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The Baltimore Afro-American, May 9, 2015 - May 15, 2015
“I, at first, thought they were thugs, especially after having our business looted. However, there’s a bigger issue going on when a leader of the community speaks this way about her people, it gives “others” the right to say far worse. I have defended these kids as an attorney and most are lost. We have to figure out a way to embrace them, even when they do wrong. If we don’t look out for our kids, who will? You can call them whatever you want behind closed doors (I sure did when I saw our damage), but public figures are held to a higher standard. They need to think of solutions to the bigger issue, not flaming the fire. Let’s help these kids instead of condemning them.” – Anonymous “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” – Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ On September 11, 2001, the world as we knew it changed; for years, we watched the bombing of cities thousands of miles from home oblivious that it could happen here and then it happened. I watched Ferguson and other cities with a jaundiced eye thanking God, oblivious that it could happen here and then it happened. We can’t second-guess why it happened, nor can we place the blame on any one person or issue. We all have a responsibility to our neighbors and our city because at the end of the day we all hurt. What’s done is done. We’ve been given a second chance; the question is what we are going to do to heal our city once the cameras leave. The bandage will no longer cover the wounds. The fresh paint will no longer hide the decay and we can no longer look through rose-colored glasses. To recover we have to take the first step and let our needs be known, let our voice be heard and open our eyes to what is around us; if it needs fixing call to get it fixed or fix it yourself; if things are going on in your neighborhood that are wrong don’t condone it. This is our community and it spreads further
than the Inner Harbor, Harbor East Roland Park, Canton, Mt. Washington and Fells Point; request and demand the same and equal services for your neighborhood. Tuesday morning when I received word that Maceo’s Lounge another African -American business two blocks from North and Pennsylvania was vandalized I took it personal. I know first-hand what the owners sacrificed to open a business in the city. I immediately came into the city to see what assistance I could give. It was uplifting to see people like Tracee Strum- Gilliam, Nykidra Robinson, Del. Nathaniel Oaks, Derrick Compton, Sen. Cathy Pugh, Del. Antonio Hayes and countless volunteers embracing the community at first light, distributing water, sweeping and distributing voter registration forms. Personally, I feel this set the tone as more and more people came out to offer assistance. How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! –Psalm 133:1 Later, I stopped passed The Odyssey to check on my friend owner Barbara “Chili” Washington and the other Sandtown residents who were assisting the volunteers cleaning up their community. Chili and I spent the day watching the media broadcasting while we sat in the midst of the community encouraging the protesters as they silently walked past the Odyssey, walking through neighborhoods they did not know existed before Freddie Gray. Wednesday attending Doni Glover’s book signing ‘Unapologetically Black” at the Douglas Myers Museum I saw the National Guards and police with streets barricaded. I decided to stop at Ruth’s Chris’ on Water Street to say hello to Lenny and Good Morning to Renita Mingo as I always do when in the area; it was 9 p.m. and the doors were locked. The sight as I passed City Hall and the War Memorial brought tears to my eyes. The city I loved was on lockdown; tanks, cameras
and guns replaced people creating a ghostlike atmosphere. People silently scurried to get home, like a child afraid of missing curfew. Leaving the city I started crying and singing the O’ Jays “Cry Together” Today I changed the words. “You know, me and my city we’ve been going through a lot of changes together. It’s been real hard to talk to one another. You know a relationship ain’t nothing without communication. Eyes wide open round midnight I felt a tear roll down my face. Last night me and my city we cry together I said we cry, cry, cry, we cry together. “I know you love me and I love you.” But last night me and my city we cry together. “One in a million chance of a lifetime” is how Mario Armstrong technology guru and national media consultant and son of our friend Rocky Armstrong described his trip to billionaire Sir Richard Branson‘s Necker Island. Mario and a select group of entrepreneurs invited by Sir Richard to discuss various facets of entrepreneurship and our position in a global society. This elite weekend included high-level entrepreneurs from all over the world sharing ideas on “how to grow your company,” how to maximize employee production and the state of the planet. Mario said, “Sir Richard, owner of Virgin Airlines and Virgin Records provided a social and intellectual experience he’ll always remember. www.marioarmstrong.com. Dr. Louise Johnson and MULBA annual Beer, Wine & Liquor Tasting Expo at the 5th Regiment Armory is Sat. May 9 call (410) 804-9334 for tickets. “We’ve got some difficult days ahead” –Dr. Martin Luther King God bless our Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby our police officers and the City of Baltimore. “I’ll be seeing you” –Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch
Author’s Corner Thou Shall Not April K. Oliver June 2015
April K. Oliver was born in New Mexico and raised in Washington, D.C. She received her associate degree in general studies from P.G. College in 2008 and has been in the medical field for 19 years. April has written two books of poetry, girl talk and boy talk which include several short stories. April has been writing and speaking in front of audiences since the delicate age of eight. She is destined on a life-journey for this generation of young people. April is unmistakably incredible in transforming life’s experiences
into poetical expressions. April has a reckless persistence in bringing her, him and them to reality and dealing with the root of it all. She has done spoken word in churches, book signings, youth groups and for different organizations who help those in need. Why did you write this book? I decided to write this book, which has a power packed short story called “Speak Up” because many of us have been sexually abused and are afraid to say anything.
speak truth.
What’s the overall theme? To bring awareness to the many avenues of abuse and to encourage people to say something in order to get the help necessary to move forward in life as a productive person in society. There are also inspirational and real life poems that
What surprised you about the development of the book? As I wrote “Speak Up” I was surprised that my fictional story had evolved into non-fiction which was a dark place I had never truly dealt with as far as being sexually abused and I needed closure so that I could let go of the past. Which character excites you most? Rain, who was the daughter of one of my main
April K. Oliver is the author of “Thou Shall Not.” characters was surrounded by her dad being married, her having a baby and throwing the baby in the dumpster and her mother finding out, and her boyfriend ends up having an affair with her male cousin. All this reflects how she looks at men in her life. Who’s the perfect audience for this book? Young people ages 17 years old and up. What one thing do you most want the reader to learn? Many people have been abused whether it is mentally, spiritually, or physically. Do not blame yourself if it has happened to you. You have to speak up and and get help, no matter how long it has been. Love yourself first and then you will learn to love others. What did you learn during the writing process? I learned that when you do not deal with things they follow you every day of your life and prevent you from moving forward in certain areas, especially relationships. Any advice for aspiring writers? An aspiring writer should always keep a pen and paper on hand; thoughts come to you and you need to be ready to jot them down. And always write in truth and spend time by yourself so that you can truly put thoughts into words and words on paper. Other books? I have written two other books, girl talk (published 2005) which is poetry & boy talk (2007) which includes several short stories along with poetry.