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MY TRUTH
By Cheryl Smith Publisher
Am I jaded? News of yet another shooting made me take a deep breath recently. Well, actually every day I take a deep breath because I am hearing about abuses or murders by a “few bad apples.”
Money Mitch 223
There are so many law enforcement officers that I have much admiration, respect and love for and there are those who I would love to have forced into early retirement, or even imprisonment. That’s just not the way it should be. Law enforcement is expected to protect and serve; however, there are some people who just don’t deserve to wear a badge or carry a gun. And that’s the real deal! There’s a young man I began following lately, Money Mitch 223. I tuned in for personal reasons and then too, I saw something in him and his music. I felt that with guidance and mentorship he had a bright future, so I was anxious to see his growth and development. Imagine my surprise when I received word that Money Mitch 223 was yet another casualty. Early reports said he was in a shoot out with local sheriff deputies and ended up dying from self-inflicted wounds. Even though Money Mitch 223 was a product of his environment and violence was rampant in the southern Florida area where he had spent his entire life; the suicide theory didn’t ring true at all. Talking to the media, Deputy Chief Frank DeMario of the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office said, “Our tactical unit was surveilling a suspect for murder. They also have probable cause on him for drugs.” It has been further reported that Money Mitch jumped out of an Uber and started shooting at two police deputies. They pursued him and “We followed him up to a building and on the second floor, we noticed some blood droppings on the first floor. We thought he was wounded.” Fast forward and the story changes. The deputies did “not” see any blood. The deputies happened upon Money Mitch 223 and he was deceased. Forgive my cynicism. Let’s see bodycams. Were there any surveillance videos? Which brings me to my truth. For decades there have been cries about the need to have better oversight. Were it not for the steady hand of Darnella Frazier, holding the cell phone as George Floyd took his last breath, or the surveillance camera that caught several officers beating and kicking a handcuffed unresisting man, a “few bad apples” would not be held accountable. I’m watching closely to see what comes of the murder of Money Mitch 223. Why did the Sheriff change his story? Was it murder or suicide? What are the autopsy results? Sure there’s more to the story of Money Mitch 223, as is the case with everyone. Still, everyone also deserves justice.
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 VOLUME X
Haiti: 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits By Nsenga K. Burton Ph.D.
1,297+ Dead
NNPA Newswire
A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the western side of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. Haiti is still recovering from a 2010 catastrophic earthquake which killed 250,000 and left more than 3 million people impacted by the fallout. Seismologists said the epicenter of the quake was 78 miles west of the
capital of Port-au-Prince (Saint-Louis du Sud) and the effects were felt as far away as 200 miles in Jamaica. Multiple news outlets are reporting more than 1200 people are dead and some like the BBC are expecting that number to climb as search and recov-
ery efforts continue. A little more than one month ago, Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated at his home, leaving the country reeling. On July 20, 2021, Ariel Henry was appointed prime minister of Haiti. Henry said there is “extensive damage” and has declared a state of emergency through the end of the month. Elections for the new president will be held next month.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19 By Robert T. Garrett Dallas Morning News
This story, originally published in The Dallas Morning News, is reprinted as part of a collaborative partnership between The Dallas Morning News and Garland Journal. The partnership seeks to boost coverage of Dallas’ communities of color, particularly in southern Dallas.
AUSTIN — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has resisted mask mandates, has tested positive for COVID-19, his office announced Tuesday. “I test myself every day and today is the first day See COVID-19 page 8
Gov. Greg Abbott
Rey elected President of Phi Beta Sigma Former Spring Lake North Carolina Mayor Chris V. Rey, J.D., a native of St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, was elected the 36th International President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at the 2021 International Conclave in Myrtle Chris V. Rey Beach, South Carolina. Rey became a member of Phi Beta Sigma on the campus of East Carolina University in October 1996. He becomes the first member in the organization’s 107-year history to rise to the rank of International President after serving as International First Vice President and International Second Vice President, the highest collegiate leadership position in the fraternity. He has served at every level of the fraternity; most recently, as International First Vice President. Under his leadership, the fraternity broke membership growth records. As International Director of Social Action, he was credited for the creation of the International Sigma Day of Service; as International Technology Director, he developed the first framework for the fraternity’s membership database and technology infrastructure. At the age of 27, Bro. Rey was elected one of the youngest regional directors in history, serving as the 16th Southeastern Regional Director, providing oversight of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Eastern Tennessee membership.
