OUR TIME PRESS | March 15 – 21, 2018

| From the Villa ge of Brook ly n |

OUR TIME PRESS THE L OCAL PAPER WITH THE G LOBAL VIEW

| VOL. 22 NO. 11

March 15 – 21, 2018 |

Since 1996

Community “2020” Focus: Preservation, Voting, Schools, Environment, Health Physicist Stephen Hawking Passes at 76

Confined to a wheelchair, his mind roamed the universe

"His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942--2018."

Neil DeGrasse Tyson

S

tephen Hawking, who has died aged 76, combined a soaring intellect and a mischievous sense of humor that made him an icon of both academia and popular culture,” said his fellow physicist and friend, Roger Penrose. “The image of Hawking in his motorized wheelchair, with head contorted slightly to one side and hands crossed over to work the controls, caught the public imagination, as a true symbol of the triumph of mind over matter.

As with the Delphic oracle of ancient Greece, physical impairment seemed compensated by almost supernatural gifts, which allowed his mind to roam the universe freely, upon occasion enigmatically revealing some of its secrets hidden from ordinary mortal view.”

Here are a collection of some of his greatest quotes: “For millions of years, mankind lived

just like the animals. Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination. We learned to talk and we learned to listen. Speech has allowed the communication of ideas, enabling human beings to work together to build the impossible.

Mankind’s greatest achievements have come about by talking, and its greatest failures by not talking. It doesn’t have to be like this. Our greatest hopes could become reality in the future. With the technology at our disposal, the possibilities are unbounded. All we need to do is make sure we keep talking.”

“I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.”

DOE Reconsiders Name Change at Crown Heights School

☞ INSIDE

Photo: Tony Akeem

Young audience member at the Medgars Evers College's annual conference on environmental issues.

Page 7

Portrait of Our Time: Clara Walker’s Image Holds Court at New Establishment

➔➔ Continued on page 5

Photo: Keith L. Forest

Mama Fox restaurateur Samantha DiStefano and Walker’s son, Rachiim Ausar- Sahu, are joined by Evelyn Collier and Al Vann at dedication.

Page 4

Page 3

Betsy DeBacle: The Head of Education Needs One ➔➔ Page 2

Secret Service Agents May Soon Patrol Voting Sites ➔➔ Page 3

Stuyvesant Heights Elders Salute Clara Walker ➔➔ Page 4

Brooklyn’s Best Win Marietta Tree Public Service Awards ➔➔ Page 5

Beatrice Liqui’s Story: In Celebration of Bed-Stuy’s Very Own Hidden Figure’s 90th Birthday ➔➔ Page 6

2

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

VOL. 22 NO. 11

Betsy DeBacle!

The Head of Education Needs One ■■

I

By Maitefa Angaza

would do away with safeguards protecting students of color and disabled students from disproportionate discipline and suspensions.

If DeVos follows through with her push to repeal Obama’s policies, schools will once again be allowed to report students deemed problematic directly to law enforcement, further entrenching the school-to-prison pipeline. Federal reports verify the validity of complaints about white students being sent to the principal’s office while other students get a police report.

Stahl asked DeVos about this in the 60 Minutes interview. Her response: “We are studying that rule. We need to ensure that all students have an opportunity to learn in a safe and nurturing environment.

And all students means all students.”

“Yeah, but let’s say there’s a disruption in the classroom,” Stahl persists, “and a bunch of white kids are disruptive and they get punished, you know, go see the principal, but the Black kids are, you know, they call in the cops. I mean, that’s the issue: who and how the kids who disrupt are being punished.”

“Arguably, all of these issues or all of this issue comes down to individual kids. And—” “Well, no,” said Stahl, interrupting.

“That—it’s not.”

“Do you think that teachers should have guns in the classroom?”

“That should be an option for states and communities to consider,” said DeVos. “And I hesitate to think of, like my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Zorhoff – I couldn’t ever imagine her having a gun and being trained in that way.

But for those who are, who are capable, this is ➔➔ Continued on page 9

Publisher DBG MEDIA Editor-in-Chief David Mark Greaves Copy Editor Maitefa Angaza Web Editor www.ourtimepress.com Liani Greaves Contributors Victoria Horsford Abigail Rosen McGrath Fern Gillespie Akosua Albritton Margo McKenzie Priscilla Mensah Aishamanne Williams Marlon Rice Sports Eddie Castro Office Manager Joanna Williams Consultant Bernice Elizabeth Green Legacy Ventures © 2015, DBG MEDIA Publishers of Our Time Press, Inc., printed in New York City.

All rights reserved.

No part of the publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers. Publishers are not responsible for any ad claims.

MBE Certified in NYC, NYS and the Port Authority of NY & NJ Member: New York State Press Association

GE TA

Co Op 3 mp en su le mm to te de up er gr se to ee ss on & io e ns no ye ar nav de of ai g la stu re bl dy e e s in tu de th re nt e s mo Ca M n l cu ic th s r lu s An Ch obi at em olo om g i y & stry y Ph ys P ic h s & ysi ol M og or y e

HE AD -S TA RT TH IS SU MM ER

n what was surely intended to be an impressive and reassuring appearance on 60 Minutes, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos instead drew wrath and ridicule from a diversity of quarters. Print and broadcast media, parents and educators were left incredulous and outraged after her revealing interview with Lesley Stahl on Sunday night.

The most widely quoted DeVos response has been the one in this exchange about low-performing schools in her home state of Michigan: “Have the public schools in Michigan gotten better?”

“I don’t know. I can’t say overall that they’ve gotten better... Michigan schools need to do better. There is no doubt about it.”

“Have you seen the really bad schools?”

Stahl asked. “Maybe try to figure out what they’re doing?”

“I have not. I have not – I have not intentionally visited schools that are underperforming.”

“Maybe you should.”

“Maybe I should. Yes.” Her cavalier demeanor in a time of crisis caused many to question anew DeVos’ commitment and her fitness for the position she holds. When schools fail students, personal trajectories are altered. Communities take the hit as well – sometimes for generations.

Yet, DeVos also appeared not to know basic statistics about U.S. public schools in general.

She tells Stahl at one point: “We have invested billions and billions of dollars and we have seen zero results.”

“But that really isn’t true,” Stahl relied.

