Daytona Times, March 21, 2019

EE FR

40 YEARS

CELEBRATING

E. FAYE WILLIAMS: WHITE PRIVILEGE AND BLACK AMERICA PAGE 4

OF CONTINUOUS WEEKLY PUBLISHING

East Central Florida’s Black Voice

HISTORIC WEEK FOR LADY WILDCATS SEE PAGE 6

MARCH 21 - MARCH 27, 2019

YEAR 44 NO. 12

www.daytonatimes.com

Mayor gets earful at community meeting Dickerson Center meeting deals with everything from permits to city manager

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Residents took their concerns straight to Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry during a meeting Tuesday night at the John H. Dickerson Community Center.

The meeting, hosted by Henry, originated from circumstances surrounding an event that was shut down a month ago.

“Doo Day” was an event scheduled earlier this month intended to honor a murdered Daytona resident named Jerrod Swinton who died on March 1, 2016.

The event was shut down by law enforcement due to large crowds and large numbers of youngsters on off-road vehicles.

The event organizers didn’t have permits or insurance.

“This meeting was intended to dispel any myths about city government. It targeted Zone 6 in particular,” Henry said.

Business owners balk The mayor used the meeting as a way to educate residents on the city government, including its makeup and the functions of the mayor, commissioners and city manager. He also touted city accomplishments and disappointments.

During the meeting, numerous topics came up, relating to licenses, permits, fees, facility rentals, small business development, code enforcement, polic-

ing, and city governance.

Disgruntled business owners gave their spiel on how small and minority businesses are treated within the city.

“I used to have my business on MMB (Mary McLeod Bethune), but now I’m on MLK (Martin Luther King Boulevard). I was in a bad building where it rained inside of my building. I had to fight to get my money back. I even had a man come get naked and crap in the back of the building.

The police wouldn’t come until way later,” said Monica Adolphe, owner of Elegant Fitness.

Jessica Foreman, co-owner of Saultee Kingz by Chef Count related, “I wanted my business in Midtown, but I’m located in Holly Hill. I tried to get in Midtown but my landlord was a slumlord.

It took two years to remake the See MEETING, Page 2

DAYTONA TIMES / 40TH ANNIVERSARY

City’s Spring Break struggle, DBHA conflict

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry addresses residents Tuesday at the Dickerson Center.

MMB was place to be for bikers, vendors

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

The 78th edition of Bike Week in Volusia County is now history.

The Second Avenue Merchants Association (SAMA), which is in charge of organizing events along Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard (MMB) is calling this year’s event a success.

The last weekend, historically known as “Black Bike Week,’’ yielded large crowds on MMB (formerly Second Avenue). The area was the hub of biker activi-

ty in the Black community during the second and final weekend, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.

“Crowds were larger this year.

We also believe that since over the past four to five years Bike Week has had to compete with Jazz in the Gardens event down in Miami,” Barbara TurnerHymes, SAMA’s event coordinator, told the Daytona Times.

“This year, Jazz in the Gardens took place a week earlier, which brought more people, bikers and vendors here.”

Economic impact The two-week Bike Week is an economic engine that brings in an estimated $75 million into the local economy. This year’s event was March 8-17.

“We did have more vendors than usual and people were able to make something, but we still have some work to do,” TurnerSee BIKE WEEK, Page 2

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Good weather helped to draw more bikers this year to “Black Bike Week.’’

Entrepreneur to speak at college; job fair follows

Twenty years ago in 1999, the Daytona Times reported on Spring Break, which got off to a rough start that year with shooting incidents and traffic accidents.

The newspaper also reported on Zone 6 Commissioner Charles W. Cherry, Sr.’s opposition to Mayor Bud Asher’s appointment of John Kretzner to the Daytona Beach Housing Authority’s Board of Commissioners.

ALSO INSIDE

The L. Gale Lemerand Entrepreneurial Speaker Series kicks off at Daytona State College on March 27, which will be followed by its spring job fair where more than 100 businesses will be on hand seeking to fill vacancies.

Presented in partnership with the Small Business Development Center, the speaker will be Charles Charles Clark, a Clark world-class athlete, international keynote speaker, writer, success coach, business consultant and entrepreneur, and CEO of the

business consulting firm Charles Clark International.

“The event is free and open to the public, plus we’re expecting large delegations from both Volusia and Flagler county high schools,” said Jim Deering, director of the Small Business Development Center at Daytona State.

“Charles’ presentation combined with scholarship awards should make for a stimulating morning,” Deering added.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Mori Hosseini Center (building 1200) on the college’s Daytona Beach campus, 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd.

See JOB FAIR, Page 2

COMMUNITY NEWS: APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS IN VOLUSIA COUNTY | PAGE 3 COMMENTARY: RELL BLACK: THANKS TO HILLARY CLINTON, BLACK KIDS FILL UP OUR PRISONS | PAGE 4

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7 FOCUS

Volusia summer camp scholarships available Summer camp scholarships are available to income-eligible children through Volusia County’s Community Assistance Division.

Families with children who are entering grades 1-6 and are between the ages of 5 and 12 may apply for scholarships.

Students up to 17 years old who will be attending approved special needs camps are also are eligible.

Scholarship awards are based on income-eligibility and will be awarded according to funding availability.

Applications are now available at: • All Volusia County public library branches • Approved camp sites • Human Services offices at 123 W. Indiana Ave., Room 101, DeLand; 107 E. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach; and 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City They also will be posted online at www. volusia.org/community_assistance/applications.

MARCH 21 – MARCH 27, 2019

• 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave. • 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at the Midtown Cultural and Education Center, 925 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach • 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in the first-floor training room of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand Before April 18, applications will only be accepted in person at the four locations listed above. They will not be accepted by mail or in person at any other locations.

