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hough many African Americans won’t believe it – it is going to take the hand of God to separate select blacks from the mighty political clutches of Pharaohs across the United States.

What was, is yet among us today and represents the spirit of unbelievers who will not galvanize to leave discrimination, bigotry, and hatred, thus, overcome the hand of their Pharaoh.

As in the Biblical days of bondage, there was always those who wanted to be free from the bonds of slavery, yet there were those who were content to do the master’s bidding. When the clarion call went forth to walk the walk to freedom, many decided that they would not go forth (as in vote) but were satisfied to stay in the hands of misery. After all, they knew nothing but to live beneath their privilege, kiss the ring of the master and to do as Pharaoh command.

Note: We must not be mistaken for Pharaoh is many things too many people such as Ruler, King, Sovereign, Monarch, Emperor and others that holds the captured in chains.

It was difficult for a leader as Moses to convince the Hebrews Israelites that they were given God's divine consent to separate themselves from the enemy camp to no longer live as slaves.

Slavery in America started in 1619, when a Dutch ship brought 20 African slaves ashore in the British colony of Jamestown, Virginia. Throughout the 17th century, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants, who were mostly poor Europeans. Though it is impossible to give accurate figures, some historians have estimated that 6 to 7 million black slaves were imported to the New World during the 18th century alone, depriving the African continent of some of its healthiest and ablest men and women. In the 17th and 18th centuries, black slaves worked mainly on the tobacco, rice and indigo plantations of the southern coast, from the Chesapeake Bay colonies of Maryland and Virginia south to Georgia. After the American Revolution, many colonists—particularly in the North, where slavery was relatively unimportant to the agricultural economy—began to link the oppression of black slaves to their own oppression by the British, and to call for slavery’s abolition.

However, Moses as many of today’s Ministers plea for true believers to get off those knees and do as God commands. God command that they would go-forth for their declared – freedom! The Hebrew as are some African Americans, after trusting the command of God to leave bondage, once in the wilderness they complained and murmured against God. Going against God has consequences, and as a result they walk around the desert for forty-years when the promised land was just over the hill.

One of the first martyrs to the cause of American patriotism was Crispus Attucks, a former slave who was killed by British soldiers during the Boston Massacre of 1770. Some 5,000 black soldiers and sailors fought on the American side during the Revolutionary War After the Revolutionary War, the new U.S. Constitution tacitly acknowledged the institution of slavery, counting each slave as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation in Congress and guaranteeing the right to repossess any “person held to service or labor” (an obvious name... for slavery).

Cotton Gin: In the late 18th century, with the land used to grow tobacco nearly exhausted, the South faced an economic crisis, and the continued growth of slavery in America seemed in doubt.

As a Cook County probation officer, Bailey was concerned about the high rate of recidiounder and president of Probation Challenge/PCC vism, especially the spiraling Internet Network, the Reverwave of criminality in the African American community. end Dr. Harold E. Bailey was born February 12, 1938, in In 1979, he proposed an eduChicago, Illinois to Adolphus cational program for exSr., and Lillian Bailey. He offenders which was supportattended Forestville Elemened by Justice R. Eugene tary School and graduated Pincham. The program was from Englewood High School. implemented to deter youth Bailey continued his education from the perils of prison. at Wilson Junior College, CenPincham’s courtroom, jury tral State University, Chicago room, and Bailey's probation and Governor State University. quarters were converted after Bailey well-regarded in the dark into part-time classrooms. 1950s and ’70s for the Harold Judges: William Cousins, Earl Bailey Singers, recorded gos- Strayhorn, Mary Maxwell pel music with the RUSH, Thomas, Federal Judges: HOB and Savoy record labels. Blanch Manning, and Prentiss He was a pioneer artist apMarshall, assisted to strengthpearing on the Sid Ordower en Bailey’s educational efforts Chicago Jubilee Showcase. in restraining youth from what Bailey called ‘The Criminal

sade. The Bailey education concept In 1984, state representatives, has appeared on ABC-TV’s Carol Mosely Braun, Howard Good Morning America, 48Brookins, Sr., along with the Hours, and CBS-TV’s 60 Illinois Black Caucus introMinutes with the then spokesduced the Probation Chalperson Merri Dee. Bailey is a lenge Act into law. The late part of the ‘The HistoryMakMayor Harold Washington ers.’ helped to move the program Recipient of numerous out of the criminal courts buildawards, Bailey continues his ing and onto the Olive-Harvey invaluable work and applaudCollege campus. There, uned as the only educational learned, unskilled, socially court-mandated program of its deprived, electronic monitoring kind in the United States. clients, adults, and juveniles were court-mandated into the The Legacy of the Rev. Dr. Harold E. Bailey depicts much education program. but not all of his years of labor Probation Challenge continues with troubled youth. its Internet broadcast that eduThe PCC documented filmed in HD and cates ex-offenders as they return into society as meaning- (when released) may be viewed at ful and productive taxpayers rather than tax burdens. Community members have now joined the educational cruJust Us System.’

iven the fallout and national condemnation of Nation of Islam (NOI) Minister Farrakhan who drew the wrath of some Jewish leaders who accused him of allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks, NOI officials Sunday said Facebook’s banning Farrakhan’s Facebook account was wrong and a class action lawsuit is in order.

according to Attorney Ava Muhammad, national spokesperson for Minister Farrakhan and for the NOI, they are contemplating filing a class action lawsuit against Facebook for defamation of character and/or libel. Muhammad raised the possibility of a lawsuit Sunday during an interview on WVON’s “Bob Shaw” show produced and hosted by Chinta Strausberg. “Muhammad was disturbed over the call for Saint Sabina’s Father Michael L. Pfleger removal from the church because he allowed Minister Farrakhan to respond to Facebook’s banning his account and for his

NOI officials say they are contemplating filing a class action lawsuit against Facebook on the grounds of defamation of character and libel.

“We need to understand that this reaction is about the reaction to the reaction to Facebook’s ban which in of itself is oppressive, intrusive and an impediment against self expression of free speech,” she reasoned. Saying Father Pfleger is known in the community for decades, Muhammad said, “this is not someone who showed up suddenly. This is a true, proven community activist. “Minister Farrakhan has been part of the landscape of the black community for more than 64-years. He turned 86-years-old” last Friday. Muhammad said Farrakhan “has devoted his entire life to fighting for us. “What we are being told is that we, the former slave population do not have the right to decide who we will listen to. We do not have the right to choose who we will accept direction from. “We do not have the right to decide as individual human beings with the right to freedom, justice and equality to determine or accept the option of what path of behavior we will choose to follow, and that is what makes this reaction very dangerous,” Muhammad stated.

Facing national criticism mostly from some Jewish groups and majority media, Farrakhan issued his own challenge to his critics to prove him wrong, and if they can, he’ll stop saying what they call his anti-Semitic remarks. Both Farrakhan and Father Michael L. Pfleger are under attack because Pfleger allowed the NOI leader to speak at the Saint Sabina Church in respond to Facebook’s banning his account allegedly because of his anti-Semitic remarks.

Choosing not to elaborate on Cardinal Blaise Cupich’s denunciation of Father Pfleger for inviting Farrakhan to speak at Saint Sabina, Muhammad said, “You are now condemning someone’s critique of content that is absolutely in the Talmud.” Father Pfleger has said it is unfortunate that the Cardinal obviously did not view the video before making his remarks.

When asked if Minister Farrakhan will sue Facebook, attorney Ava Muhammad, national spokesperson for Farrakhan and the NOI, said, “We are exploring every single option as to the best approach to this…. “We expect to take action,” she said. “We think this has gone too far. Enough is enough. This is not an issue of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan…. It is not limited to him as an individual. This is about us as a community. This is really a class action lawsuit in the making.” The ban, Muhammad critique of the Talmud. said, “is an attack on black people.” “Look at the term biblical,” she said. “Father Since Farrakhan’s appearance, a fundraiser Pfleger should be removed…because Minisscheduled for Pfleger, who is trying to raise ter Farrakhan was critical of the Talmud… $800,000 to repair the church’s roof, was not vile speech, not hateful speech, not viocanceled, and he has received a number of lent speech…. hate and death threats. “The First Amendment of the U.S. ConstituHowever, Pfleger is standing firmly behind tion not only guarantees us the right to freeMinister Farrakhan who has been a friend to dom of speech, but it also guarantees us the the popular priest for decades. right of the free exercise of religion and to practice what we believe,” explained MuWhile Pfleger refuses to kowtow to critics, hammad. the NOI is also not backing down; in fact,

Quoting Minister Farrakhan, she said, “The Torah is the revealed word of God. It was the Torah that was revealed to Moses. He said that historically what occurred is that certain scholars and Rabbis and leadership among the Jewish people rewrote and reinterpreted what God said to their benefit, and they produced and published what is known as the Talmud of Babylon. “All of the statements that the Minister made concerning the content of the Talmud when he spoke Thursday night are accurate, and no one is saying otherwise. “What Father Pfleger is being attacked for and actually threatened with his position as the priest, head of Saint Sabina” is because he allowed a black man, a Muslim to speak freely, and invited out those who support his right to be on the platform Continued on page 9