“Test scores have gone up over the last 25 years. So why do you keep saying nothing’s been accomplished?”

Apparently, DeVos is parroting propaganda with not a modicum of research. This also characterizes her grasp of the issues concerning Black and brown students in her charge.

Not all “low-performing” schools are in urban areas or predominantly Black neighborhoods. But although Black families are disproportionately impacted by the failures of DeVos’ agency, she has yet to demonstrate that she comprehends – or cares to comprehend – their plight. Case in point: the time she attempted to make an argument for charter schools by saying that, “HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) were “pioneers of school choice,” rather than born of necessity, courtesy of racial segregation.

Under DeVos’ “leadership,” the Department of Education is one of the agencies heeding Donald Trump’s call to repeal those Obama administration initiatives that Trump sees as “regulatory burdens.” The department repealed 63 Office of Special Education Program guidelines, including some helping parents attain due process in advocating for their children. Others of these were created to prevent programs receiving federal money from discriminating against people with disabilities, for example.

One of the most troubling of these directives is DeVos’ decision to have her newly formed Federal Commission on School Safety – which she will head – consider the repeal of President Obama’s “Rethink School Discipline” policies. Under the guise of “hardening schools,” a process that will allow teachers to carry guns, the commission

DBG MEDIA Publishers of Our Time Press, Inc. 358 Classon Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11238 (718) 599-6828 Web site: www.ourtimepress.com e-mail: editors@ourtimepress.com

“60 minute workshops that are right for your mind, body, and soul”

718.260.5500 • WWW.CITYTECH.CUNY.EDU/SUMMER NEW YORK CITY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

CITY TECH

300 Jay Street Downtown Brooklyn facebook.com/citytech • @citytechnews

www.citytech.cuny.edu

District 16 Rahesha Amon-Harrison, Superintendent 1010 Lafayette Ave | Brooklyn, NY 11221

Phone: (718) 574-2834 | Fax: (718) 453-1048

VOL. 22 NO. 11

Secret Service Agents May Soon Patrol Voting Sites

T

DOE Reconsiders Name Change at Crown Heights School ■■ By Kelly Mena, Kings County Politics

he next time you show up to vote you may find yourself in the company of armed Secret Service agents watching your every move. The House of Representatives has already approved the proposal, which would station agents at polling places as part of the Department of Homeland Security's reauthorization bill. But 19 bipartisan Kristen Clarke, secretaries of lawyer's org. pres. state have denounced the proposal. They penned a letter to their peers in the Senate, urging them to reject the bizarre overreach that could very well disenfranchise a sizable portion of the voting population.

A story in The Boston Globe quotes Massachusetts Secretary of State William Galvin, a Democrat, as saying, “This is worthy of a Third World country. The potential for mischief here is enormous.”

Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights was interviewed by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez on “Democracy Now!” on (WBAI-FM and wbai.org).

“The idea of having federal law ➔➔ Continued on page 4

3

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

E

ducation officials are mulling over keeping an African-American historical figure as part of the name of a Crown Heights high school, according to a consolidation plan set for a vote next month.

According to an updated consolidation plan, whereupon students from Aspirations Diploma Plus High School, 1495 Herkimer Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant will move and join with students from W.E.B. DuBois High School, 402 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, the official name will incorporate W.E.B. DuBois.

DuBois, a seminal figure in AfricanAmerican history, preached self-empowerment and opposed the controversial Atlanta Compromise. He believed that Black empowerment came from increased political representation through the African-American intellectual elite, the idea that African-Americans needed the chances for advanced education to develop its leadership.

According to a Department of Education release, “the NYCDOE anticipates that the consolidated Aspirations will pursue a name change in order to incorporate the W.E.B. DuBois name into the name of the newly consolidated school.”

However, this minor reprieve could still erase DuBois from the title as school-naming and re-naming is subject to Chancellor’s Regulation A-860.

In February, the Department of Education (DOE) announced a new consolidation plan for DuBois that included a controversial name change and a leadership change from current DuBois Principal Katherine Costa to the principal of Aspirations.

The new plan reverses an original proposal that was set to shutter the historically minority Black and Hispanic school that sits in the middle of a gentrifying neighborhood.

According to officials, the new plan is the result of Aspirations having a building lease end date of 2019 and to address low enrollment rates at both schools.

“The NYCDOE is proposing to consolidate W.E.B. DuBois with Aspirations

based primarily on the benefits that students in both school communities would derive from the additional resources made available by consolidating the two school organizations into one. The low enrollment at W.E.B. DuBois has made it challenging for the school to offer the broad range of academic and extracurricular programs that are possible in larger schools,” read a DOE notice.

Education officials claim DuBois has persistently struggled with low enrollment, serving fewer than 140 students per year over the last five years.

However, W.E.B. DuBois High School is a transfer high school serving overaged, undercredited students since 2001. The school has a history of serving academically challenged students and has been critical in the predominantly Black community of Crown Heights for giving second chances to any student willing to earn their high school diploma.

The consolidation plan is set for a final vote in April where the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) will consider the proposal and make its final judgement.

If approved, the consolidation plan would not go into effect until the 20192020 academic calendar.

The final PEP vote is slated for 6 p.m., Wednesday, April 25 at Murry Bergtraum High School, at 411 Pearl Street in Manhattan.

OVER 4 MILLION WEEKLY WINNERS ©2017 New York Lottery. You must be 18 or older to purchase a lottery ticket. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY. For help with problem gambling, call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369). nylottery.ny.gov

PUB: The Jewish Press & NY Beacon & NY Daily Challenge & Our Time Press & India Abroad

4

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

VOL. 22 NO. 11

Stuyvesant Heights Legacy Keepers Salute Ms. Clara Walker

Restaurateur Honored at Former Establishment ■■

By Keith L. Forest

O

n Saturday, March 10, 2018, pillars from the Bedford Stuyvesant community gathered together to pay homage to McDonald’s Diner and its former owner Clara Walker. Once a major destination in the historic Stuyvesant Height section of Bedford-Stuyvesant, the restaurant had long closed its doors leaving a lifetime of memories behind.