After April 17, applications may be submitted in person or by mail to Volusia County Community Assistance, 110 W. Rich Ave., DeLand, FL 32720.

Faxed applications will not be accepted. Eligible applicants will be placed on a waiting list until an opening becomes available.

For more information, contact Jill Marcum at 386-736-5955.

Application deadlines

Dickerson library to host finance programs

Completed applications will be accepted at these times and locations: • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway

Money Smart Week will take center stage at the John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, which is hosting three programs designed to educate consumers.

Library Assistant Nathan Hutchins will

BIKE WEEK from Page 1

Hymes admitted.

No storms Victor Engram, president of the Sunchasers Motorcycle Club, attributed the larger crowds to better weather and better finances for bikers.

“The crowds were definitely larger with a lot of people coming in. You definitely saw that on Friday and Saturday during the peak time. It seemed the weekend warriors were pouring in,” said Engram. The Sunshasers is made up primarily of AfricanAmerican male bikers.

“We also had a lot of activities at our clubhouse both weekends since there were people here.’’

They came earlier Engram believes that there are two reasons for the larger turnout this year.

“I think the weather was good this year. In previous years, we had hurricanes, which people were still recovering from at the time. There were also more vendors this year too,” he explained.

“I also think the economy is good and people who came had money to spend instead of being stressed about money or a job. I think the older crowd came in earlier than usual,’’ he added.

Local business owners also were pleased with the larger crowds.

“Overall, everything went well.

The crowds were definitely here.

A lot of people came in early and there were many here in mobile homes,” said Patricia Heard, owner of the Second Avenue Plaza.

‘No major problems’ Law enforcement also noted

discuss alternatives to cable at 2:30 p.m.

Monday, April 1.

Stan Harrison of State Farm Insurance will present two programs: Bank on it: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 2.

Learn the banking basics from choosing the right bank to opening an account and tracking transactions.

Disaster relief: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 3. Discover what is needed to recover financially after a disaster.

The library is open Monday through Friday at 411 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach.

Reservations are not required.

For more information, call the library at 386-239-6478.

Funds available to fortify homes against wind

Hospice seeks volunteers for meal prep assistance

About the loan

Halifax Health - Hospice is seeking caring, supportive and dedicated volunteers to provide assistance with patient meal preparation at any one of its four Care Center locations, which include Edgewater, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Orange City.

Those interested in volunteering must complete an orientation and a Level 2 background screening.

Contact Tammy Dunn in the Halifax Health - Hospice Volunteer Department at 386-425-4701 ext. 66127 or tammy.dunn@ halifax.org for additional information.

Volusia County’s Wind Hazard Mitigation Program can help qualifying residents prepare their homes for hurricane season.

Residents who meet income-eligibility requirements and need upgrades to improve their home’s wind resistance may qualify for assistance.

The SHIP-funded program can assist with hurricane coverings for window and doors, gable-end tie-downs and wind-rated garage doors. Funds cannot be used for window replacement. The maximum award per household is $15,000.

Funding can be used only for owner-occupied homes in Volusia County except in the city limits of Daytona Beach and Deltona. The funds are provided as a fiveyear, zero-interest, deferred loan secured by a mortgage. If the homeowner lives in the home for five years and complies with program restrictions, the loan will be forgiven.

Applicants work with the county’s Community Assistance staff to apply and determine eligibility.

For more information, visit www.volusia.org/affordable-housing or call Affordable Housing Coordinator Lori Brown at 386-736-5955, ext. 12969.

larger crowds but had no official estimates.

“Crowds were definitely larger, especially on the second weekend along MMB. It got busy on Wednesday compared to the normal Thursday. The weather was perfect. We had no major problems,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Craig Capri.

“We had one arrest maybe and it was a local. Main Street was packed too, but MMB looked more packed. The crowds on MMB were better than Main Street as far as policing.”

Vendors busy For vendors, the last weekend kept them quite busy.

“I definitely see the crowds were larger despite having my head down serving food most of the time,” said Darien Rogers, owner D&I Seafood Plus.

Chris Helton and his father, Charlie, are both bikers and vendors. They work on motorcycle sound systems through their business, Xclusiv Sounds.

“It was great. The crowds were decent the first weekend, but the second weekend from Wednesday through Saturday it was a capacity kind of crowd,” said Chris Helton.

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

The Buffalo Soldiers from Tampa were one of the numerous motorcycle clubs in town during Bike Week.

Food competition However, the larger crowds yielded mixed results for the vendors’ bottom line.

“There were larger crowds, but there were also a lot more food vendors in the area too. Money was made, but it was spread around. Still, it was a success for our business as a vendor. I think Bike Week itself was a success overall,” Rogers noted.

Bethune Grill is located on MMB and had a food truck on the boulevard in the midst of the biker activity.

“Bike Week is kind of an even draw for us. Our shop is busy, but there are more food choices in town. Some locals stick with us

Vendors along Mary McLeod Boulevard included the Urban Bikers Outfitters. and Bethune-Cookman students are gone for spring break,” noted Rosemary Jenkins, manager of Bethune Grill.

“We had some bikers come to

Musicians kept the bikers entertained during their visit to Midtown.

our shop. … Our Bike Week boost comes from the truck on Saturday and sometimes that Friday too.’’

Chris Helton of Atlanta noted though for his sound system busi-

ness, there was little competition.

“For us, we’re in a unique situation … so we do quite well business-wise. For us, it’s great,’’ he added.

MEETING

JOB FAIR

money we lost.’’

“We make business opportunities for everyone, but our locals. Like with the food truck rally, they all came from out of town. When you have businesses here, that can create jobs and economic opportunities,” Foreman added.

Employers on board

from Page 1

On city leadership Residents voiced their displeasure with the city government power structure and even talked about looking into getting a new city manager or curbing its power.

