CNW June 7, 2023 Edition

if EmmEtt till had livEd...

notes

Cheryl mainor Norman President & Publisher

Kai El’ Zabar Editor-In-Chief

terri Winston

Vice President

darnell Pulphus

Art

Director

Editors

donna hodge

Food Editor

dr. mila K. marshall

Cannabis Corner Editor

Staff Writers

dr. Sharice Braford

liz lampkin

marcus Bouldin

david Pierce

tammy Gibson

Shaneen murray

marti Worell

Contributors

NNPa Newswire

mare Evans

melanie mainor

Eric Grant

Cover Photography

Courtesy of Word In Black

Robert abbott Sengstacke/ Getty images

Cover Concept

darnell Pulphus

8348 S Stony Island Avenue Chicago, IL 60617

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Vol. 1 No 31

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Chicago News Weekly is published weekly on Wednesday. www.cnwmedia.com

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Resident EVil A

re you familiar with the Resident Evil movie series? If not allow me to provide some insight.

The premise revolves around a special military unit that fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident. The flesh eaters serve as the army to defeat the humans. This film series has a familiar theme to several other film series like The Matrix and The Terminator in that they all share in common a supercomputer component that acts as the major villain in each film.

The antagonist is always the human desiring to control the weapon that will keep the people under control over whom the antagonist exerts power. However, as we witness in our own lives the antagonists are so entrenched mentally and emotionally in their desire for power that they fail to realize that the evil that they invest in to keep in check those whom they seek to enslave eventually breaks free of the antagonist reins and becomes an out-of-control monster that grows, mutates, and evolves faster than the antagonist can manage.

As I look around and observe the social-political and economic shenanigans of our current day government

I am reminded of “Resident Evil,” particularly viewing the main culprit at the helm being former president Don-

ald Trump. How so? Well, he’s that mad man that has a voracious appetite to rule the world. In the “Resident Evil” series the supercomputer is the tool that exceeds everyone else’s ability to do so. Percival Spencer Parks - more commonly known as “Spence” - is the hidden main antagonist of the first Resident Evil film. He is one of the two main antagonists in the 2002 film Resident Evil alongside the Red Queen (the supercomputer created by man). However, he was hired by Dr. Alexander Isaacs to start the outbreak.

In our real-life saga, Trump is Dr. Alexander Issacs because he is the orchestrator of all the seemingly corrupted political ideologies that have emerged as the evil unleashed from its natural holding place representing the evil unleashed. The natural holding place was the mores, protocols, rules, laws, and agreements amongst the people that kept in check the balance of mutual respect and acceptance of one another’s differences in points of view, ideologies, gender, religions, ethnicities, race, cultures, and perspectives. But when Donald Trump stepped into the spotlight and conveyed his very low-life demeanor and thinking of others in crass rudimentary verbal expressions like making fun of the disabled or insulting Senator John McCain, well America sunk phantom’s low.

The Red Queen is the supercomputer that has the power to release the nerve gas that annihilates the last human-kind aspect of the living transforming them into

zombies that devour the living breathing humans whose lives give sustenance to their now-dead minds/no longer thinking beings with souls or concern from other humans. Their only objective is their self-serving survival. They can evolve and emerge as powerful intelligent dogs.

In our reality, the Red Queen is the nation’s acceptance of the crude and unacceptable behavior of a fowl mouth common man like Trump its leader of a sophisticated world-class country. Well by virtue of Trump’s presidential win and term, he destroyed the myth. Suddenly, the world stood still as it observed the world leader of the democratic free world fall into the clutches of its Red Queen, which threatened everything it had once stood for, and the virus kept spreading.

I clearly see the current Republican supporters of Donald Trump as virus-infected zombies. As the virus spewed by Trump’s charismatic hypnotic charm spread infecting Trump followers who inhaled it and absorbed the rhetoric, which once was laughable

and unbelievable, unacceptable, horrid behavior, became the in-vogue ‘way of being.’ Alternative realities took form and hold of Republican senators and representatives. Each emerging as virus carriers. Lindsey Graham, once a close colleague of Senator John McCain who for all practical purposes appeared to be a Southern gentleman emerged an outspoken bigot and a believer in what had taken over his sensibilities. The virus is alive and well in the Republican party and afoot in Congress today. They repeat Trump’s absurdities and lies; support his corrupt, reckless, and more importantly very dangerous behavior that-- can if allowed—bring down the United States.

Note: To date: all Republicans running against Trump, basically agree with and support his behavior publicly, and intended outcome. From my vantage point, that makes them the same, just different versions of the same eminent threat to democracy. Men who would not shy away from destroying democracy and creating some sort of authoritarian-led government.

Kai El’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

photo credit: Dot Ward

Dollars & Sense

James Denmen, Jr.’s Slam Dunk Success

By mila K marshall, Phd CNW Staff Editor

Kicks are for the culture and if you’re looking for this season’s hottest “One’s” Sneakerville 88 in Hyde Park’s Harper Court is clutch for sure. Owner and local business mogul James Denman Jr.is setting up the culture for success and has been waiting for the right moment to expand his brand into Hyde Park. “This is my second location and everything I’ve done has been in or near Bronzeville, this is a beautiful area and I’ve always wanted to come here. I love the diversity here and would come here often growing up to see the show across the street, so when the opportunity presented itself I took it” said the Englewood Native whose flagship store is located at 112 E. 35th Street.

Fly kicks are a shared language no matter the age and this new endeavor is not only an intergenerational one, it’s a family affair.

The Hyde Park location was a gift to Jamee, Denman’s 28 year old daughter, “I’m giving her a headstart in life and an opportunity to get into a business that she enjoys,” said Denman. The father daughter duo also own Harold’s Chicken and Sports Bar and another right next door to the Bronzeville sneaker store.

