MCJ January 21, 2015 Edition

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King VOL. XXXiX number 26 January 21, 2015

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Honoring the Drum Major of Peace

Special Edition of YOUR Milwaukee Community Journal W i S C O n S i n ’ S L a R g E S t a F R i C a n a M E R i C a n n E W S Pa P E R

DR. MaRtin LUtHER

"When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice."

--Excerpt from a speech by Dr. King

MLKDayPHOTOP the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 2

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Commissioner of Health Bevan Baker gave the welcome and served as MC for the YMCa’s annual Martin Luther King Celebration Breakfast at the italian Conference Center.

Students Michael Mason (front second from left) and alexander townsend (second from right) received Drum Major awards from the Milwaukee Club Fronters during the organizations Drum Major award luncheon.

PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY Photos and question by Yvone Kemp

QUEStiOn OF tHE WEEK: “What did you think of the movie ‘SELMa’?”

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(Left to right): Supreme Moore, State Rep.David Bowen, State Sen. Lena taylor, Morehouse professor, Dr. greg E. Carr, Jeanette Herrera and Rhonda Sotval at “King Fest,” held at the Wisconsin african american Women Center. Dr. Carr was the keynote speaker.

Spoken Word Poets Muhibb Dyer (at left) and Kwabena antoine nixon (at right) performed during the King Fest event at the WaaWC.

“I think the movie showed Dr. MLK was just a man. But remember, he gave his life. ‘So, If JEanEttE HERRERa you can’t fly, then run; If you can’t run, then walk; then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.’-Dr. Martin Luther King.”

“Yes, I saw the movie ‘Selma.’ I thought it was phenomenal and inspiring.

It made me realize that we all owe Dr. MUHiBB DYER King for the sacrifice that he made. Freedom ain’t free and the debt I owe to him personally for that sacrifice is to commit myself to making an impact on millions of people in this world in his name. Then, and only then, will his sacrifice be justified.”

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a drummer accompanies the gye nyame Children’s Dance troupe during the King program at the Dr. MLK Jr. Community Center on Vliet Street.

Members of the Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter of the alpha Kappa alpha Sorority, inc. didn’t take the day off because of the King Holiday. instead, they served a hot meal and presented personal items to the homeless at Repairers of the Breach Center for the Homeless.

“Yes, I saw the movie. It was powerful and very relavent to today. I had a chance to march across the bridge and KWaBEna antOinE niXOn meet many of the people who were involved in the movement. Everyone should see this movie and be moved not just to tears, but moved to action.”

“The acting (in the movie Selma) was very good.

The impact upon me was a reminder of how we as AmericanAfrikans, forMEntHa BOLtOnBaKaRi get or are simply unaware that White America still exercises systemic hatred for our quality of life. In the movie, the key attack on the quality of solid, intact Black family was so painful for me, because that tactic is still in affect. Such reflective points caused me to want to reorganize community accountability for our progress. Selma is here, whipping us today.”

50years later, King's work is notdone

By Donna Brazile, Cnn Political Commentator, DnC vice chair for voter registration and participation

Today (Monday), as we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I know there are those who will ask, "How long will it take?" How long until the dream is fulfilled? How long until our destination is reached?

But, like Dr. King, we must continue to march on.

We march on toward the realization of the American Dream. We are not diverted by those who would deny opportunity based on what we look like or where we came from or who would deny equality based on who we love.

We march on poverty, until every child has the nourishment of body and mind needed to fuel their chance at success. We must find ways to bring those from the "outskirts of hope" closer to the circle of opportunity.

We march on ballot boxes, because the rights for which we fought are too important to give up now. And no one should silence us simply because they might disagree with our views.

We march on because all lives matter, not to be judged by the color of their skin.

How long? Not long, because the images and words and fights of half a century ago still have the power to rouse us to march.

How long? I don't really know. But as Dr. King once told us, "the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

This year, I know I am not the only one with the Oscarnominated "Selma" on my mind. Across the country, people are lining up in theaters and watching a raw image of the sacrifice 600 voting rights marchers made: as they pursued the right to vote, they were brutally attacked by police using billy clubs and tear gas.

The lessons of the struggle depicted in this movie are important, important enough to be mindful of them every day.

But we should be especially mindful as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Today is a day of national reflection, but it is also a day of action. Remembering those who sacrificed before us is important, but carrying on their legacy and continuing to march forward is essential.

The walk from Selma to Montgomery that turned into Bloody Sunday leaves us with a strong reminder of how much those before us gave for basic human rights.

The walk is a strong reminder of how John Lewis stood side-by-side with Dr. King, so that today he can stand in the chambers of Congress and continue to use his voice to fight, as he did 50 years ago, for the right to vote.

Because even though 50 years have passed since the marches of 1965 that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we are still in that fight today.

Just last week, Republican House Judiciary Chair Bob

The legacy of African World mastery continues in Black American accomplishment and achievement

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 3

By Taki S. Raton

Goodlatte said that it's not "necessary" to fix the mangled Voting Rights Act after the Supreme Court's decision left the door open to burdensome and unfair voting restrictions. All I can say is he either does not read the news or he doesn't think protecting all eligible Americans' right to vote is important.

In the last election cycle, we saw the country take significant steps backward as more states restricted the right to vote. In Ohio and Wisconsin, Republicans passed measures limiting the times polls are open and cutting weekend voting typically favored by black and low-income voters.

In North Carolina, Republicans passed what have been called the "nation's most restrictive voting laws," establishing rules that make it more difficult for people to register to, and actually, vote. In Texas, students were banned from using student IDs as a valid form of identification, while recently married or divorced women were stopped from voting if their names did not match their IDs. And it's important to remember that all of these new voting restrictions are aimed at addressing a problem that does not exist.

Reported cases of voter fraud are incredibly rare, so it's puzzling why the GOP is so insistent on pushing these laws. One thing we do know is that these laws disproportionately affect women, young people, the elderly, African-American and Latino voters -- voters who traditionally vote for Democrats. Those negatively affected by these unnecessary, indeed oppressive, voting restrictions constitute over half of the voting population.