“We need to get a new city manager. When you lack vision, this is what you get. We need to bring in someone with vision,” said resident Tony Servance.

Dwayne Murray, former Daytona Beach Fire Chief, added, “I came here in 2007, We had plenty of Black department heads in the city. Now we have maybe Keith Willis (Cultural & Leisure Services).

“We need more diversity in city leadership. I think many of them left – not that they wanted too. I left because I felt there was no need to fight because no one would fight with me. We need to revisit how we do our hiring and

from Page 1

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR. / HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY.COM

Business owners and community leaders were among those attending Tuesday’s meeting at the Dickerson Center. firing, which is controlled by the city manager,’’ he added.

Henry has no plans to address changes in regards to the city manager. Jim Chisholm holds that position.

“That is up to the commission. That is not something that I am go to put into the forefront.

A few people who brought it tonight have run for public office,” Henry retorted.

it’s sad. We’re in the same spot, sometimes worst,” expressed Pierre Louis.

“When you go to the other community meetings like Eggs & Issues, they discuss tax bases, revenue and so forth. When they fix the other areas, they use the CRA money but tell us in this area to wait until next year. We need to create more taxable entities in this area,’’ he added.

‘In the same spot’

The next step

Improving the area was also a hot topic of discussion for residents.

“When I look at the Daytona Times and they show their 40th anniversary, showing where we were then compared to now,

In the end, the mayor says that the meeting served its purpose.

“This is all about eliminating the gap between the residents and elected officials, including myself and finding ways to help them navigate through the com-

Volusia County/Daytona Beach NAACP President Cynthia Slater speaks. plexities of city government,” Henry shared.

He further added, “I think this is a first step. These people are passionate about their community. I’m passionate as well and I should be equally compassionate about hearing from them. I think the things they said were good.”

The next step will be about taking action in assisting residents.

“As mayor, I just have to make myself available to help residents navigate through City Hall when they have problems with code enforcement, paying for permits and licenses as well as having our commission revisit prices that we charge for use of facilities and be available for meetings,’’ he added.

A job fair is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27 in the L. Gale Lemerand Center (building 310) also on the Daytona Beach campus. Admission is free.

Participating employers include Boston Whaler, Centra Care, Daytona Beverages, DME Delivers, Florida Health Care Plans, Florida Veterans Nursing Home, Gary Yeomans Honda, Halifax Health, Heartland Dental, Hilton Garden Inn Ocean, International Speedway Corporation, J&P Cycles, James Moore & Co., Massey Services, Inc., National Broadband, SMA Healthcare, Synergy Billing, Teledyne Oil & Gas, Total Quality Logistics, US Foods, Volusia County Schools, Votran and Walgreens.

Prior to the job fair, current Daytona State students and alumni can visit the college’s Career Services Department for assistance with resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation and other free services.

For more information on the speakers series, call or email 386506-4723, SBDC@DaytonaState. edu. Details about the job fair: Dean.Howe@DaytonaState.edu at 386-506-3379.

3 7

M A YNEWS OR

MARCH 21 – MARCH 27, 2019 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

Whiting breaks down African, Egyptian history during lecture at library Robert Whiting submits that one of the reasons we are having difficulty coming together as a people and moving in unison – despite our differences in religion and politics - is attributed to not having a common foundation.

“We are not all singing from the same sheet of music,” he said. “No one is teaching us our history for obvious reasons.”

“Because he’s done his research – of actually being there (in Egypt) - and beginning to understand all the indignancies that have been applied to our history, which we need to correct, Bob is going to talk about that,” former sociology professor, Dr. Kwando Kinshasa said, just prior to introducing Whiting.

The Nile Valley historian was presented in a talk, “Let the Ancestors Speak,” during a recent Black History Month program at the Ormond Beach Regional Library, produced

by Linda Epps and Lawrence Green.

“Let the Ancestors Speak” was displayed in the writings and carvings communicated by the ancient world’s government, tombs, temples, etc.

Historian, artist

The historian/lecturer researched Africa for 40 years – particularly the Nile Valley civilizations – and studied the Medu Netcher (Egyptian hieroglyphs).

Whiting, a retired federal government official, earned an MBA degree – concentrating on finance and investments - from George Washington University.

He’s an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity brother, and a professional jazz guitarist with his own band, Rob’s Jazz Express.

“Most of us – which includes the Africans who are in Africa – have been deprived of the true history of our people.”

Started in Africa

Moreover, “if we focus solely on where we were dropped off, then that’s basically reinforcing our slave mentality because we were at our lowest point,” he said.

But, we need to focalize on our ruling the ancient world, bringing civilization, technology, and knowledge to the rest of the world, he inferred.

“We know conclusively that we began as Homo sapiens in Africa. It is a far-gone conclusion,” he continued.

“It was around 200,000 years ago, down here in southern Africa,” Whiting said, pointing to a map. “Although last year, it was confirmed, up here in Morocco, they found skel-

PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY

etal remains that are now 300,000 years old.

“Once we transitioned to Homo sapiens, we didn’t leave Africa for about 140,000 years. No other humans were anywhere on the planet, except in Africa,” he added.

The first people were the Khoisan people, and we call them the Twa, or Bushmen.

“Every human on the planet has some Twa DNA running through his veins, every human being - because they are the original people,” said Whiting.

Course of nature

Once we left, Asians, Indonesians, and eventually Europeans began to show up some 5,000 to 10,000 years later because nature had taken its course of adapting the climate: The Africans had begun lightening up in Europe due to the terrain, diet, and less ultraviolet light, and developing slanted eyes in Asia as natural sun shades.

Whiting asserted that: Our ancestors figured out that “we can live forever, but we can’t live forever by not going by the principles of divine intelligence that we call God,” said Whiting.