“Before there was Clara there was John,” shared Joe Long, a lifetime Bedford Stuyvesant resident/advocate and owner of legendary Birdel’s Records formerly located on Nostrand Avenue. According to Mr. Long, Mr. McDonald looked forward to retiring and returning home to North Carolina, their home state. However, Mr. Long warned his friend to put in place someone to continue the McDonald’s Diner legacy. “He found that in Clara, his former manager. I’m just thankful to be here and share with you the history of this place. I pray that under you Samantha it will carry on the history that we (the residents of the community) built on the corner of Macon and Stuyvesant Avenue.”

Re-christened Mama Fox Restaurant, the new establishment is owned and operated by Samantha DiStefano. DiStafano sponsored the afternoon gathering honoring former owner Clara Walker. “I feel extremely grateful and privileged to take over this space and turn it back into another community restaurant,” declared DiStefano.

The well-attended affair, hosted by Bed-Stuy Resident and Community Board 3 member Evelyn Collier, included an

unveiling of Ms. Walker’s portrait. The decorative-framed, black and white image will have a permanent home at the establishment. Ms. Walker was unable to attend.

However, her son, Rachiim Ausar- Sahu, a world-renowned jazz artist was present.

Former Councilman Al Vann, who was born and raised in the community, shared how growing up around the corner on Herkimer between Albany and Schenectady shaped his worldview. “We weren’t allowed to live on this side of Fulton Street yet,” He recalls. However, the area referred to as the jungle, was booming with black-owned businesses that stretched from Utica Avenue to Troy Avenue. These establishments were later wiped out when they built Boys and Girls High School.

Vann reflected on how going to McDonald’s Diner was like “stepping out!” A major event that one would have to get dressed to attend. According to Vann, McDonald’s Diner was the one place where renowned black leaders, celebrities, athletes, and clergy gathered. “We are not looking for what used to be. It’s good to know there is a continuation, that a foundation was made here. I know Ms. Walker will be happy to know that there will be a concern here to serve the community.”

In April of 2017, Ms. Walker traveled to Brooklyn from Atlanta, GA to participate in a historic oral history project sponsored by the Macon, McDonough, Lewis, and Stuyvesant (MMSL) Block Association.

Along with her son Rachiim Ausar- Sahu, Ms. Walker sat for an hour-long interview in the former home of her McDonald’s Diner reflecting on her legacy. The final footage is

Photo: Keith L. Forest

Joe Long, Godfather of Central Brooklyn; Ms. Evelyn Collier, Chair, Landmark Committee, Community Board 3, Al Vann, Central Brooklyn's Statesman Griot; Lynette Lewis-Rogers, president of the Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant. available for viewing online at mystuy.org.

Keith L. Forest is a seasoned entrepreneur, Marketing professor, proud BedfordStuyvesant homeowner and community advocate. Committed to serving others Forest

recently formed A Greater Good, NYC, Inc. a nonprofit organization committed to serving marginalized communities through the arts, entrepreneurial endeavors, educational advancement and explorative engagements.

Here us roar!

Changing Times: Lions District 2—K1, serving Brooklyn and Queens, is making history and changing it, too. This chapter of the Lions Clubs International, celebrated a victory of sorts for its membership last month so we decided to applaud them during this March Women’s History Month. The group’s number of women members has reached 61% -- a very big deal for a national organization that refused entry to women when it was first formed more than 100 years ago. Congratulations Lions District 2-K1!! Seen here, left to right, front row seated: 1st Vice District Governor Audrey Doorn, LCI Director and keynote speaker Nicolin C. Moore, District Governor Charles W. McBride, PCC Gloria V. Askew, and 2nd Vice District Governor Deborah Harrison. Standing Left to right: Lion Maureen Thomas, Lion Yalin Weng, Lion Lavern Harrison, Lion Rudy Moore, Lion Nancy McBride First Lady, Lion Aida Wilson, Lion Joyce Shorey, Chairperson Lion Jacqueline Phillips, Lion Joice Knuckles, Lion Joan Bryan, and IPDG Jacqueline Williams.

Moore spoke on the Contributions of Lions Women and Families in service to their District.

The purpose of this event was to celebrate women and families in Lionism, Leadership and Service.

Voting Sites ➔➔ Continued from page 3 enforcement agents patrolling, roaming inside polling places, harkens back to tactics that we saw during the Jim Crow era. Law enforcement historically has been used to discourage and depress minority voter turnout. This is a moment that requires we remain vigilant. We can’t forget that this administration is the same one that launched the so-called election integrity commission, whose sole goal and purpose was to lay the groundwork for voter suppression.”

“I am disheartened by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has not brought a single voting rights case on behalf of minority voters during his tenure at the Justice

Department. We have deep concerns that this proposal is a thinly veiled attempt to resurrect the now-disbanded election integrity commission. All of these are tactics really aimed at suppressing the vote during the 2018 midterm election cycle. And we need the public to remain vigilant.”

“At the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, we lead the nation’s largest nonpartisan voter protection program, Election Protection. It’s anchored by an 866-OUR-VOTE hotline. And we encourage the public to speak up if they see local, state or federal law enforcement officers outside the polls. Many states actually have laws that expressly prohibit police officers from being anywhere near polling sites. We know that this stands to be a barrier for voters.”

VOL. 22 NO. 11

5

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

Brooklyn Volunteers Honored

by Citizens Committee for NYC

M

Physicist Stephen Hawking Passes at 76 ➔➔ Continued from page 1 “My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all.

“I believe the simplest explanation is, there is no God. No one created the universe and no one directs our fate. This leads me to a profound realization that there probably is no heaven and no afterlife either. We have this one life to appreciate the grand design of the universe and for that, I am extremely grateful.”

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you

can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”

“Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny”.

“My expectations were reduced to zero when I was 21. Everything since then has been a bonus”.

“People who boast about their IQ are losers.”

“I have lived with the prospect of an early death for the last 49 years. I’m not afraid of death, but I’m in no hurry to die. I have so much I want to do first.”

“We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the Universe. That makes us something very special.”

Sugarland: Why Is Diabetes Growing So Rapidly?

■■

By Dr. Cheryl Olson, WNYC News

D

iabetes is the fastest-growing chronic disease in the United States. While there are two types of diabetes, the vast majority of patients have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 typically develops in adults and can develop as a result of a variety of factors, including diet, lifestyle and genetics (type 1 is an autoimmune disorder that used to be referred to as «juvenile diabetes”).