The 2014 midterm elections left us with even more conservative state houses and more conservative governors, so it's never been more important that we remain vigilant in fighting back against these discriminatory measures.

When more voices are heard, our country is better for it. When more voices are heard, the leaders better represent the views of those they represent. Our country has seen unrest this year, and as our civil rights leaders taught us, a vote is the clearest way to make our voices heard, to stand up for our convictions.

We have such a pressing moral obligation to live up to the name of this day. For Dr. King who gave his life, along with many others including Jimmie Lee Jackson, Viola Liuzzo and the Rev. James Reeb, for the 600 individuals who made unbelievable sacrifices that day in Selma, for our children who should not have to face the same hardship the men and women before us had to face.

Let's honor this day and those who fought for freedom before us, and let's keep fighting for the things we still believe make us the country we are today. Let us continue to march on.

Donna Brazile, a CNN contributor and a Democratic strategist, is vice chairwoman for voter registration and participation at the Democratic National Committee. A nationally syndicated columnist, she is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and author of "Cooking With Grease: Stirring the Pots in America." The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

A foundational instructional anchor in the African Centered paradigm is the study and usage of the world historical timeline. If an event happened, if it has a date and, most importantly, if it has physical evidence of its occurrence, we can document it as a primary source.

The same is true for the peopling of this planet. We actually do know what groups of people arrived when and where and now, even how.

Dr. Molefi Kete Asante in his text, “African American History – A Journey of Liberation” which I use in my African American History class notes that the beginning of humankind in Africa at 4.2 million B.C.E. We can also cite the earliest remains of the human family found in Hadar, Ethiopia in 1974. Nicknamed “Lucy,” by the Ethiopian team led by American archaeologist Donald C. Johanson, this fossilized skeleton of African origin was dated to have walked this earth 3.2 million years ago.

It is also known and taught that the global migration out of Africa by our African inhabitants would begin around 35,000 B.C.E. And 2,009 years later, the “First European” remains would be found in present day Romania dated circa 32,991 B.C.E. This “First European” was African.

Scientist as reported in the April 23, 2013 posting of National Geographic News additionally dates the emergence of the Caucasian phenotype (the genetic makeup of the modern European) at 6,500 years ago or at 4,500 B.C.E. Now do understand, 4,500 B.C.E. is, in fact, 28,491 years following – or after – the “First European” (Black) found in present day Romania.

I do realize that I am terribly digressing as the original intent of this particular writing was to note select modeled accomplishments of Black people during our forced sojourn here on these North American shores.

But as I was preparing script for this writing, I was recalling an intense conversation with a sista friend here in Milwaukee this past weekend that wanted to insist that we just could not know these things about early human beginnings. But we do!

Prof. James Small out of New York says in Hidden Colors 2 that, “Most of world history, or at least ninety-percent of world history, is African history. And within that ten-percent, African was extraordinarily involved in making it (world history) was it is.”

There is absolutely no evidence, anywhere on the world stage of time, presence or accomplishment; nowhere within the factual annals of the European world, or the Asian world; nowhere within any empirical record on this planet is there reflected an indigenous contribution towards the physical foundational advancement of primal world civilizing activity, growth and progress above, apart from, beyond, separate, prior to and independent of an African cultural influence at its root.

Says Chancellor Williams in “Destruction of Black Civilizations,” much of the history of Africa and of the world has been written by European anthropologist whose primary objective “is to make (ancient) Africa Caucasian from the beginnings of its history and to give the Blacks not just a subordinate role, but no significant role at all in that history.”

Such is how many of us – to include my sista friend – has come to know the ancient historical African record, accepting even perhaps the mythical Biblical account that mankind began in 6000 B.C.E. Now this may be true that humans classified as Caucasians may have had their beginnings around this time on the planet, but the African – the African blood line – was in evidence millions upon millions of years prior.

And this African world bloodline of achievement, mastery, invention and genius flowered in ancient African Kemet (who and what the Greeks called “Egypt”), a bloodline that was inherited from their/our Nubian predecessors. Within this brilliance streamed the skills needed to create the earliest monumental civilizations over the nearly 3000 years of Kemetic rule from 3150 B.C.E. to 332 B.C.E. to include the development of paper, script, refined spiritual systems, science, engineering, medicine, architecture, art, music, advances in agriculture, the taming of animals, maritime science, astrology, astronomy, philosophy, cosmetics, board games, government, mathematics, temple building, education, and the creators of the world’s first university – all African.

This legacy of achievement, mastery and genius continues with the Moors occupation of Europe, in the region then known as Andalus/Spain, for the 781 years from 711 A.D. to January 2, 1492 A.D. The Moors, who were Black and of African descent, brought this population out of their Dark ages due to their occupation of Europe.

The Moors shared with the European populace their architectural brilliance; created for them cosmopolitan cities with lighted streets; instructed in the studies of literature, the sciences, government. Medicine, social etiquette, astrology, astronomy, geometry, calculous, po-

UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING god Made Man in His Own image, Why? Part 2

Rahim islam

InPart1ofmyarticle,Itriedtoestablishthatthere is definitely a Creator no matter what science confirms or doesn’t confirm – the fact of the matter, I believe that both science and faith are on the same page most of the time.

This Creation,whichincludesman,isnoaccident – there is a Creator. Like everything in Creation, man has a purpose for its existence. What is that purpose?

EverythinginCreationhasaroleandresponsibilitytowardsthesustainabilityofCreation–andmanhas the biggest role and responsibility. The Creator created man in His own image and I believe the image wasn’tanythingphysicalbecausephysicalreducesthediscussiontolimitationsandtheCreatorhasnolimitations.

The image of the Creator in question is the characteristics of His “spirit” and His “will” – these are the things that men are supposed to emulate. Under the guise of religion, man has abused his position by portraying himself as being God like by placing human images on God. I asked you, why is the image of God portrayed in human physical form?And who benefits the most fromthisdescription?–thisliehassignificantlyhurtBlackpeople,however,portrayingawhitemanasGod is damaging to all people. It hurts white people because it has given them a sense of superiority that has allowedthemtodosomeofthemostdespicableactstoBlacksundertheguiseofreligionandit’sdamaging to Black people because it subconsciously creates a level of inferiority within them.