“Human beings who’ve been able to evolve inside and understand that the divine presence, we call God, is within – and everyday, they wake up, they’re walking in the path of godliness, and are not caught up in the ‘yin and yang’ (dualism) that somebody made me mad,” said Whiting.

Twenty-thousand years ago, the principle of binary division and multiplication emanated, which formed the basis of technology and computers – and the importance of prime numbers (2, 3, 5, 7, 11), indicative of messages being decoded today by the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and the KGB, the English translation of the Committee for State Security.

The medical symbol, used today by the medical establishment, is a symbol for the first multi-genius - a Black man - Imhotep, the Father of Medicine.

Constantine said that there are a people now forgotten, who discovered – while others were yet barbarians - the elements of the

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOR BLACK STUDENTS. NO EXCUSES. The classic guide from Florida Courier publisher, lawyer and broadcaster CHARLES W. CHERRY II PRAISE FOR ‘EXCELLENCE WITHOUT EXCUSE’: “This guide for African-American college-bound students is packed with practical and insightful information for achieving academic success...The primary focus here is to equip students with the savvy and networking skills to maneuver themselves through the academic maze of higher education.”

– Book review, School Library Journal • How low expectations of Black students’ achievements can get them higher grades; • Want a great grade? Prepare to cheat!

• How Black students can program their minds for success; • Setting goals – When to tell everybody, and when to keep your mouth shut; • Black English, and why Black students must be ‘bilingual.’ …AND MUCH MORE!

www.excellencewithoutexcuse.com Download immediately as an eBook or a pdf Order softcover online, from Amazon, or your local bookstore ISBN#978-1-56385-500-9 Published by International Scholastic Press, LLC Contact Charles at ccherry2@gmail.com

Facebook ccherry2 excellencewithoutexcuse

for info on speeches, workshops, seminars, book signings, panel discussions.

Twitter @ccherry2

COURTESY OF LINDA EPPS AND LAWRENCE GREEN

Another program by producers Linda Epps and Lawrence Green featured Monnik McLeod, Dr. Primrose Cameron, Linda Epps, Donna Gray-Banks and Imani Kinshasa for Women’s History Month.

COURTESY OF ROBERT WHITING

PHOTO BY JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY/DAYTONA TIMES

Nile Valley historian Robert Whiting presented a talk, “Let the Ancestors Speak.”

Dr. Kwando Kinshasa introduced Robert Whiting.

arts and sciences, a race of men now rejected from society for their sable skin, founded the study of the laws of nature, silver, and the religious systems that still govern the universe.

These people figured out the perfect slope that would coincide with the laws of nature, enabling the pyramids to stand – a re sult of mathematics - as well as its being the first indication of Greco-Roman architecture, inasmuch as Greece and Rome had not existed.

The Western zodiac signs were copied from the names of the African gods and goddesses.

Africans developed the first solar calendar, and a deck of playing cards was derived from the African solar year.

“Even today, a large number of Egyptologists would not admit that Kemet (Egypt)

was an African civilization,” said Whiting, “and there’s a reason for it - because once this information is disseminated, and once you know it, and you pass it on to your children, no longer will White supremacy work.

We are all humans. No ethnic group is superior to another.”

••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted, the prodigal son, or daughter, and the bereaved.

Celebrations

Birthday wishes to Christopher W. Robinson, March 21; Arthur Pete, Mason Sword, and Rory Ragoonan, March 22; Evangelist Robin Campos, March 24; Vicki Seward, March 26; Jean Tanner, and my son, Christopher Scott McCarthy, March 27.

Palm Coast firefighters raise awareness about firefighter cancer PALM COAST – Running into burning buildings is not the biggest killer of America’s firefighters – it’s the cancer they get from doing their job.

Firefighters face a 9 percent higher rate of cancer diagnoses and 14 percent more in cancer-related deaths compared to the general population in the United States.

That sobering statistic has a name and face in the Palm Coast Fire Department. In 2014, Lt. Richard Cline was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

He had his thyroid gland surgically removed, taking the cancer out and saving his life.

500 pairs Fast forward to earlier this month – on March 7 – when Lt. Cline proudly placed his boots on display at the Florida State Capitol to commemorate five years of being cancer free. He was one of many firefighters who journeyed to Tallahassee to participate in the event.

In all, 500 pairs of firefighter boots lined the steps to raise awareness on firefighter occupational cancer, honoring those who died, those battling it, and those who survived.

The commemoration was concurrent to start of the 2019 Florida Legislative session where legislation has been proposed to provide workers compensation benefits to firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer.

Florida is one of six states without such laws in place.

“Cancer rates in our firefighters are absolutely alarming, and doing noth-

PHOTO COURTESY OF PALM COAST FIRE DEPARTMENT

Palm Coast Fire Lt. Richard Cline, a cancer survivor, places his boots on the steps of the State Capitol to raise awareness for firefighter occupational cancer.

Cline was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014. ing is not an option,” Florida Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said in an announcement.

New policies Across the country, there have been increased reports of occupational cancer in firefighters. Because of this, fire departments are working together to stop cancer before it starts.

The Palm Coast Fire Department has implemented several new policies and procedures to limit firefighter cancer exposure – becoming a leader regionally in efforts to reduce cancer exposure risks.

While at the State Capitol, Palm Coast firefighters were able to share their prevention practices with Patronis, Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Paul Renner.

“Firefighters may not be able to avoid smoke, but they can limit exposure to carcinogens,” said Palm Coast Fire Chief Jerry Forte.

Palm Coast firefighters received cancer exposure decontamination kits from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine last year.

Each decontamination kit includes a 5-gallon bucket, detergent, a scrub brush, a hose and a spray bottle to help first responders wash soot from their gear.