The new business makes 4 brick and mortar stores, and the new Hyde Park store kicked off opening day welcoming nearly 100 people including Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th Ward), Ald. Stephanie Coleman (1st Ward) and local NBA legend Mark Aguire. “It was a great first day,” shared Denman who later hosted shoppers and supporters to a light celebration in the later hours of the opening.

Danisha and Durell J. were just passing by when they saw the grand opening sign and popped in. “He is such a sneaker addict,” said Danisha playfully, “I’ll call him a sneakerhead to make it sound better, but he’s bought three pairs of shoes just in the last 2 weeks.” Durell has no problem being labeled an addict and shares, “I love colors and matching my outfit, I like to look good,” he said.

Denman’s vision is to serve the community and bring opportunity and is most excited to hire people and give them jobs. “One of the main reasons I started these businesses is to hire, I live to give to people and employment is paramount,” shared Denman. At the moment his businesses provide 25 full time positions. He attributes his business acumen in some part to his mother who was a postal worker that instilled in him the desire to broaden himself outside of the norm. His years being educated at Curie High School gave him the chance to connect with peers from different backgrounds and undoubtedly has benefited his success

to date along with hard work, honesty and great customer service. Denman believes “customer service is the most important part of owning a business, you can have a good product but if you can’t treat people well and right you’re not going to win in any business,” he said.

As the buzz from the grand opening quiets, James has his sights set on unique partnerships and novel ways of using the space. “People have asked me about podcasts here in the space and I plan on carrying other Black clothing brands like I do products from the community at my Harolds on S. Michigan, I’m open to exploring everything,” shared Denman. Besides his current stores he is invested in the cannabis sector and even bottled water. When asked what his ultimate goal was he crossed his hands, smiled and said, “my goal is generational wealth.”

Why We Need DiVErSE BOOkS in Schools

By maya Pottiger NNPa Columnist

Ever since he was young, Marchánt Davis has always loved children’s media and the power it possesses. Though his favorites were “Sesame Street” and “Reading Rainbow” — especially seeing himself represented on screen through LeVar Burton — he says he was “strangely” inspired by “Snow White.” “It was always playing on TV,” says Davis, an actor, director, writer, and now author of “A Boy and His Mirror.” And it was this story that he wanted to repurpose for his own children’s book geared toward the current generation.

Thinking about the relationship kids have with their phones and what identity means, Davis wanted to create a story that spoke to people coming up in a world with Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. But, mostly, Davis wrote the book hoping young Black boys would read it. Though he doesn’t believe any one thing will cure problems, he wants the book to be a step toward boys acknowledging their feelings and countering some of the toxic masculinity in the Black community.

Davis called back to what Sheryl Lee Ralph said in her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards: “When you look in the mirror, you gotta love what you see,” Davis quoted. “And so, I wrote a book in an effort to help kids look in the mirror and love what they see.” Though he hopes the book empowers young Black boys, they aren’t the sole audience Davis has in mind. “It’s a book for anybody who feels ‘other’ by the way they look, or anybody who has self-doubt,” Davis says. “It’s a book that I want kids to read and feel empowered, feel like they have agency.” The problem is that, around the country, books like Davis’ are being removed from the shelves of classrooms and school libraries. Books that feature Black protagonists or talk about Black history.

And that’s a problem.

Between books being banned, challenged, and removed from school shelves — and the College Board giving in to bullying and altering its AP African American Studies course — there’s a lot of talk about what should be taught in classrooms, how it should be done, and who should have a say.

We shouldn’t be hiding history from students because they need to learn the truth, says Kathy Lester, a middle school librarian and president of the American Association of School Librarians. Plus, when students find books they’re interested in, they read more, and it creates conversation and opens up topics for discussion. “I always grew up thinking that we wanted to learn our history so we wouldn’t repeat it,” Lester says. “We can learn from it and grow from it.”

We can’t understand our current politics and culture without understanding the treatment of African Americans in the United States, as well as the integral role they’ve played in shaping the country, says Caroline Richmond, the executive director of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books.

“In order for us to be the nation that we claim to be — a land where all people are created and treated as equals — we have to teach our children how this has not been

and still is not the case today,” Richmond says. “And so, if we’re not teaching Black history in our schools, then our students — of all races and backgrounds — are not receiving a holistic education.”

In its “Banned in the USA” report, PEN America collected book bans in states around the country between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. The analysis found that bans occurred in 138 school districts across 32 states, and these districts represent 5,049 schools with a combined enrollment of nearly 4 million students. While the majority of states with reported bans saw less than 50, some states racked up over 100, with Texas topping the list at 801 bans.

But it’s not just about history books. For Black and Brown kids, it’s about seeing yourself represented in history, in a book, but also in the daily experiences that children face. “We want our kids — and we want every kid — to be able to see the experiences of Black children in the books that they read because it makes every person more relatable,” says Derrick Ramsey, co-founder of the nonprofit Young, Black & Lit. “If you can see that person, a Black student, doing a science project through a book, then that’s exciting to any student who wants to get into science.”

Davis says there’s more power in variety than singularity because there is so much more to learn. “It’s a very dangerous act to not allow children and people the experience of reading a variety of different texts because that’s what informs us about the world. That’s what helps us build our ideas and thoughts around what we believe,” Davis says. “If we are showing kids a singular thing, then I think we’re alienating them and we’re manipulating them.”

The Message a Book Ban Sends

Banning these books sends a message — both to Black students and their non-Black peers. “It sends a message to Black students that their history doesn’t matter, that it’s not important,” Lester says. “Then, for white students, that it’s not important for them to learn about it or that their history is more important — which are not good messages to be sent.” And their non-Black peers are also harmed because they end up learning a lopsided view of history that ignores huge swaths of the American narrative, Richmond says. “They won’t have the opportunity to really grapple with our shared past,” Richmond says, “to read primary sources, to ask

probing questions, and to engage in thoughtful discussion and build empathy. Acknowledging past harm and our current inequitable society is the first step in creating real, long-term, sustainable change.”

