January 24, 2024 Edition by cnwmedia.com

January 24 - January 30, 2024 • The Voice Of Black Chicago • Vol.1 No 52 • cnwmedia.com • FREE

Pastor

John Harrell

No Holds Barred

Chicago News Weekly

January 24 - January 30, 2024

Chicago News Weekly

E notes

Cheryl Mainor Norman

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

AGood Break or BadBreak

photo credit: Dot Ward

President & Publisher

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor-in-Chief

pends on where the argument begins. ‘is it the responsibility of the outside I’d be inclined to ask the Texan govstate seeking to do business with another ernor first and Wynne Transportation, how is loading ‘those immigrants Staff Writers state’s responsibility to familiarize itself with rights’ on a bus and transportDr. Sharice Braford ing them not violating their right to Dr. Sanja Rickette Stinson with the laws of the state before acting seek asylum where they choose, rathMarti Worell er than Texas making the decision-- if Wanda Wright on their assumption?’ we’re going to discuss the rights of

Contributors NNPA Newswire Mare Evans Melanie Mainor Ken Hare Cover Photo By Seed Lynn

Chicago News Weekly 4131 S.State Suite C Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 236-1464 Vol. 1 No 52 Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Chicago News Weekly is published weekly on Wednesday. www.cnwmedia.com advertising@cnwmedia.com editorial@cnwmedia.com Subscription $104 year

January 24 - January 30, 2024

ell, if it ain’t one thing it’s another goes the saying that we’re all too familiar with which applies to the immigration issue in Chicago, New York, and other Democratic government-led cities to name a few.

On the Table After much vocalization from the Chicago mayor locally and nationally regarding the outrage of Texan Governor Abbott’s total disregard for human well-being of immigrants or his fellow states as it pertains to his constant shipment of immigrants to states other than his own, the outspoken first-time Chicago Mayor chose to do something about it. The recently installed legislature preventing the unapproved transporting of Immigrant drop-offs has been met with much disagreement. The ordinance does not specifically mention immigration, but of course, the action was implemented to slow the overwhelming influx of drop-offs which has been the topic of immense national discussion. So, the question on the table was always ‘What to do, what to do, and how to do what is chosen to do with the immigrants?’ The newly elected Chicago may-

or stepped into office last May and told his city and the world that Chicago was a sanctuary city and that its big shoulders could handle the asylum seekers. However, as the reality of what that looked like began to weigh down on the city’s shoulders, the brevity of the city lost patience with his heartfelt intention and upset the balance of the humanitarian position and city governance.

In the Balance However, the recent step to protect Chicago established his allegiance to the city to whom he pledged to provide leadership was an important move. I just wonder whether or not as much as I am hoping that our city leadership took it upon itself to note the legal steps in passing such an ordinance with the lawsuit brought against it by Texas Wynne Transportation LLC standing in the balance. The transportation company poses the argument that Chicago’s ordinance ‘unlawfully interferes with its business and violates Wynne’s constitutional rights and the rights of Wynne’s passengers.’ That’s an interesting position now, isn’t it? I mean, what rights do non-citizens have other than being treated humanely? And at what point does being dropped off unauthorized after being transported like cargo from one city to another, is in the interest of the immigrant or the passenger? Is it humane? One must ask what rights have been violated? In truth, it de-

immigrants referred to by Wynne as ‘Passenger?’

What's at Stake Chicago’s new ordinance requires advance notification of the ask to drop off immigrants to provide ample time for the city to plan, work out, or reject based on its ability to act in the best interest of the immigrants, thus rebuking unscheduled one-way buses from outside the Chicago without approval. Violators can be fined $3,000 and have their vehicles impounded, the mandate states. I suppose that Wynne is far more interested in the loss of money given its lucrative contract with the state of Texas to transport immigrants elsewhere than it is with ‘its passenger's rights. The question concerning the alleged allegation put to the courts should be ‘is every state required to officially notify all states of its newly passed legislature or is it the responsibility of the outside state seeking to do business with another state’s responsibility to familiarize itself with the laws of the state before acting on their assumption?' Mayor Brandon Johnson will be a huge score with his constituents. Perhaps the joint efforts of other sanctuary cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles will help the scale to weigh in Chicago’s favor. The court case scheduled for January 2, 2024, can make, or break the future of a budding mayor.

Chicago News Weekly

City news

Chicago’s Winter Brings More than a Cold Snap CNW STAFF

t’s hard to imagine anything great about the Chicago cold snap other than being grateful for having a warm home and days off. And maybe, wish that you were a polar bear. As it turns out last year as early as September of 2023 the Windy City was gifted a new presence of the Spotted lanternfly invasive insect, capable of devastating trees and agriculture. So, in addition to all the city with big shoulders challenges it is also in a race to limit the infestation. Shattered at a recent educational webinar, hosted by the University of Illinois Extension to spread awareness of the pest and the efforts to contain it, was the hopeful thinking that an arctic blast would take care of the problem naturally. Accordingly, it would take an unprecedented deep freeze, along the lines of three solid weeks of minus-30 temperatures, to kill the lanternfly’s eggs,” Presenter Tricia Bethke said. She also noted that Illinois is prepared with an offense because in 10 years since the spotted lanternfly was first identified in Pennsylvania, natural resource experts have gained considerable knowledge about the pest, and states in the path of its likely spread had time to prepare. GOOD NEWS--So the conversation shifted to methods of hands-on combat, which is still feasible while the infestation remains small. As far back as 2015 a survey was conducted, traps were set, and high-risk pathways were discussed. Checkpoints of entry are roadways, airports, railroad tracks, and wineries because spotted lanternflies love to feed on grapevines,” according to Bethke. It was noted that a new pest on the ‘Most Wanted’ list came in by rail, specifically Norfolk Southern, and a small population was identified in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago, home to a sizable railyard. To deter the current small outbreak from escalating out of control, the plan is to attack it at various points throughout the bug’s lifecycle. As winter, prevails officials will be retracing the lanternfly’s route, searching for the pest’s egg masses (laid in late fall) to the east along the rail line and aiming to detect any additional populations and destroying eggs. The plan is to prevent the hatching of eggs before they hatch in the spring. As a citizen, you are asked to keep an eye out for eggs that are yellowish-brown in color and covered with a gray, waxy

