African-American News&Issues

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August 6-12, 2008

™ Vol. 13 Issue 27

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Will President Obama be invited to the meeting? MEL HICKS

African-American News&Issues

FT. WORTH- As we witness history in the making with the probable election of the first Afrocentric president Barack Obama, I can’t help but ponder the question; will President Obama be invited to the meeting? You’re probably asking, “What meeting?” Let me explain. I have a friend that I’ll call Billy. I consider Billy to be as brilliant as Barack Obama. In fact, Billy was the first African-American to graduate from the University of Illinois (Circle Campus Chicago), with a degree in computer engineering. After his graduation, he went to work for one of the computer giants making a very nice salary. He was given all of the tough assignments, the clean up person if you will. The predominately White staff, including the supervisor, consulted with him and with his assistance, his department was ranked number one in the region. He thought everything was going well up until he started talking with several of his colleagues he had trained. The conversation would go something like this, “Hey Billy, did you go to the meeting today?” Billy would respond, “Yes, I went to the meeting at ten this morning.” The other guys would say, “No Billy,

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See MEETING page 3

In an era when “strong Black man” translated to intelligent, skillful, hard-working, family oriented, Christian gentlemen, Ethal Lieutenant Ellis, aka “Jack,” personified the made in America African males that were worthy of that lofty designation. And that’s how he was eulogized during the celebration of his long and productive life on August 6, 2007 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 1510 Pannell. Pastor Harvey Clemons Jr. officiated an order of service that included a poignant tribute by Jack’s beloved daughter, Dawn Ellis, and Rev. Gwen Pierre shared memories of her favorite uncle. Inasmuch as Jack married into Fifth Ward’s legendary Henderson clan, the order of service also included Rev. Lloyd H. Crosby, pastor of Mt. Corinth in Hempstead, Texas; Rev. Robert Staggers, pastor of Northside Antioch BC; Dr. Steve W. Hall, pastor of Bethany BC; and Sullivan Gant. Isadore Don Harris, Jalal Sudan, Wesley Harris, Robert Lee Mims, Ronald Pierre, Robert Alcano Harris, Johnny Mitchell and Charles Ber-

Shall We Overcome?

Obama keeps hope alive worldwide

Presumptive presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama enjoys Rock star status worldwide.

BUD JOHNSON

African-American News&Issues

Obama’s timely and highly successful European tour--via Iraq’s war-torn battlefront--gives descendants of slaves cause to pause and ponder whether or not, the haunting lyrics of the popular 1960’s civil rights mantra, “We shall overcome someday,” was prophecy? Nevertheless, although the above text could easily be mistaken for a report on Obama’s recent “political safari,” it, in fact, was an excerpt from Ken Rudin’s Dec. 7, 2006 article (Obama, or a History of Black Presidents of the U.S.), on National Public Radio’s Web page. It, in fact, was somewhat of a dig at Obama who he considered a media creation and concluded: “Barack Obama has been in the Senate for all of one year and 11 months. He is also African-American. And yet,

Etha L. “Jack” Ellis

October 19, 1928-July 29, 2007

nard Pierre were active pallbearers. Accords Bowling Club, Recycled Teenagers Bowling League, Roving Seniors Bowling League, Friday Morning Mixed Bowling League, Super Seniors Bowling and Phillis Wheatley’s Class 1949’s Alumni were honorary pallbearers for Jack who was the 12th of 14 children born to Leroy and Sallie Fleeks Ellis on Oct. 19, 1928 in Crockett, Texas. He a;sp had two half sisters and a half brother. Jack was baptized at an early age

of all the things people are saying about the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, ‘race’ is usually not one of them. That’s a good thing, I suppose. Maybe it’s a sign of progress.

Then again, Black America would be better served to remember that hope is defined as things we’ve never seen, and faith without works is dead.

