It will be a very conservative chamber.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His column appears weekly in 72 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
The origin of this article comes from several conversations over the last month with friends and family over dinners and cocktails, and at work as we discussed what was wrong with the youth of today. Our consensus was the village is no longer raising our children. It’s sad that many parents will adamantly defend the foolishness of their kids, and will dare anyone to discipline them, even though they refuse to be parents and lay down the law by punishing them when they are wrong.
My village was anchored on Oak Street in west side Montgomery, Ala. It consisted of my mother, grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, neighbors, parents of my friends, church members, candy lady down the street, and everyone else who cared about me growing into a contributing member of society. I can remember playing football with my friends in the street, which was forbidden by my grandparents, but of course when the cat was away the mice would play. I went long and caught a pass, and in the midst of my end zone celebration dance I heard a voice scream out, “Put the football down and come here.” It was my neighbor, the 80-year-old neighborhood watchdog. She said, “Didn’t your grandmamma tell you not to play football in the street.” I said, “Yes ma’am.” She instructed me to go over to the nearest tree and get a switch. As I walked to the tree with tears I knew what was to come. A spanking from my neighbor and the spanking I was going to get from my grandmamma when she got home. The village cared about me and only wanted the best for me. I was raised by a village.
The proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” is rooted in African origin. This Igbo and Yoruba (Nigeria) proverb exists in different forms in many African languages. The basic meaning is that a child’s upbringing is a communal effort. The responsibility for raising a child is shared with the larger family (sometimes called the extended family). Everyone in the family participates, especially the older children, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and even cousins. It was not unusual for African children to stay for long periods with their grandparents or aunts or uncles. Even the wider community gets involved, such as neighbors and friends. Children are considered a blessing from God for the whole community. This communal responsibility in raising children is also seen in the Sukuma (Tanzania) proverb – “One knee does not bring up a child” and in the Swahili (East and Central Africa) proverb – “One hand does not nurse a child.”
In general this Nigerian proverb conveys the African worldview that emphasizes the values of family relationships, parental care, self-sacrificing concern for others, sharing, and even hospitality. This is very close to the biblical worldview as seen in scripture texts related to unity and cooperation (Ecclesiastes 4:9,12) and a mother’s self-sacrificing love (Isaiah 49:15-16).
We must go back to the village concept of raising our children. Many of today’s youth need to go to a tree and get a switch to get themselves on the right track. I am not an advocate for physical abuse, but for some children a tender and firm engagement is the only language they may understand. I along with many of my friends were raised by the village with a little firm discipline every once in a while and I don’t think we did that bad.
(Mahari A. McTier is a Financial Advisor with Tier 1 Advisors, LLC and can be contacted at maharimctier.tier1@gmail.com.)
Actress and gospel singer Tamela Mann has been having a great time lately. With an award-winning song in 2013, “Take Me To The King” off an award-winning album. Her show just got green-lighted to begin airing in 2015 with her husband of 26 years, David Mann on BET. And she’s managed to continually keep the weight off (it’s reported that it was over 240lbs she lost).
“The first thing people say is, ‘Y’all look good! Y’all don’t look like you do on TV,’ ” says Tamela.
“People see us every day [on TV]. They saw that we were big, and they saw the drastic weight loss in both of us,” David chimes in. “Everybody would ask, ‘Why are you doing it? What are you doing it for?’
“For many African American families, a lot of the time when we sit down to dinner, we can have two or three starches in one meal,” Tamela adds. “You can still have some, but you don’t have to have as many.” Instead of bread and potatoes, for example, David chooses one or the other. Sticking to an eating plan can be tough, so David has asked Tamela to be his “sugar manager since he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2013.” If David strays too far from his plan (she notes he has a weakness for sugary breakfast cereals), she gently reminds him.
Another key to Tamela leading a healthy life is resisting temptation. The Manns’ five children are all grown now, but when they lived at home, they protested when their parents threw out the junk food in the house. “For me, it was just a matter of life and health. I thought everybody was supposed to [change with me]. I thought they loved me!”, David says with a laugh. “But we’ve tried to cut the junk.” He says that now all the Mann children (and the couple’s eight grandchildren) are working on eating healthfully, too.
The Manns have recently announced their new television show ‘Meet The Manns’. It looks like things are really taking off!