Chicago News Weekly

Texas Charter Bus Company is Suing Chicago’s Banned Unannounced Migrant Drop-Offs CNW STAFF

coating before hatching Though found anywhere if the beautiful the surface is smooth. lanternfly is Scrape them with a credit card or some oth- not a butterfly. er utensil, put the eggs in a sealed plastic bag, and toss them in the trash, officials advise. May marks the first stage of juvenile hatches, so remain extra vigilant when it comes to anything that looks like a tick which is the 1st stage of lanternfly development. It measures an eighth of an inch in size, or about as big as a tick. “So, make sure a tick is a tick,” Bethke advises. Unsure, just take a picture, note the location, smush it dead, and then report it to authorities at lanternfly@illinois.edu; be sure to include photos. The same instructions apply to any spotted lanternflies found in their later stages of development (they change from black to red), all the way through adulthood, at which point they will be quite large and sporting their distinctive polka-dotted wings. Noteworthy is that spotted lanternflies like to aggregate, or move in groups. So be watchful. “The older they get, the bigger they get, the more they gather,” she said. BAD NEWS--Adults will find a healthy host tree and congregate because they’re too heavy,” to move. Their presence damages the tree because they pierce the tree with a push pin-like fang to stab the tree to suck its sap. Sucking the sap is one of the ways they stress a tree, the other is the production of honeydew or lanternfly “poop” builds up on plants and leads to a fungus growth known as sooty mold. Be proactive Bethke and monitor your trees for signs of duress — maybe it looks like it needs water, despite receiving plenty of rain. That could be an indication of an infestation. Trees at risk like Black walnut, willow, lilac, poplar, birch, red and silver maple, and apple are among the lanternfly’s favorites to feed on, along with the invasive tree of heaven. And God forbid they land on a grove of Willows and Poplars, some Chicago faves that could create an additional high-risk pathway along the river which we want to avoid.

ynne Transportation LLC wants to reverse the Chicago border crisis in a federal lawsuit against the city alleging that its ordinance banning unannounced migrant drop-offs is uncon- Texas bus company stitutional and punishes transportation companies working unauthorize drop with Texas, according to court documents. off of immigrants in Their point is that Chicago’s new restrictions against buses Chicago dropping off one-way passengers were implemented without prior notice. Chicago city leaders acknowledge that the ordinance does not specifically mention immigration, however, the ordinance is in response to the influx of more than 30,000 migrants arriving from Texas on government-contracted charter buses, often dropped off on street corners with little or no notice. Enacted on Dec ember 8, 2023, the document requires unscheduled one-way buses from outside the Chicago area to get advance approval from the city to drop people off. Violators can be fined $3,000 and have their vehicles impounded, the mandate states. The Mayor's office responded, “Texas bus operators continue to willfully break the law by disregarding regulations designed to ensure the safety of asylum seekers arriving in Chicago,” in a December 27 news release calling for federal support in addressing the migrant crisis. At the direction of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, the Lone Star state has bused more than 90,000 migrants to sanctuary cities run by Democratic elected officials including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Denver, and Los Angeles since April 2022, according to numbers released by the governor’s office December. 29. Michael Kozlowski, an attorney representing Wynne Transportation LLC and several other charter bus companies, told CNN in a statement Thursday, “Wynne is taking action against the City’s ordinance because it unlawfully interferes with its business and violates Wynne’s constitutional rights and the rights of Wynne’s passengers.” The lawsuit which is also caught in the middle of another lawsuit filed in the New York Supreme Court for its non-compliant role in transporting migrants to New York City, argues that the ordinance is intended to limit the flow of immigrants and infringes on the right of the federal government to set immigration policy. “This case is about allowing immigrants the opportunity to call Chicago home,” the lawsuit states. Wynne’s attorney said, “As of December 31, 2023, Chicago filed 95 separate lawsuits against approximately 24 bus companies to enforce the unlawful ordinance. We intend to vigorously defend those cases,” which will begin on January 29 with an initial hearing for 40 of the 95 cases filed by the city. The bus company also cites the federal migration authority of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department in its suit; the state of Texas is involved in ongoing litigation with the Biden administration over its efforts to arrest migrants, place barriers in the Rio Grande and block Border Patrol agents from access to parts of the border. The Wynne lawsuit argues Chicago is also violating the constitutional authority of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce by enacting restrictions that mostly apply to out-of-state companies.“The Ordinance violates both Plaintiff’s and its passengers’ fundamental right of free movement/interstate travel,” the documents state. Chicago had not filed a response to the suit in court, and no hearing dates have been set in the case at the time of this printing.