There are 30 million type 2 diabetics in the U.S., and another 84 million who have been diagnosed as prediabetic, meaning lab tests show warning signs of elevated blood sugar, the defining symptom of diabetes. Over the course of the past decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been promoting the National

Diabetes Prevention Program, which is a series of classes led by a lifestyle coach who advises prediabetics on how to maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise. The goal is to keep these patients from developing full-on type 2 diabetes. And it might actually work.

A study found the class is far more effective than simply taking Metformin, a widely prescribed drug for prediabetics.

“From a public health perspective, this looks enticing,” said Christopher Werth, WNYC’s health editor. “If you can keep people from developing diabetes in the first place, then you can start to reduce that $100 billion price tag that we spend on this disease every year.”

There’s currently a proposal in the New York legislature to cover National Diabetes Prevention Program classes under Medicaid.

arch is women’s history month and the beginning of spring. It was much more than that for action women Brenda Thompson-Duchene, executive director & founder, Isabahlia Ladies of Elegance Foundation, and Denise Cosom, founder, Visionary & CEO, Young Gents Society, Inc. These inspiring advocates Awardees Brenda Thompson-Duchene, left, for our community were and Denise Cosom, right. honored with the Citizens Committee for New York City 2018 Marietta Tree Awards for York Award); Stephen C. Savage, chair, Public Service for their respective efforts New York State Center for Clean Water in improving the quality of life – and Technology 9Daniel Patrick Moynihan impacting change -- for residents in their Award for Public Service) and Vernon E. neighborhoods.

Jordan, Jr., Senior Counsel, Akin Gump, Marietta Peabody Tree represented and Senior Managing Director, Lazard the United States on the United Nations (Osborn Elliott Award for Community Commission on Human Rights, appoint- Leadership). ed under the administration of John F. New York City Police Commissioner Kennedy.

James P. O’Neill presented the awards to Others who won award last Monday Ms. Thompson-Duchene and Ms. Cosom, evening included: Ken Lipper, CEO, whose family members and staff member Lipper & Co. LLC (New Yorker for New were present at the event.

B

Colon Cancer: The Curable Disease

rooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams kicked off Colon Cancer Awareness Month by hosting a community forum in the Courtroom of Brooklyn Borough Hall where he joined colon cancer survivors, gastroenterologists, and oncology nutritionists in highlighting that the disease is curable, treatable, and preventable.

Colon cancer is the third-deadliest cancer in the United States, and the third-leading cause of cancer death in Brooklyn. The forum, sponsored by WellCare with partnership from Burger UrWay, P.C. Richard & Son, Target, and Whole Foods Market, included a discussion of the latest research on the disease, and important information on the impact of factors such as genetics and nutrition. In discussing the importance of preventive health, Borough President Adams also promoted his month-long #NoButtsAboutIt campaign to encourage mass participation in free colon cancer screenings being held for uninsured or underinsured persons, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, at 10 hospitals across the borough throughout the month of March.

Borough President Adams emphasized the importance of early detection and getting screened in the fight against colon cancer.

“Colon cancer is one of only two cancers that can actually be prevented through regular screening tests,” said Borough President Adams. “We have lost too many lives across Brooklyn across every community to this debilitating disease, even when there are steps we can all take to proactively combat it. I urge all Brooklynites to get screened.”

Borough President Adams’

#NoButtsAboutIt campaign was inspired by his special assistant Gerald Marcus Harris, who survived a battle with colon cancer last year. In recent weeks, he has traveled around the borough to speak about the importance of getting screened, with an emphasis on the fact that he was diagnosed with the disease at 37 years of age; many medical professionals, including the American College of Gastroenterologists, recommend Black men be screened starting at age 45.

“Screenings are important because this disease is curable, treatable, and preventable,” said Harris. “I hope people can learn from my story and take control of their health. Thanks to Borough President Adams for amplifying my voice, and the voices of all colon cancer survivors, through this public awareness campaign.”

Free colon cancer screenings will be made available for uninsured or underinsured persons throughout March, as part of the #NoButtsAboutIt campaign, at Brookdale University Medical Center in Brownsville, The Brooklyn Hospital Center in Fort Greene, NYC Health + Hospitals/Coney Island in Sheepshead Bay, Interfaith Medical Center in Bedford-Stuyvesant, NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County in East Flatbush, Maimonides Medical Center in Borough Park, NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital in Park Slope, SUNY Downstate Medical Center in East Flatbush, NYC Health + Hospitals/ Woodhull in Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Bushwick. To schedule a free screening at one of the participating hospitals, interested persons can call (718) 802-3847.

6

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

■■

VOL. 22 NO. 11

Beatrice Liqui’s Story: In Celebration of Bed-Stuy’s Very Own Hidden Figure’s 90th Birthday

By Priscilla Mensah

O

Community Chest ■■

By Marlon Rice

Meet Jadayah Spencer

Y

oung people will give you all kinds of reasons as to why they need to call you back. They may be at the mall shopping or hanging with friends. They may be playing their favorite video game or headed to a party. I thought I heard it all until I called Jadayah Spencer. Her reason for having to call me back?

“I’m going through the United Nations security desk and you aren’t allowed to be on the phone while checking in. I’ll call you back.” That reason speaks directly to the nature of Ms. Jadayah Spencer. The 22-year-old from Bed-Stuy is a woman on the move, literally. This NYU graduate is the Executive Director of the International Youth Leadership Institute. She is also the co-Chair of the Youth Representative Steering Committee at the UN Dept. of Public Information. She’s already been on 5 continents, and her life’s work is sure to bring even more stamps to her passport. She speaks to her mission with superior confidence and candor. “The most important thing to know about me, I suppose, is that I am out to broaden the horizons of young people, leveraging travel and international and cultural exchange. I guess that’s the most important thing. I want every Black and Brown child to be able to experience the beauty of the many cultures that exist in our Diaspora.”