What would happen if people would sit in churches throughout the world for centuries with the image of aBlack man as saviour of the world before them?

By Rahim islam

Whatwouldthisdotothemindoftheworld’swhitechildren? Whatwouldhappentotheworld’swhite children if you put a figure of a Black man presented, pitiable, and in pain ”the Saviour of all men”?

Thisisnotcivilizedandcivilizedpeopleshouldwantthattheirreligionstobealsocivilized. Falseworship of any kind is the worst form of oppression. Men are not God; they are not the Creator of the heavens of the earth and everything in between.

There should NEVER be any inference, suggestion, comments, or actual statements that speak to anything that God and man can share the same space (no matter how you spin it).

As I have stated previously, I’m neither a theologian nor biblical scholar but based on my limited studies of the Bible, the imaging of God is not supported by the Bible.

When you study the Old Testament and the New Testament imaging of God or the depicting of God in human form is not supported by its teachings. In fact, the Bible clearly says that it shouldn't be done - this is something that has come with the transition from Roman, Greek, and Western Europe idolatry.

The transition from that idolatry to Christianity brought along with it the old customs and habits of the pre-Christian people and I think it's time church leaders realize that the mind of the masses now is too sophisticated for that. We are not so primitive or savage in our mind or soul that we need these symbols to attract our attention or attract us to faith. We don't need them anymore. The intellect of the masses has grown so this is not even necessary (it never was); in fact it’s disrespectful.

ManisthegreatestoftheCreator’screationandhastheresponsibilityofbeingtheCreator’sstewardand custodian on the earth – man is the caretaker of Earth.

Even though man has been made to be the steward, his beginning is most humble - every man comes into this world through the womb of a woman and his position is the most vulnerable of all creation. Of all of the Creator’s creation, man’s beginning is the most dependent and is completely dependent on external forces for a very long time.

Horses are able to stand and walk shortly after they are born.Ababy cannot walk for a year. Sparrows startflyingatabouttwomonthsold,atwhichtimetheyalsohuntfortheirownfood. Humanbabiescannot truly feed themselves for years - a couple of years pass before they find their way to the refrigerator on their own.

Cheetahcubsleavetheirmothersbetween13and20monthsafterbirth.TheaverageAmericanhuman liveswithaparentatleast18years. Morethananyotherspecies,ahumanbabyenterstheworldcompletely dependent upon his parents for every physical need.That relationship of reliance continues for many years.

Man doesn’t come into the leadership role and be able to deliver on his purpose if many things don’t happen during his formative and very vulnerable years.

Let’sexaminethehumanbeing’sgrowthforamoment–whatanunbelievablecreationbyGod. Many social scientist state that the child’s mental growth is greater during the period of age zero through age three and if certain inputsaren’t instilled in the child, his growth is threaten; therefore his ability to be the Creator’s stewardis also challenged.

etry, art, philosophy, history, language, spiritual studies, geography and in their classical musical traditions. And yes, classical music is an African creation – not European.

To include the later unfolding African empires of Ghana and Mali, we can see this continuing and still evolving bloodline of mastery and genius in the kingdom of Songhay in West Africa. Lasting over the 119 years from 1475 C.E. to 1594 C.E., this proud African legacy of achievement, mastery, invention and genius was spirited at the University of Songhay in Timbuktu.

Attracting students and scholars from all of West Africa and from foreign countries, this university describes Williams consisted of a Faculty of Law and departments of Medicine and Surgery, Grammar, Geography, Philosophy and Art. Songhay attracted and trained the likes of scholars, mathematicians, poets, musicians, engineers, architects, writers, artist, astronomers, spiritualist and deep well thinkers. It should be noted that the fall of Songhay was in 1594, only 24 years before the arrival of the first twenty Africans in Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. And it would be 47 years later when in 1641, Massachusetts would become the first colony to legalize enslavement. Just what bloodline would later come chain shackled in the bowels of ships over the Atlantic?

According to Steven Mintz of The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the numbers of enslaved kidnapped Africans grew from about 36,000 a year during the early 18th century to almost 80,000 a year during the 1780’s. Approximately 11, 863,000 kidnapped Africans were shipped across the Atlantic. Given a Middle Passage death rate of about 10 to 20 percent, between 9 and 10 million captured Africans arrived in the American British colonies.

However, when the European came over to West Africa and kidnapped the African, he did not just capture what is stereotypically believed to this “savage” or “primitive” or this grouping of uncivilized human beings eternally marginalized on the civilized periphery just ripe for lifelong bondage.

He captured, kidnapped and brought to these North American shores a long standing African world bloodline of healers, artists, merchants, builders, scientists, astrologers, astronomers, bankers, architects, heavier-than-air-flight technologist, engineers, spiritualist, musicians, writers, metallurgist, teachers, scholars, thinkers, philosophers, cosmetologist, warriors, historians, poets, mathematicians, inventors, statesmen.

The Africans who physically survived enslavement and the succeeding generations into the Reconstruction and Jim Crow eras were able to adapt, duplicate, match, improve upon, compete, excel and master any and all progressive North American humankind societal and professional engagements. The enslaved African in particular from 1619 well into 1865 was masterfully resilient and resistant, masterfully adaptive, masterfully creative, masterfully skilled. It’s in the blood.

So why should we be surprised that in 1751, an enslaved African named Cesar was actually also a medical practitioner who “discovered” a cure for rattlesnake bite which was published in the 1751 edition of the South “Carolina Gazette” or in 1770 at the age of 17, we find a Phyllis Wheatly, also enslaved, publishing a book of poems entitled, “On the Death of the Reverend George Whitefield.”

Lucas Santomee in 1667 received a medical degree in Holland and practiced in the colony of New York under the Dutch and the British. He further received a grant of land for his services to the Colony in 1667 and became the first known Black physician in the Unites States.

Why would it be amazing that a Paul Cuffee would be able to build a lucrative shipping empire and establish the first racially integrated school in Westport, Massachusetts in 1780?