Of the banned books studied by PEN america, they were most likely to have lGBtQ+ content (41%) or characters of color (40%). among the top reasons for book bans were titles having to do with race or racism (21%), and titles with themes of rights or activism (10%)

maya Pottiger is a contributor for Word in Black

Of the banned books studied by PEN America, they were most likely to have LGBTQ+ content (41%) or characters of color (40%). Among the top reasons for book bans were titles having to do with race or racism (21%), and titles with themes of rights or activism (10%). When thinking about these book bans, Davis thinks there are some important questions to ask those doing the banning: What do you want? What do you want Black children to feel by removing those books? What does removing them actually do? “I’m just like, ‘Why?’” Davis says. “What’s your intention? What are you saying to the kids about that book, specifically?”

For Ramsey, the message is clear: “Your history doesn’t matter. Your experiences don’t matter. Who you are doesn’t matter.” It’s a challenging space for a child who is already trying to find their path in the country and in the world. Plus, it’s not just talking about Black history or Asian history, Ramsey says, it’s American history. “Education should be the space where you can learn about everything and anything that you want. There should be no limits to the creativity of the ideas and the dreams that you inspire into every child,” Ramsey says. “This really takes away a lot of that opportunity to see what you could be, even if you hadn’t thought about it before.”

CTA invites local Small and Disadvantaged Businesses to

a Contracting Networking Event for the Red Line Extension Project

Event brings together local small businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises to meet with prime contractors for opportunities to work on the historical project

By CNW Staff Report

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is inviting certified disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) and small businesses interested in certification to an event next Thursday to meet and connect with the three prequalified teams selected to submit proposals for the transformational Red Line Extension (RLE) and learn about sub-contracting opportunities.

The $3.6 billion proposed RLE project will extend the Red Line from the existing southern

terminal at 95th Street to 130th Street. As part of this project, four new, fully accessible rail stations will be added, plus a new and modern, efficient railcar storage yard and maintenance facility that will benefit all users of the entire Red Line. The 5.6mile heavy rail line extension will provide long-awaited and much needed connection to jobs, education, commerce, and opportunity, while also serving as a catalyst for economic development that benefits the entire City of Chicago.

“CTA has awarded more than

$250 million to 96 unique, minority or women owned firms as part of the Red and Purple Modernization Phase 1 project. Forty of these firms had never previously conducted business with CTA,” said Juanpablo Prieto, CTA Director of Diversity Programs. “These great numbers did not happen overnight; it came through months and years of networking, supporting DBEs, and planning with the prime contractors to create opportunities for DBEs to get their foot in the door and compete. CTA is very proud of these

City Council Approves $51m in migrant funding

CNW Staff Report

The City of Chicago has taken a critical step in addressing the pressing needs of migrants and asylum seekers by passing a $51M budget amendment dedicated to the New Arrivals mission. This funding, approved by the Committee on the Budget and Government Operations last week, passed a full City Council vote today.

“Chicago is facing a humanitarian crisis as individuals and families continue to be sent here and other Democratic-led cities across the country without regard for their well-being,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “My administration will do everything in our power to support these new arrivals as they work to rebuild their

accomplishments, and we look forward to doing the same, if not better, on the Red Line Extension project.”

Next week’s event is the latest in a series of measures taken by the CTA to extend contracting opportunities to the communities it serves and ensuring that equity and inclusion are central to this investment in Chicago’s Far South Side:

Thursday, June 8 9 am to 12 pm CTA Headquarters 567 West Lake St., Chicago 60661

lives in the U.S while still upholding our commitments to the residents of Chicago. This appropriation is critical to support our efforts to provide housing and services in the immediate future, and I will continue to advocate for additional state and federal funding for as long as needed.”

In 2022, the City expended a total of $17.5M to support the New Arrivals mission, which began on August 31, 2022. This included $5.5M received from the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP) grant, demonstrating the City’s commitment to providing immediate assistance and vital resources to migrants in need.

The City estimates projected costs of $102M to address the ongoing migrant crisis from January through

Presentation begins 9:30 am

Interested businesses and contractors in attendance will be provided with an update on the overall RLE project, information on benefits for small business participation in future contracting opportunities, as well as steps on how to become certified to do business with the CTA. Although the proposed RLE project is still in development, there are plenty of prospects for robust DBE participation throughout the project.

June 2023. To secure the necessary financial resources, the City has been awarded $30M from the State of Illinois, highlighting its recognition of the urgency and significance of the situation. Additionally, $4.3M has been granted to the City through the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP-H). To cover the remaining costs, the City proposed a budget amendment of $51M , demonstrating its unwavering dedication to supporting new arrivals during their challenging journeys.

Ifhe hadn’t been murdered in Money, Mississippi, on August 28, 1955 — if he had lived long enough to develop wrinkles and gray hair, and bounce his children, grandchildren, and possibly his great-grandchildren on his knees — he might have celebrated his 82nd birthday this July.

His mother, Mamie Till-Mobely, who died in 2003, might have had many happy years with her beloved son. She wouldn’t have gone to her grave with horrifying memories of his brutalized body. She wouldn’t have had to make the courageous decision to leave his casket open. There would have been no reason for her to say these heartbreaking words: “I wanted the world to see what they did to my baby.”

But thanks to the need of White men in the Jim Crow South to preserve the purity and honor of 21-year-old Carolyn Bryant — the White woman who falsely accused Till of making sexual advances at her — Emmet Till never made it past 14. Carolyn Bryant — known later in life as Carolyn Bryant Donham — lived to the ripe old age of 88 without ever being held accountable for her part in Till’s murder. As reporter Ed Pilkington wrote in the Guardian in 2020 about the people involved in Till’s murder, “Not a day has been spent in jail nor a penny paid in compensation.” That was still true on April 25, the day Carolyn Bryant died.