January 24 - January 30, 2024

Chicago News Weekly

Healthy Living

By Mila K. Marshall, PhD CNW Staff Editor

Cold is snapping pipes and breaking pockets

isproportionate seems to be synonymous with African American lives no matter what. The environment is no different. The winters many grew up with are long gone. Climate change is impacting the lives and lifestyles of the vulnerable, working middle class and upwardly mobile Black populations. Climate change is pressure. Extreme cold is defined by temperatures well below zero by the National Weather Service. But the definition is also regional. For southern states extreme cold is considered freezing temperatures. What will it take for Black Chicago to organize with climate change as a starting point for the pursuit of equity and not on the sidelines of the march towards justice? The damage extreme cold can cause is deadly. While there are memes and laughs about dibs for street parking…our communities are at a crossroads. In minus degree weather single mother Victoria Williams found herself in a panic as the battery in her Tesla lost power. “I have a child with special needs dependent on me. The Tesla battery drained without warning. It was terrifying. I rushed to the nearest supercharging location and all the stalls were frozen and non operational.No contingency plan or support was offered besides wait-

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ing for a standard tow, which was unacceptable with my child at risk in the plummeting temperatures,” she said. Williams and others found themselves in the throes of a different kind of dibs. Chicago’s typical winter war was us vs the snow. The most we had to worry about was finding our cleared out parking spot taken when we returned. With climate change…shoveling ourselves out of parking spots are the least of our worries. While a spot in front of a home may feel like a win, frozen pipes inside can snap pipes but can break budgets. When water freezes inside pipes it expands and turns to ice. Pressure from the expansion can crack or burst a pipe, and can freeze around 20 degrees fahrenheit. All are at risk. Homeowners, property management companies, renters and developers. Every single water line can freeze and incur damage. Interior pipes, outdoor spigots, sprinklers, irrigation lines, swimming pool lines, exterior pipes…anything with water, indoors and out. ‘As a homeowner, protecting my pipes/plumbing from freezing is front of mind. Extreme cold like this feels like we’re protecting our home from an invader. It’s weird to think of it like that, but that’s the level of preparation it feels like we had to undertake. I have friends whose pipes froze. Others were struggling with old boilers

working overtime. My heart aches for the unhoused on our streets,” shared Adrienne Irmer of South Shore. Irmer previously worked for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and acknowledged weatherization and preparedness were gaps being addressed for low income communities. A cracked pipe can lead to structural damage, flooding and subsequently mold. Preventative measures like insulation of exposed pipes, shutting off water supplies and adding heat tape were all recommended by State Farm to avoid catastrophic and costly damages. Damage can be costly and bills can be upwards of $10,000. The Illinois Chapter of the Community Associations Institute reported the average claim in the state for busted frozen pipes is $15,000 from esurance. com. Between August of 2022 and August of 2023, insurance giant State Farm reportedly paid out nearly $80 million for 2,800 Illinois claims. Second only to Georgia. In 2022, insurers paid out $99 billion in claims due to natural disasters in the US according to the Insurance Information Institute. Indeed adequate coverage is a lifesaver, but as weather becomes more volatile and unpredictable, affordability will become the key concern. Illinois insurance premiums nearly doubled from $133 between 2021 and 2022 to $256 the following year according to the Policygenius Home Insurance Pricing Report. Rising costs and dwindling options will arguably leave vulnerable customers at risk of being underinsured. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen lifted up in 2023 how climate stressors are leading to decreased affordable insurance in some parts of the country. High risk areas are seeing insurance companies withdraw. Places like Louisiana, Florida and California, home ownership becomes more expensive and less affordable to protect. In the Black community there are multiple stressors that make it challenging for economic development to be sustained and trickle down and across our communities. Higher insurance rates, inflated costs of building materials, climate illiterate professionals and extreme weather will continue to disrupt all efforts to establish a healthy Black economy. For Williams it’s clear, solutions for extreme cold weather have to be addressed. “ I shudder imagining less fortunate owners rendered helpless in frigid darkness with no aid in sight. Real dangers exist. The transportation revolution has yet to equally prioritize and protect,” shared Williams. She worries about hypothermia for those outside and is equally concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning from warming themselves. Across Chicago yes, schools have closed to accommodate the cold. And remote work has been encouraged to limit outdoor exposure. But is this extreme weather enough to stop Black Chicago from giving climate change the cold shoulder? Prayerfully so.

January 24 - January 30, 2024

Chicago News Weekly

Cover Story

Ken Hare Contributing Writer

No Holds Pastor John Harrell Barred

Photo: By Seed Lynn

n an exclusive interview, CNW captures Pastor John Harrell’s story from his childhood growing up as a young man on the West Side of Chicago to Proviso Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood, IL, where he ministers. His story begins remarkably idyllic. He comes from a "healthy middle-class family," and his parents both worked forty years on their jobs. His father, Jerry Harrell, a Vietnam veteran, worked for the state of Illinois. His mother, Francine Harrell, retired from ComEd. They owned a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, single-family home on North Central Park Avenue and Augusta Blvd. in West Humboldt Park. "It was the house of hospitality," says Pastor Harrell, "Our house was the house where you could get food, clothing, and shelter. We always had four or five different boxes of cereal on the top shelf and cooked meals daily by mom, and we always had snacks. Folks would come to our house, and they thought we

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were rich because we had all the necessities, and we weren't on public aid. We interacted with the people. We stayed humble, and we were blessed." His parents opted for a private education for him and his siblings. "I went to Saint Thomas Aquinas parochial school, K through 8. In my first year, I went to Weber High School, and then I transferred and went to Marshall High School - a great academic institution on the West Side. I went to the military after I graduated and later received an honorable discharge from the Army National Guard." At eighteen, Harrell landed a job as a mail carrier for the USPS in Westchester, IL, a suburb of Chicago. His daily route brought him into contact with Currie Motors Lincoln Mercury, Inc. (CMLMI), a now-defunct car dealership on West Cermak and Wolf Road. Despite his stable middle-class upbringing, the temptations he encountered at CMLMI would prove hard to resist.