Muhammad Ali…Marcus Garvey…and Fan- our wealth in a uniform manner.” nie Lou Hamer. According to Muhammad, the time has come for African Americans to have their “When a person is willing to stand up and own media platform. “This last act of FaceAttorney Muhammad said the attack on the say to the former slave population that you are not mandated to carry out the wishes of book is really forcing our backs to the wall. event and on Father Pfleger “actually goes We need to have our own platform.” your slave master and live within a narrow against the very existence of the U.S Consphere that makes you believe your only stitution.” Shaw agreed and called for more support purpose on this earth is to serve the slave for the 3:16 Magazine published by Kent Shaw too expressed concern over the growmaster,” she explained. Hunley and Strausberg. “This could become ing deep divide between blacks and Jews a nationwide magazine. All black people “This has consequences…like economics. because of the fallout from the Facebook and fair-minded whites all over the country ban of Minister Farrakhan. “I don’t think we “When you say to the former slave populashould buy into this particular magazine…,” tion, you should do for yourself that’s a should let anybody divide us. Shaw said holding up the May edition. “We threat.” She spoke about the night before “We should be trying to get along on God’s can’t expect other people to write two stoDr. King was assassination when he was earth and live in a peaceful way among one ries about our plight. We can’t get the truth talking about an economic boycott. another,” said Shaw. from the other side and that is unfortunate.” When reminded that Trump and his divisive, Saying he hopes the NOI will make a decibigoted rhetoric are already dividing the sion about the possible lawsuit, Shaw addnation, Shaw said, “A lot of people have ed, “Because free speech is paramount to bought into Trump’s desire to divide blacks our freedom as a nation.” Shaw said Faceand whites. That’s all of that ‘Make America book should not be allowed to get away with Great Again,’ he said referring to Trump’s banning people from its social media platmantra supported by his base. form. Shaw believes that Trump’s usage of this Quoting former Facebook employee, Mark slogan is an attempt to stir up and expand Luckie, an African American who said racial his base on the belief that “it will give white discrimination is real both at the Silicon Valfolks back the power they once had over ley company and on social media platform, slaves in this country, and it’s wrong.” Muhammad said out of 35,000 Facebook employees, maybe 5-6 percent are black Muhammad said, “Minister Farrakhan called with one percent in managerial positions. on those who had issues with him to “come forward and prove the truth of your charges These statistics, she said, “demonstrate that against me. We can’t stand behind each black people are one of the most engaged other’s backs and throw stones at one andemographics on Facebook. As usually, we other. “If what you say is true, come out and are the big mammary gland that everybody prove it true and I’ll stop saying it,” she said sucks off of, and the advertising dollars quoting Farrakhan. black people bring to Facebook and other Referring to the big commercial producers social media outlets is the leverage that we But, the minister was not the only one of years ago like Sealtest (Dairy), Bordens have. We are not only the consumer. We banned by Facebook; so was conspiracy and Wonder Bread, Muhammad said that is are the product. We are engaging with theorist Alex Jones and conservative perwhat Dr. King talked about before he was members of our own community. sonality Milo Yiannopoulos on the grounds killed. “That is why our leaders who pressed that they allegedly violated its ban on “We are not being given exposure to a for the human principle of doing something “dangerous individuals.” broader community besides ourselves; so for yourself applies.” why do we need Facebook to provide that But. Muhammad said a couple of years ago For Facebook to try and tell someone who media for us when we can do it for ourFarrakhan spent three-days interviewing they can listen to is “de-humanizing,” said selves,” Muhammad stated. Jones in Phoenix, AZ. “The so-called conMuhammad. “It re-enforces this article to the servative platform and the program of the Shaw said if anyone Trump should be NOI have a great deal in common we share U.S. Constitution of three-fifths of a person. banned from Facebook. “He Tweets every It is done culturally. “ in terms of ideals, ideology. We don’t have day” given his racist language like his calling the same theology….” Muhammad said blacks must begin to imcountries like Africa an “a…hole.” Shaw merse themselves in economics. Quoting added, ”I don’t believe in anybody being Asked by WVON’s engineer, Patrick ShelFarrakhan, Muhammad added, “Politics banned.” ton, why does the government fear Farrakhan, Muhammad explained, “The U.S gov- without economics is symbol without subMuhammad reasoned because Facebook ernment perceives Minister Farrakhan as a stance. We are not exerting the leverage with 2 billion users, “it has become an obthat we have the numbers and economic threat for the same reason they perceived struction, an obstacle between us and Minpower to exert because we are not spending Dr. Martin Luther King as a threat… ister Farrakhan” Continue on page 10. Continued from page 9. of Facebook…,” Muhammad said. “The community turned out for that.”

Continued from page 9. Given the fallout and na onal condemna on of Na on of Islam (NOI) Minister Farrakhan who drew the wrath of some Jewish leaders who accused him of allegedly making an Semi c remarks, NOI officials Sunday said Facebook’s banning Farrakhan’s Facebook account was wrong and a class ac on lawsuit is in order. NOI officials say they are contempla ng filing a class ac on lawsuit against Facebook on the grounds of defama on of character and libel.

Minister Farrakhan who has been a friend to the popular priest for decades. While Pﬂeger refuses to kowtow to cri cs, the NOI is also not backing down; in fact, according to A8orney Ava Muhammad, na onal spokesperson for Minister Farrakhan and for the NOI, they are contempla ng ﬁling a class ac on lawsuit against Facebook for defama on of character and/ or libel.

“Look at the term biblical,” she said. “Father Pﬂeger should be removed… because Minister Farrakhan was cri cal of the Talmud…not vile speech, not hateful speech, not violent speech…. “The First Amendment of the U.S. Cons tuon not only guarantees us the right to freedom of speech, but it also guarantees us the right of the free exercise of religion and to prac ce what we believe,” explained Muhammad. “We need to understand that this reac on is about the reac on to the reac on to Facebook’s ban which in of itself is oppressive, intrusive and an impediment against self expression of free speech,” she reasoned.

Facing na onal cri cism mostly from some Jewish groups and majority media, Farrakhan issued his own challenge to his cri cs to prove him wrong, and if they can, he’ll stop saying what they call his an -Semi c remarks.

Saying Father Pﬂeger is known in the community for decades, Muhammad said, “this is not someone who showed up suddenly. This is a true, proven community ac vist.

Both Farrakhan and Father Michael L. Pﬂeger are under a8ack because Pﬂeger allowed the NOI leader to speak at the Saint Sabina Church in respond to Facebook’s banning his account allegedly because of his an -Semi c remarks.

“Minister Farrakhan has been part of the landscape of the black community for more than 64-years. He turned 86-years-old” last Friday. Muhammad said Farrakhan “has devoted his en re life to ﬁgh ng for us.

When asked if Minister Farrakhan will sue Facebook, a8orney Ava Muhammad, naonal spokesperson for Farrakhan and the NOI, said, “We are exploring every single op on as to the best approach to this…. “We expect to take ac on,” she said. “We think this has gone too far. Enough is enough. This is not an issue of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan…. It is not limited to him as an individual. This is about us as a community. This is really a class ac on Muhammad raised the possibility of a lawsuit Sunday during an interview on WVON’s lawsuit in the making.” The ban, Muham“Bob Shaw” show produced and hosted by mad said, “is an a8ack on black people.” Chinta Strausberg. Since Farrakhan’s appearance, a fundraiser scheduled for Pfleger, who is trying to raise “Muhammad was disturbed over the call for Saint Sabina’s Father Michael L. Pfleger $800,000 to repair the church’s roof, was canceled, and he has received a number of removal from the church because he allowed Minister Farrakhan to respond to hate and death threats. Facebook’s banning his account and for his However, Pfleger is standing firmly behind cri que of the Talmud. 10

“What we are being told is that we, the former slave popula on do not have the right to decide who we will listen to. We do not have the right to choose who we will accept direc on from. “We do not have the right to decide as individual human beings with the right to freedom, jus ce and equality to determine or accept the op on of what path of behavior we will choose to follow, and that is what makes this reac on very dangerous,” Muhammad stated. Choosing not to elaborate on Cardinal Blaise Cupich’s denuncia on of Father Pﬂeger for invi ng Farrakhan to speak at Saint Sabina, Muhammad said, “You are now condemning someone’s cri que of content Continue on page 11.

Continue from page 10. that absolutely in the Talmud.” Father Pﬂeger has said it is unfortunate that the Cardinal obviously did not view the video before making his remarks. Quo ng Minister Farrakhan, she said, “The Torah is the revealed word of God. It was the Torah that was revealed to Moses. He said that historically what occurred is that certain scholars and Rabbis and leadership among the Jewish people rewrote and reinterpreted what God said to their beneﬁt, and they produced and published what is known as the Talmud of Babylon.

Trump’s mantra supported by his base.

“dangerous individuals.”

Shaw believes that Trump’s usage of this slogan is an a8empt to s r up and expand his base on the belief that “it will give white folks back the power they once had over slaves in this country, and it’s wrong.”

But. Muhammad said a couple of years ago Farrakhan spent three-days interviewing Jones in Phoenix, AZ. “The so-called conserva ve plaLorm and the program of the NOI have a great deal in common we share in terms of ideals, ideology. We don’t have the same theology….”

Muhammad said, “Minister Farrakhan

Asked by WVON’s engineer, Patrick Shelton, why does the government fear Farrakhan, Muhammad explained, “The U.S government perceives Minister Farrakhan as a threat for the same reason they perceived Dr. Mar n Luther King as a threat… Muhammad Ali…Marcus Garvey…and Fannie Lou Hamer.

“All of the statements that the Minister made concerning the content of the Talmud when he spoke Thursday night are accurate, and no one is saying otherwise.