James Durham in 1785 at the age of 23 would also practice medicine in the United States being the first African to have been brought here and be trained in this profession. Enslaved by and mentored under Drs. John Kersley, George West and Robert Dove, Durham upon his freedom secured a license and practice medicine in New Orleans during the 1780’s. He was additionally fluent in English, French and Spanish.

Then there is Joseph Randolph Joseph, born free, who became president of the First African Insurance Company of Philadelphia, the first known Black insurance company. The African Insurance Company of Philadelphia had capital stock in the amount of five thousand dollars. This is also evidence of a Black initiative with the name of “African” in its title.

Rebecca Crumpler at the age of 31 would be the first African American woman to earn a medical degree earning a Doctress of Medicine from New England Female Medical College in 1864.

Richard T. Greener at the age of 26 received his B.A. from Harvard College in 1870.

While at Harvard, he won more academic contest than any of his classmates. He soon became principal in the male department of the Institute for Colored Youth in Philadelphia and was a Professor of Metaphysics at the University of South Carolina in 1873.

Then we hear also of Thomas Fuller. He was born in Africa and sold into slavery in Virginia at the age of 14. He could neither read nor write in the English language, but could perform calculations in his head and could calculate the number of days, weeks, seconds for any period of time in less than men could do with a pen.

Although born enslaved, Joshua Johnston became the first Black portrait painter to win recognition in America. He lived and worked in the Baltimore area and was a highly accomplished craftsman. A Baltimore ad on December 19, 1798 described him as a “self-taught

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Manmeansmindandmindisdevelopedthroughcommunicationandtheinstillationofwords–words make mind. Words are essential in the formation of the mind.

Thisiswhywelabeleverythingandwespendasignificanttimeinstructingourbabieswithwords.This is why the environment that a child is born in to will significantly impact his ability to live up to his purpose for being creative.

Ourchildrenneedsomuchandasadults,weareresponsibletomakesurethatourchildrenareprotected, cuddled,nurtured,andgiveneveryopportunitytogrownaturally–mostofallourchildrenneedknowledge.

Becauseofthetremendousresponsibilityofman,thisisthenaturalpathofhislifebecausewithknowledge comes a certain level of responsibility.

For example, when a child learns that he can’t place his hand in fire because he will burn himself – this is knowledge (he now knows better and he will do better). With this knowledge comes a certain level of responsibility. As the leader of his being, he is now responsible to control his arms and hands from placing them into the fire (he has a higher responsibility to his whole body). He is also naturally taught a healthy respectforthecreationandbydeductionahealthyrespectfortheCreator. Withknowledgecomesresponsibility this is why knowledge is power and as he grows and his knowledge grows, his capabilities grow and he ultimately can assume the role of the Creator’s steward on the earth.

Even the child’s individual home is not enough to adequately grow him into the leader he will need to be. As the oldAfrican proverb states “It takes a village to raise a child,” it takes a village to grow a child into aproductiveyoungadultandthenadult–thisisthenaturaltrajectoryformantoultimatelybecometheCreator’s steward on the earth. As young children, the village is small and nurturing extended to his immediate family. The village provided safety and security, but most of all it provided love – this small community is the foundation of the child’s identity.

Eventually, the child has to leave the smaller village into a larger village (i.e. going to school, etc.). The bigger village will challenge the growth of the child even more to take risk and become active learners in the quest for knowledge.

The village will; expand from the parents, grandparents, or the extended family to other adult teachers and friends. They too become mentors and role models and help to expand their horizons and most of all they help the child to search within themselves to recognize their potential.

When the village is healthy (an unhealthy village will completely alter the child’s ability to fulfill his natural role in Creation), together with the family, they form the circle around the child to help them to become productive members of society and allow the child to live up to role to live in the image of God .

What is this image? It can’t be the physical one that is being promoted by some in religion. “And God said, Let us make man in our Image, after our Likeness.... So God created man in His own Image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

Everything in creation has a role and responsibility towards the sustainability of Creation – and man has the biggest role and responsibility. The image of the Creator that man is to emulate is God’s characteristics, spirit,andHiswill. ManhasthecapacitytoemulateGod’swillinhiscapacitytobethestewardoftheearth.

The question of how the Creator’s sovereignty and man's will work together, specifically man has the ability to make his own choices – those choices should reflect the will of the Creator.

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The legacy of African World mastery

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 4 (continued from page 3)

traffic light.

And we have to remind our folk over and over as again we quote Sharazad Ali also in Hidden 1 tells us that, “They don’t keep you out” because you are the worse or inferior. “They keep us out because we are the very best.”

In other words, we were not “segregated” or “kept out” necessarily only because of racism or White Supremacy as we talk about it today.

Black people were and are locked out in many American and Westernized streams because of our potential and esteemed ability to successfully compete with others. All groups naturally and normally first look out for themselves.

The above examples of Black history achievement, excellence, mastery and accomplishment will be featured in this year’s African Global Images’ installation of, “Presence, Invention, Civilization In Black – Models of Excellence, Accomplishment and Mastery on the Global Stage of Time and Achievement” to open during Black History Month at the MATC’s downtown campus on 700 West State Street.

We must rescue and reclaim our rightful place on the world stage of time and achievement. We must feel comfortable with our history – all of it – and build upon the greatness which is ours to rescue, reclaim, reinterpret, reconstruct, restore and redeem.

Only then will our children have a proud future into which to grow and one that they will be proud to claim as their own.

Taki S. Raton is a writer and lecturer in the African Centered Model and in African World Historiography. An adjunct professor at the Springfield College Milwaukee Campus and President/CEO of African Global Images, Inc., he can be reached for inquiries at: blydendelany@yahoo.com.

genius.” He was 33 at the height of his recognition.

Even during this period of enslavement, we still had numbering over 60,000 free Africans who had developed enterprises in almost every area of the business community to include merchandising, real estate, manufacturing, construction, transportation, extractive industries, service and carpentry.

As of 1838 – still during the era of enslavement – the “Register of Trades of Colored Peoples” in the city of Philadelphia list 8 bakers, 75 blacksmiths, 3 brass founders, 15 cabinet makers and carpenters, 5 confectioners, 2 caulkers, 2 chair buttoners, 15 tailoring enterprises, 31 tanners, 5 weavers, and 6 wheelwrights.