The Runner In the summer of 1991, the charismatic young man walked into CMLMI and started conversing with the general manager. "He liked me," stated Pastor Harrell. "I started working as a unionized porter. I would fetch the cars and clean the cars for the dealership. At that time, fat cats were coming in buying the big Oldsmobiles, Delta 98s, 88s, and Royales. Back then, Oldsmobile made a beautiful car." "They were heavyweights, and they weren't Black, not one of them. And, to this day, I'm still sworn to secrecy. I'll never tell you who they were, but a lot of guys you've seen in the newspapers. A lot of the guys you've read about the Feds went in their walls and found millions of dollars." "I was cleaning their cars as a young man, fetching their lottery tickets and getting their cigarettes. They always appreciated that I was a young man with integrity; they said that I was beyond my

time. I've always been a young man with an old soul." "While there, I began to rise up the ranks. I went from washing cars to being a service adviser and a service writer. I was so clean-cut. I was so mentally sharp. I could catch on to anything. I wanted to be a service manager one day." One day in 1992, he was cleaning a heavyweight's car. "As I was cleaning his car, there was a lot of money inside. And I told him, 'You know, you got money on your floor.' And there were some drugs also inside.” "I don't know if he was setting me up to see if I would steal it, but I told him, 'You need to remove that. I don't feel comfortable cleaning your car. I don't want nobody saying I'm taking anything.'" The heavyweight appreciated Harrell's honesty and rewarded him. "From that day forward, he made me his guy and started introducing me to people. 'Go get this. Get that.' Run and pick up the money. And I would always bring back the package."

January 24 - January 30, 2024

Photos: By Seed Lynn

At nineteen years old, Harrell earned $4K - $5K per week as a runner. "That's good money! Cash money!" stated the pastor. On top of that, he pulled in $65K annually from the dealership. "It was the easiest job a young man could have. It was basically running errands," referring to his responsibilities at the car dealership. Pastor Harrell said, "Man, I just spent all that money, all of it. Every chance I got; I spent it all. I mean, I didn't save any. I just spent every dime that I had. That's what I did with it. Bought me old-school cars and motorcycles. I did just what the rap videos say to do: spend it foolishly."

The Supplier As a runner, Harrell left an indelible impression on his boss. They were captivated by his integrity. He was seduced by their lifestyle. “I wanted more,” he says. "Look at them; they look good. Man, I wanted to be like those old guys: the old Hispanics, the old Italians, the old Russians, the old Polish, the old African Americans. I knew them all. I was looking up to them because that's the element that was in front of me." Harrell found the old hustlers fascinating because of, "How they dressed, and how they carried themselves. The level of respect that they had, the women, their code, to me, they had it all. At that time, I was not thinking about anything but living my life like that - like Superfly!" Harrell continued as a successful runner until 1996. His loyalty had earned him the respect of his boss, he shared. "He helped me become a supplier because I knew all the guys in the hood. And I knew I could beat everything they had. I ended up beating everybody's prices." Harrell's business exploded as he undercut the competition, and he kept a tight circle of clients supplying a chosen few. "You handle everybody else," he told them. At age twenty-nine, he had fulfilled his mission of becoming like the bosses he

January 24 - January 30, 2024

admired. "I didn't want to be one of the guys that had to report to someone. I wanted to be the man everyone reported to," Pastor Harrell confessed. However, things were rapidly changing: the bosses he looked up to started dying off or going to prison. "You’ve got to watch your back constantly. Because you look good, you drive a good car, smell good, and keep a pocket full of money. You’ve become a marked man. I wanted to get out of the biz because it's a headache."

Only Two Ways Out "The weight was on my shoulders," says Pastor Harrell. "And how do I try to get out of it? In your mind, you think you will make money and just one day walk away. But I'm here to tell you that's not how it goes. There are only two ways out of this lifestyle. One is through a casket, and the other is through a jail cell." The reality, however, didn't stop Harrell from creating a third option. "I started a company called H2O Power Washing. I put 400-gallon tanks on pickup trucks and went around washing cars at the dealerships for $3 a piece. I’d go to U-Hauls and clean trucks on the lot for $5 a piece, and then I’d wash the trailers for an additional $7. But at that time, the Feds were watching a me," he said. Although Harrell successfully transitioned away from trafficking, a karmic twist was about to take hold of his life. “My family had no idea. I always interacted with my family attending birthdays, events, and holidays. They thought I was in the car business, but I wasn’t. I was living two lifestyles." However, the years of living a double life would soon be over. "I thank God they didn't get me for all I had done. They got me because I took the pickup trucks. I lied on my credit application. That's how they got me," says Pastor Harrell. On the credit application, he stated that H2O had been in business for three years; in actuality, H2O was incorporated for only three months.

Charged with theft by deception and other violations, Harrell went to prison for nearly three years in December 1998.

The Road to Redemption Upon his release in 2001, Pastor Harrell has been dedicated to serving God and rebuilding the Black community through his 501(c)(3) organization, Black Men United Foundation (BMU Foundation). Established in 2020, and co-founded with Anthony Prince, Terry Young, and Johnny Jackson, the four have channeled their histories into addressing food insecurity, violence prevention, and workforce development nationwide. Pastor Harrell credits Bishop Porter, his spiritual mentor, as the force behind the organization's success. "He started with the Black Panthers and is the greatest at organizing programs. I've succeeded him," says Pastor Harrell. So far, the BMU Foundation has distributed one hundred million pounds of food to twelve million people nationwide. “Our giveaways are made possible with Corporate America through partnerships. Our mega partners are World Vision and Costco. Overstock and Amazon returns are donated to us for free, and we give items away for free to the people. We have tractor-trailers we utilize as part of our workforce development to pick up items, and some of their trucks are dispatched to us. We get about twenty tractor-trailers a month." On 17 February 2023, representatives from the BMU Foundation joined city officials in breaking ground on the Roosevelt & Kostner Industrial & Innovative Center as part of the INVEST South/ West economic development initiative. Pastor Harrell says BMU Foundation will house their violence reduction, food insecurity, and workforce development programs at this new location scheduled to open in the fall of 2024. "We've been able to place people at hospitals. We've placed people in the