TSU’s beacon of light

there was a meeting at noon, how come you didn’t go?” Billy would respond, “I was scheduled for lunch at that time, I didn’t know about it.” “Aw bummer, hope you can make the next one on Tuesday at noon,” they would say. “Sure I’ll talk with the supervisor,” he would say. Billy would later ask the supervisor, “Am I scheduled for a meeting next Tuesday at noon?” He would reply, “Um, no Billy, that’s for certain individuals with certain classifications.” Billy would then ask, “Why are Craig and Doug (the aforementioned White guys) being invited to classified meetings, when I have seniority over them and hold most of the classifications for this job, except supervisory?” The supervisor would then respond, “I don’t know Billy, I’ll have to look into this.” Needless to say the supervisor never did “look into it”, because he was in on the plan to deceive Billy. Even though Billy was doing a great job for the company and making them a tremendous amount of money, they didn’t seem to care. The company basically used Billy to do most of the important and dirtiest of work in the unit. Work that the Whites could not figure out or simply did not want to do and to add insult to injury, they gave Billy information on a “need to know basis.” Billy got very few accolades when things were going right, but received most of the blame when things went wrong. Moral of the story is, he got tired of never being invited to the “REAL” meeting, the one with the actual information of what was really going on in the company. Further, he was tired of the undercover apartheid treatment he received there just because he was Black. He decided to quit the company. But before he quit, Billy was mysteriously offered a hefty pay raise and an offer to sit in on every meeting that would be held at the company. He declined and he now works for a doctor’s service making $16.00 an hour and seems to be content. When I asked him if he have plans to go back and work in corporate America his response was “No way, I don’t need the aggravation or the stress, it’s just not worth it”. Which

“Maybe it’s a hunger for someone so new and so promising who transcends race. Or maybe we’re just deluding ourselves, and once he becomes a genuine candidate, all bets are off. I’m not suggesting there are secrets in Obama’s past that will torpedo his chances. I’m not egging on those who are obsessed with race. I’m just trying at the Hopewell Baptist Church in Crockett. He later united with Northside Antioch BC, in the early 1940’s under the leadership of the late Rev. J.C. O’Conner. He was educated at Center Grove High School in Lovelady, Texas. After moving to Houston at age 14, he continued his education at Phillis Wheatley High School and graduated in 1949. He continued his education at Texas Southern University. On May 4, 1963, he married Oretha O. Henderson at Pleasant Hill by the late Rev. Dr. L.H. Simpson. Through this marriage, he enjoyed worshipping with his wife and the Pleasant Hill family. In 1952, he became employed with Champion Paper Company, (Simpson Paper). For 42 years, he received recognition for perfect attendance and job performance. Jack was a lifetime president of the L & S Family Fund, a fundraising organization whose main purpose is to keep the family together. He was endowed with natural abilities that enabled him to do anything he set out to do. He designed and constructed his Houston

to get a handle on this phenomenon. And from what I’ve seen so far, it’s been pretty phenomenal.” Almost two years after Rudin’s syndicated “Political Junkie” column was published Black Christians have added “godsent to the positive adjectives used to describe Obama. Denial aside, although many made in American African believers choose to deify Obama they have become his greatest threat and the weak link in his strong campaign chain. Thus, African-American News&Issues (as Black America’s strongest editorial voice that speaks from an uncompromised Black perspective), would be remiss not to remind political naïve Black Americans that USA’s presidents ideally belong to the world. Accordingly, it should be obvious that he has become a symbol of hope for the tired, huddled masses See OVERCOME page 3

home as well as the Ellis Family homestead in Crockett. He maintained his home and other properties in a professional manner. He was an avid bowler and was proud of the many awards and trophies received. Jack, who was blessed with two half sisters and a half brother, was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris Pitts Dunn and 13 siblings. Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 40 over years, Oretha Henderson Ellis; five devoted children, Deeda Marie Ellisor (James), Harold Van (Constance), Jon Ethan, Dawn Vernetha, and Sean Benetha; two adoring sisters, Effie M. Mitchell and Mozelle E. Watkins; a faithful brother, Roger C. Ellis (Ollie); a cherished mother-in-law, Ella Henderson; a sister-in-law, Eleanor H. Jones; two brothers-in-law, Don H. Henderson and Ron D. Henderson; two first cousins, Mozelle Green and Lela F. Burleson.; two god-daughters, Eunice J. Watkins and Erin Jones; 11 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. TX-1


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