Screenings, scans In addition, firefighters have adopted a Hood Exchange Program, which involves having backup sets of firefighter gear and embracing a clean-cab concept to keep contaminated firefighter gear and equipment away from firefighters and out of the cab of the fire engine.

“We take the concept of cancer prevention serious,” Forte said. “Our next fire engine scheduled to be delivered this year will embrace the clean cab concept.”

Lastly, firefighters undergo annual health screenings and full-body ultrascans for early detection of diseases.

“Our firefighters have invested their lives for our community,” said Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. “It’s important for our community to invest in our firefighters by supporting their efforts in making health and wellness a priority.”

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7 EDITORIAL

MARCH 21 – MARCH 27, 2019

Thanks to Hillary Clinton, Black kids fill up our prisons There are many great achievements Hillary Rodham Clinton is celebrated for. Unfortunately, one of her greatest and most impactful achievements come in the form of radical prison policies.

These policies, along with her husband Bill’s “three strikes” rule, have targeted Black men specifically and has further led to the decline of Black families and strong Black homes for the last 25 years. Black children (“super predators,” as she famously called us) “must be stopped before they reach the age of being adult criminals.”

Shot or imprisoned With the current wave of White supremacy and racism being more acceptable than ever, police are ready to either shoot your unarmed son, or lock him up for 10 years and ruin any future of him being a productive member of society. The USA leads the world the number of people it incarcerates. It’s time to examine this so-called criminal justice system.

In all 50 states, there is a disgusting policy known as “direct file,” which makes it legal for children and teenagers to be tried as adults. That’s right! Your nephews, daughters and brothers are being shipped off to jails and prisons at the age of 14 for nonviolent crimes such as burglary.

In Florida, sadly we have the most youth locked away in adult state prisons. Since 2009, more than 14,000 children have been

RELL BLACK GUEST COLUMNIST

Contact our state representative Paul Renner and request a meeting to speak about criminal justice reform and abolishing direct file in Florida. The first step towards success was 60 percent of Floridians voting to restore felon rights for more than 1.4 million former inmates. prosecuted, some as young as 10 years old. While Black men are only 17 percent of the U.S. population, we make up 63 percent of the prison population.

Black boys and girls ‒ who have already lost their connection to their history and roots through the bastardized educational system ‒ are now being targeted as nothing more than seat fillers for privately-owned prisons.

White privilege and Black America For many years, many Black people have been denied opportunities for no reason other than the color of their skin. I’ve been guilty like many others who said, “It must be nice to have White privilege!”

Not so sure I’d rather not have anybody knocking on my door with evidence that I’ve violated the law by cheating somebody to get something I didn’t deserve. I wouldn’t feel good about stealing something from someone who was more deserving, via honest means, than I was.

Most of us thought White privilege was a good thing for those with the privilege. They never worried about their next meal, or

DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE

not being able to pay utility bills or for medicine they needed. They didn’t worry about where to find funds to pay for their child’s college education. That must have been nice. I guess White privilege was good while it lasted.

As some of us struggle for everything we’ve ever had in life, we probably slept better not having been the recipient of White privilege. Though some of us have worked to achieve justice

Admissions scandal highlights educational inequality I have probable cause to believe that the defendants conspired with others known and unknown: (1) to bribe college entrance exam administrators to facilitate cheating on college entrance exams; (2) to bribe varsity coaches and administrators at elite universities to designate certain applicants as recruited athletes or as other favored candidates, thereby facilitating the applicants’ admission to those universities; and (3) to use the facade of a charitable organization to conceal the nature and source of the bribe payments.

- FBI college admissions bribery scheme affidavit In a few weeks, the National Urban League will release report cards on states’ plans to ad-

MARC H. MORIAL TRICE EDNEY WIRE

dress inequity in their education system – plans they are required to submit to the federal government under the Every Child Succeeds Act. The task is daunting, as inequities are stark, everywhere in the United States. That’s why the nation was outraged by the news that wealthy parents – whose children already have inconceivable advantages over low-income families – allegedly resorted to outright bribery and fraud

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS

Slavery truly never ended. It just became a different type of trillion-dollar industry in which children are treated just like adults.

One example Last year, I became involved in a very interesting and peculiar legal case regarding that of Lamondre Fluker after his mother contacted me. Mr. Fluker’s sentence was supposed to end after two years. However, he’s currently heading into his seventh year behind bars. He’s away from family, loved ones and opportunities to positively affect the economy as a working-class citizen.

Prison is supposed to be a rehabilitating system, not one of extreme cruelty and punishment. The manner in which the state of Florida as well as prosecuting attorney Heatha Trigones neglected this case is a clear and stern reminder of why President Trump has declared prison reform one of his main agendas.

The idea that inmates and families ‒ already traumatized from the penal system ‒ must suffer even longer than their courtappointed release date has truly rocked this country from the inside out.

Mr. Fluker was given a plea deal which he accepted. However, Mr. Fluker will be approaching his seventh year with no release date known at this point.

Four-day event As you read this, there is a group of passionate and resilient

and equality all of our lives, we’d rather be in our shoes than in the position of the privileged ones who’re flashed across TV screens for cheating to get their children in so-called “good schools.”

We don’t feel bad We probably feel better that the Russians didn’t help us win an election we didn’t deserve.

Those of us without the benefit of White privilege are probably happy that we’re not Michael Flynn, Roger Stone, Michael Cohen, Paul Manafort, Rick Gates ‒ or the occupants in the White House.

Just being the daughter of No. 45, Ivanka and her husband received at least a cool $82 million last year! Now that’s super White privilege, but I still think my clothing is just fine. I don’t need to have White privilege to attract others to buy my brand of clothing while I sweat it out, wondering if White privilege might not keep me out of jail for breaking laws.

to get their children into elite colleges.