“When a person is willing to stand up and say to the former slave popula on that you are not mandated to carry out the wishes of your slave master and live within a narrow sphere that makes you believe your only purpose on this earth is to serve the slave master,” she explained.

“What Father Pﬂeger is being a8acked for and actually threatened with his posi on as the priest, head of Saint Sabina” is because he allowed a black man, a Muslim to speak freely, and invited out those who support his right to be on the plaLorm of Facebook…,” Muhammad said. “The community turned out for that.” A8orney Muhammad said the a8ack on the event and on Father Pﬂeger “actually goes against the very existence of the U.S Cons tu on.” Shaw too expressed concern over the growing deep divide between blacks and Jews because of the fallout from the Facebook ban of Minister Farrakhan. “I don’t think we should let anybody divide us. “We should be trying to get along on God’s earth and live in a peaceful way among one another,” said Shaw. When reminded that Trump and his divisive, bigoted rhetoric are already dividing the na on, Shaw said, “A lot of people have bought into Trump’s desire to divide blacks and whites. That’s all of that ‘Make America Great Again,’ he said referring to

“This has consequences…like economics. “When you say to the former slave populaon, you should do for yourself that’s a threat.” She spoke about the night before Dr. King was assassina on when he was talking about an economic boyco8. Referring to the big commercial producers of years ago like Sealtest (Dairy), Bordens and Wonder Bread, Muhammad said that is what Dr. King talked about before he was called on those who had issues with him to killed. “That is why our leaders who “come forward and prove the truth of your pressed for the human principle of doing charges against me. We can’t stand behind something for yourself applies.” each other’s backs and throw stones at one For Facebook to try and tell someone who another. “If what you say is true, come out they can listen to is “de-humanizing,” said and prove it true and I’ll stop saying it,” she Muhammad. “It re-enforces this ar cle to said quo ng Farrakhan. the U.S. Cons tu on of three-ﬁRhs of a But, the minister was not the only one person. It is done culturally. “ banned by Facebook; so was conspiracy Muhammad said blacks must begin to imtheorist Alex Jones and conserva ve permerse themselves in economics. Quo ng sonality Milo Yiannopoulos on the grounds Farrakhan, Continue on page 12. that they allegedly violated its ban on 11

Continue from page 11. Muhammad added, “Poli cs without economics is symbol without substance. We are not exer ng the leverage that we have the numbers and economic power to exert because we are not spending our wealth in a uniform manner.”

community that can only be described as spreading evil, and that is what the word Satan means...spreader of evil.”

mad said out of 35,000 Facebook employees, maybe 5-6 percent are black with one percent in managerial positions

These statistics, she said, “demonstrate that black people are one of the most engaged demographics on Facebook. As usually, we are the big mammary gland that everybody sucks off of, and the adAccording to Muhammad, the vertising dollars me has come for African Amer- black people bring to Faceicans to have their own media plaLorm. “This last act of Face- book and other social media book is really forcing our backs outlets is the to the wall. We need to have leverage that we have. We our own plaLorm.” are not only the Shaw agreed and called for consumer. We more support for the 3:16 Mag- are the product. azine published by Kent Hunley We are engaging with memand Strausberg. “This could bebers of our own come a na onwide magazine. community.

All black people and fair-minded whites all over the country should buy into this par cular magazine…,” Shaw said holding up the May edi on. “We can’t expect other people to write two stories about our plight. We can’t get the truth from the other side and that is unfortunate.” Saying he hopes the NOI will make a decision about the possible lawsuit, Shaw added, “Because free speech is paramount to our freedom as a naon.” Shaw said Facebook should not be allowed to get away with banning people from its social media plaLorm. Quo ng former Facebook employee, Mark Luckie, an African American who said racial discrimina on is real both at the Silicon Valley company and on social media plaLorm, Muham-

“We are not being given exposure to a broader community besides ourselves; so why do we need Facebook to provide that media for us when we can do it for ourselves,” Muhammad stated. Shaw said if anyone Trump should be banned from Facebook. “He Tweets every day” given his racist language like his calling countries like Africa an “a…hole.” Shaw added, ”I don’t believe in anybody being banned.” Muhammad reasoned because Facebook with 2 billion users, “it has become an obstruction, an obstacle between us and Minister Farrakhan” because banning means they cannot talk to him on this social platform. “You are in fact an impediment to my exercise in my freedom of speech and you have to be held to that standard.” “It is not everybody. There is a mindset behind this…which finds itself in every religion, every

“We did not sue Betty Shabazz. We sued the New York Post,” Muhammad said, “because she did not say what they accused Shaw referred to the three civil rights activists killed by the KKK her of saying. What the New York Post was trying to do was in Mississippi, Michael to arouse the anger of the black Schwerner, Andrew Goodman and James Chaney. “There were community, which was laboring under this governmenttwo Jews who lost their lives sponsored myth that it was the fighting for the rights of blacks. NOI that killed Malcolm. When He also menyou get behind this, you may tioned Viola Liuzo, a white subur- probably find that Zuckerberg is the beginning but not the end.” ban Detroit wife also killed by the Muhammad revealed that FaceKKK. book “is in settlement talks right now with the Federal Trade “I was in jail in Mississippi trying Commission and about to face fines. Facebook is also trying to to integrate a introduce a new bitcoin currency lunch counter,” (the Facebook coin or cryptocurShaw recalled. rency to 2.7 billion people). “All were white except two of us. “There is a lot of in-house power There have been struggle that is going on, but in whites all along the end of the day, a lawsuit and particular would not be so much that we Jews who fought want to come back or we want trying to introduce civil rights and him to have an account. I agree make it work in this country. I with everyone who said we need don’t see why this fellar (Mark our own platform, but what we Zuckerberg) wants to ignite a are not going to allow you to do firestorm in this country between is to defame his reputation,” Mublacks and Jews.” hammad said referring to Farrakhan Muhammad said Mark Zuckerberg “May not be the very top of “To call him dangerous, to call the food chain even though he him anti-Semitic…to call him has billions of dollars.” She beviolent, to accuse him of spewing lieves there may be disagreehate, that is not going to be alments within the Facebook Cirlowed. She said the grounds of a cle and that “maybe he is being lawsuit would be defamation of called in by somebody. The Mincharacter, libel. ister has been on Facebook for years, but the thing that has Referring to the fallout over Farbeen different in recent months rakhan’s visit to Saint Sabina, is what he has exposed about Shaw said it is time for Blacks the Talmud. Now all of a sudden and Jews to come together. “I he is a persona non grata.” think all people should get together…. I don’t think we should Muhammad referred to the New let anybody divide us. We should York Post that before the Million be trying to get along on God’s Man March had a headline artiearth and live in a peaceful way.” cle that said, “Malcolm widow pens murder on Farrakhan. They Zuckerberg banned Farrakhan were quoting Dr. Betty Shabazz and the others allegedly of their as accusing Minister Farrakhan hate speech—a charge the Minof being the murderer of Malcolm ister denies.

amily and friends gathered for dinner at the Chicago home of the Rev. Harold E. Bailey, president of the Probation Challenge program and The PCC Network. Among those present were Pastor Lottie Woods Hall, of Greenville, SC., Marsha Keeble, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie and Verlene Thomas. Rev. A.J. Bailey, Sr., Rev. Wesley Moore, Chinta Strausberg, Clarence McMillan and Jennifer Bonds, of Greenville, South Carolina and others. Bailey believes it is important that those considered family dine together for the sake of fellowship. Greatly missed at the table was the beloved journalist Juanita Bratcher who recently died. Bailey said that it good for brother and sisters while in the land of living … should come together.

on Carter, Chicago Street Journal, editor and publisher, returns to the PCC Network with his informative broadcast. Carter’s guest is Roland Davis, BOP Investment Group. Davis speaks of his rags to riches experience and tells of his business intents to help in the business industry on the Chicago Southside of the city. You may view this broadcast at www.probationchallenge.org—The Truth Network.

astor Mitty Collier’s ‘I Owe It All To The Word’ broadcast gives spiritual flavor to those that listen across the world. Her recent guest Cassandra Johnson, who reveals how God spoke into existence her new health Essence of KayEL products. For more information you may call: 773.209-3700. View Pastor Collier’s broadcast at www.probationchallenge.org

Chicago, IL: A recent display of brilliance was Seattle Washington. Rose Kamma Morrison, held at two Chicago Hotels: Fairmont Millenni- Alberni, British Columbia, Canada. Doris Mott, um Park and the Illinois Eye Institute of Illinois. 2019 Passionate Focus Benefit is a continued and proud supporter of the second sense organization and their service to the vision loss community. The passion and dedication of the artists is a fitting tribute to the passion and dedication Alpana Mukhopadyay had for Second Sense. Judi Jasek, who passed sway in 2003, was the inspiration behind Passionate Focus. Award recipients were Charles Blackwell, Oakland, California. Julie Bruno, Hockessin, Delaware. Hamilton Eugene Byrd, Chicago, Illinois. Stella DeGenova, Chicago, Illinois. Letty de Guzman, Cape Coral, Florida. Nora Devane, Alexandria, Indiana. Virginia Knepper Doyle, Belvedere California. Rosemarie Fortney, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Susan Gustafson, Vancou- Cape Coral Florida. ver, Washington. Passle Helminski, Erie, Pennsylvania. Carol Sue Henry, Ft. Myers, Florida. Other awardees: Barbara Oswald, Seattle, Washington. Russell Schermer, Chico, CaliforAnnie Hesse, Paris, France. Camille Jassny,

nia. Yvonne Shortt, Rego Park, New York. Sam Smith, Santa Monica, California. Frank Valliere, Gorham, Maine. Kurt Weston, Mission Viejo, California.

amilton Eugene Byrd is the artist and chapter director of the Religious Academies, Chicago. “I started drawing at an early age, about six years old. I added air brush painting to my skills at age 30, but have been oil painting since age 20, so my media includes watercolor painting and acrylic. My use of color is the most awesome fun that I share with a small class I teach on the south side of Chicago during the summer at my church. I’m 59 years old and haven’t stopped learning about my craft. Please enjoy.”

emorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day, was originally started by a group of African Americans. Yes, The History Channel and many other credible historians have confirmed that the popular holiday was, in fact, initially an event held by newly liberated Blacks in Charleston, South Carolina. It happened on May 1, 1865 right after the Civil War ended.

and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memory that years later African Americans were suddenly erased from the story by white Democrats after regaining control of state politics at the end of Reconstruction. Yes, that's right. A day that originally celebrated Black liberation was now being utilized for white supremacy, and it apparently all started from an 1865 article that was published in the Charleston Daily Courier that tried to discredit the facts.