new Bally's casino. We've placed people in various construction trades with construction partners and developers. We have a good training and feeder program." We place workers regardless of a felony in their background because there are companies that hire ex-offenders. It speaks to the power of the God of second chances." Pastor Harrell says, “My background influences what I do through the BMU Foundation because I know the people, how they think, their desires and aspirations. We can take food into a community and bring this gang and that gang together and have them settle their disputes. There's the value in that." I asked the Pastor, “What's an important issue facing the Black community right now? What can we do to fix it?” "It's the Willie Lynch letter: I think that what we have is internal prejudice and biases with each other. Put the tall one against the short one, the light skin against the dark skin, the old one against the young one, the poor against the rich. That's the biggest problem that we're facing. It's the lack of love, hope, and trust for each other." "We just have to start sharing and showering each other with love. One person at a time until it becomes contagious. Until then, we'll always be behind, trying to get ahead, and always struggle." The pastor says, "Looking forward, we've hired a lobbyist." The Pastorss believes the policies that affect the Black community can be addressed at the legislative level through effective lobbying. In closing he says, “I just try to be the best I can be and be a good example. I work to be a role model that encourage young brothers and sisters that want to be inspired. Those that want to hear me, they'll hear me," says Pastor Harrell. For more information, visit blackmenunitedusa.org

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Art & Culture

Kai EL’ Zabar Editor in Chief

CP REIMAGINED

he Color Purple 2023 film adaption is what today pop culture refers to as a ‘reimagined’ version of the original film debut of Spielberg’s 1985 film—adapted from Alice Walker's 1982 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction novel, “The Color Purple,” which has had reimaged variations ‘over the years as a Tony-winning Broadway production and now in this moment it is presented to us as a musical by Ghanian director Blitz Bazawule whose lens through which we watch the story unfold, turned a few corners and usurped creative license. I wonder what Ms. Walker thinks.

Metamorphosis Off the top, the Color Purple 2023 cast is wonderful. Each actor brings their A-game and delivers powerful vocals. The cinematography captures the story as a visual reflection of the storyline. Immediately you can see and feel the Black 'affect' and you know that this is not going to be the 1984 perspective, although Alice Walker’s ‘coming-of-age story’ gives the film its bones and the structure is firm. There’s a hidden jewel ‘in your face’ that tells a story within the story. We see Celie played by Fantasia Barrino who embodies her character connecting to the audience; and jazzy juke joint singer Shug Avery portrayed by the sensual Taraji Henson who nails the look, the persona, and the vocals. Together they drive from the country to a movie theatre in the city. Advertised in lights, is “The Flying Ace” splashed across its poster are the words, ‘with an all-colored cast.’ “The Flying Ace,” is a real film released in 1926 marketed as a race film. It’s classic ‘in-your-face’ as a ‘How you like me now?’ moment. It is a bold yet discrete way of informing the viewer ‘Yeah we ‘remember’ as we observe two of the film’s central characters go to see a film for, about, and acted

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by Blacks who were excluded from white mainstream movie theaters while we fast forward ourselves into Celie’s world at the movies. I’m not big on the reimaging of an already great story. It’s a challenge to shapeshift things essential to the story and not think it will alter the dynamics between characters to tell a different story. Go write your own story. Anyway, Alice Walker’s novel begins in 1909 in coastal Georgia, where two young sisters exist under the roof and rules of their tyrant father (Deon Cole). Their mother is deceased. Celie as a youth (played by Phylicia Pearl Mpasi ) and Nettie’s youth character (Halle Bailey) are very close. Most egregious is that the father engages in an incestuous relationship with Celie, impregnating her twice, treating her like a slave, and expressing no love. The audience observes him take away the baby at birth as he did the first, leaving the grief-stricken Celie to wonder about her babies. It doesn’t get better when he marries/sells Celie off to a man (Colman Domingo’s) Mister who desires her sister, instead but the father says ‘No,’ she’s too young.

Damaged Goods Mister is damaged goods, disappointed by love, and suffers from a large suppressed male ego that must be cowered in the presence of his oppressive father as his son must yield to him. Mister continues the pattern of abuse and Celie’s fragility is tested physically, mentally, and emotionally while his son follows in his footsteps. Celie writes letters regularly to her sister but receives no response. Mister’s selfish and cruel forced estrangement between the sisters is revealed years after no communication between them. Celie has been trained well by her father so she makes the best of her situation and the life she was expecting. ‘Celie matures and over time builds a better life for herself as her world broad-

ens through the exposure of meeting different people, and new experiences. One such person enters her life by way of her stepson Harpo (Corey Hawkins) who brings a sassy mouth bride into their home, Sofia (Danielle Brooks) who seems to be a creature from the future with her ideas about how women should be treated. Harpo like his father tries to control Sofia by beating her. Sofia’s defiant spirit rebukes Harpo’s controlling impulses which will also cause her to suffer unjustly at the hands of white people. But it is Shug Avery who will impact Celie’s life the most and leave the greatest impression. And this is where creative license gets interesting. And I have a dispute. I always thought that Spielberg had miscast Sofia and set a precedence for what Sofia looked like. In the book, she was described as an ‘Amazon’ as were her sisters. So, when did Amazons look like Oprah or Danielle Brooks who's all but 5 feet 4 inches? Don’t get me wrong, both deliver great performances but their size and how they are styled changed the dynamics of the relationship between Harpo and Sofia, which to me is essential to the storyline. An Amazon woman would look more like Pam Grier or Tamara Dobson. I always thought that her stature was one of Harpo’s major attractions to her; that and her beauty. The fact that he was shorter made her more alluring and why he wanted her to mind him or dominate her. That made for a different dynamic.