Her passion for global connection started as a toddler. She attended Little Sun People Day Care Center, an institution that has cared for our community’s toddlers for almost 40 years. Here, as a child, Jadayah began to learn about the world. She was introduced to languages like Swahili and Spanish and

Jadayah Spencer taught a global view and perspective. This perspective was reinforced and strengthened in her home, where her parents made sure that she built a healthy curiosity for the world around her. The Bedford-Stuyvesant community is a worldly community, and an educator in its own way. From her bedroom window, Jadayah can recall hearing African drums, the rhythm of Samba, the steel pan of Caribbean music and the beat of hip-hop. She recalls the love which defined her community, and she also remembers the dangers that existed.

When she was 6, a stray bullet tore through her bedroom window, lodging itself about a foot above her bed. Still, the dangers never caused her or her family to wilt. Jadayah’s father was, in part, responsible for cleaning the block up and uprooting drug dealers and loitering from in front of her childhood building. The strength of her foundation would help Jadayah stretch her wings and fly. As a senior in high school, she was introduced to the International Youth Leadership Institute, an organization which focuses on cultivating ➔➔ Continued on page 11

n March 17, 2018, Beatrice Liqui will turn 90 years young. Born on March 17, 1928, in Tiplersville, Mississippi, Beatrice Liqui is a highly accomplished woman of color who has decades of experience in entrepreneurial and academic endeavors alike. A self-described “mighty woman” and devout follower of the Christian faith, Beatrice Liqui is a treasure trove of rich stories of success and triumph, all of which she recalls in vivid detail. Ms. Liqui’s life is rife with examples of strong values and ideals which in turn have served to facilitate and sustain the enormous amount of success that she has had throughout her remarkable life.

At the age of 18, Beatrice Liqui purchased a Soul Food Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee known as “Our Way” making her an exceedingly young entrepreneur by most standards. “Our Way,” which was in existence for six years, was conveniently located across the street from a factory, so men who worked at the factory frequented the restaurant, according to Ms. Liqui. In her own words, “we gave them [the men who worked at the factory] credit and they paid us on Friday” when referring to her lenient policy towards her most loyal client base. Descriptively, Ms. Liqui recalls “I used to cook soul food, collard greens, potato salad, candied yams…” in reflecting on her experience as an entrepreneur.

Interestingly enough, Ms. Liqui stated “I couldn’t get a license [for her restaurant] because I was only 18, so my cousin got the license for me.”

In 1951, what was supposed to be a two-week vacation to NY for Ms. Liqui, turned into a long term stay in the Big Apple. Initially, Ms. Liqui went to school, but “did not finish because” she “caught on too quickly.” Consequently, Ms. Liqui began working on 23rd street in Manhattan at a company “making parts for airplanes (controller) using fiberglass.” Shortly thereafter, Ms. Liqui began working at a company called Radio Electronics working with, as you might have correctly guessed, electronics. While at this company, Ms. Liqui created “a missile that tracked into space.” No that was not a typo, a missile. Eventually, Ms. Liqui relocated to Hicksville, Long Island where she began working for German Aircraft Engineering as a technician. Additionally, Ms. Liqui also served as a Professor at New York University teaching dental technology. Ms. Liqui had a successful professional career at NYU despite naysayers who told her that it wasn’t possible.

A Hidden Figure Made Visible In addition to being a woman of strong faith and academic inclination, Ms. Liqui can also add to her long list of accolades, being a woman who worked with NASA. From 1961 until 1969, Ms. Liqui was an employee at NASA. In that sense, Ms. Liqui joins the ranks of women who have worked in STEM related capacities at NASA such as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson all of whom became household names through the well-received film, Hidden Figures. In her own words, “I made the first vehicles that went to the moon (the Apollo program) and back…I was the technician that built everything.” in reflecting on her time with NASA.

Ms. Beatrice Liqui Rightfully so, Ms. Liqui’s contribution to the Apollo program got her two certificates of recognition acknowledging her effort.

Just the Beginning In 1969, after completing her stint with NASA, Ms. Liqui embarked on yet another professional endeavor. She enrolled in courses to be a dental technician. It was also around this time that Ms. Liqui was encouraged to pursue a state certificate licensing her to teach. From approximately 1972 until 1982, Ms. Liqui held a teaching position at the New York School of Mechanical Dentistry.

A Woman Grounded in her Faith In 1990, Ms. Liqui joined the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Since joining this congregation, Ms. Liqui has been involved with the visitation ministry, the choir as a singer, and the group Seniors in Action. Additionally, Ms. Liqui has served as a tutor “and mother to many spiritual daughters and sons that she has mentored.” Moreover, Ms. Liqui is “ordained to teach the gospel.”

A Word from the Wise In closing, Ms. Liqui had some pearls of wisdom to share with the younger generation. Ms. Liqui feels that “young people need to be motivated” and stressed the need for “training.” Specifically, Ms. Liqui feels that “college is okay…I didn’t go to engineering school, but I could do more work than the engineers could…sat down and took the parts…resistors, transformers.”

Ms. Liqui believes that “all people can learn, they just need the right direction.”

Moreover, Ms. Liqui warns against having a superficial title with no money to accompany it. In so doing, specifically Ms. Liqui says, “my mother gave me a name when I was born, I don’t need a title (with no money) …I was the first dental technologist in America.”

Priscilla Mensah covers topics related to improving health, wellness, and overall community empowerment. She is also a former Health Reporting Fellow at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and can be reached at pmensahbrooklyn@gmail.com.

VOL. 22 NO. 11

7

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

Top Environmental Scholars, Justice leaders at MEC: Communities of Color Have a Few Years To Turn Tide … … on Matters of their Health, Welfare and Life & Death

Superhero in Environmental activism Aaron Mair led a decadelong battle to shut down a polluting solid waste incinerator in an innercity community in Albany, New York.

Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, fought successful battle for grassroots.

S

o, you think all this stuff about the environment has nothing to do with you; it’s just stuff?

Think again.

According to some of the nation’s leading environmental and social science scholars – speaking at Medgar Evers College’s SRO 23rd annual conference on environmental issues, last week – paying or not paying attention to the nation’s environmental issues and policies will determine if our children have a future.

The conference, themed “Environmental Disasters and the Urban Infrastructure,” was unique in that hundreds of young people – from middle school to college age – were in attendance and heard messages that not only warned of the dangers to come if they don’t understand how environmental policies are set; their power in making policy work for community sustainability and community survival; their responsibility in exercising their most essential power, voting; and what they can do right around them to get jobs, develop businesses and protect themselves.