And this is just a terribly less than a second sampling of our accomplishments during the era of enslavement, not to mention the eras of Reconstruction and Jim Crow. As to cite my MCJ January 7 published writing echoing the position of Universal Companies President and CEO Rahim Islam that in addition to the recorded documentation of our oppression, Black history and culture is also about the achievement, excellence and the greatness of African American people.

Even as of 1865 as cited in this earlier January 7 article by this writer, when Black men were released from enslavement in 1865, they became blacksmiths, bricklayers, carpenters, merchants, teachers, doctors, lawyers, farmers, ranchers, cooks, soldiers and more.

They built houses, towns, communities, businesses, families, schools, universities, institutions and futures. And many of these men he says by Western standards had less than a third-grade education.

Dr. Claude Anderson would remind us (and as echoed by our good Bro. Dr. Booker Coleman in Hidden Colors 1), that even right after 1865’s Emancipation Proclamation and well into the 1900’s, Black people collectively were the fastest growing educated populace in America.

As a group, we would have been the most skilled-competitive in a free open market up Published twice weekly, to the point of the 1970’s into present day Wednesday & Friday 2015 when we as a people began to decline 3612 north Martin Luther and regress during the integration era.

Even within the 10 years of Reconstruc- King Drive, Milwaukee, Wi 53212 tion from 1866 to 1776 our achievement and mastery continued. Edward Alexander Phone: 414-265-5300 (Advertising and Administration) • 414-265-6647 Bouchet at the age of 24 became the first (Editorial) • Website: communityjournal.net • Email: Editorial@communiAfrican American to earn a doctorate in the tyjournal.net/Advertising@communityjournal.net Colleen newsom, MCJ StaFF: United States earning a Ph.D. in physics at Yale in 1876. Bouchet was also during this Classified advertising Patricia O’Flynn -Pattillo Jim Crow era nominated to the esteemed Jimmy V. Johnson, Sales Rep. Publisher, CEO honor society, Phi Beta Kappa in 1884.

COntRiBUting WRitERS: Robert J. thomas Grandville T. Woods is recognized as one taki S. Raton, Richard g. Carter, assoc. Publisher of the most prolific American inventors in Fr. Carl Diederichs, Rev. Joe todd thomas, Vice Pres. history for his over 50 patients which revoMcLin Mikel Holt, assoc. Publisher lutionized the transportation and communiPHOtOgRaPHER: Yvonne Kemp thomas E. Mitchell, Jr., Editor cation industries. One of his major teretha Martin, technical accomplishments is the invention of the railConsultant/Webmaster Billing way telegraphy system between trains in Dept./Publisher’s admin. assist.

1887.

Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not necIn 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams peressarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Letformed the first open heart surgery at Proviters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content dent Hospital which he founded in Chicago and length. and in 1923, Garrett A. Morgan invented the

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Religion page will return next week!

Mt. Moriah to hold grand opening celebration for its new chapel Jan. 25

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, located at 2747 N. 4th Street, is proud to announce the Grand Opening of its Chapel at 416 W. Christine Lane (directly behind the church.)

The grand opening celebration is Sunday, January 25, 2015, at 10 a.m. There will be a march beginning in front of the church to the new chapel.

The chapel was built on the same location where Mt. Moriah’s Education Building once stood. The recently erected chapel represents the completion of the first phase of Mt. Moriah’s building project. Phase two involves the razing of their current church and rebuilding it on the same property.

Dr. Charles E. Thornhill is the Pastor of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and when the church was faced with the realization of a deteriorating structure, a decision was made to remain in the community and rebuild on the same land. For 50 years, Mt. Moriah has been worshipping and studying the Word at Mt Moriah and serving the Harambee community at this current location. The church believes it has a responsibility to continue to provide its service where it first started.

There will be a celebritory service ushering in the new era in the church’s history starting at 3:30 p.m. Dr. Robert Sims of Bethesda Baptist Church will deliver the message.

For more information please contact Dr. Charles E. Thornhill at 414-339-0554.

“...history will show that no other american president played as a critical a role in the advancement of civil rights, fair housing and education than President Johnson. in fact, a number of authors have written that only the acts of President abraham Lincoln equal what President Johnson did for minorities in america.” --Cong. Johnson

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 5

King and LBJ Stood Together

By Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson NNPA Guest Columnist

The new highly-acclaimed motion picture ”Selma” suggests that former President Lyndon Baines Johnson

was not an ardent supporter of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and that he and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a less than fragile relationship.

Nothing is farther from the truth.

Both men worked very hard to create a society in which all people have the

right to vote, access to medical care, decent housing and funding for education.

In my view, history will show that no other American president played as a critical a role in the advancement of civil rights, fair housing and edu-

cation than President Johnson. In fact, a number of authors have written that only the acts of President Abraham Lincoln equal what President Johnson did for minorities in America.

Most knowledgeable historians agree that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act, which passed one year later, became law because President Johnson passionately supported them.

In addition to the two landmark civil rights measures, the nation also witnessed the passage of legislation that introduced Medicaid and Medicare during the Johnson administration.

In fact, federal legislation that prohibited housing discrimination in the sale, rental or financing of housing based on race, national origin or religion was signed into law by President Johnson.

The federal housing legislation, which became a model for many state legislatures, became law on April 11, 1968, just seven days after the assassination of Dr. King. In the

area of education, President Johnson included in his “War on Poverty” agenda, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Among other things the legislation provided financial assistance to students from low-income families.

Under the law, $1 billion in funding was made available to schools that serviced minority students.

The measure was described as the “most significant step of this century” to assist all school children. Dr. King and President Johnson were born and reared in a segregated South.

They understood the political realities of the region, and they worked as best they could to change them.

Dr. King was present at the White House when the Voting Rights Act was signed into law. He and President Johnson communicated regularly.