A Last Chance for Justice

On the morning of April 27, before most people knew about Bryant’s death, the social media accounts of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation — the nonprofit founded in 2005 by Till’s family posted black squares to their various pages. The squares were, perhaps, an acknowledgment that with Bryant’s death, the family’s last chance for justice for Emmett Till — for anyone involved in his murder to be held accountable — was now gone.

“This is not a celebratory moment,” Keith A. Beauchamp, the filmmaker who co-wrote and produced the 2022 feature film “Till,” explained on his Facebook page. “Since 1955, law enforcement and local officials have allowed Bryant – Donham to evade justice. It’s infuriating to come to the realization that the American judicial system has failed us

Where is Justice for

Last year President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act into law — legislation that had William Barber III reminded us that no law, “verdict or election can bring about the racial reckoning

By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier NNPA Newswire

yet again.” In his post, Beauchamp also acknowledged, “The question that everyone should be asking is how and who allowed this predator to get away? Like Till’s family, Beauchamp has long pursued truth and justice for the murdered teen. Beauchamp spent 10 years, making the 2005 documentary, “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till.”

The evidence he uncovered was instrumental to the U.S. government reopening its investigation of the case in 2004 — before the film was released. However, no charges ended up being brought, and the investigation closed in 2007.

The FBI reopened the case after the Jan-

uary 2017 publication of the book “The Blood of Emmett Till,” by historian and author Timothy B. Tyson. Tyson spent an unprecedented amount of time with Bryant, and he detailed in the book that she admitted to him that she had lied. Tyson wrote that Bryant said: “Nothing that boy did could ever justify what happened to him.” However, he was unable to produce an audio recording of that specific conversation — he only had a handwritten note of Bryant’s remarks. The Till case was closed again in 2021. An Unserved Arrest Warrant Bryant’s death came just two weeks after the April 13 announcement that Ricky

Banks, the sheriff in Leflore County, Mississippi, had declined to serve a recently discovered 1955 arrest warrant for Carolyn Bryant.

Why wasn’t the warrant served in 1955? The then-sheriff decided he didn’t want to “bother” Bryant because she was a mother. This unserved warrant was found in June 2022 at the Leflore County Courthouse by five members of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation. Despite the discovery of the warrant, in August 2022, a Leflore County grand jury refused to indict Bryant. “It is evident that the outstanding warrant was not ever intended to be served in 1955

for Emmett Till?

had previously been killed more than 200 times. The passage was a hard-fought win, but the activist reckoning America needs after 400 years of building systems that have rested upon White supremacy.” Contributor grow old.

and obviously not intended to be served in 2022,” Deborah Watts, another cousin of Till and a co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, wrote in a statement at the time.

“This is a missed opportunity to break the cycle of protection that has been afforded to White women, specifically to Carolyn Holloway Bryant Donham, Mrs. Roy Bryant, the last living known accomplice, who has been allowed to escape full accountability and judicial judgment in this case. No family should ever have to endure this pain and injustice for this long,” Watts wrote.

In February 2023, another of Till’s cousins, Patricia Sterling, filed a federal lawsuit seeking to compel Banks to serve the warrant. “But for Carolyn Bryant falsely claiming to her husband that Emmett Till assaulted her, Emmett would not have been murdered,” the lawsuit stated. Bryant is widely believed to have identified Till to her husband, Roy Bryant, and J.W. Milam, Roy Bryant’s half-brother. It’s also believed that Carolyn Bryant helped the two men locate Till so that they could abduct him from his bed in his great-uncle’s home. “It was Carolyn Bryant’s lie that sent Roy Bryant and JW Milam into a rage, which resulted in the mutilation of Emmett Till’s body into an unrecognizable condition,” Sterling’s lawsuit stated.

However, on April 13, Banks’ attorney, Charles J. Swayze III, filed court papers stating, “Since the Grand Jury found no probable cause to indict Donham on the charges of kidnapping and manslaughter, there is no probable cause to support the 1955 Arrest Warrant.” Swayze also asked for Sterling’s federal lawsuit to be dismissed. Despite this setback, the Till family didn’t give up.

In an April 26 Facebook post, Watts clarified that far from the discovery of the warrant being a surprise — as some news outlets had reported — she and the other foundation members were “intentionally Searching for the Unserved Warrant.” Watts wrote that they found the warrant “within an hour and a half” of looking for it — raising the question of why it had not previously been discovered in the decades before. Watts subsequently demanded “that Mississippi authorities that are responsible, do their jobs and #ServeTheWarrant now!” Little did Watts know when she uploaded her

post that Carolyn Bryant had died the day before.

We Can Never Forget

In 2003, one week before she died, Mamie Till Mobeley told Beauchamp to “tell Emmett’s story until man’s consciousness is risen, only then there will be justice for Emmett Till!”

Till’s “case is so relevant today because he is the Anne Frank for Black America,” Beauchamp wrote me in an email in 2015.

“Just like our Jewish brothers and sisters, we must continue to tell Emmett’s story over and over again.”

The details of what followed after Till’s abduction are horrific, but given the persistent attacks on teaching the truth about Black history — about American history — they bear repeating.

We know that Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam drove Till to a barn, stripped him naked, and tortured and beat him beyond recognition. A passerby reported hearing the boy crying out, “Mama, please save me.” As the historian Tyson wrote, “Affronted White supremacy drove every blow.” The men went on to gouge out one of Till’s eyes, shoot him in the head, and use barbed wire to tie his body to a 75-pound cotton gin. They then threw his body into the Tallahatchie River and took Till’s clothes and shoes home to burn them. Despite the weight of the cotton gin, Till floated eight miles downstream. Once discovered, his body was only identifiable because of a silver ring on his pinky finger.

During Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam’s trial, Carolyn Bryant sat coolly beside her husband. When called to testify, she claimed that Till had grabbed her hand and waist, asking her, “How about a date, baby?” She claimed he’d made sexually explicit comments and said he’d been with other White women. Both men were acquitted in Sept. 1956 by an all-White jury.