TRANSFORMATION TRANSITION Another questionable change was the relationship between Celie and Shug who falls ill and is nursed back to health by Celie. It is during that time that the two women talk 'woman' things. At some point, Shug mentions Mister to

Celie implying that he must be ‘tightening’ her up. Celie ends up telling Shug, “Mister just climbs up on me and 'do 'his business then gets off.” It is during this exchange that Shug realizes that Celie has never been loved or felt loved nor desired. Shug is grateful for the attentiveness shown to her by Celie. She begins having the ‘girl talk’ with Celie that she had never had. Shug asked her if she knew her body and if so what did she like. So, Shug does what a big sister or sex teacher would do and tells her how to touch herself and learn her body. This is a very important transition that parlays Celie into self-actualization. Soon after Celie’s transformation becomes visible and is reflected in her persona and brand new attitude. Her entire countenance changes. She makes designs and makes her clothes including pants. Celie has taken charge of her life and prepares to leave. In The Color Purple 23, the interpretation is that Shug and Celie enter a sexual lesbian relationship. Anyway, reimagining Walker’s novel, and Spielberg’s film version, as a musical was an interesting opportunity, however I still think that the Shug--Celie relationship steered it into a ‘sex story’ out of trauma- territory and instead of a story of hope and celebration changed the story. This musical emanates big energy with good reason. Bazawule known for his co-direction of Beyoncé's 2020 visual album ‘Black Is King’ navigates it stylishly. His colorful direction leads perfectly to the reunion of Celie and Nettie and takes flight, when “She Be Mine,” comes alive!

January 24 - January 30, 2024

By Mila K. Marshall, PhD, CNW Cannabis Corner Editor

Cannabis Corner

Cannabis VladBautista

Happy Munkey CEO

Vlad Bautista makes East Coast Cannabis look effortless

lad Bautista is a humble hustler dustry more unified instead of being all siloed off. munities. The Dominican Re-

of hope that comes from the legacy market. Born to Dominican parents, Bautista and his team unapologetically represent their Latin heritage and shed light on the inequities Spanish-speaking communities face within the industry. Happy Munkey is a cannabis lifestyle brand. The New York native kicked off the company in 2017, one year after the state decriminalized marijuana for medical use. New York has an interesting maturing market. Bautista shares what the regulators got right and how his team with over 100 years of experience in the legacy market is making smart decisions and amassing influence along the way. He clarifies where Happy Munkey stands top of 2024. “We are focused on retail at the moment. My partner was awarded a retail license in Brooklyn. I was awarded one in Manhattan, so we will be starting with dispensary operations,” he shared. The CEO says what New York got right is how the licensing framework is structured. In New York, once you have a retail license, you can do three things. A retailer can sell, deliver, and host consumption events. “That's one thing New York did, right? Cannabis is complicated. Giving us licensee the ability to do all three gives us the opportunity and the time to try to figure out how to fully optimize our resources,” said Bautista. Westcoast Weed had a business model and philosophy that Bautista saw failing as MSOs anchored themselves early in the East Coast market. Bautista’s watchful eye gave him the insight to build a brand for the people by the people. “Corporations weren’t focused on profitability and helping the community. Their growth mindset was to buy up property after property but not the people,” he shared. When Bautista and his team started with social consumption events they realized no one in the industry was gathering community. With space left wide open for a grassroots approach…Happy Munkey developed its brand as being more than just another cannabis company. “We started teaching the community. We bridging the different classes and different races and making the in-

January 24 - January 30, 2024

And by default, it made us the bridge between corporate and culture in New York, said Bautista. What helped the young company was staying present with a purpose. “This is a lifestyle. Our events are just one part. We have a podcast with over 80 episodes, an E-magazine even apparel. We started a movement before recreational legalization,” he said. Social consumption is still a challenging space to operate. Bautista however has had some heavy-hitting institutional partners showing the benefits of being hometown heroes. Happy Munkey partnered with the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit and the companies Sensual Soiree at the Museum of Sex both gave the public a way to learn about cannabis while living life out loud. When asked what three things have been the secret to the brands' success, Bautista said, leveraging their local network, being open-minded, and finally starting small. “First you have to build credibility. Me and my team have our connections but it's insiders that work with or for some of these places that get us in the door. Businesses have to build relationships and have to use them wisely. When you understand your own community and you can bring different people to a venue that’s a benefit to the venue as well as revenue. But writing and cold calling just won’t cut it. What we do is something we are sure others can’t and we do it tastefully. We invite them to be ahead of the curve,” he said. Bautista believes companies have to be radical, and ambitious but strategic. “Cannabis has been stifled for nearly 80 years. But that's over now. We need to think outside the box in this industry. Cannabis can be paired with any institution and with any industry if done correctly,” shared the CEO. But he cautions entrepreneurs to never waste credibility for flex. “When ambitions outpace capacity your outside-of-the-box thinking could cost you major money,” Bautista emphasized. His passion for his community shows in his advocacy work. He uses his platform to support equity for Spanish-speaking communities and to bridge the divide between impacted ethnic com-

“This is a

public has some of the harshlifestyle. Our est cannabis laws in the world. Bautista shared that most of events are those came from the influence just one part. of American drug policies. We have a “The draconian laws of the podcast with Dominican Republic come over 80 epfrom US policies. All the ridiculous laws that hurt Black isodes, an and Brown people here were E-magazine adopted by the country. But even apparel. even though we’ve progressed We started here in America…they still have those same oppressive a movement before recrelaws,” he said. He also believes cannabis is a ational legalscalpel that is carving out the ization,” he harm done to all marginalized said. communities. “Divisiveness doesn’t help us. We as communities of color may not agree on everything but we do agree that the War on Drugs hurt our communities and some in different ways,” said Bautista. He shared that cannabis prohibition for those of Dominican and Latin descent still impacts the community to date. “Latin families suffered a different type of displacement. While Blacks were being incarcerated and many are still imprisoned today, Latinos were being deported by the boatloads,” said Bautista. As the conversation begins to close he takes the time to honor the life-changing realities of the weed industry. “People in the legacy market need to see a way out. People like me,” said Bautista. About a year or two ago Bautista was approached by another legacy market individual who was eager to transition to legal and looking for guidance and opportunities, but tragedy struck sooner than expected. Bautista shared solemnly, “he didn’t make it. He lost his life before finding his way out. We need to understand for marginalized communities like ours this is life and death. Happy Munkey isn’t doing this just for capital…this is for the culture.”