No secret That money plays a big role in elite college admissions has been no secret. A donation of $500,000 or more can equal 500 points on the SAT, according to journalist Daniel Golden, author of “The Price of Admission: How America’s Ruling Class Buys Its Way into Elite Colleges ‒ and Who Gets Left Outside the Gates.”

Given the outrageous advantage wealthy families already legally have, the cheating scandal throws new light on the disparity of opportunity for low-income students and children of color. Disadvantaged students and their families who are striving with all their might to overcome systemic challenges viewed the scandal with particular despair.

‘Discouraging’ conduct “Just knowing that due to circumstances outside of school, you do give your best in all that you can, but you also have to kind of balance being an adult,”

DAVE WHAMOND / POLICITALCARTOONS.COM

leaders from all over the state of Florida who are committed to change, justice and overall human and civil rights.

Beginning March 12, there was a four-day lobbying event planned for activists and politicians to push three pieces of legislation to Congress: moving the age of prosecution from 14 to 17; making sure youth and teenage criminals are held in juvenile facilities; and giving judges the right to transfer youth from adult to juvenile facilities.

Led by the Florida Student Power Association, the four-day task includes both juvenile and adult lobbying sessions as well as hands-on demonstration on the steps of the state Capitol. Both juvenile and adult cases must be handled much more efficiently and with more care.

The scariest thought is knowing that the federal, state and private prison systems depend on

Black children to fill their cells.

Otherwise, private prison systems can sue the state.

I feel more comfortable trying to live up to the Ten Commandments; trying to honestly use my resources to help my family; serving my community; treating all with respect, honesty and fairness. When I make a mistake, I do all I can to not make any privilege I may have to excuse myself.

I asked several Black friends, and none wanted unfair privilege. One of those with whom I spoke said, “The most phenomenal aspect of White privilege is that its benefactors are oblivious to it. They get exceptional privileges without the psychological drain of being aware of it. They get a huge dopamine drip as if they accomplished things on their own merit, but did not.

Shame is worse

“The entire system is complicit. This is the tip of the Whiteprivilege iceberg. It permeates every sector. White privilege needs its own truth and reconciliation committee, but I won’t hold my breath.”

I studied at two of the “best schools” in the news. I did it the way it should be done ‒ submit credentials, pay fees, study hard.

Do your work once there. Expect nothing you didn’t earn honestly. Pray that you’re judged fairly. Graduate and let your work speak well for you.

Those are not things I learned at the schools in the news now.

I learned them at Grambling University, Howard University School of Law, my church and from my mother.

“Lately, White privilege has been laid bare. Most cannot fathom how ugly this is going to get.

Shame is a much greater burden than pain. Mommy and daddy’s money can’t fix this.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.

high school senior Khiana Jackson of Kansas City told The New York Times. “To know that these parents are throwing money at all of these people and being like, ‘Can you do this for my child,’ it’s kind of discouraging. Some of us will probably have to work our whole lifetime to see money like this.”

According to the United Negro College Fund, only 57 percent of Black students have access to a full range of math and science courses necessary for college readiness, compared to with 81 percent of Asian-American students and 71 percent of White students.

When Black students do attend schools that offer honors or advanced placement (AP) courses, they are vastly underrepresented. Black and Latino students comprise 38 percent of students in such schools, but only 29 percent of students enrolled in at least one AP course. AfricanAmerican students are often located in schools with less qualified teachers, teachers with lower salaries and novice teachers, according to UNCF.

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

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You can help Contact our state representative Paul Renner and request a meeting to speak about criminal justice reform and abolishing direct file in Florida. The first step towards success was 60 percent of Floridians voting to restore felon rights for more than 1.4 million former inmates.

Now with the incredible lobbying event in Tallahassee, there is a chance we can finally bring justice to the lives of millions of mothers, fathers, sons and aunties who have been misplaced, mistreated and mishandled by the U.S. prison system.

Rell Black is an award-winning activist, blogger and the founder of Community Healing Project Inc.

Disproportionate discipline Black students are twice as likely to have their education disrupted by suspension, nearly four times as likely to receive outof-school suspensions, and more than twice as likely to be referred to law enforcement or subjected to a school-related arrest.

Students of color are much more likely to attend schools where three-quarters of the students or more are poor or lowincome, and poor districts with a higher proportion of students of color have been shown to receive substantially less state funding than comparably poor districts that have more White students.

Anyone convicted of engaging in criminal activity to bypass an already-rigged college admissions process should be punished to the full extent of the law.

But more importantly, we need to address a system riddled with bias and inequality.

Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

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MARCH 21 – MARCH 27, 2019

5 7

WOMEN’S HISTORY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006 M AMONTH YOR

PHOTOS BY PAUL HENDERSON, CIRCA 1950/COURTESY OF MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

University of Maryland School of Law graduate Juanita Jackson Mitchell is shown in cap and gown with her sons Clarence M. Mitchell III, Keiffer Mitchell and Michael Bowen Mitchell in College Park, Maryland.

Spotlight on Juanita Jackson Mitchell Pioneer Maryland attorney was civil rights advocate and NAACP youth leader.

BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA NEWSWIRE

When Juanita Jackson Mitchell died in 1992 at the age of 79, she was praised as one of Maryland’s heroines and as the matriarch of a family whose name became synonymous with civil rights causes.

“It was fitting that she received recognition because she was always one of those unsung champions of the cause and one who needs to be celebrated during both Black History and Women’s History month,” said Shane Carter, a self-described “Black history buff.”

Mitchell, the daughter of legendary NAACP leader Lillie Carroll Jackson, spent most of her life fighting against racism and segregation.

“I am an old freedom fighter. I came up in that tradition,” Mitchell once said in describing her upbringing.