Two of five key history-making activists in the global environmental justice movement – Peggy Shepherd, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and keynoter Aaron Mair, former pioneering president of the Sierra Club, – delivered striking, personal messages that appeared to hit home. They ranged from Shepherd’s warning: DO NOT purchase anything with the word fragrance, including household products and cosmetics, to Maier’s demand, “Get involved. You only have five years to get on track with conversations about and actions against environmental racism.

MEC professor Dr. John Flateau warned the audience to be ready for the multibillion

Photo: Tony Akeem

Panel on The Impact of the Trump Administration on American Environmental Policies-National and Global: From left to right, MEC Public Administration Professor Gregorio Mayers; Peggy Shepard, co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice; Dr. John Flateau, PhD., Professor, MEC Public Administration and Political Science and Director, MEC Census Information Center and Commissioner, NYC Board of Elections; and Aaron Mair, epidemiological-spatial analyst, nationally known environmentalist, and past president of the Sierra Club.

dollar environment-related industry and the entrepreneurial and job opportunities that are coming with it. He also urged the audiences to respond to the 2020 census. An undercount will deliver fewer services for program funding, entrepreneurism and jobs. He also noted that the future digital voting technology may work against participatory democracy, where in communities of color, there is still a digital divide: some of us who are not tech-savvy or do not own smartphones or computers may not be able to vote.

The event was chaired by Dr. John A. Gibbs, Conference Chair Emeritus and Presented by MEC’s departments of chemistry and environmental science; Public Administration and environmental science program alumni.

Peggy Shepard has successfully combined grassroots, organizing, environmental advocacy and environmental health community-based participatory research to become national leader in advancing environmental policy. Shepherd advised go to the website: not sopretty.com.

Aaron Mair’s decade-long battle on behalf of communities in upstate New York led to a shutdown of polluting solid waste incineration in an inner-city community outside Albany, New York; a commitment by the State to close it and a $1.6 million settlement award to that community.

Mair was also a key figure in leading the fight and securing the Sierra Club’s participation in the Clean Up of the Hudson campaign. His actions resulted in a settlement between the EPA and General Electric to dredge toxic sediments from the Upper Hudson River.

Dr. Flateau, a professor of public administration and political science at MEC, and director of their Census Information Photo: Tony Akeem Center is also Commissioner of the NYC Wallace Ford, Chairman, Department Board of Elections. He is a strategist on of Public Administration, MEC; and federal, state and local campaigns; election Dr. Christopher Blaszczak-Boxe, deputy reform and voting rights litigation designed chair, Department of Chemistry and to empower communities of color.

Environmental Science, MEC Some of this country’s most dynamic

Dr. John Flateau, PhD., Professor, MEC Public Administration and Political Science and Director, MEC Census Information Center and Commissioner, NYC Board of Elections

leaders in the environmental justice movement can be found at MEC. The panels covered two hard topics: in the morning, the Environmental monitoring and Sustainability: trends, challenges, and plans for a more sustainable future, and in the afternoon, the impact of the Trump Administration on American Environmental Policies – National and Global.

Panel moderators included: Dr. Alicia Reid, chair, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, MEC; Dr. Christopher Boxe, Deputy, Chair, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, MEC; Professor Rhonda Binda, Department of Public Administration.

The panelists included: Jim Young Shin, Lawrence Pratt, Elmer -Rico Mojica; Dickens Saint Hilaire and Oluwaseum Salako, Joel Strothers and Professor Gregorio Mayers, Byron Price, Ms. Shepherd, Mr. Maier and Flateau.

William Washington, General Manager, Con Edison Brooklyn and Queens Electric operations, who spoke on Preparing for Emergencies, introduced by Juliet Lewis, Manager of Public Affairs for Con Edison.

Welcome and Opening Remarks were delivered by respectively, Dr. Augustine Okereke, Provost, MEC and William Washington, General Manager, Con Edison, Brooklyn and Queens Electric Operations, Professor Wallace Ford, Chair, Department of Public Affairs MEC, introduced the keynote speaker, panels and moderators.

Also hosting the conference were Dr. Dereck Skeete, CES, MEC; who moderated the questions and answer with Maier and Dr. Terence Blackman, Dean, School of Science, Health and Technology. To view the dynamic presentations and conference highlights, visit http://www.mec.cuny.edu. To understand why we may be cosmeticizing ourselves to death, Ms. Shepard advises our readers to visit the notsopretty.com website. The event took place March 10 in MEC’s Founders Auditorium and other areas on campus. (Bernice Elizabeth Green)

Photo: Tony Akeem

The Environmentalists: from left, Mohamed A. Bangura, Director, Environmental Health and Safety, MEC; Dr. Terrence Blackman, Dean, School of Science, Healthy and Technology, MEC.; William Washington, Gen. Mgr., Brooklyn and Queens Electric Operations, Con Edison; Juliet Lewis, Mgr., Brooklyn Corporate Affairs, Con Edison; Dr. Dereck Skeete, Environmental Faculty, MEC;Dr. Alicia Reid, Chair, Chemistry and Environmental Science Department, MEC; Professor Wallace Ford, Chair, PA department, MEC; Aaron Mair, Sierra Club past president

8

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

Free Agent 2018 N.Y. Jets

NEW BUSINESS FORMATIONS YELLOW HOOK MOBILE FOODS, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/07/17. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 8 Bay Ridge Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

LRaymond Advisers LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/11//17. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 7014 13TH AVENUE, SUITE 202 BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

HATZLUCHA IBRUCHA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/08/2018.

Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 892 Bedford Avenue, #3 Brooklyn, NY 11205. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BEC N CALL AUTO GROUP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/28/18. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, PO BOX 23781, Brooklyn, NY 11201.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

YENDE AK LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/14/17. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 780 LOGAN STREET, BROOKYLN, NY 11208. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of FAIR JOB HOME IMPROVEMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/18/2017. LLC Address for process: 5030 KINGS HIGHWAY, BROOKLYN, N.Y. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the address of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Borngood Media LLC Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 01/24/2018. Off. loc.: Kings Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served & shall mail proc.: Adam Goodall & Rawley Bornstein, 210 Varet Street #401B Brooklyn, NY 11206.

Purp.: any lawful activities.

