Texas Metro News 12-30-21

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T E X A S

MetroNews

IN MEMORIAM

DELIVERING NEWS YOU NEED

• Vol. 10 • Dec. 30 - Jan. 5, 2021

MY TRUTH By Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER

Another one for the history books It’s about time to stick a fork in 2021. There were so many lessons in this year which was the first full calendar year of the COVID-19 pandemic; a time that provided a “new norm” for us all. Some have grown and evolved while others have not made the best of their time, resources and energies. There has been a team that has worked tirelessly this year to educate, inform, enlighten, inspire and entertain during these trying times. Which brings me to my truth. At the beginning of the pandemic, we at I Messenger Media stressed our commitment to not only maintain a commitment to journalistic excellence; but to also ramp it up, take things to another level, and make things better. Our philosophy focused on being there for our audiences during good times and bad, in sickness and in health until death do us part. From there, our work would live in perpetuity. We are married to our readers, to those who want to make this world a better place, and yes, to those who are thirsting for truth, justice and love. We love what we do and we love who we do it for. As we dealt with navigating through the unknown and the hype, we wanted to continue being a voice for the voiceless, soldiers without swords and warriors on the right side of history. That takes commitment, courage, dedication and fortitude. See MY TRUTH, page 5

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Dr. Yondell and Freeda Moore

Nov. 16, 1936 - Dec. 18, 2021

Bishop Tutu

remembered as “hero” By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News

Tributes came from around the world at the news of the passing of ArchBishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Sunday, December 26, 2021. Long heralded and respected as a hero in the fight against apartheid, the Bishop was 90. A South African Anglican bishop of Lesotho and the first Black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches, the Nobel Peace

Prize winner and U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient was a “bundle of energy and inspiration” according to Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas), who had come to know him over the years. “He was very outgoing and not shy of sharing his opinions on justice and fairness,” she told Texas Metro News. “South Africa and the world will miss him.” In addition to social media See BISHOP TUTU, page 4

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Teachers “Cain’t get no respect!” – Part II I WAS JUST THINKING... By Norma Adams-Wade Part I asked why teachers are paid so poorly, seemingly ignored by legislators, and basically treated like second-class citizens when compared to professionals with similar education and experience. In Part I, an award-winning, 25-year veteran teacher who annually earned about $45,000 said of her engineer brother: “His bonus is more than my salary.” [Time magazine article] In part II here, we are at the cusp of the new year 2022. This is where we, the public, can get active in new projects and goals. Let’s put making life, salaries and work environments better for teachers near the top of our list of things to do. But first, let’s further explore more daily frustrations and emotional assaults teachers say they endure and have written about in teacher blogs and various media articles and interviews. 1. Principals who retaliate if the teacher sends unruly students

to the office instead of the teacher handling the student in the classroom. 2. Recurring intercom announcements that disrupt classroom instruction. 3. Not being allowed to give failing grades to students who do not perform. 4. Being pressured to “teach to the test” rather than put individual learning above passing a test. 5. Sharing a classroom with an

church but act like animals in school classrooms. 7. Having to stay for after-school and extra-curricular activities but not receiving extra pay. 8. While salaries stay the same, demands on teacher’s time have greatly increased; i.e., more meetings and less time to plan lessons and take breaks, more time dealing with students’ emotional issues, including homelessness and abuse at home.

Teachers love what they do but deserve better pay. History of low pay for teachers dates back to the 1930s. Photo Credit: iStock Getty Images.

alternating teacher who leaves behind a mess and fails to put desks back the way they were. 6. Students who will behave at

9. Dealing with the many challenges that the coronavirus pandemic created. See TEACHERS PART-II, page 6

Oct. 22, 1942 - Dec. 18, 2021

Potter Convicted in Death of Daunte Wright By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

A jury in Minnesota on Thursday convicted former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter on multiple manslaughter counts for the killing of Black motorist Daunte Wright. Potter, who said she mistakenly grabbed her service weapon instead of a stun gun during a traffic stop, could face up to 15 years in prison when she’s sentenced next month. The maximum sentence for first-degree manslaughter is 15 years and a $30,000 fine, and 10 years and a $20,000 fine for second-degree manslaughter.

Former Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter cries while testifying during her manslaughter trial in Minneapolis on on Dec. 17.

Potter, who is white, and other Brooklyn Center officers pulled Wright over on April 11 for expired registration tags and an air freshener on the rearview mirror of his car. Authorities said once they realized that he had outstanding warrants, they attempted to arrest Wright, who they said resisted. When he tried to get back into his car, Potter yelled “Taser,” Taser,” but shot him with her service revolver. She maintained that she mistakenly drew the wrong weapon, including during a tearful testimony last week. Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Erin Eldridge told jurors in her closing argument that the case is “very simple” and came down to “reckless handling of a firearm” and “culpable negligence.” “You don’t blindly pull your weapon, pull the trigger, without being aware of the risk,” Eldridge asserted. Potter will be sentenced on Feb. 18.


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