Chicago News Weekly

The A.I.

The answer.is... CNW Staff

Decorum, Etiquette and Manners

I NOW This is Sumthin’ Now Available

Online

www.cnwmedia.com

n today’s world decorum, manners and etiquette seem all but lost human behavior has become so unpredictable and inconsiderate of others outside of oneself. Decorum, Manners, and Etiquette are related. Do you know the distinctions between them? The concept of decorum is also applied to prescribed limits of appropriate social behavior within set situations: 1. Social decorum sets down appropriate social behavior and propriety and is thus linked to notions of courtesy, decency, etiquette, grace, manners, respect, and seemliness. 2. A severely reduced form as an element of etiquette: the prescribed limits of appropriate social behavior within a set situation. The use of this word in this sense is of the sixteenth century, prescribing the boundaries of its origins established in drama and literature. The precepts of social decorum as we understand them are the preservation of external decency begs the question, Have you no wit, manners, or honesty? Is there no respect for persons, place, or time within you?"

You can still find decorum in the courtroom in the courtroom, of the type of argument that is within bounds, remains pertinent: the decorum of argument was a frequent topic during the O.J. Simpson trial. During Model United Nations conferences the honorable chair may have to announce, "Decorum delegates!" if delegates are not adhering to parliamentary procedure dictated by the rules. This often happens if a delegate speaks out of turn or if the delegation is being disruptive.

Manners & Etiquette Manners and etiquette are related concepts, but they are not the same. Manners refer to the way in which people interact with each other, showing consideration and respect. This can include saying, "please" and "thank you," being polite, and showing consideration for others. Etiquette, on the other hand, refers to a set of rules and customs that govern social behavior in a particular setting or society. It encompasses specific guidelines for behavior in various situations, such as formal dining, business interactions, or cultural ceremonies. In summary, manners

are the general principles of polite behavior, while etiquette is the specific code of conduct for particular social contexts. Manners are how you behave towards other people. In (1939), sociologist Norbert Silas said that manners arose as a product of group living and persists as a way of maintaining social order. Social manners are in three categories: manners of hygiene, manners of courtesy, and manners of cultural norm. For example, Society is expected to bathe, shower, wear deodorant and brush their teeth. Further, Etiquette is what you do under various circumstances. For example, saying please and thank you are examples of good manners. Etiquette is the set of norms of personal behavior in polite society, usually occurring in the form of an ethical code of the expected and accepted social behaviors that accord with the conventions and norms observed and practiced by a society, a social class, or a social group. One can exhibit good manners but poor etiquette or good etiquette with poor manners and so there is a distinct difference.

Chicago News Weekly wishes you you a a HAPPY HAPPY NEW NEW YEAR! YEAR! wishes 4

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Chicago News Weekly

January 24 - January 30, 2024

Dollars & Sense By Dr. Sanja Rickette Stinson CNW Columnist

Balancing Entrepreneurship and Faith:

‍W

Nuggets for Success

e've already entered the second week of 2024, and it's a perfect moment for faith-based business women to focus on progress and empowerment. As I reflect upon these initial weeks of the year, it's evident that we still encounter challenges and uncertainty in our world. This is where the theme "SheStep Forward"truly resonates. I am in awe, celebrating over 35 years on my journey as a nonprofit faith-based founder.Much like the spirit of "SheStep Forward," my journey has been marked by personal growth, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped the organizationI served and contributed significantly to my personal growth and vision.Unwavering faith, willingness to take risks, and a steadfast belief in the vision have been paramount along this path. I've understood that when faith-based entrepreneurs embrace faith as their guiding force, it becomes a profound wellspring of strength, particularly in business. Why is this the case? Because faith transcends religious beliefs, it extends to having faith in oneself, one's abil-

January 24 - January 30, 2024

ities, and the vision one holds for one's business. There have been numerous occasions when I firmly believe that it wasn't for my unshakable faith and self-belief that the vision I cherish would not have experienced the enduring success we celebrate now. The journey has allowed me to meld my spiritual values with my business expertise, resulting in a lasting impact and the creation of a meaningful legacy. It has given me the freedom as an entrepreneur and a minister of the gospel to step forward with unwavering faith in our mission and the people we serve and to actively contribute to being part of the solution. In truth, despite the countless individuals who insisted that I couldn't pursue both paths, urging me to choose one or the other, asserting that they couldn't coexist, I never subscribed to that notion. It was never a personal dilemma or doubt; I ceased trying to explain it to those who couldn't grasp the concept. Three Nuggets for Success: 1. Embrace Your Journey: Your faith is a powerful asset in business. 2. Prioritize Your Values: Draw strength from your faith that helps you build a strong foundation and a sense of purpose.

3. Balance: Make sure you balance your business and personal life. Itis your faith that helps you prioritize what truly matters. Balancing entrepreneurship and faith is a journey that requires mindfulness and a strong sense of purpose. It's about balancing the business's demands and staying trueto your spiritual beliefs. As you continue to navigate this path, remember thatyou are not alone. Many successful entrepreneurs have walked this road before and have found ways to merge their entrepreneurial drive with their faith. Our crucial nuggetto keep in mind is to remain adaptable. The business world is constantly evolving, and your faith can provide the resilience needed to adapt to changing circumstances. Always trust your ability to find innovative solutions and stay committed to your mission. In the end,balancing entrepreneurship and faith can be incredibly rewarding, not only interms of business success but also in personal fulfillment and positive impacton the world. Embrace your unique journey, prioritize your values, and use yourfaith as a guiding light to lead you toward success and fulfillment in bothyour business and spiritual endeavors.