NRStar, LLC, Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/28/17. Off. loc.: Kings Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served & shall mail proc.: Nandini Rajagopalan, 10 Plaza St. E., 7D, Brooklyn, NY 11238. Purp.: any lawful activities.

Follow us on

and at www.ourtimepress.com

VOL. 22 NO. 11

■■

T

By Eddie Castro

he New York Jets head into this week’s free agent frenzy with a lot of salary cap space money ($89 million to be exact) to potentially make a huge splash by signing key players. It has been well-documented simply because it always seems to be a necessity for the Jets when it comes to needing a quarterback. The best available quarterback in this free agent class is former Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins has had some great years in D.C., including the last two in which he played under the team’s franchise tag.

There are multiple teams, including the Jets, who are in need of a quarterback. The big question is, at what price would they be willing to pay to add a potential game-changing player? On Tuesday afternoon, that question was answered, but unfortunately, it was not the Jets who came away in the Cousins’ Sweepstakes. It was reported that Kirk Cousins has agreed to terms on a guaranteed 3-year/$84 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. With Cousins off the market, what will the Jets do now? Here are some potential options for Gang Green.

After losing out on Cousins earlier on Tuesday, Jets General Manager Mike MacCagnan wasted no time in just sitting back and not counting with a quick move. The

LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF KINGS WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WACHOVIA MORTGAGE, FSB, FORMERLY KNOWN AS WORLD SAVINGS BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs.

LEONARD A BOWE, et al., Defendants NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the office of the County Clerk of Kings County on August 10, 2017, I, Zvi Aryeh Storch, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on April 19, 2018 at Room 224 of the Kings County Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, County of Kings, State of New York, at 2:30 P.M., the premises described as follows: 515 Crescent Street Brooklyn, NY 11208 SBL No.: 4235-15 ALL THAT TRACT OF PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 18085/12 in the amount of $603,421.25 plus interest and costs. Brittany J Maxon, Esq. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLPPlaintiff’s Attorney 700 Crossroads Building, 2 State St. Rochester, New York 14614 Tel.: 855-227-5072 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: KINGS COUNTY U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST; Plaintiff(s) vs.

IRIS URENA; et al; Defendant(s) Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s): ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 2 Summit Court, Suite 301, Fishkill, New York, 12524, 845.897.1600 Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale granted herein on or about January 24, 2018, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. On April 19, 2018 at 2:30 pm. Premises known as 953

Jets were able to bring back veteran quarterback Josh McCown on a 1-year/$10 million contract to return to the Jets in which he had his best year in his 15 years as a pro.

McCown can flourish in the new offensive system which will now be run by Jeremy Bates. McCown has lasted this long in the league because of his accuracy and smart play and his veteran presence in the locker room which can be beneficial should a younger quarterback were to be drafted by the Jets. Speaking of that, the Jets do have a few other options should McCown not work out for them in his second season with the team. You have quarterbacks like Teddy Bridgewater, A.J. McCarron and even this year’s Super Bowl-winning quarterback Nike Foles (if the Eagles should decide to trade him). The likelihood is that MacCagnan will indeed get his prized quarterback through the draft with the possibility of USC’s Sam Darnold (age 20), Wyoming’s Josh Allen (age 21), or Baker Mayfield (age 22) possibly landing in their laps. This will benefit the Jets nicely should they get their young franchise QB with McCown to help mentor them on life as an NFL quarterback.

It has not been all quiet for the Jets as free agency officially kicks off today. The team was able to agree to terms with former DUMONT AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11207 Block: 4064 Lot: 54 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York. As more particularly described in the judgment of foreclosure and sale. Sold subject to all of the terms and conditions contained in said judgment and terms of sale. Approximate amount of judgment $268,271.17 plus interest and costs. INDEX NO. 513433/2015 Helene Blank, Esq., Referee SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF KINGS US BANK, N.A., V. SYED AHMED A/K/A A. SYED A/K/A AHMED SYED; ET. AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated September 29, 2015, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Kings, wherein US BANK, N.A. is the Plaintiff and SYED AHMED A/K/A A. SYED A/K/A AHMED SYED; ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the KINGS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 360 ADAMS STREET, ROOM 224, BROOKLYN, NY 11201, on April 19, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 2298 ATLANTIC AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11233: Block 1435, Lot 29:ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN, COUNTY OF KINGS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 21876/2012. Lee M. Huttner, Esq. Referee. RAS Boriskin, LLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 106, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF KINGS WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WACHOVIA MORTGAGE, FSB, FORMERLY KNOWN AS WORLD

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Johnson, 28, was the best cornerback available in the free agent class. The Jets are also looking to bring back fellow cornerback Morris Claiborne, who started 15 games last season. If Claiborne returns to the Jets and paired up with Johnson, this will more than likely fortify their secondary which allowed 30 touchdown passes last season. Johnson has 18 interceptions and 42 pass breakups in six seasons (85 career games). With money to spend still, it will be interesting to see what moves Mike MacCagnan has up his sleeves to upgrade this Jets roster.

Sports Notes: (Baseball) We are just over three weeks until Opening Day! BREAKING NEWS AS WE GO TO PRESS! Teddy Bridgewater will sign a 1-year deal to play for the Jets. Bridgewater did not play last year recovering from a serious injury dating back from the 2016-17 season. Photo credit : John Autey/Pioneer Press SAVINGS BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, vs.

LEONARD A BOWE, et al., Defendants NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE THAT In pursuance of a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the office of the County Clerk of Kings County on August 10, 2017, I, Zvi Aryeh Storch, Esq., the Referee named in said Judgment, will sell in one parcel at public auction on April 19, 2018 at Room 224 of the Kings County Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, County of Kings, State of New York, at 2:30 P.M., the premises described as follows: 515 Crescent Street Brooklyn, NY 11208 SBL No.: 4235-15 ALL THAT TRACT OF PARCEL OF LAND situate in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York The premises are sold subject to the provisions of the filed judgment, Index No. 18085/12 in the amount of $603,421.25 plus interest and costs. Brittany J Maxon, Esq. Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP Plaintiff’s Attorney 700 Crossroads Building, 2 State St. Rochester, New York 14614 Tel.: 855-227-5072 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. JEAN ROBERT SELAMY, JEAN GUY SELAMY, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly filed on April 06, 2016, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, Room 224, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on April 19, 2018 at 2:30 p.m., premises known as 1315 Troy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Block 4978 and Lot 64. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 13825/09. Deborah Marshall, Esq., Referee Berkman, Henoch, Peterson, Peddy & Fenchel, P.C., 100 Garden City Plaza, Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff ➔➔ Continued on page 10

VOL. 22 NO. 11

Classifieds Attorney/ Legal Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866951-9073 for Information. No Risk.