Thousands of newly freed slaves and regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops gathered to march around a Confederate Army prison camp in honor of the unnamed fallen Union soldiers who fought for their freedom.

After discovering that news article, many historians have agreed that after being freed, one of the first things this group of African Americans did was gather to pay tribute to those who died while fighting for freedom. Sadly, you usually don't hear that part of the story.

Also in attendance were thousands of Black women and children who reportedly sang hymns and carried flowers, wreaths, and crosses.

According to LiberationSchool.org, "the spirit of the first Decoration Day - the struggle for Black liberation and the fight against racism - has unfortunately been whitewashed from the modern Memorial Day."

And then the holiday got whitewashed Historian and author, David W. Blight, said in his book Race

ess than a few weeks in office, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot detailed her new administration’s plans to combat violence this Memorial Day weekend by boosting the number of cops on the streets and offering an array of programs to keep youth busy throughout the city.

including open swims and gym time, Park District Superintendent Michael Kelly said.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson said the district was making a concerted effort to let parents know about resources in their communities so they have “something productive to do” over the break. The city also has a web page with summer events at Lightfoot said an additional 1,200 police officers would be on the street, a tactic that has long been a staple of warm-weather holiday Chicago.gov/summer. crime-fighting efforts under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s adminAsked how her plans differ from what’s been done in the past, istration, and promoting more than 100 youth programs offered by Lightfoot said she would borrow the sports phrase “flooding the city agencies and community groups. Memorial Day weekend in zone.” Chicago traditionally has marked the start of a spike in street violence that lasts throughout the summer. “We know the areas in the city where we believe there are challenges and we’re going to make sure we’re physically present, that “We’re calling this initiative ‘Our City, Our Safety.’ Emphasis on we’re engaging with people in those neighborhoods, that we’re our,” Lightfoot said Thursday at Ellis Park in Bronzeville. “It’s not bringing resources into those areas in particular where we have me. It’s not I. It’s our.” concerns about any kind of conflict,” Lightfoot said. Lightfoot campaigned on improving public safety in the city’s neighPressed again, Lightfoot said, “We have really spent a significant borhoods. During her inauguration this week, the new mayor deamount of time making sure we understand in particular where the clared there was “no higher calling than restoring safety and peace areas of need are going to be and that we are providing specific in our neighborhoods.” resources on a department-by-department basis to support the A dedicated Chicago Transit Authority patrol team will provide add- efforts of the local communities and also CPD.” ed security at train stations, and a special task force of 100 discreAsked how she would measure success, Lightfoot said, tionary officers that can be dispatched to an area of “immediate “Ultimately, what success is is making sure that our kids are concern” will be available, Chicago police Superintendent Eddie able to enjoy a beautiful day like this.” Johnson said. The plan includes free activities at 97 field houses across the city,

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, ‘Documented from Word of God’ one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another nowing that everything done in the flesh has to give an accountability – to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm I’ve spiritual decided that it’s not what alone? And though a man might prevail you do to me that counts, but what I do to you is what God will hold me responsi- against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ble for. Word by Word

Romans 14:12

Jeremiah 17:10

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Galatians 6:1-5 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Ezekiel 18:20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Luke 17:3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, Matthew 12:36-37

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? Hebrews 13:17

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Luke 16:10-12

1 John 2:1-29 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Fa“I the Lord search the heart and test the ther, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the mind, to give every man according to his propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have come to know Luke 12:47-48 him, if we keep his commandments. WhoevAnd that servant who knew his master's will er says “I know him” but does not keep his but did not get ready or act according to his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not will, will receive a severe beating. But the in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him one who did not know, and did what detruly the love of God is perfected. By this we served a beating, will receive a light beating. may know that we are in him: ... Everyone to whom much was given, of him James 3:1 much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will deNot many of you should become teachers, mand the more. my brothers, for you know that we who

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, Matthew 7:3-5 and by your words you will be condemned.” Why do you see the speck that is in your Hebrews 4:13 brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own him to whom we must give account. eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

teach will be judged with greater strictness. Luke 12:48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

r. Juanita Bratcher, Award-Winning Journalist, Author, Poet, Songwriter, and wife of late labor leader Neal A. Bratcher, Sr., died early Friday, March 29, 2019. She was 79. She was the Publisher & CEO of CopyLine Magazine, a former inves ga ve news reporter for the Southeast Alliance, Roseland Review, South end Review and the Chicago Daily Defender. She was also the Host of “One on One”, a cable television show and “Footnotes to the News”, PCC Network. Dr. Bratcher successfully became a published author of seven books, the author of more than 700 poems, many of which have been published in various anthologies. She was also a song writer and the songs she wrote have been recorded by professional recording ar sts. She served as guest, panelist, or guest co-host on numerous television and radio programs; and par cipated in many workshops and forums on careers, journalism and poli cs, as a presenter, moderator or panelist. In 1983, she was assigned to the campaign trail of U.S. Congressman Harold Washington in his successful run for mayor of the City of Chicago, and authored a book about him tled “Harold: the Making of a Big City Mayor.”

Secretary to the Stroger Re-Elec on Campaign in 2006 during the Primary Elec on campaign. She was also authorized by Cook County Board President John H. Stroger to write his oﬃcial biography, “Beyond The Boardroom: Empowering a New Genera on of Leaders” and served as a Press Aide to the late Alderman Lorraine Dixon in her successful run for re-elec on to the Chicago City Council. She was the recipient of numerous awards for Journalism Par Excellence & Community Service (too many to list). Dr. Bratcher has received over 30 diﬀerent professional Who’s Who Awards for excellence. Her Journalism Career spanned more than 40 years. She died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Friday, March 29, 2019. Services for Dr. Bratcher were private.

Dr. Bratcher served as a Press Aide to Cook County Board President John Herman Stroger, Jr. in his successful run for President of the Cook County Board in 1994; served as a Special Assistant to Stroger in Cook County government in 2005, and was Press

sa, Oklahoma, into a "town" for wealthy black professionals and craftsmen that would become known as "the Black Wall Street." However, nearly all these unforgettable personalities were often attacked, demonized, and/or swindled out of their wealth. Although much of early North American history involves Black men and women who were brought to the Americas as slaves, the first Black man in Canada was a free man named Mathieu da Costa. A talented translator who was fluent in six Immediately following Emancipation, there different languages, da Costa made a cawere 4,047 millionaires in the United reer by serving as a translator for Europeans on exploratory and trading expeditions States -- and six of them were African American. Between 1830 and 1927, as the to North American territories. last generation of blacks born into slavery His Time in America. was reaching maturity, a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men Although being fluent in several European and women broke new ground to attain the languages was important for da Costa’s highest levels of financial success. success, where he proved most capable was in enabling trade in the Americas due Many people think that Michael Jordan, to his ability to serve as an intermediary Bob Johnson, and Oprah Winfrey were the with native residents. Unfortunately, being first Black people to generate a seven figso talented came at a cost for da Costa, as ure income, but this is not true! he was abducted by the Dutch who wished to make use of his services. Long before they were even born, these six African American men and women In 1608, he signed a contract with the were actually the first pioneers to become Dutch which bound him to assist Pierre du millionaires: Gua de Monts on a trip across the Atlantic Ocean. The travels took da Costa to Aca#1 - Mary Ellen Pleasant: who used her dia, a French-colonized region which comGold Rush wealth to further the cause of prised parts of both modern-day Canada abolitionist John Brown; and modern-day Maine. #2 - Robert Reed Church: who became the largest landowner in Tennessee; #3 - Hannah Elias: the mistress of a New York City millionaire, who used the land her lover gave her to build an empire in Harlem;

By making this trip, da Costa broke ground as the first recorded free Black man to come to what we know now as Canada, and earned his spot in historical records.

Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American to study and work professionally as a nurse in #4 - Annie Turnbo-Malone: An orphan the U.S. Aside from being in and self-taught chemist who developed the the medical field for almost 40 first national brand of hair care products; years, she was also an advocate of women's rights back in her time. #5 - Madam C. J Walker: An former employee of Annie Turnbo-Malone, who went Born in 1845 in Boston, Mahoney always knew she wanted to be a nurse even when on to earn the nickname America’s "first she was a teenager. Since then, she female black millionaire;" worked at the New England Hospital for #6 - O. W. Gurley: A school teacher from Women and Children, a hospital which has Mississippi who developed a piece of Tul- an all-women staff of doctors and exclusively provides health care to women and

their children. After working there for 15 years as a janitor, cook, washerwoman, as well as a nurse's aide, she got an opportunity to attend the hospital's professional graduate school for nursing at the age of 33 in 1878. Students who underwent the 16-month rigorous training program attended lectures and got hands-on experience in the hospital. Among the 42 students, only 4 were able to complete the requirements in 1879. Mahoney, who was one of them, then became the first Black person in the U.S. to get a professional nursing license. Mahoney used her nursing license to serve as a private-duty nurse instead of public-duty due to the rampant discrimination in the latter. She became known across the East Coast for her "efficiency, patience and caring bedside manner," according to the Women's History Museum One in Four Cowboys Was Black, Despite the Stories Told in Popular Books and Movies Although it's not accurately reflected in cowboy movies on TV, there were actually quite a few African American cowboys in the 19th century. In fact, many historians agree that the real “Lone Ranger” was inspired by an African American man named Bass Reeves who was born a slave but escaped during the Civil War. According to the History Channel, he went on to became the first Black Deputy U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. He also was known to be a master of disguise, an expert marksman, and even rode a silver horse. But Bass Reeves wasn't the only one. Many enslaved Blacks fled to the Wild West during the 19th century in search of freedom and well-paying jobs. After the Civil War ended, life was better in the west and there was a greater demand for skilled labor. A lot of the African American men who made the move ended up becoming legendary cowboys who had to deal with outlaws and dangerous animals as they drove cattle herds to market. Please continue on page 13.

honestly dare youth to read black history with a vigor. Moreover, I believe that having mentalities quicken most will see life from a different perspective. In earlier schools; black history was once a forbidden subject. Black history was most times the last book to be assigned and paper-thin. One elderly black retired school teacher said that superiors did not expect black education to be instructed because colored students

achieve nor have victories. At that time it was unlawful to document black achievements. Now, we understand because of fear why much was not being passed on. Nor taught about our parentsâ€Ś in areas of the South, it was taboo! Youth can today dare to be adventures and go beyond those purposely holding them back. Our many youth can achieve if only they read history and â€Ś especially black history.

would be confused and unable to equate the struggles. She cautiously said that higher-ups believed that education was not meant for all blacks because some could not comprehend and retain. Being a progressive black woman in that era, she rebutted authority and taught from the books along with her knowledge of life. She dared to be honest. She explained that blacks in history suffered much with their various experiences and were victorious. She said those accolades were well hidden because blacks were not to

Beethoven, the Most Famous Classical Musician of All Time, Was... a Black Man!

3. Marie Van Brittan Brown

Marie Van Brittan Brown, a nurse, and her husband Albert, an electrician, shared very Ludwig Van Beethoven is arguably the most different work schedules. Police response was slow in their neighborhood, and Brown famous and well known classical musician was nervous to be at home alone. In 1966, and composer in all of history, but his true Brown created a security system featuring identity and ethnicity has been a falsehood and obscurity for many, many years. Society cameras that displayed images on a televihas depicted him as a white male with either sion monitor. Her creation even included an blonde or brunette colored hair, being shown early form of the panic button. The patent for this invention was approved in 1969, and the in drawings, paintings, and illustrations all invention continues to influence home secuover the world. rity systems today. But in reality, Beethoven was labeled by 4. Otis Boykin many as a “Mulatto”, or “Black Spaniard”. But why? Well, according to Gabriel Scott, When Otis Boykin found himself unable to historian and author of The Chosen Ones: complete college due to the expense, he Perception of Malcolm and Martin, his father turned to inventing instead. Boykin’s designs was a white German and his mother was a influenced many everyday items, such as “Moor”. televisions and computers, but perhaps his 5 Black Inventors Who Made Their Mark on Society Everything we use in our day-to-day life was once just an idea. It’s easy to forget the people who made these concepts a reality, but their legacies are undeniable. In celebration of these important figures, we’ve created a list of Black inventors who have made an impact on the world. 1. Garrett Morgan Although Morgan didn’t first create the traffic signal, he made an important improvement to the system. The red and green lights of the original signal didn’t provide enough safety. By patenting his own design - a T-shaped pole - in 1922, Morgan was able to add a yellow light to stand between the two others. This tweak to the previously inefficient system allowed travelers to clear the intersection before the signal changed. 2. Phillip Downing You used to have to make the journey to and from the post office if you wanted to send a letter. Enter Philip Downing. In 1891, he conceptualized what would later become the modern mailbox. His design was a fourlegged metal box resembling the blue collection boxes we see today. This creation is what allows us to send and receive letters with ease.

company. Their line of horse-drawn carriage began production in the 1860's, and Patterson continued his work on carriages until his passing. After his death, his son, Frederick Douglass Patterson, took the reins. From Horse Carriages to Automobiles. In the early 20th century, they shifted their focus to automobiles. Their first car rolled off the production line in 1915. Although the small size of the company prevented growth to the mass-production levels which saw Henry Ford grow into a household name, the company did expand out to the manufacturing of trucks and buses as well.

Due to the limited production of PattersonGreenfield automobiles and their unique greatest contribution was his improvements history, they are now highly sought after to the pacemaker. He invented a control unit additions to any classic car collection. that used electrical impulses to help create a steadier heartbeat. His design was not only Betty Boop Was a Black Woman... Bemore reliable, but also more cost-efficient as fore She Was Whitewashed! well. PBS has confirmed that Betty Boop, the 5. George Crum popular cartoon character introduced to the world by cartoonist Max Fleischer in 1930, The invention of the potato chip was an acciwas actually inspired by a real-life African dental - and groundbreaking - invention. American jazz singer and entertainer from Legend says that when Crum worked as a Harlem named Esther Jones. Her stage chef in the 1850s, a customer sent back a name was "Baby Esther", but unfortunately, plate of French fries for being too thick. Anwhen her character become the first and noyed, Crum sliced the potatoes for a new most famous sex symbol in animation she batch as thinly as possible and fried them was whitewashed until they were extremely crisp. The dish with most people was an instant success. Soon enough, having no idea where Crum’s creation was seen on plates everythe original inspirawhere. tion came from. This Former Slave Was Making Cars Baby Esther had a Long Before Henry Ford — More Than popular cabaret act at 100 Years Ago! the infamous Cotton Club in Harlem, New Although Henry Ford is often considered the York where she sang with a unique vocal father of the American automobile industry, style that featured “boop-boop-a-doops” and other similar scat sounds. That very same many people don’t style was heavily imitated by the Betty Boop realize that one of the first manufactur- animated character. ers of automobiles in Initially, Betty Boop was shown in cartoons America was a former slaved named Charles Richard Patter- as an African American woman. She appeared in at least one animated scene in the son from Ohio. popular Popeye The Sailor Man series. AfGetting started. Patterson was a slave in ter, she was transformed into a white woman West Virginia before he escaped to freedom and remained so until her character was in Ohio prior to the Civil War. Once in the finally retired. It's estimated that the Betty north, he bought into a blacksmith business Boop franchise generated millions of dollars before ultimately taking over control of the in revenue from television networks.

Irving started his solo journey from Miami, Florida around the world. He made 27 stops to different countries including Canada, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, India, Thailand, China, and Japan. He traveled 26,800 miles in 97 days and returned to his base on June 27, 2007.

challenges such as loneliness and bad weather. He would at some point feel frustrated especially for long stretches. But he kept going with the enthusiasm he received from the fans he communicated with over ExperienceAviation.org whenever he landed. He also got nervous when he encountered huge cloud formations and turbulence. Even before he embarked on the round-theworld trip, he had to face rejections from at least 50 sponsors he had been approaching for over 2 years. He said many have thought he was too young and inexperienced for his ambition. Later on, he received cash donations and even aircraft parts, which was used to build the single-engine Cessna Corvalis 400 plane he rode in his historic journey. He rightfully named it the "Inspiration."

During his 150-hour flight time, he experienced

Irving, who was born in Jamaica and grew up in

n 2007, at the age of 23, Barrington Irving set a world record when he not only became the first Black person to complete a solo flight around the world in a single-engine plane, but the youngest person to do so at that time as well!

Miami, started his fascination with aviation and planes since he was 15 years old when a United Airlines pilot invited him for a tour at the cockpit of a Boeing 777 airliner. He then worked several jobs at airports and practiced with a computer flight simulator at home to enhance his skills. After high school, he was offered numerous football scholarships but he declined them all to pursue what he really wanted: an aviation career. In 2003, he received a $100,000 Florida Memorial University/U.S. Air Force Flight Awareness Scholarship and studied aeronautical science. In 2005, Irving established the nonprofit organization Experience Aviation to empower youth, especially minorities, to pursue careers in aviation.

Nationwide — Dr. Tommy Watson is sharing his empowering life story in a new film called Resilient that is scheduled to be released in Charlotte, NC in the summer of 2019. Based on his award-winning book A

be their best selves regardless of the challenges they face in life,” explains Dr. Watson. “I want people to know that our stories, good or bad, make us who we are and what we decide to become.” Here’s what the media is already saying about Dr. Watson’s story:

playing college football, then eventually enter the NFL, and succeed in life. But his life turned upside down in 2004 while he was at a house party playing video games with some friends and an altercation ensued between one of his friends and another person.