Mitchell’s parents, who were living in Baltimore at the time, were traveling in Hot Springs, Arkansas when Mitchell was born.

Broke barriers She’d later become one of the first Black women to graduate from the University of Maryland Law School and the first Black woman to practice law in the state of Maryland.

Her late husband, Clarence M. Mitchell Jr., was a nationally recognized Capitol Hill lobbyist for the NAACP and her chil-

What women should know about Social Security

BY NICOLE TIGGEMANN TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time when we reflect on the achievements and contributions of our nation’s remarkable women.

Many of these heroes might be people close to you: mothers and daughters, aunts, and grandmothers. Each of them plays a special role in our lives as they provide love and support.

dren, Michael B. Mitchell and Clarence M. Mitchell III, went on to become state senators.

Mitchell and her family frequently moved across the South as her father showed feature films in church basements, often the only facilities available to Black people while she was growing up. While her father changed movie reels, Mitchell would recite poetry to the moviegoers, according to BlackThen.com.

NAACP youth director In 1937, Mitchell became the NAACP’s first national youth director and visited the Scottsboro Boys in prison. Under her leadership, the NAACP youth groups launched a letter-writing campaign to protest the conviction of the Scottsboro Boys.

They also set up a fundraising drive to help support the young men.

She also led the key NAACP Baltimore branch during the same crucial period.

Mitchell founded the Baltimore CityWide Young People’s Forum in 1931 and the NAACP Youth Movement in 1935.

In 1942, she directed a march on Maryland’s Capitol with 2,000 citizens, as well as the first citywide “Register and Vote” campaign. The campaign resulted in 11,000 new voter registrations on the books.

In 1958, Mitchell directed the NAACP’s “Register to Vote” campaign, which resulted in over 20,000 new registrations.

More accomplishments She was appointed to Presidential Commissions by Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Juanita Jackson Mitchell is shown with her husband, Clarence Mitchell Jr. and sons, Clarence III and Keiffer.

Mitchell was also a member of various organizations that supported the well-being of African Americans, such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the National Association of Negro Business, and the Black American Professional Women’s Club.

In 1986, she was inducted into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame.

“Folks like Juanita Jackson Mitchell are the folks we often miss during Black History Month and during Women’s History Month because everyone wants to concentrate on celebrities and superstars,” Carter said. “But people should take a minute to look at the history of our real heroes,” he said.

Social Security plays an important role in providing economic security for women. Nearly 55 percent of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women. In the 21st century, more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in our nation’s history.

Retirement challenges Women face greater economic challenges in retirement.

First, women tend to live longer than men. A woman who is 65 years old today can expect to live, on average, until about 87, while a 65-year-old man can expect to live, on average, until about 84.

Second, women often have lower lifetime earnings than men.

And, third, women may reach retirement with smaller pensions and other assets than men.

ROB WILSON/DREAMSTIME/TNS

Nearly 55 percent of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women.

Today, women have challenging choices to make. Some may spend their entire adulthood in a career or job outside the home.

Some may work for a few years, leave the labor force to raise children, and eventually return to

work. Others may choose not to work outside the home.

Work credits Whether they work, have worked, or have never worked

outside the home, women should understand how Social Security can help them and their families.

If you’ve worked and paid taxes into the Social Security system for at least 10 years and have earned a minimum of 40 work credits, you may be eligible for your own benefits.

Once you reach age 62, you may be eligible for your own Social Security benefit whether you’re married or not and whether your spouse collects Social Security or not. If you’re eligible and apply for benefits on more than one work record you generally receive the higher benefit amount.

For specific information for women, visit www.socialsecurity. gov/people/women.

Nicole Tiggemann is a Social Security spokesperson.

R6

7 SPORTS

MARCH 21 – MARCH 27, 2019

It’s dance time for Lady Wildcats B-CU team wins MEAC title; faces Notre Dame on March 23 in their first appearance at NCAA Tournament

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

It has been a historic season for the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats women’s basketball team and the story isn’t over.

B-CU is headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

The team and school celebrated with an NCAA Tournament Selection Show watch party on Monday night.

The Wildcats face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to open the tournament in the Chicago Regional on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. inside the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Getting ready Notre Dame will present a tall task. It is the the top-seeded team in the region and ranked third nationwide in the polls.

The Fighting Irish have senior guard Arike Ogunbowale (21 ppg, 4.9 rpg); Jessica Shepard (16.5 ppg, 9.9 rpg); junior guard Jackie Young (14.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg); graduate forward Brianna Turner (14.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and senior guard Marina Mabrey (13.9 ppg).

“This is an exciting time. We’re getting back in the gym. As a coaching staff, we will scout and get our players ready to play. It’s business as usual, but tonight is what we’ve climbed so far to get responded,” Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis said Monday.

Took MEAC title Senior guard and leading scorer Angel Golden echoed, “This here is what is all about. Making history.”

Golden is the spark of the team averaging 19.7 points per game.

Bethune-Cookman (21-10) got this far by winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) tournament.

It was the first MEAC tournament title for the Wildcats since 1984 back when former football coach Alvin “Shine” Wyatt coached the team.

Golden added, “We finally got to the championship and won for the first time, which is big.”

Defeated Norfolk

Wildcats took down Norfolk State (57-45) in the championship game and had wins over Coppin State (55-49) and Maryland Eastern-Shore (58-47). They entered the tournament as the thirdseeded team.

“We were very excited both players and coaches. We expressed our gratitude for the hard work and dedication for everyone who was along this journey,” said Blair Lewis.

It’s also a wonderful experience for the players throughout this entire season.

Golden said, “Just getting here with these ladies, being a leader and encouraging my teammates is something that I will never forget.”