Their individual lives impacted the country and each other. While speaking before a joint session of Congress to propose the Voting Rights Act, (continued on page 8)

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 6

Bill that would end current accountability efforts faces tough hearing

By Dr. Michael Bonds-MPS School Board President

Wisconsin Republicans joined public school supporters and others during a legislative hearing in Madison last week questioning key points of Assembly Bill 1 – a legislative proposal pushed by Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly that would weaken the state’s current accountability measures for all publically-funded schools. I attended the meeting with Milwaukee Public Schools’ superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver.

We both spoke to the confusion, lack of transparency and other significant issues Assembly Bill 1 would cause for MPS and school districts across the state.

Assembly Bill 1 is a step backward in Wisconsin’s school accountability efforts. The current accountability law promotes accountability for all publically-funded students and allows parents and taxpayers to make an applesto-apples comparison for publically-funded students, whether the students are in public, voucher or private schools.

A key component of the current accountability requires all publicallyfunded students take the same assessment test. The proposal pushed in Assembly Bill 1 would allow for multiple assessment tests.

Students honored by YMCa at its M.L.King Breakfast

three students were recognized for their achievements in the community at the recently held YMCa 18th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Breakfast held at the italian Conference Center. the award receipients are (from left to right): Olivia Bell, Lonnie Shepherd and ayanna Bennett.

(Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

That idea drew concern not only from MPS, but others. Steve Baas of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce business organization also opposes the multiple test provisions of Assembly Bill 1 because the public would be more trusting of an accountability system where all schools have the same tests.

Senate Republicans voiced alarm about another provision in Assembly Bill 1: the creation of an unelected, new state board with undefined control to convert any Wisconsin underperforming school to a privately-run charter school.

Under pressure from other Republicans, the author of the Assembly legislation, Representative Jeremy Thiesfeldt, was forced to withdraw this controversial provision of his proposal before the hearing even began.

Others testified about the devastating fiscal impact the law would have on school districts across the state. Pewaukee School District has no schools that would be considered underperforming, but Pewaukee Superintendent JoAnn Sternke told legislators Pewaukee would still be impacted.

The state pays for independent charter schools by reducing state aid to public school districts across the state, and that means every school district in Wisconsin would see a negative impact from this proposed legislation.

Assembly Bill 1, which would also give schools grades of A to F, is just plain wrong. Legislators heard hours of testimony of concern from citizens around Wisconsin about the problems this legislation would cause if it became law.

After the testimony received last week, legislators should give Assembly Bill 1 an F and support Wisconsin’s current accountability law.

"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction."

--Excerpt from the King speech, "Loving Your Enemies."

The Education of Dr. King

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Columnist

As he labored for social, civil and economic justice, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was extremely concerned both about the educational inequities that were a function of segregation, and about the purpose and quality of education.

As early as 1947, as a Morehouse College student, he wrote an article, The Purpose of Education, for the Maroon Tiger, the college newspaper. His article is as relevant today as it was then.

Today, much of the focus of education is on passing standardized tests; and while educational measurement is important, Dr. King suggests that these measures are insufficient. In his article, he pondered the meaning and purpose of education.

He wrote that “Education must enable a (person) to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.” King was critical of the results of specific aspects of education when he wrote, “education must also train one for quick, resolute and effective thinking.

To think, incisively and to think for one’s self is very difficult. We are prone to let our mental life become invaded by legions of half-truths, prejudices, and propaganda.

A great majority of the so-called educated people does not think logically and scientifically.

Even the press, the classroom, the platform, and the pulpit in many instances do not give us objective and unbiased truths.” True in 1947, but even more so today with 3-minute commentary passing for news, and some classrooms the site of propaganda delivery.

Some Southerners still believe that the South won the Civil War, and they fly the confederate flags to honor it, and teach this falsity in their classrooms. A friend who lives in Georgia said nearly half of her junior high school-age daughter’s U.S. history curriculum covered aspects of the Civil War. From that perspective, young King was quite critical of segregationist, their intelligence, ad their prejudice. “The late Eugene Talmadge, in my opinion, possessed one of the better minds in Georgia, or even America. Moreover, he wore the Phi Beta Kappa key.

By all measuring rods, Mr. Talmadge could think critically and intensively yet he contends that I am an inferior being. Are these the types of men we call educated?” King said that intelligence is not enough. He said, “Intelligence plus character is the goal of true education.”

(continued on page 7)

god Made Man in His Own image, Why?

(continued from page 3

Why? Because the Creator created man with a specific purpose to be the custodian and steward of the earth. Man can’t be the custodian and steward oftheearthifhepromoteshimselfashisowncreator (God).

Ifmancantellthislieandhavethecommonperson to believe it – what else comes with that? This typeofliedisablesmantodefendagainstbiggerand more dangerous challenges against the Creator’s purpose for man. All life must be held sacred (i.e. human,plant,animal,etc.). Thereisaroleforman’s will in the course of the Creator’s plan for his purpose. If we look at the work of man today, it is obvious that man has lost his direction and way from his original purpose.

It is impossible that what we see today is reflective as the will of the Creator. It is also impossible that what we see today represents man’s fulfilling his responsibility to be the steward of the earth.

WhenIreferenceman,I’mnottalkingaboutthe common man; I’m speaking about the leaders – thosethathavetheabilitytofulfillthewilloftheCreator(i.e.politicalleadership,religiousleadership,military leadership, and governmental leadership).

TheworldisinarealstateofchaoswithAmerica (a Christian country) as it leader leading in some verynegativecategorieswhichsignificantlyundermines man’s responsibility to be a caretaker and steward.

WhenyouconsiderthatAmericaistheleaderin violence (there are more violent crimes inAmerica thananywhereintheworld)andistheworldleader in the exportation of the military war machine; an extreme unhealthy citizenship fed by overabundance of bad food, drugs and alcohol, and a health system that feeds off a sick society (Americans are the most obese population on the planet with alcohol,cigarettes,drugsbeinglegal);inalandofplenty nearly 50 million American’s live in poverty; the largest and massive disparity of wealth distribution amongst its people (nearly 40 percent of the population has no or very little wealth and it is estimated thatonepercentofpeopleown40percentofthenation’swealth);theworld’slargestprisonsystemimprisoning the largest minority in the world (Black men); the world’s biggest exporter of immorality, prostitution, and porn; and leads the world in environmental and physical abuses.