Chicago News Weekly

Food & Wine

Mare Evans Contributing Wriiter

FRIED GREEN

TOMATOES

must confess, I love Southern-style fried green tomatoes. They are crisp, favorable, can be spicy, and boldly savory as an appetizer or a portion of your meal. The good news is that you can prepare all year long and I highly recommend that you. Did I mention that they’re inexpensive, easy to prepare, and take no time to cook? It doesn’t get any better than that. This classic, downhome dish features sliced unripe tomatoes that are dredged in flour and cornmeal before being skillet-fried to buttery-brown perfection. However, my South Carolina Geechee mother used to prepare her fried green tomatoes using the

fish batter she used to cook fresh sole(Dover sole, or black sole) and that’s what I do. That recipe is going to cost you so today’s recipe will deliver a delicious wonderful crunch and the tastiest fried green tomatoes ever. When we say green tomatoes we mean green tomatoes which are unripe red tomatoes with much firmer flesh and a sharp, tart flavor. There are green tomatoes intentionally picked before maturing to ensure the crispest, driest fruit possible for fried green tomatoes. They’re lower in water content than red tomatoes making green tomatoes perfectly suitable for sautéing and frying.

Here you go Cut your tomatoes horizontally into ¼- to ½-inch thick slices. Before frying, dredge the tomato slices in seasoned flour — or make a thicker breading: dip the slices lightly in flour, then in beaten egg, followed by a substantial coating of breadcrumbs, cornmeal, or cracker crumbs. If You want to substitute them for protein and a real down-home flavor, fry them in bacon grease (or a mix of bacon grease and vegetable oil). Whatever kind of fat you use, make sure it's around 375 degrees F for crispy golden-brown results.

• Line a baking sheet with paper towels and place a cooling rack on top for cooked tomatoes before you start cooking to allow the fried tomatoes to drain without becoming soggy. Some cooks serve their fried green tomatoes with a flavorful, creamy remoulade. Check for the recipe on our website Chicago News Weekly https://www.cnwmedia.com • But that's not the only delicious way to serve fried green tomatoes! For a fancy meal or appetizer, top your fried green tomatoes with lump crabmeat and Hollandaise sauce. You can also add your Fried green tomatoes to a sandwich.

Fried Green Tomato Sauce Half the fun of eating fried green tomatoes is dipping them in a creamy and flavorful sauce. Serve this Southern dish with zippy remoulade, honey mustard, or a sweet chili sauce for an incredibly delicious finish. Whip up your sauce ahead of time so the flavors have time to meld as you prepare and cook the fried green tomatoes.

Ingredients • 4 large green tomatoes • 2 eggs • ½ cup milk • 1 cup all-purpose flour • ½ cup cornmeal • ½ cup bread crumbs • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper • 1 quart vegetable oil for frying 1. Gather all ingredients. 2. Slice tomatoes 1/2 inch thick. Discard the ends. 3. Whisk eggs and milk together in a medium-sized bowl. Scoop flour onto a plate. Mix cornmeal, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper on another plate. Dip tomatoes into flour to coat. Then dip tomatoes into milk and egg mixture; dredge in breadcrumbs to completely coat. 4. Heat oil 5. Transfer fried tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining tomatoes. 6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Fried Green Tomato Tips What you want are fried green tomatoes that are perfectly crunchy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside. To achieve that make the flour coating super thin for the crispiest tomatoes — you want to be able to see a hint of skin underneath. • Don't to crowd the pan leaving space to turn • Cook the tomatoes in batches for the best results 14

Chicago News Weekly

January 24 - January 30, 2024

New Name for a THROWBACK

Best Barrel-Leg Jeans: The Shape For 2024

It’s

fashion By C.L. Blackburn Staff Writer

old news that the jeans and casual wear fashion drivers have chosen to move the needle from skinny-leg jeans and leggings to wider-leg jeans/pants. It doesn’t matter that we love them. We’ve got them! So, what’s going to drive us to the stores or online to shop-You got it the ‘what’s new’ in fashion. If you’re ‘in the know,’ you can’t be seen in last year’s look. And let me let you in on a secret- skinny jeans died in 2016. That’s the hype that drives the industry. I’m not knocking it because I always do my thing. I wear what looks good on me. Fact. Anyway, as you browse the social media pages you will see the drastic change in the jeans—the Barrel-Leg shape of 2024. And Let me tell a small waist helps these pants go a long way to make you look good in them. Because of the pant design the shape does not expose your beautifully

shaped legs or thighs or fabulous behind for that matter. It’s all about the waist on these bad boys! And if you want to look good you’ve got to pair it with an inside-yourpants shirt, blouse, crop top, and waisted jacket otherwise you will look like a square unless you are model slim. WORD! In the 70’s the look was popular amongst the Afrocentric subculture that leaned towards Africa for fashion inspiration. In Some instances, they borrowed from India and used the harem pants and Senegalese drummer’s pants from West Africa for style points. I wore them and recall that Kahil EL ‘Zabar Designs of Chicago, popularized the look by naming them ‘Kai Pants.’ Today’s take has the panache and flair of ‘now’ using the influences of modern fabrics and style. So, start 2024 off by shaving off a few pounds from your midsection and then step into your harem pants AKA barrel leg pants. Last word, If they don’t look great on you don’t wear them.

January 24 - January 30, 2024

Chicago News Weekly

January 24 - January 30, 2024