We only know the details of Till’s murder because in 1956, Look magazine paid Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam $4,000 to spill the gruesome circumstances. The article describes 5′ 4 tall Till as looking “like a man” — a reminder of how from Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin to Tamir Rice, the combination of adultification and racism gets Black children killed.

Milam told the magazine that when a Black man “gets close to mentioning sex

with a White woman, he’s tired o’ livin’. I’m likely to kill him. Me and my folks fought for this country, and we got some rights.”

He went on to say he told Till, “I’m going to make an example of you—just so everybody can know how me and my folks stand.” Double jeopardy laws protected both men from being tried again for Till’s murder.

A Steep Price for Civil Rights

Surely, the actions of Mamie Till-Mobley weren’t what either man expected. The widely circulated photograph of Till’s mutilated body in the open casket requested by Till-Mobley shocked the world and galvanized the civil rights movement.

Her description of her son’s body is what no mother should ever have to see:

“I saw his tongue had been choked out and it was lying down on his chin. I saw that this eye was out, and it was lying about midway to cheek. I looked at this eye, and it was gone. I looked at the bridge of his nose, and it looked like someone had taken a meat chopper and chopped it. I looked at his teeth, because I took so much pride in his teeth. His teeth were the prettiest things I’d ever seen in my life, I thought. And I only saw two. Where are the rest of them?

They had just been knocked out. And I was looking at his ears. His ears were like mine. They curled. They’re not attached, and they curled up the same way mine are. And I didn’t see the ear. Where’s the ear? And that’s when I discovered a hole about here, and I could see daylight on the other side. I said, now was it necessary to shoot him? If that’s a bullet hole, was that necessary? And I also discovered that they had taken an axe, and they had gone straight down across his head, and the face and the back of the head were

President Joe Biden greets guests after the signing of H.r. 55, the “Emmett Till Antilynching Act”, Tuesday, March 29, 2022, in the White House rose Garden. (Official White House Photo by Erin Scott)

separate.”

When you read Till-Mobley’s words, you understand why on Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks had Emmett Till on her mind when she refused to go to the back of the bus — which led to her arrest and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

That, in turn, led to Martin Luther King Jr. becoming the president of the Montgomery Improvement Association — activism that catapulted him onto a national stage.

In 2005, the Rev. Al Sharpton told Democracy Now that because of Till-Mobley’s choice to open her son’s casket, “because she put the picture of this young man’s body on the conscience of America, she might have saved thousands of young Black men and young Black women’s lives.”

Last year President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act into law — legislation that had previously been killed more than 200 times. The passage was a hard-fought win, but the activist William Barber III reminded us that no law, “verdict or election can bring about the racial reckoning America needs after 400 years of building systems that have rested upon White supremacy.”

And what a steep price has been paid for our freedoms by Till and his family.

Another of his cousins, Thelma Wright Edwards, told the Guardian in 2020 that she didn’t actually want Bryant in jail due to the woman’s age. However, “I do want Miss Bryant to admit she lied,” she said. “Stand up and tell the truth. We can’t move on until we hear it from her mouth.” With Bryant’s death, that longed-for moment of accountability — of truth — will never come.

This piece was originally published by Word in Black.

Cannabis Corner

Healing Properties: fact or fiction

Reprint from Johnson Wells University

CANNABIS is a historic, multidimensional, and sometimes controversial plant. Its versatility and usefulness have propelled cannabis into all kinds of industries and products, especially in the medical field.

What to know about cannabis

There’s a lot of science behind understanding cannabis, but we’ll do our best to simplify it: Cannabis is made up of more than 120 components, which are known as cannabinoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are the two most well-known and researched cannabinoids. THC is responsible for the “high” that many people associate with cannabis, while CBD is a non-intoxicating, non-euphoric component, which you may have seen in the form oils, gummies, drinks and other products for medical purposes. How can CBD be used to benefit health?

There’s no doubt that CBD has become quite popular and has generated a new industry — you can even earn a degree in Cannabis Entrepreneurship*here at JWU. While researchers are still working to understand how effectively CBD can be used for medical purposes, there have already been a lot of promising results. Here are seven ways that CBD has been proven to benefit health.

7 Potential health Benefits of Cannabis

1. Lowering blood pressure

A study conducted by JCI Insight in 2017 found that CBD lowered the blood pressure of human participants. It reduced their resting blood pressure as well as their blood pressure after stress tests, including mental arithmetic, isometric exercise, and the cold pressor test.

2. Reducing Inflammation.

CBD has been proven to help reduce inflammation and the neuropathic pain it can cause, according to a study by the Rockefeller Institute of Medical Research.

3. Preventing relapse in drug and alcohol addiction

A 2018 study discovered that CBD can be useful in helping people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. A preclinical trial with lab rats determined that CBD reduced the stress-induced cravings, anxiety and lack of impulse control that often cause people to relapse.

Decades of research have gone into using CBD to treat epilepsy and other seizure syndromes, and a recent study showed it can have positive effects in reducing symptoms and seizure frequency.

7. Fighting cancer

Not only has CBD been used to help alleviate the effects of chemotherapy, but studies have also found it can prevent cell growth and induce cell death in cervical cancer cell lines and it has numerous anti-cancer effects that can help prevent a variety of cancers, treat tumors, and benefit the immune system.

4. Treating anxiety disorders

Anxiety is perhaps the most common affliction that people have used CBD for, and a preclinical study found that CBD could be effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

5. Treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders

A recent study found that CBD and other non-psychoactive cannabinoids can effectively be used to prevent and treat GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and more. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties are key to reducing and preventing symptoms.

6.Preventing seizures

Cannabis Research is ongoing:

Beyond these seven benefits, there are even more still being researched and tested. It’s our hope that students in our new Cannabis Entrepreneurship program will play a key role in building the future of this industry.