The question of the environment is essential to responsibility of man in the role of the earth’s caretaker. Protecting the earth and keeping the earth clean is mandatory for the survival of the planet if not the future of mankind is endangered yet profit rules in many cases over the sanctity of the earth.

How is it that nearly 50 million Black men and women, descendants of the most cruelest and barbaric treatment in modern history who still have to fightforbasiccivilandeconomicrightsinthiscountry that are opposed, at every level, with the most vehement response by supposedly God-fearing

Christians.

TheseandmanymoreissueswefaceasAmericansareadirectreflectionofmanlosinghisresponsibility to his natural purpose and his responsibility astheearth’scaretakerandstewardgiventohimby his Creator – we are not acting in the image of the Creator, and if we’re not acting in the Creator’s image –whose image are we emulating?

As I stated in the first article, there is friction between good and evil (God and devil) and many of us are confused by this dynamic. My belief is that this contrast is part of the Creator’s design.

Thedevil,ifhedoesexist(Idobelievethatadevil spirit exist) is part of God’s Creation – this is no accident. Also, the devil is not in competition with God. God has no competition.

The devil spirit (spirit that goes against the laws andprinciplesthatgoverncreation)isincompetition withthehumanspiritandthedevilspiritwillprevail whenmanattemptstoportrayhimselfasGod-this lie has become the foundation for bigger lies (i.e. racism) and erode and undermine man’s true role astheearth’scaretakerandsteward. Godmademan in His Image but man (leadership) has been corrupted and the people have been lied to.

RahimIslamisaNationalSpeakerandWriter, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders,andPresident/CEOofUniversalCompanies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA.

The Education of Dr. King

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 7

We must develop and support young people who are educated in the King tradition – young people with character and discernment. We cannot do this work without a consciousness of people who are committed to breaking down educational barriers, closing the achievement gap, improving the quality of schools and access to education. But while other countries are increasing their commitment to education, the United States is cutting back.

Said King, “The most dangerous criminal may be the man (person) gifted with reason, but no morals.” How moral is it to consign millions to low wages, refusing, even, to increase the minimum wage. How moral is it to cut food stamps and jobs programs in the name of economic growth, although many are still suffering? The art and science of politics is about compromise, but how do we compromise with people’s lives and well-being?

There ought to be a floor under which no citizen is allowed to fall. Wages, health career, education, and access to housing should not be bargained over, but automatically given. Too many of our legislators are educated, but lack morals. It is shameful to watch them celebrate the shredding of the safety net.

Budget cuts have made education less obtainable than ever. While many parents hire coaches to help their children write essays and complete their college applications, working class

(continued from page 6)

parents don’t have the money to do this kind of hiring.

The American School Counselors says that many states mandate a ratio of between 500 and 750 students per counselor.

Even at the lower number, a counselor can spend just an hour per student per semester, hardly enough to get advice about college attendance, the filling out of applications, and other matters. Some states have no mandate at all. They include (but are not limited to) Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Kentucky. Unless parents or civic organizations are willing to step up, some students face major barriers to college attendance and career preparation.

King and LBJ Stood Together

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 8

(continued from page 5) President Johnson passionately said, “And we shall overcome.” Dr. King and some of his close aides watched the president on television. One of them, my colleague Congressman John Lewis, said that Dr. King cried when he heard the president use the banner cry of the Civil Rights Movement during his address.

The importance of President Johnson’s work was celebrated at the University of Texas in Austin last year at the library named for him by ordinary citizens and by President Obama who was joined by former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

I will join Congressional colleagues in a celebration of President Johnson’s monumental achievements

later this year in the nation’s capitol.

In a few days, the entire nation will pause to acknowledge the contributions made by Dr. King.

There will be tributes, parades and speeches made to celebrate his remarkable life which was cut short by a sniper’s bullet. President Johnson died of a heart attack after deciding not to seek a second term as our nation’s leader.

The national debate over the Vietnam War had damaged the soul of this patriot and defender of civil rights.

I do not believe that legislation guaranteeing equal rights to minorities would have passed Congress but

President Lyndon B. Johnson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks at the signing of the Voting Rights act on august 6, 1965. (Photo from LBJ Library collection)

for his fortitude, and his belief in the equality of all people. President Johnson, a former teacher and Dr. King, a Baptist preacher, had tremendous respect for each other, and un-

derstood the crucial roles that each played in changing our nation, and its laws.

They both assumed vital and necessary roles in making America the

democracy that it is today. They are owed a tremendous debt of gratitude by all people.--Rep Eddie Bernice

Johnson represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District.

KALEIDOSCOPE

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 9

t he M C J l i f e s t y l e & e n tertainment section

Church youth choir sing Anthem before Bucks game

SISTA SPEAK!...SPEAK LORD!

Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir sung the national anthem before the start of Milwaukee Bucks vs. toronto Raptors game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on Monday, MLK Day. the church is located at 3737 n. Sherman Blvd. (Photo by Bill tennessen)

Members of the nefertari Dancers pose with (from left to right) King Fest founder and organizer Jeanette Herrera, State Sen. Lena taylor, and Josephine Hill, executive director of the african american Women’s Center, located at 3020 W. Vliet Street. they were participants in the 14th annual “King Fest” event held at the aaWC. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)

FROM THE BLACK

14th ANNUAL YEAR OF “KING FEST’ –There was a packed house at the 86th birthday celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, January 19, 2015. The participants on the program turned it out. Performers at this fantastic event included: Ajamou Butler, Supreme Moore, Carl Williams, Eric Perkins, Penny Smith, Kimari Barr, Muhibb Dyer, Antoine Nixon, Representative David Bowen, By tony Courtney State Senator Lena Taylor, United States Congresswoman Gwen Moore, Akinyomi Courtney, dancers with the Nefetari Dance Company (The Winston Girls Rahki, Niya, Adila, Atalia}. Special thanks to Sisters Janette Herrera host for “King Fest” and Josephine Hill, Executive Director of Wisconsin African American Women’s Center.

