MY TRUTH
TOUGH DECISION By Cheryl Smith, Publisher
It was a tough decision to make for some, and not so tough for others. But a decision had to be made. The leadership of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority had about 16,000 registered attendees expected in New Orleans for the public service organization’s 54th National Convention.
Beverly E. Smith President/CEO Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The weather looked like it could take a turn for the worse. Although Deltas have been to New Orleans since and everything was fine, many remember Hurricane Katrina 14 years ago. When reports from the Weather Channel and meteorologists across the country focused on the threat of Tropical Storm Barry, sorority sisters, speakers, honorees, vendors, family members and loved ones begin rethinking their travel plans. Some canceled their trips altogether, while others who were already in route or had arrived, were faced with decisions. New Orleans was ready for the Deltas, who were going to paint the town red. But New Orleans is always ready. It’s a beautiful destination and combine good food, good people, great See MY TRUTH, page 4
SLAVERY TIES
Former Dallas City Councilwoman Carolyn Davis killed, daughter in critical condition, in wreck involving suspected drunk driver
Presidential candidate shares information he received
According to U.S. Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, he recently came into possession of documents “showing that both Amy and I are descended from people who owned slaves.” Those descendants, said Mr. O’Rourke, along with other possessions, listed in their property log two human beings, Rose and Eliza. A paternal great-great-great grandfather of mine, Andrew Cowan Jasper, owned these two women in the 1850s. There are also records showing that a maternal great-great-great grandfather, Frederick Williams, most likely owned slaves in the 1860s (“most likely,” because we are not certain that the Frederick Williams who is my ancestor and the Frederick Williams
Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke Photo: PQC Commencement 2019
who owned slaves are the same person, but there’s enough circumstantial data to lead me to conclude that it’s likely). Records also showed that Amy had an ancestor who owned slaves and another who was a member of the
Confederate Army. Something that we’ve been thinking about and talking about in town hall meetings and out on the campaign — the legacy of slavery in the United States — now has a much more personal connection. Ownership of other human beings conferred advantages not just to Andrew Jasper and Frederick Williams, but to Jasper’s and Williams’ descendants as well. They were able to build wealth on the backs and off the sweat of others, wealth that they would then be able to pass down to their children and their children’s children. In some way, and in some form, that advantage would pass through to me and my children. See SLAVERY, page 10
Reparations Hearing puts debate in national spotlight By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA News Contributor
Noted author, economist, and former president of Bennett College, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, makes case for reparations.
“These are the vestiges of enslavement that people don’t want to deal with,” said Dr. Julianne Malveaux, the former President of Bennett College. Dr. Malveaux testified at a House hearing on legislation that would set up a commission to study reparations for the ancestors of enslaved Africans kidnapped and brought to America. The economist, and others testified on H.R. 40, the See REPARATIONS, page 7
VOL. 7 NO. 45 JULY 17, 2019
Power in Obama’s story By Defender News Service
Former First Lady Michelle Obama
Former First Lady Michelle Obama says dealing with public scrutiny when her husband was campaigning to be president wasn’t as easy as it looked. The New York Times best-selling See OBAMA, page 5
Uber Attack From Staff Reports
Seated with her attorney Larry Taylor of the Cochran Firm, Uber driver Zonya Robinson recently recounted the attack she suffered at the hands of passengers she picked up from a strip club in Haltom City in early March. A driver for the ride share service for the past two years, Ms. Robinson said she has never encountered the type of customers she did that night and she is disappointed that she didn’t get support from a company she actually enjoyed working for. According to Ms. Robinson, she picked up four passengers (three male, one female) shortly after midnigh. A male passenger in the front seat made sexually
Zonya Robinson with her attorney, Larry Taylor inappropriate comments toward her and after he continued even though she warned him to stop, she pulled over to conclude the ride. The male passengers when confronted about their behavior began to shout racial slurs. She said she got out of the car See UBER, page 15