Public Invited to Experience Evening of ArTS MuSiC AnD SOCiAlizinG

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) welcome new and returning free music performances, visual art exhibitions, film programming, and more this summer throughout the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E Washington St). Opening its doors after business hours, the new three-part Open House Series (June 15, Sept 29, Dec 9) invites guests to experience exciting art activations by DCASE’s artists in residence, DJs, shopping,

socializing and more throughout the historic building. Additional Chicago Cultural Center highlights— DCASE Presents: Chicago Underground Showcase featuring a free evening of underground talent playing the newly renovated Claudia Cassidy Theater, June 2. The Chicago House Music Conference returns to the Chicago Cultural Center, June 23, with panel discussions relating to the culture, art, and business of House Music. The powerful “Surviving the Long Wars: Reckon and Reimagine” exhibition extends through July 2 in

the Exhibit Hall. New this June, the “Exquisite Canvas: Mural Takeover by Cecilia Beaven, Miguel Del Real, and Anna Murphy” exhibition opens in the Michigan Avenue Galleries.

Celebrate Chicago Dance Month by visiting the resident artists in our Dance Residency Open Studio Series featuring the works of artists such as Tango 21 and Christopher Knowlton. See Chicago Dance adds to the offerings with open studios on Fridays. The Chicago Film Office partners with Cinema/Chicago to present Summer Screenings, the annual free film series that casts a spotlight on a different country’s national cinema in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. Completed in 1897 as Chicago’s first central library, the Chicago Cultural Center serves as a cultural hub for Chicagoans and visitors year-round with free arts programming, breathtaking architecture, and tours. Enclosed are details for the summer programming and events. Visit ChicagoCulturalCenter.org and follow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for the latest events and updates.

Photo Credit: ajay_sureshChicago Cultural Center, CC BY 2.0, https://commons. wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=110893150

Missouri Democratic Rep. Cori Bush has introduced a bill calling for $14 trillion in reparations for Black Americans to compensate them for the reverberating effects of slavery.

“The United States has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the enslavement of Africans and its lasting harm on the lives of millions of Black people,” Bush said on Wednesday (May 17) during a press confer-

ence, per NPR. “America must provide reparations if we desire a prosperous future for all.”

During the press conference, Bush highlighted the long-lasting impact slavery has had on Black Americans as seen with the racial wealth gap, voter suppression, infant mortality rates, and more.

“It’s unjust and it wouldn’t happen in a just and fair and equitable society,” she said. “Those are not the natural consequences of human society.”

“They are directly caused by

our federal government’s role in the enslavement and exploitation of Africans and Black people throughout our history,” the Democratic lawmaker added.

The conversation around reparations has picked up steam in the past couple of years, with dozens of cities and states considering their own reparation programs. However, over 90 percent of Republicans say they oppose reparations, while Democrats are split nearly evenly on the issue, according to NPR.

“the United States has a moral and legal obligation to provide reparations for the enslavement of africans and its lasting harm on the lives of millions of Black people,” Rep. Cori Bush said during a press conference, per NPR. “america must provide reparations if we desire a prosperous future for all.”

NNPa Newswire

Arts & Culture

house music festival Lineup Announced - June 23 & 24, Free Admission

CNW Staff Report

The City of Chicago and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today full programming for the annual Chicago House Music Festival and Conference, taking place June 23 (Conference) and June 24 (Festival). As part of additional programming citywide throughout the weekend, the festival also brings local DJs to spin at the historic Maxwell Street Market, June 25 from 11am – 2pm with Tribe Chicago. Festival and Conference schedule enclosed; for more information, visit ChicagoHouseMusicFestival.us.

For this year’s Chicago House Music Conference, Friday, June 23 from 5-9pm at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Keynote Speaker is House music legend, Robert Owens. The conference features panel discussions relating to the culture and business of House Music, including “Queer Roots and Today’s Safe Spaces in Chicago’s House Music Scene,” “Played & Paid: Strategies for Monetizing Music and Promoting Successful Events,” and more.

Chicago’s favorite dance party, the Chicago House Music Festival takes over the beautiful Humboldt Park Boathouse Lawn mainstage, Saturday, June 24 from 11am–9pm, celebrating the genre born in Chicago that has gone on to revolutionize dance music internationally. In celebration of National Pride Month, Queen! featuring Robert Owens LIVE headlines the festival. Showcasing all local DJs, the Chicago House lineup also features Cedeño and J.Star along with previously announced DJ Pycho-B, Emmaculate, Roy Davis Jr. and more on the Boathouse mainstage with a special House Music workout taking place from 11am–12noon. New this year, Taste of Chicago Humboldt Park (11am–9pm) is presented in conjunction with Chicago House Music Festival offering attendees a diverse array of food options along with stellar music programming. Food vendors and trucks participating include: Mabe’s Sandwich Shop, Mindful Baking, African Food Palace, Chillafry, Robinson No.1 Ribs, Catered By Kish, Tacotlan, Roeser’s Bakery, HEALTHY HAVEN COLDPRESSED JUICES, Chicago Eats, Gaby’s Funnel Cakes, Cooking From The Soul Catering, Chicago’s Doghouse, Tandoor Char House, Mr. Quiles ice cream truck, La Guerita Mexican Snack, Banato, Delicias Tacos, Ms Tittle’s Cupcakes, Soul & Smoke, El Azteca Sanchez, and Mr. Quiles Mexican Food.

Chicago House Music Festival and Conference is sponsored by Chicago Transit Authority and WBEZ. Chicago House Music Conference

Friday, June 23, 5-10pm Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. Queer Roots and Today’s Safe Spaces in Chicago’s House Music Scene

5:30-6:30pm, Chicago Cultural Center’s Millennium Park Room (5th floor)

Chicago’s LGBTQ Party Scene has emerged global music genres, powerful dance movements and iconic safe spaces. The most promising new alt-queer party outposts and party promoters are keeping the music and movements alive. From the 1970’s to present day, Chicago’s Gay House Music events emote the same in-

clusive spirit and vibe that will allow the genre to flourish for decades to come.

