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The Afro-American, April 14, 2012 - April 20, 2012
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in; their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within.” —Elisabeth Kübler-Ross I celebrated two special people on the same day. Four generations celebrated the patriarch of our family, my daddy Benjamin Scott Johnson’s birthday at Phillips Flagship on the waterfront in DC, in a way that was befitting a man who has done so much to shape the future of his daughters, their children and their grandchildren. It was difficult to stop “the tears on my pillow” when I realized how blessed I am to celebrate both of my parents birthday this month. “It’s a family affair.” The “pride and joy” on daddy’s face as his grandchildren paid tribute to him, thanking him for his words of wisdom through the years, words they didn’t understand then; but has molded their lives and their children’s lives. Among the guests enjoying the extensive buffet featuring crab legs, mussels, Dungeness crabs, crawfish, and prime rib were: Jean Johnson, General Kip & Joyce Ward, Colonel James & Freddie Peaco, Deacon & Mrs. Fitzgerald, Rev Pauline Wilkins, daughter Cheryl Johnson; grandchildren, Colonel Greg & Lisa Packer, Keith Lee, Michael & Rebecca Lee, Kevin & Angela Johnson; great grandchildren Gregory & Matthew Packer and Jasmine Johnson. “Though I am grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn’t changed who I am. My feet are still on the ground. I’m just wearing better shoes.” —Oprah Winfrey After daddy’s party, I left DC and headed to the 80th birthday party of Ora Washington, already in full swing at the Forum. The “belle of the ball” was “the lady in red” dancing in the middle of the magnificently decorated
“Surviving Progress” Film Review
“Whether one believes in a religion or not and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.” —Dalai Lama
room, dressed in red, wearing a tiara, matching her dazzling smile. Guests partying with the diva were Joyce & Enoch Ragin, Sheila & Bill Conway, Pat & Don Leuroneq, Vashti Davis, Regina Battle, Judy & Phil Tonkins, Debbie Allen, Carlos & Aquanetta Johnson, Victor Green, Betty Green, Phil Strambler, Alma & TJ Jackson, Arvella Oats, Glenwood Oats, Pennington Hebron, Joyce Keys and daughters Verdean Cornish and Beverly Tyler “You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put a few nickels in the machine.” — Flip Wilson “You’re a winner” Who was America’s only chief executive never elected as president or vice president? Morgan State University’s team won $50,000 and the national title in Honda Campus All-Star Challenge academic tournament with the correct answer, Gerald Ford. Team members Craig Cornish, Michael Osikomaiya, James Hayes Barber, John-Paul Stephens and Coach Dr. OluwaTosin Adegbola competed with 250 students from HBCU around the country. “Art is only important to the extent that it aids in the liberation of our people.” — Elizabeth Catlett (RIP) “Take me out to the ball game” I wait in anticipation as if a child waiting for the first snowflake for this annual rite of spring. The 20th anniversary of opening day at Camden Yards was a day filled with festivities, music and fun. We started the day at the outdoor
party at Pickles Pub. Big Lew, who says ‘walking ain’t crowded;” should have seen the crowd at Pickles; we literally could not move. “Ain’t the beer cold?” —Chuck Thompson After grabbing beers and Italian sausages, we inched our way to the ballpark for a winning game and hopefully a winning season. “If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.” —Les Giblin “Money, Money, Money,” Congratulations to certified financial planner Nicolas Abrams, on his membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table. Nicolas, the son of Brenda & Donald Abrams,’ outstanding client service, ethics and professionalism garnered him membership in this premier association of financial professionals.
Thanks Rita Selby for the wonderful letter about our friend Shirley Queen Henson celebrating her 90th birthday April 13, which is also my mom’s birthday. Many of you remember the beautiful Aunt Shirley, the owner of several beauty shops throughout the city back in the day. Sending birthday wishes to Gloria “Tuttie” Bogan,” Danny Henson, Kim Washington, Tony Hawkins, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Shirley Richmond, Louise Wiley, Shirley Belton and Debbie Allen. “The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy.” —Jim Rohn Condolences to news anchor Lisa Robinson on the death of her mom Ida Robinson; Carolyn Broidy on the death of her father Alexander Ruffin and Edi Green on the death of her nephew Eric Shadd. “Life isn’t about how you survived the storm ... it’s about how you danced in the rain.” —Regina Brett
“I don’t see myself being special; I just see myself having more responsibilities than the next man. People look to me to do things for them, to have answers.” —Tupac Shakur
Join Larry Washington and members of the Arch Social Club, Sunday April 29 as they honor the stroke survival group. Phil Butts Sunshine Band will be providing the music.
Congratulation to Kenneth Ravenell on being selected “Super Lawyer” a muchdeserved honor. The celebration at the Havana Club was a list of who’s who in the legal field, as judges, attorneys and friends paid tribute to this outstanding man and son of a sharecropper.
Gents on the Move spring fling cabaret is April 21, for tickets to this BYOB cabaret call AJ Miles 410-488-1674 or Larry Winkler 410-746-8961. “I’ll be seeing you” —Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
Eco-Documentary Examines Toll Exacted by Unchecked Consumption of Natural Resources
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“…rather than engaging in silly debates…it might be better to examine exactly how we are affecting the planet and what can be done to avert ecological ruin.” By Kam Williams Whether or not recent atmospheric trends are due to global warming, it’s pretty clear that humanity is playing a large part in climate change. But rather than engaging in silly debates about whether we’re headed for immolation or another Ice Age, it might be better to examine exactly how we are affecting the planet and what can be done to avert ecological ruin. That is the thesis of Surviving Progress, a cautionary documentary co-directed by Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks. With the help of Earth advocates like physicist Stephen Hawking, conservationist Jane Goodall and environmental activist Margaret Atwood, the picture issues an urgent appeal for effective intervention before it’s too late. The filmmakers believe that a good place to start might be with a redefinition of what we mean by progress, since our slavish addiction to technological advances involves unchecked mass
consumption. They refer to the way in which we deceive ourselves into believing that we can rape the rainforests and the other natural resources, ad infinitum, as the “Progress Trap.” Primatologist Goodall observes that, “We are the most intellectual creature that’s ever walked the planet,” before wondering why such an intelligent being would willfully destroy its only home. Ms. Atwood adds that instead of thinking of the Earth as a huge bank we can just keep making endless carbon withdrawals from by credit card, “we have to think of the finite nature of the planet and how to keep it alive so that we too may remain alive.” Some weighing-in fervently believe the answer inexorably rests with individuals. “We have to use less,” says energy expert Vaclav Smil. Similarly, Colin Bevan, director of the No Impact Project, insists that we should each be cognizant of our individual carbon footprints. “Before I
go around trying to change others, maybe I should look at myself and change myself,” he concedes. Still, given how megacorporations have come to rationalize deforestation and the unchecked mining of minerals, it is no surprise that geneticist David Suzuki might describe economics “as a form of brain damage.” Somehow, Mr. Hawking remains optimistic about the prospects for humanity, in spite of the fact that, “We are entering an increasingly dangerous period of our history.” In the end, behavioral scientist Daniel Povinelli perhaps sums up the situation best, by suggesting that if humans go extinct, the epitaph on our gravestone should simply read “Why?” A thought-provoking clarion call to stop using our brains in ways which are detrimental to our very survival. Excellent (HHHH) Unrated Running time: 86 minutes Distributor: First Run Features