Other key players In addition to Golden, the Wildcats have senior forward Chasimmie Brown (10.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg); sophomore forward Amaya Scott (8.6 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 apg); junior guard Armani Walker; freshman guard Camary Harris (5.4ppg, 2.6 r ppg, 1.6 apg); freshman guard Tania White (3.2 ppg, 2.2 rpg) and redshirt senior guard Kindall Fincher (3.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg) .

Brown and Walker both are locals, having played high school ball at Deltona and Flagler Palm Coast high schools, respectively.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF B-CU ATHLETICS

Team members celebrate their MEAC victory and the announcement that they will challenge defending national champion Notre Dame at the NCAA Tournament this weekend.

Healthy players The Lady Wildcats’ longest win streak was five games and longest losing streak was just two games.

Still, Blair-Lewis knew all season that her team had what it takes to win.

She said, “I thought we had something special with a full roster and all healthy players. We tied for first last year and we expected to ride that wave.”

The Lady Wildcats have had some success in recent years.

The team has now won 20 or more, including games in three straight years. They won a school record 24 last year.

The Wildcats also have won three consecutive MEAC regular season crowns (2016-2018) and appeared in three straight NCAA Women’s National Invitationals.

Chasimmie Brown (12) fends off a Maryland Eastern Shore opponent. The Lady Wlldcats won 58-47 on March 15.

ABBREVIATION KEY ppg=points per game rpg=rebounds per game apg=assists per game spg=steals per game blk or bpg=blocks per game

In the MEAC tournament, the

Angel Golden scored 20 points as Bethune-Cookman to defeat Florida A&M 70-60 on March 7 in the regular season finale for both teams.

Angel Golden (24) heads to the basket during a game against Coppin State on March 14. The Lady Wildcats won 55-49 in the quarterfinal round of the MEAC Tournament.

‘I’m sort of all out of apologies’ Hill talks about career, Kaepernick during First Amendment talk

death threats. “It comes with the job. You have to deal with it.

That’s just how it is.”

Hill found life after ESPN at The Atlantic monthly print and digital news organ. Her political commentary, no matter how controversial, is widely celebrated.

“I like being at The Atlantic,” she said. “I’m a lot less apologetic. I’m sort of all out of apologies.”

Hill was named the 2018 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists.

BY DR. SYBIL C. MITCHELL NNPA NEWSWIRE

Commentator tribute

There was no way the University of Memphis’ journalism auditorium was going to hold the crowd waiting to hear TV sports journalist and political lightning rod Jemele Hill speak about the First Amendment.

A quick shift to the University Center Ballroom solved that problem.

Despite a very public and controversial departure from ESPN, Hill brought the smoke. Hill is no shrinking violet and she continues to tell it as she sees it. She was engaging, unapologetic, and still controversial – a full-fledged champion of the First Amendment.

Famous tweet Hill was featured at this year’s annual Norm Brewer First Amendment Lecture.

She had famously tested the limits of the First Amendment while at ESPN when she tweeted that President Trump was “a White supremacist who surrounded himself with other White supremacists.” The White House called for her immediate dismissal.

But it was a separate Twitter post that sealed her fate.

Hill blasted Dallas Cowboys

PHOTO BY HARLAN MCCARTHY

Jemele Hill was the featured speaker at the Norm Brewer First Amendment Lecture at the University of Memphis. owner Jerry Jones, who told his players that anyone who kneels would not play. Hill said Jones had put African-American players in a difficult position, adding, “Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ’s statement, boycott his advertisers.”

Pointed questions Given that ESPN broadcasts NFL games, network executives bought out her remaining $2.5 million contract to end the relationship.

“I could have stayed, but I knew it was time to go,” she said.

“And they knew it was time for me to go. That’s just what it was.”

On Tuesday, Hill took on every subject, no holds barred. Students asked pointed questions and she answered them all without hesitation. Hill expressed

concern for the direction journalism is going and urged students to push themselves.

‘Push yourself’ “I am deeply concerned about journalism in this era,” she said.

“It concerns me when being educated and well-read is called ‘being an elitist.’ I am disturbed when being dumb and not wellread is more desired.

“When I was in college, I did not read one book that was not assigned,” Hill continued. “Before college, I read everything. After college, I read. But while I was in college, I didn’t push myself, and I should have. Push yourself to be the best. Don’t just do enough to get by. Push yourself.”

On ‘Kaep’ settlement When asked about the public’s right to know the details of Colin

Kaepernick’s settlement with the NFL, Hill had this to say: “We do not have the right to know about his settlement because it was a labor issue,” she related.

“Kaep defeated the NFL. He kneeled to protest the continuous killing of Black men and boys. They blackballed him from the league, conspiring to shut him out.

“The NFL is known for pummeling people in court, but when they dealt with Kaep, they had to write a check. We don’t need to know the details because it was a labor issue. Kaep won. That’s all we need to know,” she said.

At Atlantic now Some students expressed the desire to excel in sports journalism as “Black women.”

Hill told them that the career path comes with hate mail and

The Norm Brewer First Amendment Lecture at the University of Memphis was founded by Professor Otis L. Sanford, author, columnist, TV commentator and holder of the Hardin Chair of Excellence in Journalism. This was the lecture’s eighth year.

The event is named for Brewer, a political analyst and news commentator in Memphis – first at WMC-Channel 5 and later at WREG-Channel 13. Brewer passed away in 2010 at the age of 76.

“I think Jemele presented an appropriate message at a time in our society where women are speaking out, mobilizing, challenging the status quo and moving into more positions of authority and power than ever before,” Sanford said.

“Her comment that journalists should be disruptors is spot on.

And I was thrilled to have her appear before such a warm and receptive audience. The U of M is a place that fosters relevant dialog and encourages critical conversations. Jemele’s lecture was an ideal example of that.”

This story was special to the NNPA Newswire from the New Tri-State Defender.