“The friend and the other guy had a longstanding beef and it spilled over to a fight and Juan and everybody came running,” said Juan Rayford Sr., Rayford Jr.’s father “He [Watson] is a reminder of what you can who was an ex-military. “Shots were fired, and when the police came, they took do to achieve seemingly impossible names and wanted to know who did what. dreams.” — Omaha World Herald My son did nothing wrong, he had no gun “Tommy is a character to root for, and it is and there were some shots fired but noeasy to invest in his journey towards a betbody was hit, nobody was hurt.” ter future. The story is moving and has a lot Everyone on the scene was questioned but of heart, a solid tale of resilience and later on, the investigation focused only on hope.” — The Black List Face of Courage: The Tommy Watson StoRayford Jr. and another teen, Dupree “Watson’s life reads like a Hollywood ry, the film tells the story of Watson’s inspirGlass. Several witnesses and the homescreenplay.” — BIGTEN Network ing journey from homelessness, abandonowner initially gave their statement to poment and childhood neglect to successful Resilient, similar to the films Blindside and lice where they stated that the teens wereBig Ten football player with hopes for the Pursuit of Happyness, depicts a homeless n’t involved and did not possess a gun. No NFL and later a fulfilling career as a school Tommy Watson willing to do whatever it one was shot or injured as well. principal and motivational speaker. takes, and against all odds to rise above However, Rayford Jr. and Glass were still his circumstance and flourish. The powerful Watson’s parents were heroin addicts and charged with 11 counts of attempted murmessage of his story is that if he can do it, shoplifters. He grew up in the Five Points der each. During their trial, the witnesses then maybe there is a chance for anyone. area of Denver, Colorado, a crime-ridden changed their statement but there were no neighborhood wrought with gang violence, Dr. Tommy Watson is the author of two other witnesses called on their behalf. The drugs and poverty. Living in this type of books, A Face of Courage and The Resili- two young men were offered a plea deal of neighborhood would create any number of ence of Champions. 15 years in prison but they maintained their obstacles and challenges for a young perinnocence throughout. son. However, Watson’s biggest challengOn October 2004, Juan Rayford Jr., as well es were faced behind closed doors. Watas Dupree Glass, was sentenced to 220 son says that he and his siblings “paid a years, plus — 11 life terms. The sentence, hell of a price” due to the actions of their which put them to prison for the rest of their drug-addicted parents. Fortunately for Watlives without any chance of parole, seems son, he was able to rise above the odds to have violated the US Constituthat consumed his parents, siblings, and tion’s Eighth Amendment that prohibits Lancaster, CA — Juan Rayford Jr. was many friends. extreme sentences that are “grossly dispro17-years old when he was wrongfully acDespite being in foster homes, living in 7 cused of attempt- portionate” to the crime. different motel rooms, being homeless as a ed murder and Moreover, Rayford and Glass were just some of senior in high school and without any paultimately senthe youth under the age of 18 who were sentenced to life terms in the US. 85% of it is people of color, accordrental supervision, protection or support, tenced with life ing to Human Rights Watch. Watson overcame challenge after chalimprisonment Fifteen years since then, Rayford Jr. remains in a San lenge and became an utter success! despite his nonDiego-area prison. His father is still fighting for his freeinvolvement in Resilient will shine the light on childhood dom, seeking help from several authorities and organithe crime. Now at zations. The California Supreme Court granted the homelessness by looking through the life of petition by Innocence Rights of Orange County in De32-years old, Tommy Watson whose parents were arcember 2016 and they are now waiting for the court Rayford Jr. has rested 121 times by the time he was a senhearing. spent 15 years of his life behind bars and ior in high school, in the midst of being rehe still dreams that he could one day be Juan isn’t bitter, he isn’t angry,” Rayford Sr. told the cruited as one of the top football players in free. Charleston Chronicles. “He prays every day and America. “The purpose of writing and prohe does what he’s supposed to do. ducing the movie was to inspire others to As a teenager, Rayford Jr. had dreams of “Watson had the guts… he had within himself the characteristics necessary to succeed.” — The Denver Post

BlackNews.com

A study released on Holocaust Remembrance Day shows ‘appalling lack of knowledge’ about the genocide even while Austrians overestimate their country’s role in saving Jews By Yaakov Schwartz he Mauthausen prisoner band playing as inmates are taken to their

death, 1942. (Courtesy Claims Conference) Most Austrians are unaware of the magnitude of the Holocaust and the number of Jews murdered, while concurrently downplaying their country’s role in the genocide, found a study released on Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day. The study, conducted by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), surveyed 1,000 adult Austrians who answered a series of questions about Holocaust and World War II history, either by phone or online. According to the poll, 56 percent of Austrians did not know that 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, and 36% believed that 2 million Jews or fewer were killed. Twenty-five percent believed fewer than 1 million Jews were killed, and 12% put the number of Jewish deaths in the Holocaust at less than 100,000. The numbers were higher among younger respondents: Fifty-eight percent of millennial or Gen Z respondents did not know that 6 million Jews were killed. Significantly, 30% believed that less than 1 million were killed and 17% believed 100,000 Jews were murdered. Notably, 42% of respondents were unfamiliar with the Mauthausen concentration camp, located 146 kilometers (90 miles) from Vienna. According to Israel’s nation-

al Holocaust museum, Yad Vashem, 119,000 people were killed or died from the harsh conditions at Mauthausen, among them 38,000 Jews.

population of roughly 9 million – about six times Austria’s per capita rate. “They know the Holocaust happened; they know Jews were killed. But there’s a sliding narrative about how many were killed… Clearly there needs to be a realignment of education of the facts,” said Schneider.

The results of the study are not radically different from those of two similar studies conducted in the United States and Canada over the last 12 months, said Claims Conference vice president Greg Clearly there needs to be a realignment Schneider. However, the lack of of education of the facts knowledge is more poignant because the Holocaust occurred on Austrian soil. The good news, he said, is that “Overwhelmingly, those surveys show “A lot of the trends are the same – that is, that people believe the Holocaust should an appalling lack of knowledge about the be taught in schools. Eighty-two percent Holocaust,” Schneider told The Times of of all Austrians and 87% of Millennials Israel. “People are aware of the Holoand Gen Z believe that it should be caust, but the challenge, coming from the taught.” survey’s results, is a distortion of the context, the facts, the magnitude, and the proximity.” Viennese Jews behind bars at the Mauthausen concentration camp. (Courtesy Claims Conference) “Mauthausen was one of the most sadistic, cruel Nazi concentration camps, only 100 miles from Vienna in a very, very small country,” he said. “So, to have 42% of Austrians who report that they’re not familiar with it is deeply disappointing.” One quarter of those polled recognized the infamous Dachau concentration camp, and when it came to the Warsaw Ghetto, Bergen-Belsen, Treblinka and Theresienstadt, the number fell below 5%.

he Mauthausen prisoner band playing as inmates are taken to their death, 1942 unknown loss of life for African captives both in and outside of America. Approximately 1.2 - 2.4 million Africans died during their transport to the New World. More died soon upon their arrival. The amount of life lost in the actual procurement of slaves remains a mystery but may equal or exceed the amount enslaved.

The savage nature of the trade led to the destruction of individuals and cultures. The following figures do not include In addition to a lack of knowledge, there deaths of enslaved Africans as a result of was also a tendency to paint a rosier pictheir actual labor, slave revolts or diseasture of the country and its role in the Holes they caught while living among New ocaust. Half of respondents were unfaWorld populations. miliar with the name Adolf Eichmann, and only 14% knew he was Austrian, while A database compiled in the late 1990s put 68% said that Austria was both a victim the figure for the transatlantic slave trade and a perpetrator in the Holocaust. Thir- at more than 11 million people. For a long teen percent said the country was only a time, an accepted figure was 15 million, perpetrator. although this has in recent years been revised down. Twenty-eight percent believe that “a great deal or many” Austrians acted to Most historians now agree that at least 12 rescue the Jewish people during the war, million slaves left the continent between even though 109 people out of a wartime the 15th and 19th century, but 10 to 20% population of roughly 6.7 million are rec- died on board ships. Thus, a figure of 11 ognized as having done such by Yad million enslaved people transported to Vashem, a relatively low rate per capita. the Americas is the nearest demonstrable figure historians can produce. Besides In comparison, neighboring Hungary has the slaves who Continue on page 21. 844 recognized as Righteous Among the Continue on page 21. died on the Middle Nations by Yad Vashem out of a wartime

‘

Passage itself, even more slaves probably died in the slave aids in Africa. The death toll from four centuries of the Atlantic slave trade is estimated at 10 million.

bout 480000 enslaved people were transported to the territories that would become the USA between 1619

and 1808. Their descendants at the time of emancipation numbered about 4.5 million. Today, about 42 million Americans trace their ancestry to those survivors of the Middle Passage. Death rates once in America tracked those of the rest of Americans. A life of hard labor, scarce rations, and primitive healthcare might not be as deadly as the experience of the passage, but it did leave older slaves physically broken. One recently explored aspect of slave mortality is the immediate post war period. Approximately 150–250 thousand are believed to have perished in the two years following emancipation due to disease in the ad hoc Freedman’s camps and exposure and hunger due to chaotic conditions following the War. Deaths during the Middle Passage varied widely with conditions on the ships. The idea of the slave trade was to deliver live slaves to the American auction blocs. “Wastage” was to be avoided. Nonetheless deaths in transit, numbered in the 10 to 20% range based on surveys of shipping records and insurance claims.

