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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher
People get ready! Talk about having a funky good time! Last week I attended the inaugural Arlington Showdown, where the Southern Jaguars and the Texas Southern Tigers took to the Gridiron. I just love it when I see folks out supporting HBCUs because I love all HBCUs. It was great talking with the new president of TSU, Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, along with alumni and friends from TSU and the Thurgood Marshall Law School. Then about around the third quarter of the game, I went over to see what Southern University fans were up to. Everyone knows that Southern University has one of the strongest fan bases of HBCUs and they didn’t disappoint us. Which brings me to my truth. While I really didn’t have a cat in that fight (pun intended); I did have a preference. I felt the Southern University fans deserved to take a victory home back to Louisiana, because they really showed love by showing up and supporting their school, regardless of the outcome — Southern fans are present and accounted for! I am sure that TSU had alums and supporters to come from across the country just like Southern did, but I tell you, Southern folks came strong — they deserved a win. Some might say that the last call was debatable; however, that game is Black History. I have a few tips for alums who are not supporting their schools. And yes there are more ways to support than attending a football game; however, support is support. HBCU alums (and especially those within a 300 mile radius of the State Fair and Arlington Showdown Classics): • Start saving two dollars a week — then you can buy tickets for two to least one game (anything over, donate it, or put toward your alumni dues • Even if you only attended one semester, join the alumni association • If you feel compelled to ask for donated tickets, make an outright donation to the school • If you can, buy tickets for some high school students • Get your company/corporation to sign on as a corporate sponsor • When you purchase tickets from Williams Chicken, at least get a two piece and a pepper or some corn fritters • Support the vendors who purchase booths and travel annually to these classics • Attend the games even if your teams are not playing! • Support Black-owned businesses • Support those businesses that support HBCUs • Call out the hotels and businesses that practice price gouging And Go out, have a good time, be safe and start the process all over again!
THURSDAY OCTOBER 21, 2021 VOLUME X
Garland NAACP
holds 30th Annual Freedom Fund Program By Gwendolyn H. Daniels Garland Journal
Continuing its awardwinning programming, the NAACP Garland, TX Unit presented its 30th Annual Freedom Fund program virtually and featuring Rev. Dr. Devin Atchison, senior pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Lewisville, as the keynote speaker. The highlight of the event actually came at the close of the program when President Ricky C. McNeal, was honored as the Garland NAACP “Man of the Year.” Garland Mayor Scott LeMay led the parade of speakers appearing on the surprise video congratulating President McNeal for his outstanding leadership of the Garland NAACP. Other speakers included Garland Councilman Billy J. Williams, City Manager Bryan Bradford, Assistant City Manager Mitch Bates, Police Chief Jeff Bryan, Garland ISD Superintendent
President Ricky C. McNeal
Dr. Ricardo Lopez, US Congressman Colin Allred, Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church Sr. Pastor Leonard Leach, and Garland NAACP Vice President Annie L. Dickson. In completion of the “Man of the Year” surprise video, President Ricky C. McNeal’s wife, Najeda Flowers McNeal and their three adult daughters delivered sincere words of admiration and gratitude to the leader of their family. After wiping away tears, President McNeal gave closing remarks congratulating all of the award and scholarship recipients, the MC and keynote speaker,
all program participants and Ruby Adams, chair lady of the Garland NAACP Freedom Fund Committee along with her committee members who helped to make the occasion a huge success. This year’s theme: “The NAACP, Still A Voice in the Community,” was so appropriate, according to Carol Blakes, Freedom Fund CoChair, who introduced Lakisha Culpepper, Garland ISD’s Liaison to the African American Community, as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Elder Linda Jordan, pastor of Linda Jordan Ministries offered the morning prayer and young Mya Dean, secretary of Garland’s NAACP Youth Council brought a gracious welcome and occasion. Warm greetings were delivered by Karina Olivares, president of the Garland Chamber of Commerce and by Dr. Chester Johnson, chair of the Garland NAACP’s Legal Redress Committee. See GARLAND NAACP, page 8
When 95 percent equals zero New Congressional map doesn't add up By Sen. Royce West Over the next week, it is likely that a new map which will determine district boundaries for Texas’ U.S. House delegation will reach the desk of Governor Greg Abbott. It will arrive over the protests of my Democratic colleagues in the Texas Senate, because the many factors to be considered in redistricting, including population growth, race and ethnicity, do not add up in the new map. It’s but another demonstration of a phrase used too often by me saying that ‘elections have consequences.’ 2020 Census results released in August say more than 29.1 million people now live in Texas. That’s a population increase of about 4 million since 2010. Census reports