JUST THINKING ABOUT YOU CAMPAIGN – If you agree that you waste $25 a month then we want you to become part of this campaign. We want you take the $25 that you agree that you waste and turn it into a money order. We want you to put a note with it that says “Just thinking about you” and mail it along with the money order every month to a friend or a relative. We want to get 1 million Black people to do this every month.

We want to create the spirit of MAAT in our community of “Giving, seeking nothing in return”.

SANKOFA FILM SHOWING – If there is one film that is a must-see, along with “SELMA,” is the film “SANKOFA”. You want to bring out everybody in your family and community, especially our teenagers, to see this movie. Sankofa means “go back and fetch your culture, so you can learn from your past.” This film will be shown at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center 3020 W. Vliet St. on Friday, January 23 at 6 p.m. You don’t want to miss one minute. This film is being sponsored by the Milwaukee chapter of N’ Cobra (National Coalition for Blacks for Reparations in America). Admission is free.

THE CASH COUPON – If you want to raise money for your nonprofit organization, your group or yourself and keep all the proceeds, give me a call at 374-2364.

COMMUNITY BRAINSTORMING CONFERENCE BREAKFAST – Topic: “Police Brutality in the U.S. and Abroad.” Saturday, January 24th. Breakfast – 8– 9a.m. The panel discussion starts at 9 – 11 a.m. The CBC breakfast forum is held monthly at St. Matthew C.M.E. Church, 2944 N. 9th St. MOTHER TO MOTHER - An open conversation about Race, Brokenness, and a Path to Healing will be held on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at the Body and Soul Healing Arts Center, 3617 N. 48th St. Milwaukee, WI. The power of mothers to bring forth healing and wholeness has been shown throughout the generations. We are calling on mothers to come to the table. For more information contact Venice Williams at Venicewb@msn.com or call 414-687-0122.

COMMUNITY EVENTS – Check me out at Coffee Makes You Black 2803 N. Teutonia Ave. Tuesday thru Saturday and let me know about your event. Or call me at 374-2364.

Local fundraising efforts to provide local students with free showings of “Selma” at Marcus theatres

The Milwaukee-area business community is collaborating to reach a fundraising goal of $50,000 during the week of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The money collected will enable Milwaukee-area upper grade Boys & Girls Clubs members to view the film, “Selma,” a Best Picturenominated film about the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, at participating Marcus Theatres locations.

Organizers of the effort, which includes Richard and Lori Lewis, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Marcus Theatres and the Milwaukee business community.

Richard and Lori Lewis are longtime Milwaukee area residents who currently live in Menomonee Falls.

Richard is a seasoned automotive expert and the sales manager at Concours Motors. Lori is with Milwaukee Public Schools at Frederick J. Gaenslen School in her 20th year as a teacher.

The Lewis’, Marcus Theatres and the Boys & Girls Clubs hope that sharing an artistic representation of this historical period with students will raise awareness of the importance and impact of the era among the younger generation, inspiring them to uplift their community.

Select Boys & Girls Clubs members will receive a voucher for free admission to “Selma,” and a complimentary 44-ounce popcorn. Further details will be provided upon completion of the fundraising drive.

Donations will be collected by Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee at www.boysgirlsclubs.org.

Checks may also be mailed to 1558 N. 6th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212.

Donors should indicate their donation is for the “Selma” movie experi-

ence, either in the comment section or on their check.

Primary fundraising efforts will take place over four days, Tuesday, Jan. 20 through Friday, Jan. 23. Additional funds will be welcomed after the four-day window.

The four-day campaign to raise $50,000 honors the four-day, 50-mile civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., in 1965. Milwaukee efforts were inspired by Richard and Lori Lewis, Menomonee Falls residents, who raised $4,000 through their personal fundraising efforts on Facebook to encourage young adults to attend the film. Organizations in more than 25 cities nationwide have enacted local fundraising efforts to promote similar missions in their own communities.

TRUTH BE TOLD

Word is Bond Nothing is more truthful as keeping our word to someone.

We become all talk and lack credibility when we choose not to do this. Life is choices after all.

It is even more paramount that we keep our word to ourselves.

“How many times are we going to let our dreams and visions die by the wayside because we did not do what we said?”

“How many times will we continue to let our loved ones and friends down because we did not do what we said?”

Many people have a distorted reality of what the truth really is, because selling dreams and not producing is easier.

Easier brings forth no fruit in your life nor the life of the person you let down.

Not keeping our word is akin to bringing negative karma back upon oneself. Engaging the boomerang effect.

If we don’t have our word to live by, then what do we truly have and are we really keeping it real?

This just says it all in my opinion...Word Is Bond.

Sonya M. Bowman “It Is What It Is” Reasons Why Truth is...I am flawed, but that is what makes me distinctive.

Truth is...I am excitable, but that is why my energy is contagious.

Truth is...I am authentic, but that is why I am trusted.

Truth is...I am learning, but that is why I am easy to teach.

Truth is...I seek to be inspired, so that is why I encourage others.

Truth is...I value friendship, so that is why I am working to be a better friend.

Truth is...I make mistakes, but that is why I also learn from them.

Truth is...I seek to control, but this is why I am choosing to relinquish.

Truth is...I choose to pray, but that is why I believe.

Truth is...I want to give more, so that is why I have decided to serve.

Truth is...I am learning to live, so that is why I take time to breathe.

Truth is...I am afraid, so that is why I embrace fear.

Truth is...I am exposed, but that is also why I am free.

Truth is...I am true to me, AND that is why I am who I am.

Zelda Corona “Vision Represents Faith” On Our Own There are some of us who think we are invincible and we don't need anybody. We feel…” I can handle what Life brings my way.”

We make up our own day to day schedule, plans for vacations, road map set for our children and family.

We say to ourselves everything is going according to my plan.

All of a sudden Life throws us a hiccup...which is out of our control. We either let it get us down or we recognize that God is in control and there is a reason for this hiccup in your life.

Truth be Told God knows our needs and recognizes when we need to be reeled in. He reminds us that we all need Him to follow his lead in this Life.

It takes a Village and We are not On Our Own...Truth Be Told Tara R Pulley “Keeping It Real”

the Milwaukee Community Journal January 21, 2015 Page 12