So, if half a million made it, then a safe estimate is 75000 dead in transit. Of course, this is for American slavery only, and American slaves accounted for less than 5% of those taken from their African homelands.

There is propaganda to cover up and sugar coat history. It’s successful because the descendants of the murderers control the little documentation that exists and negate the exchange of the oral story telling traditions among slaves. Disseminations of these lies drown out To this number should be added deaths the truth so they can thus wag their finestimated as high as 30% due to the progers at others like hypocrites. cess of slave raiding in the African interior and losses experienced in the Over half of the PEOPLE captive on transport of those persons to the marslave ships died. In the beginning years kets along the coast and the deaths in slaves were dispensable and in easy confinement at the infamous coastal supply. After Great Britain outlawed the “castles.” slave trade around 1800 ( not slavery), slaves became maritime contraband and Extrapolating again from the numbers rather than face penalties, hundreds of safely landed in America you might use slaves ( per ship)were thrown over board 150 thousand dead as a consequence of in shackles to drown. the American share in human trafficking from Africa. With supply now limited, only then did U.S. slave owners see a need to keep This would give a total of 225000 due to their slaves alive. the slave trade and another 200 thousand post-emancipation but due to slav- It was a massacre. Just because Ameriery for a total of 425000 thousand. cas antecedents didn't succeed in consuming every life, doesn't mean it wasn't Again, this is for American slavery only an attempted genocide. which, once landed, was less fatal than Sugar Island slavery. The life expectancy “ In God We Trust”? of a sugar production slave was only By: Lee May, Studied behavioral science two about 7 years. years. It’s a fascinating and terrible subject. Serious scholars have spent lifetimes working their way through the archives.

o the number of slaves who died in the USA would be equal to the number of slaves there ever were in the USA, minus those still alive in 1863 (or 1865, if you want to count from the end of the war). And the small percentage of former slaves who were emancipated before their deaths.

I’m not sure what you are asking, therefore. Other answers infer - perhaps correctly? - that you are trying to distinguish those who died en route to Like the Nazis who followed, slave ship the USA (though they wouldn’t have died “in the owners, plantation managers, slave trade USA”) or were “worked to death” from those who financiers, and shipping insurance agenlived to old age or died otherwise “natural” cies kept detailed records of their odious deaths. But I’m just not sure. Are you? “business.” Norman Owen, Taught college history for thirty years in

British transatlantic slave trade records America, Australia, and Asia The National Archives Paul Lovejoy is a foremost chronicler of the trade. Hugh Brennan, former General Sales Manager, Regional Manager at Volvo. laves weren’t fed or given water. Shackled on racked shelves , vomit and defecation dripped down on whoever was beneath.

apper and entrepreneur Jay-Z has reportedly made a $3 million investmarketplace, and also provides community insights and reveals the best availament in Promise, a startup company that helps state and local governble apartment listings. ments track parolees with GPS technology Think about it! Before you watch a movie on and a lot of people, even some of his fans, are Netflix or Hulu, you want to first see the not happy about it. reviews. Before you make a purchase on The Promise is a start-up company that aims Amazon, you also want to first see the reto help decarcerate the incarcerated - mostly views. Shouldn't it also be that way when for non-violent or misdemeanor offenses - who searching for a rental property? can't afford bail. Earlier this year, the company raised about $3 million with the help of Jay-Z's Roc Nation, 8VC, and Kapor During an interview with TheGrio.com, Ofo Capital. comments, "Our goal at Whose Your Landlord is to inform renters on better practices when it comes to finding their housing. We are creating a platform that Jay-Z, who has been open about his stand in criminal justice reform, said the through transparency, access to information, through reviews based on commisinjustices in the system is increasingly alarming. "Money, time and lives are sion of property, safety, respect we are able to gauge who are doing a good job wasted with the current policies," he in the market and who is doing a poor wrote in a statement. "It's time for an job. You name and shame those folks innovative and progressive technoloand highlight who they are too." gy that offers sustainable solutions to tough problems. Promise's team, led Common issues that renters face with by co-founder and CEO Phaedra their landlords include discrimination, Ellis-Lamkins, is building an app that theft, unaddressed plumbing issues, can help provide 'liberty and justice sewage problems, bed bugs, rodents, for all' to millions." illegal evictions, and more. However, Sandra Rose reveals that Promise doesn't actually use their funds to bail detainees out of jail. Instead, Promise sells smartphone apps to government agencies that they could use in replacement of ankle monitoring devices to track parolees who are discharged from jail under the First Step Act. The report described it an "incarceration alternative" that ensures parolees appear in court or take a urine drug test. Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, co-founder of the company, recently replied to someone on Twitter who accused the company of producing ankle monitoring bracelets and profiting from it. She claimed that they "do not make, provide or sell electronic monitoring." But she did state that the government is paying their company to track parolees who wear ankle monitoring devices and provide progress reports. This, she says, is a better alternative than having the county spend money to incarcerate parolees that can't afford bail.

So how does it make money? As mentioned earlier, the service is free. But it will still be a major revenue generator through paid partnerships. For example, companies like Allstate, Roadway Moving, DOZE Beds, etc. want to advertise to their audience. Also, landlords and property managers will eventually have to pay market rate subscription rates to list their properties on the web site. Another source of revenue will be through their revenue share partnership with TransUnion that allows renters can request their credit report, background check, and eviction history. The innovative company is already proving itself to be a success. They already have thousands of reviews on their web site, more than 500,000 listings, and the service has already been featured on BET, ABC News, CBS News, and in Newsweek.

3-year old Ofo Ezeugwu is the CEO and co-founder of Whose Your Landlord (WYL), a free service that provides renters with landlord reviews so that they can be better informed about the properties that they want to rent. The web site exposes landlords who try to scam unaware consumers in the

Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. Revelation 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 1 Timothy 1:10 The sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Exodus 20:1-26 And God spoke all these words, Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you the foundation of the world. out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but or any likeness of anything that is in heaven the one who does the will of my Father who is in above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in heaven. the water under the earth. You shall not bow Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in fathers on the children to the third and the fourth heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, generation of those who hate me, ... Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who wash out demons in your name, and do many mighty their robes, so that they may have the right to the works in your name?’ And then will I declare to tree of life and that they may enter the city by the them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you gates. workers of lawlessness.’

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

Ephesians 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever

Romans 10:9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your

Exodus 20:16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

By Chinta Strausberg “We will never forget your ultimate sacrifice,” was the message veterans had on Memorial Day during a press conference held at Olive Park named after Chicago’s Vietnam War hero, 18-year-old Milton Lee Olive, III, the first African American to have received a Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.

Milton B. Olive, II, a professional photographer and City of Chicago official, years later married Antoinette Mainor, a Chicago schoolteacher. But, Skipper had a hard time adjusting to this marriage because he always felt my grandmother was his mother. For a short time, Skipper went to live with his paternal grandparents in Lexington, Mississippi, but he came back home. However, Skipper was not challenged in the Chicago Schools including a Catholic school; so he went back to Mississippi.

Ed Johnson, who served with young Olive, who was called Skipper by his family, was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry But, the last time Skipper returned to Missisregiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade in the U.S. sippi, Uncle Milton received a call from his Army. He said veterans will never forget mother warning him that Skipper had joined what Skipper, who was a cousin to my patera Mississippi voter nal grandmother, did for this country. registration drive. He was registering Johnson was referring to Friday, October 22, blacks to vote—a 1965 when during a search-and-destroy dangerous thing to mission in Vietnam spotted a live grenade. do if you were black. He grabbed the device placing it on his stomach allowing it to explode. His heroic and unselfish act saved the lives of four comrades, John “Hop” Foster, Lionel Hubbard, Sgt. Vince Yrineo and Retired Capt. Jimmy B. Stanford, the lone survivor.

Uncle Milton feared for his son’s life; after all, it was just ten years after the murder of Emmett Till and there were killWhen I interviewed Foster years ago, he told ings of black and me how he would write love letters for Skipwhite civil rights acper who liked a girl in Chicago, but he didn’t tivists who were enknow what to say to a girl. So, Foster said gaged in the same he would write down what Skipper should mission. Uncle Milsay and Skipper would copy it in a love letton told his son he ter. Skipper never had a real girlfriend. He had three choices: Get a job, go back to was only 18-years-old when he was killed school or join the military. Skipper returned just 16-days before his 19th birthday. to Chicago and joined the Army in 1964. And, as my late cousin, Dr. Barbara Jean Penelton, used to say Skipper never had a credit card, an apartment, a job, a phone or a car, but one thing was crystal clear--he loved this country. He loved his job as a soldier. When Skipper was injured during a paratrooper incident, he received a Purple Heart. When he came home after that accident, he told my grandmother, Zelphia WarEagle Spencer, he had to go back “to finish my job.” My grandmother, who along with her Yes, Skipper did as he promised my grandhusband, Jacob Augustus Spencer, didn’t mother finished his job in a major way. He want him to return to the Army. was born an unusual birth and chose to make the ultimate sacrifice for his country he Skipper, who was born on November 7, 1946, was a breech baby. His mother, Clara, so loved. died giving birth to him. Skipper’s father,