show that 95 percent of Texas’ growth is attributable to people of color. Sen. Royce Because of West Texas’ phenomenal growth, it’s the only state in the country that will increase its Congressional delegation by two members, from 36 to 38. So since people of color are overwhelmingly responsible for that growth, it would lead to believe that the groups responsible for the growth would have a reasonable opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice come election time. But not so. That’s where the math gets fuzzy. Because under the Senate bill’s formula, 3.8 million of 4 million new Texans (95%), equals
ZERO new Congressional districts that may reflect the people responsible for the growth. Census data released in August says non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics are each nearly 40 percent of Texas’ population, with Blacks about 12 percent. Half of the population growth can be attributed to Hispanics. About 558,000 more African Americans live in Texas now than in 2010. Currently, there are 19 majority White population Congressional districts. Ten U.S. House districts have majority Hispanic populations. Five African Americans represent Texas in Congress. The new Congressional map does not create any new majority Hispanic population districts. See 95 PERCENT, page 6
GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL Succumbs to Cancer and COVID-19 Related Illness For more than 50 years, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) devoted his life to public service in senior military and diplomatic positions across four presidential administrations. His deep commitment to democratic values, diversity, and freedom has changed the world. General Powell, USA (Ret.) became the 65th Secretary of State on January 20, 2001. As he stated at his confirmation hearing, the guiding principle of U.S. foreign policy during his tenure was that “America stands ready to help any country that wishes to join the democratic world.” Powell brought extensive experience with him to his office. Before becoming Secretary of State, he served as a key aide to the Secretary of Defense and as National Security Advisor to President Reagan. He also served 35 years in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Four-Star General and serving as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989 to 1993). During this time, he oversaw 28 crises including the Panama intervention of 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War. That experience served him well, both before and particularly after the events of September 11, 2001, the day of the greatest tragedy on American soil since Pearl Harbor. As Secretary, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the President and the other members of the President’s cabinet in fighting the war on terrorism. As he often said, “winning that war is our first priority, and it will remain so for as long as necessary.” A fervent purveyor of democratic values, Powell stressed that fighting the war on terrorism is not just a military but also a diplomatic task – the two go hand in hand. He led the State Department in major efforts to
Gen. Colin L. Powell
solve regional and civil conflicts – in the Middle East, between Israel and its Arab neighbors; in Sudan, Congo and Liberia; in the Balkans, Cyprus, Haiti, Northern Ireland and elsewhere. He was especially concerned with the peace and security of Afghanistan and Iraq, countries where winning the peace is as important as Coalition battlefield victories. In all areas, he used the power of diplomacy and the universal ideal of democracy to build trust, forge alliances and then begin to transform these once unstable regions into areas where societies and cultures prosper. Powell was devoted to grasping opportunities as well as to confronting the global and regional security challenges of the 21st century. He was at the forefront of the administration’s efforts to advance economic and social development worldwide – in the fight against HIV/ AIDS, in the promise of the Millennium Challenge Account, the most significant change in helping needy nations since the Marshall Plan, and in pursuing a freer trading and investment climate worldwide. Read more at: www.garlandjournal.com
Final chapter is finished in lives of Dallas I Was Just Thinking... By Norma Adams-Wade This is my homage to the final half of what was a double whammy of human force and ceaseless determination in the battle for justice and equality for all people. In other words, I’m acknowledging that Ina Bell Daniels McGee has died. She and her late sister, Nina Nell Daniels Wheeler, grabbed the spotlight as “the Daniels twins” as children then rapidly became the much-heralded “Civil Rights Twins” as adults who never saw a worthy cause they would not join. McGee’s service was at Black & Clark Funeral home in Oak Cliff. Double whammy describes fairly well the impact the twin powerhouse duo
“Civil Rights Twins” stamped on the hundreds of protests, demonstrations, and political and social causes they joined over their more than a half-century of being on call for the myriad wrongs they felt needed to be made right. Ina – if I may call her by her first name [PLEASE DO NOT DELETE THIS REQUEST] – died August 21 at age 89. Ina had kept a vow she said she and her twin made with each other that if either died first, the other would carry on their civil rights commitment. Amateur fashion designer Nina died July 15, 1995 at age 64. Ina, a veteran Dallas school guidance counselor, forged on for nearly 26 more years. “She would not want to be just singled out, even now, without mentioning her twin,” Dawn McGee, Ina’s daughter, said of her mother. “Activ-
Twins, as always, impeccably dressed. Credit: The Dallas Morning News
ism in civil and human rights is what they lived for -- together. She kept the vow they made.” Daughter Dawn, who sometimes uses the spelling Dauwnn[cq McGhee, See I WAS JUST THINKING page 6
Twins dressed for a formal event. Credit: Dawn McGhee