The panelists are party promoters, club owners and audiophiles that are the electronic musical equivalent of Chicago sound perfection. The session will introduce you to current and future influencers in the history of House.

Played & Paid: Strategies for Monetizing Music and Promoting Successful Events

5:30-6:30pm, Washington Room

Join our expert and renowned panel discussion featuring industry leaders as they share valuable insights on making money by creating, performing, selling music, establishing business entities, marketing their creations, and getting booked for events. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, music producer, DJ, event promoter, publicist, musician, or simply interested in the business side of the House music industry, this panel will outline practical strategies and tips to thrive in the competitive landscape.

Activism: The Fight to Preserve House’s History

6:15-7:15pm, Preston Bradley Hall

The endangered status of the building that once housed the legendary Warehouse nightclub illuminated the urgent need to preserve Chicago’s House history. The fight to prevent the Warehouse’s demolition created an intergenerational movement demonstrating what community organizing can accomplish.

This panel will talk to members of the House music community that got the ball rolling in the effort to save the Warehouse, a critical locale in the shaping of House music. 6:45-7:45pm, Millennium Park Room (5th Floor)

All roads lead back to Chicago! The infectious sound of Amapiano is rooted in Kwaito, a style of music that mixed house beats with hip-hop in the 1990s.

The Future Sound of House: How has technology provided new opportunities in the preservation of House music, and in what ways has it hindered the artists behind these sounds?

6:45-7:45pm, Washington Room

Love it or hate it, technology is here to stay. As a crit-

ical step in the evolution of Electronic Dance Music since the 80s, House Music has evolved with the ever-changing soundscape. Our panelists of artists and producers will discuss the spectrum of embracing and protecting your artistry in the face of change. From sampling to artificial intelligence, how does technology help or hinder the preservation of House Music?

Keynote Fireside Chat with Robert Owens

8-9pm, Preston Bradley Hall

In his own words, Robert Owens has been making house music ‘before house had a name’. One of the most distinctive, coveted and prolific voices in the genre, Robert has an illustrious career that started in late 80’s Chicago and has produced some of the greatest tracks house music has witnessed. Responsible for era-defining classics such as ‘Tears’ alongside Frankie Knuckles & Satoshi Tomiie, ‘Bring Down The Walls’ with Larry Heard as part of Fingers Inc., as well as ‘I’ll Be Your Friend’, Robert has created seminal records which you can comfortably bet will have a place on any house head’s all-time favorites list.

Chicago House Music Festival

Presented in conjunction with Taste of Chicago Humboldt Park

Saturday, June 24, 11am–9pm

Humboldt Park Boathouse Lawn, 1301 N Humboldt Dr. Free Admission

Chicago House Music Festival lineup (in headlining order)

7pm-9pm: “Queen! For A Day” feat. Robert Owens LIVE, with Michael Serafini and Garret David, Hosted by Lucy Stoole and Nico

6-7pm: DJ Pycho-B

5-6pm: Emmaculate

4-5pm: Roy Davis Jr.

3-4pm: DJ V From Chicago

2-3pm: Cedeño

1-2pm: J.Star

12-1pm: Noshaluv

11am-12pm: House Music Workout with Siddiqu from Chicago Fit for Life

City

Kenwood academy’s varsity Baseball Team Makes History!

Guaranteed Rate Field was buzzing ahead of the Chicago Public League Championship baseball game. The Broncos of Kenwood Academy High School faced the Grizzlies of Walter Payton College Prep for the city title— the first appearance at Chicago Public League’s City Championship game for both baseball teams. The game was fascinating; the fans were on the edge of their seats. These two baseball teams put on a show on the south side. Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson was on hand to watch the game.

The competition was tough, Kevari Thunderbird (#4), a Junior at Kenwood Academy, did an excellent job pitching the ball. He left the Grizzlies scoreless for six of seven innings. During the seventh inning, Jonathan Patterson (#0) hit the ball and reached second base. This move

helped put his team on the bases and positioned them to score. As more Broncos swung the bat, more players filled the bases. During the seventh inning, the pitcher Khamaree Thomas (#16), a Junior at Kenwood Academy, continued the momentum of keeping the Grizzlies scoreless.

Kenwood Academy’s Broncos beat the Walter Payton Grizzlies for the title of HS Varsity Baseball – Chicago Public League Champions for the 2023 season. The game was so exciting; the Kenwood Academy fans were cheering their team to victory by the time it reached the seventh inning. The Broncos held the Grizzlies off from scoring any points! The Kenwood Academy Broncos defeated the Walter Payton Grizzlies with a score of two to zero. The Broncos’ team celebrated on the field, and the fans celebrated

hot topics

in the stands. “It feels amazing to win today,” said Jonathan Patterson of Kenwood Academy.

Kenwood had an incredible 2023 season with 26 wins and four losses. When I asked the Head Coach about winning, he said, “It was one of my goals; the first one is always the hardest one, and this is the first one in the history of Kenwood baseball,” said Romey Bracey. Mayor Johnson presented each player with a medal and the teams with a plaque and took photos.

It was amazing to see so many alums, parents, students, and family in the stands to support these teams. “This win for Kenwood is a tribute to changing times,” said Coach Bracey. This win

should allow Kenwood to become a more favorable option for student-athletes that want to play baseball in the public league versus going to a private or suburban school. The Baseball Coaching staff has expanded the team outside of baseball, including a focus on the mental health of the players and being active in the community. In the future, the team plans to focus more on promoting the season schedule so that people can attend more games and support the team. This week the team will go on to play in the playoffs for the State title.