Several family members joined me at the

press conference Monday including Natalie and Wendell Tucker thanked the veterans for their annual tribute to Skipper. “Each year, we are amazed from the outpouring of gratitude from everyone present at the memorial services for our cousin, and the many more who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country and for that we are truly grateful,” said Natalie Cousin, a cousin of Skipper. At the press conference, Leon Reed, past post commander for the Milton Lee Olive, III, Post 13, 1932, said during the Vietnam era Skipper “was the man who did what he had to do at the time.” Daniel Finn, past state president for Military Purple Heart, said, “It is American to come out here. Milton gave his life. He did this for his country. We will not forget, and we don’t want the family or America to forget what he did.” Finn said the younger generation must also be taught the history of Skipper and of all those who paid the ultimate price. And, that is what Mathis, also a cousin to Skipper, is doing with her children. She feels “inspired and excited that generations are learning and remembering Milton and that is important.” Mathis, who is too young to have known Skipper, said she is teaching her children about his history. In fact, her children reenacted the life of the young war hero as a school project. Accompanying Mathis was her daughter, Sidney Mathis, 18, and her great niece Myanna Edwards, 4. Mathis’ daughter said, “I feel like I can be a leader…. I feel inspired,” she said of Skipper’s history. But, because of the blood Skipper spilled in Vietnam, all four men have grandchildren. Over the years, I interviewed them, and they expressed gratefulness over Skipper’s ultimate sacrifice. Stanford, the only one of the four living today, said he looks at Skipper’s picture every day and wonders why was he saved. Stanford, once an admitted racist, said growing up in Texas it was part of the norm to hate blacks, but after Skipper saved his life, his thinking has been transformed. Johnson said those who “never made it back from across the waters…. They showed what they could do when they sacrificed their lives so

we could come down here at Olive Park every Memorial Day and reflect on the sacrifices that we made to save this great country of ours.”

me to remind this nation what his son did for this country, but in January of 1993 when I was at my cousin’s auto store, Uncle Milton called me and made me promise over and over again to make sure America knew what his son did. Uncle Milton died March of 1993 while I was on assignment abroad; I intend to keep my word.

When Skipper was killed on October 22, 1965, Johnson said he was 22-years-old. “He was a young man, energetic who had just gotten to the company when he went out But, I also urged people to thank and reon the operations. Reflecting on that fateful day, Johnson said, “People asked me if I would have jumped on the grenade. That is something that none of us can answer. You have to be in the moment to know what you are going to do at that time. This is not a John Wayne type situation where we know when the script is written and what the end results are going to be.

“I say today as I say most ever day thanks Skipper for giving me this opportunity,” said Stanford who then was the father of two, grandfather of nine and great grandfather of give children.

I thank your son, Mayor Richard M. Daley, for continuing to honor Skipper’s memory, for then Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn for recognizing Skipper and for the late Lawrence Pucci, who lived across the street from the park, who died fighting to redesign this park in Skipper’s name.

Here is a letter I wrote on May 4, 2012. I interviewed my uncle, Milton then 81 prior to his death on March 25, 1993. When Skipper died, his father wrote a letter to President Lyndon B. Johnson saying: "It is our dream and prayer that some day Asians, Europeans, Israelites, Africans, Australians, the Latin’s and Americans can live in one world.

“There were no old men in Vietnam even the commanding officers,” Johnson said. “Those who were too old rode in a helicopter, looked down at us and cheered us on. We understand what war and combat are about.”

Several years ago, the lone survivor of the October 22, 1965 incident Stanford, said to me, “As I approach my golden years, as some would say the twilight years, I sometimes wonder what and why I have been the opportunity of growing old, of seeing my son and daughter grow up and prosper in life, seeing my grandchildren grow up, marry and provide me with great-grand children….

Today, I’d like to thank the late Mayor Richard J. Daley for naming Olive Park after Skipper even though, according to documents I received many officials warned him not to name a park after a black.

And, lastly, for the men who continue to come and pay homage to my cousin, we thank you for your loyalty to one of Chicago’s African American teenage Vietnam War heroes.

"He made a sacrifice that there is no way in heaven…only God knows why he made the sacrifice he made,” Johnson said of Skipper adding, “He gave it all along with the other 58,000 names on that wall.” Skipper, Johnson said, “was an American soldier doing what American soldiers do.”

Johnson, who was four years younger than Skipper, urged his comrades never to forget the meaning of Memorial Day…”to honor those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice…. This day was set aside for the 1.5 million and the 58,000 who gave all they could give in Vietnam. God bless America and God bless our country.”

reburied them and began an annual ceremony that today we call Memorial Day--a day to honor all of our fallen heroes.

member the true meaning of Memorial Day, which was begun by former slaves in 1865 the year they were legally freed. At the end of the Civil War, in 1865, Charleston, S.C., many Union soldiers were being held prisoners in a converted racecourse. At least 257 of the captives had died, their bodies discarded in a mass grave. Later, a group of black former slaves dug up their bodies and reburied them to give them proper honor. On May 1, 1865, over 10,000 people, recently freed slaves, black school children, colored soldiers and their allies, held what was the first Memorial Day parade. They paraded around the racecourse and they gathered as many as they could fit into the cemetery to pay honor to the fallen soldiers.

America should also honor these brave forIt was Skipper’s father who repeatedly asked mer slaves who dug up the dead soldiers,

"It is our hope that in our own country, the Klansmen and Negroes, Hebrews and Catholics will sit down together in the common purpose of good will and dedication that the moral and creative intelligence of our united people will enable us to pick up the chalice of wisdom and place it upon the mountaintop of integrity; that all mankind from all the earth shall resolve to study war no more." While his son was a war hero, his father was a civil rights activists. Uncle Milton helped to organize the first Porter's Union at Walgreens then located at State and Madison Streets in 1939. Besides being a supervisor for Chicago's Department of Human Resources Department, now called the Department of Human Services, he was an accomplished photographer-an art he had taught his son. Let us study war no more is also my dream, my hope and my prayer especially today with so much talk of possible war with Iran by Donald Trump and the racial division he causes with his tongue. Yes, Uncle Milton, what we need is peace among the different ethnic groups, among our allies and an olive branch to our enemies. You are right. We do not need to study war any more. What we need is to give peace a chance, but we also must never forget the ultimate price soldiers like Skipper and the 58,000 others made for our country. By Chinta Strausbergwww.chintabernie.com

By Queen Mother Helen Sinclair

These men, whom I call freedom fighters and fellow toilers in a fight for God and freedom and to save our people.

s friends and freedom fighters, as a minister of God working in the prisons and jails, I have invited both Father Michael Pfleg- In closing let me wish you Peace if possible, but Justice at any rate. er and Minster Louis Farrakhan to Cook County Jail as well as to Statesville Correctional Center where they were warmly received by those men who happened to be behind the walls. astor Mitty Collier, More These men served in their individual ways Like Christ Ministries, and served well to bring a different perspec- speaks with Coco Collins, regtive to it's listening audience. Father Mike ister nurse, regarding health inwhom I have known since he was a teenag- home provisions for seniors. er and I worked with 14 catholic parishes on The subject was that of Shinthe westside of Chicago. gles. Shingles is not a well Father Mike and I were inducted into the Honorary Doctor Degrees known subject but largely atof Jean Baptist Pont DuSable at the same time by the Dr. Herrick tacking the seniors community. To be better informed you may view her broadcast at www.probationchallenge.org—The Truth Network heard 24/7 and On-demand. Pastor Collins will celebrate her Birthday, June 22, 2019 at the Oaklawn Hilton at 12:00 Noon. Ticket are $40 and may be purchased by zelle at 773-450-7676. Or, you may call: 773.723.5634 for further information.

f you've ever had the chickenpox -- and almost all adults have -there's a good chance the virus is still at large in your body. The Group along with Dr. Tim Black, we have now reached 50 years varicella zoster virus can lie dormant for decades without causing since high school. any symptoms. In some people, the virus wakes up and travels Father Michael Pfleger and I are true freedom fighters, meeting and along nerve fibers to the skin. The result is a distinctive, painful rash called shingles. marching in front of a gun shop in Indiana, another form of us attempting to address the gun violence that's in our perspective com- What Does the Shingles Rash Look Like? munities. The shingles rash can be a distinctive cluster of fluid-filled blisters -I also met Maya Angelou and Dexter King as well as other Freeoften in a band around one side of the waist. This explains the term dom fighters at Father Pfleger parish. Dr. King's son Dexter King at "shingles," which comes from the Latin word for belt. The next most another time who common location is on one side of the forehead or around one eye. proved to be a very But shingles blisters can occur anywhere on the body. wise young man. Look Like? Father Mike's parish The shingles rash can be a distinctive cluster of fluid-filled blisters -is a house of Freeoften in a band around one side of the waist. dom for all people. I This explains the term "shingles," which was also very fortucomes from the Latin word for belt. The next nate to meet minister most common location is on one side of the Louis Farrakhan by forehead or around one eye. But shingles way of my two beautiblisters can occur anywhere on the body. ful daughters, They had the opportunity to hear him speak, which left a lasting impression in their heart and minds, as a result, they Other Symptoms of Shingles asked me to invite him to Operation Push, I honored their requested While the localized pain and rash are the tell-tale signs of shingles, and I am glad that I did because me and the Minister have been other symptoms may include: dear friends ever since. I invited both Father Pfleger and Minister Louis Farrakhan to Statesville so that men, especially the younger males could hear their stories.

Fever, Chills, Headache and Upset stomach. Watch Pastor Collins “I Own It All To The Word” for further information– www.probationchallenge.org—The Truth Network.