Credit: Brandon Wade / Special Contributor
See REY page 6
Police Officer at Capitol Hearing says, ‘A Hitman’ sent the Rioters By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire
The words rolled off U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn’s tongue so easily, yet it still proved as stunning an indictment as any ever leveled at former President Donald Trump. “There was an attack on Jan. 6, and a hitman sent them. I want you to get to the bottom of that,” Dunn said as the gallery gasped, and he and other officers wiped away tears. The emotional testimony came during the U.S. House of Representatives’ Jan. 6 commission’s inquiry into the capitol riots. The committee, formed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol, began hearings on Tuesday, July 27. Dunn and three other officers highlighted the hearings by de-
Officer Harry Dunn
scribing how they struggled to defend the Capitol and members of Congress. With new video footage of the riot played during the hearing, the officers detailed how they were beaten and tased as Trump supporters stormed the building. “At no point that day did I ever think about the politics of that crowd; even the things that were being said did not resonate in the
midst of that chaos,” D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone told the congressional panel. “But what did resonate was the fact that thousands of Americans were attacking police officers who were simply doing their job,” Fanone asserted. He added his firm belief that government officials incited the riot.
“In retrospect now, thinking about those events, the things that were said, it’s disgraceful members of our government, I believe were responsible for inciting that behavior and then continue to propagate those statements, things like this was the 1776, or that police officers who fought, risked their lives in some who gave theirs wore red coats,” Fanone said. “To me, those individuals are representative of the worst that America has to offer.” Daniel Hodges, another D.C. police officer, used the law to explain why he refers to the rioters as terrorists. “U.S. Code title 18-part 1 chapter 1.1.3, B as in brown, section 2.3.3.1,” Hodges explained. “The term domestic terrorism means activities that involve acts dangerous to human life that are See POLICE OFFICER page 2
Dallas thinkers assess Critical Race Theory (CRT) I Was Just Thinking By Norma Adams-Wade Allow me to weigh in on the incendiary debate about Critical Race Theory, also known as CRT. Yes, I know. I stand to lose a lot of friends. But here goes. CRT is not easily explained or understood. The confusion is a big part of the problem. The debate’s pro and con sides have drawn a line in the sand and are wearing earplugs to drown out each other. So, what is CRT? A dry-bone definition could be that the theory critically examines existing laws and governmental and corporate policies to see how those subjective concepts exclude and/or negatively
impact individuals based mainly on their race -- and more recently also their gender, economic status and sexual orientation. More and more parents and leaders are resisting including these explorations into educational systems, preferring to stick with traditional textbooks that CRT proponents say are more myth that reality and presented from an Anglo and privileged view. Opponents say teaching CRT in schools could make Anglo students feel that they are being blamed for what some might call the sins of their fathers, their ancestors – many presumably who owned enslaved Africans[cq and African descendants, as long ago as the 17th and 18th Centuries. Seeking to lower the heat, some analysts attempt clarifications including these: 1. Harvard Law scholar Derrick Bell, one of the theory’s prime creators, meant to offer it only
Derrick Bell, the late Harvard law professor and a prime CRT founder
in college law classes; those that would examine deliberate or unwitting racial overtones in the nation’s laws; such as the Dred Scott case, redlining by banks, and voter suppression following Reconstruction. 2. Contrary to many beliefs, CRT is not taught in grade schools or high schools. 3. The argument that institutional racism was eliminated with the 1960s civil rights law, does not
One of the early covers of book “Little Black Sambo”
negate the charge that residue of that racism still hampers underprivileged communities where largely people of color live. 4. CRT exploration is justified considering that within the last decade, African-Americans and Hispanics were about 30 percent See THINKING, page 2