Minimum Wage increase and Fair Workweek

Changes Go Into Effect July 1, 2023

Chicago’s labor laws reflect commitment to creating economic prosperity for all workers; City-awarded grant will help ensure Chicago’s labor protections reach most vulnerable workers

CNW Staff Report

On Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), announced the annual scheduled increase in Chicago’s minimum wage and a scheduled enhancement of the Fair Workweek Ordinance requirements. Additionally, BACP has awarded Arise Chicago a $100,000 grant to conduct outreach and education on Chicago’s labor laws. Arise Chicago will work in partnership with the City to create resources for vulnerable workers. The scheduled changes support the vision of building an inclusive, prosperous city that values and supports its workforce. Information on Chicago’s labor laws can be found by visiting Chicago.gov/Labor Standards.

“Working people and working families of Chicago deserve to know that their wages will keep pace with inflation and that they can count on an increase in their paychecks every year,” said Mayor Johnson. “Additionally, the Fair Workweek Ordinance enhancements going into effect in July will ensure that tens of thousands of Chicagoans will have more predictable work schedules, giving them a better work-life balance. Thank you to the team at BACP for putting in great

work to move this initiative forward.”

Every July 1, Chicago’s minimum wage increases per the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The Chicago minimum wage is tiered for large businesses with 21 or more employees, and small businesses with 4 to 20 employees. The minimum wage for larger employees increases annually according to the Consumer Price Index or 2.5%, whichever is lower. The minimum wage as of July 1, 2023, will be:

$15.80 for employers with 21 or more employees (including all domestic workers, regardless of the number employed)

$15.00 for employers with 4 to 20 employees

The minimum wage for tipped employees will be $9.48 for employers with 21 or more employees, and $9.00 for employers with 4 to 20 employees (employers must make up the difference between any tips received and the applicable minimum wage for non-tipped workers.)

Additionally, on July 1, 2023, the Fair Workweek Ordinance will include updated compensation metrics. Employees will be covered by the ordinance if they work in one of seven “covered” industries (building services, healthcare, hotel, manufacturing, restaurant, retail,

or warehouse services), earn less than or equal to $30.80/hour or earn less than or equal to $59,161.50/year, and the employer has at least 100 employees globally (250 employees and 30 locations if operating a restaurant). The Fair Workweek Ordinance requires certain employers to provide workers with predictable work schedules and compensation for changes.

Employers that maintain a business facility within the City of Chicago or that are required to obtain a business license to operate in the City are required to pay their employees at least the Chicago minimum wage. Additionally, any employee that works two hours or more in the City within a two-week period must also receive at least the Chicago minimum wage.

The Chicago minimum wage also applies to Subsidized Temporary Youth Employment Programs like those catering to Chicago’s youth looking for summer employment opportunities. Anyone age 24 or younger employed by or engaged in employment coordinated by a nonprofit organization or government agency will see a minimum wage increase to $13.50 on July 1, 2023. Eligible youth can find qualifying opportunities by vis-

iting OneSummerChicago.org, which is a resource designed to help teens and young adults easily find employment and internship opportunities with government institutions, community-based organizations, and companies.

“The burden of inflation that gets passed onto working people has not let up, and I am proud that this ordinance ensures that the minimum wage will continue to rise as long as the cost of living rises,” said CFL President Bob Reiter. “We fight for the highest standards for workers in Chicago. Setting a livable wage for the city’s workforce helps the people that make this city great get a chance to live, work, and play here too.”

BACP will host free informational webinars to prepare employers for the upcoming changes to Chicago’s Labor Standards Laws. The webinar, “Overview of Chicago’s Minimum Wage Ordinance, Including Annual Increase,” will take place Wednesday, June 14, at 3:00 p.m. The webinar will also be presented in Spanish on Thursday, June 15, at 10:00 a.m. To register for the webinars, visit Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation.

Memorial Day Leftovers! Quick, Easy and delicious!

donna hodge food Editor

now that Summer has officially arrived and weekends mean and bathing your tastebuds with “real barbecue chicken”, actually grilled on your barbecue pit and not in the oven, you probably have some leftovers in the refrigerator, and you are ready for something else. With the warm temperatures finally here, no one wants to be in a hot kitchen. So, let’s repurpose that chicken into a quick and delicious Chicken Salad. Using what I had in the refrigerator, I pulled this together in no time, so I wouldn’t have to be in a hot kitchen. Most likely you already have the other ingredients in the vegetable bin. Just use what you have and what you like. There are many debates about what should go into Chicken Salad, some say apples, and others say grapes. The key is to add what you like! If you like nuts, use

Ahwhat you have or vary them by swapping the almonds for pecans or walnuts. If you want to add kernel corn, just make sure you drain the corn before adding it. If you prefer it creamier, substitute the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt. There are no hard and fast rules that you have to add those items. Aside from the ingredients listed below, you have a few options to play with when it comes to texture and flavor.

Leftover BBQ Chicken Salad

2 cups grilled chicken, diced. Remove skin.

2 stalks of celery, diced

2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

½ cup sweet onion such as Vidalia, finely diced 2-3 mini bell peppers, finely diced

Dressing

1 cup of mayonnaise

2-3 tablespoons sour cream (you want it sweeter, substitute Miracle Whip)

1 teaspoon low sodium all-purpose seasoning

1 wteaspoon sugar (sugar substitute, Stevia, agave nectar or honey)

Directions:

Using a cutting board, chop and prepare the chicken, celery, onions, and bell peppers. Place in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings. If you add Miracle Whip, you may not need to add any sweetener. Taste as you go along and adjust as needed.

Serve it over lettuce, with deviled eggs or make it a sandwich. Just have fun with it!

Serves 4

delish!

MEET THE CONTRACTORS

Red Line Extension (RLE) Short Listed Primes Event

June 8, 2023

9:00am – 12:00pm

CTA Headquarters 567 West Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60661

2nd FL Conference Rooms A,B,C

Registration: https://bit.ly/3LxUq4R

July 18, 2023

10:00am – 12:00pm

Olive Harvey College 10001 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60628

Registration: https://bit.ly/44XGLgr

The July event will focus on professional services opportunities

Join

Refreshments will be provided by:

Forward questions to: diversity@transitchicago.com