No Money Out Of Pocket.

Auto Donations Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish.

We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call (917) 336-1254 Farming GOT LAND? Our Hunters will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a FREE info packet & Quote.

1-866-309-1507 www.BaseCampLeasing.com Health VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99. 100 pills for $150 FREE shipping. Money back guaranteed!

Call Today: 800-404-0244 Health OXYGEN - Anytime. Anywhere.

No tanks to refill. No deliveries. Only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: Call 1-855-730-7811 Help Wanted AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here –Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement

Betsy DeBacle ➔➔ Continued from page 2 one solution that can and should be considered.”

“Do you see yourself as a leader in this – in this subject?

And what kind of ideas will you be promoting?”

“I have actually asked to head up a task force that will really look at what states are doing.

See, there are a lot of states that are addressing these issues in very cohesive and coherent ways.”

“Do you feel a sense of urgency?” Stahl asked.

“Yes.” “Because this sounds like talking – instead of acting.”

“No, there is a sense of urgency indeed.”

Could the urgency be to head up a task force and then approach officials in various states, not with a plan for safeguarding their children, but to take crib notes about what you should do?

It’s reported that the 60 Minutes segment is causing Republicans to be nervous about the optics for their party. The term “uniquely unqualified” has been used to describe DeVos by more than one media outlet since the airing of this interview. But it seems she’d have to share that title with the man in the White House who appointed her. Given her disastrous performance thus far, she could just answer to the name Betsy DeBacle.

9

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094 Home Improvement Help your local economy and save money with Solar Power!

Solar Power has a strong Return on Investment, Free Maintenance, Free Quote. Simple Reliable Energy with No Out of Pocket Costs. Call now!

800-678-0569 Home Services Call Empire Today® to schedule a FREE in-home estimate on Carpeting & Flooring.

Call Today! 1-800-496-3180 Land For Sale CATSKILL MTNS ESTATE SALE! MARCH 24TH! 90 MINS NY CITY! 11 Huge Tracts from $39,900!

Beautiful woods, stonewalls, views! Call 888-905-8847 to register.

Virtual tour: NewYorkLandandLakes.com Medical/ Health/ Personal Medicare doesn’t cover all of your medical expenses. A Medicare Supplemental Plan can help cover costs that Medicare does not. Get a free quote today by calling now.

Hours: 24/7. 1-800-730-9940 Misc for Sale KILL ROACHESGUARANTEED! Buy Harris Roach

Tablets. Odorless, Effective, Long Lasting Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com Misc for Sale KILL BED BUGS! Buy Harris Bed Bug Killers/ KIT, Complete Treatment System Available: Hardware Stores.

The Home Depot: homedepot.com Miscellaneous Dealing with water damage requires immediate action. Local professionals that respond immediately.

Nationwide and 24/7. No Mold Calls 1-800-760-1845 Miscellaneous Do you have chronic knee or back pain? If you have insurance, you may qualify for the perfect brace at little to no cost. Get yours today!

1-800-510-3338 Miscellaneous HughesNet Satellite Internet 25mbps starting at $49.99/mo! FAST download speeds. WiFi built in!

FREE Standard Installation for lease customers! Limited Time, Call 1-800-214-1903 Miscellaneous DISH Network – Satellite TV Over 190 Channels now ONLY $59.99/mo! 2 year price guarantee, FREE Installation, FREE Streaming. More of what you want!

Save HUNDREDS over Cable and DIRECTV. Add Internet as low as $14.95/mo!

1-800-943-0838

Place Your Business Card Here Call 718-599-6828 email: advertising@ourtimepress.com

Saving a Life EVERY 11 MINUTES

DONATE YOUR CAR

Wheels For Wishes Benefiting

Make-A-Wish® Metro New York

Help at Home

Help in Shower with

GPS !

Help On-the-Go

P L E H

WheelsForWishes.org Call: (917) 336-1254 * Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. To learn more about our programs or financial information, visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.

! n’t get up a c I d n a I’ve fallen

®

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!

Get HELP fast, 24/7, anywhere with

For a FREE brochure call:

*Free Vehicle/Boat Pickup ANYWHERE *We Accept All Vehicles Running or Not *Fully Tax Deductible

®

.

1-800-641-0397

10

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

LEGAL NOTICES ➔➔ Continued from page 8 SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS NATIONAL LOAN INVESTORS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Plaintiff against KWESI FRASER, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 21, 2015. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 224 of the Kings County Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. on the 19th day of April, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: Beginning at the corner formed by the intersection of the northerly side of Church Avenue, as legally opened and now existing, and the easterly side of East 56th Street; Running thence easterly along the northerly side of Church Avenue, 40 feet; Thence northerly parallel with East 56th Street, 45 feet 3 ¾ inches to the southerly side of Lot No. 20 on “Map of Rugby” Map No. 1446, filed August 2, 1904; Thence westerly along same and at right angles to East 56th Street, 40 feet to the easterly side of East 56th Street; Thence southerly along the easterly side of East 56th Street, 45 feet to the point or place of beginning.

Said premises known as 5601/5603 Church Avenue a/k/a 181 East 56th Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11203. (Block: 4682, Lot: 51).

Approximate amount of lien $ 278,455.61 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 006251/13. Aaron Tyk, Esq., Referee. Law Office of Frank J. Haupel, PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 800 Westchester Avenue – Suite N-307 Rye Brook, N.Y. 10573 (914) 336-7454 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: KINGS COUNTY FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION (“FANNIE MAE”) A CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; Plaintiff(s) vs. JAMES HOUSTON; MICHELLE JOHNSON; et al; Defendant(s) Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s): ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 2 Summit Court, Suite 301, Fishkill, New York, 12524, 845.897.1600 Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale granted herein on or about January 16, 2018, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York. On April 12, 2018 at 2:30 pm. Premises known as 1082 EAST 54TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11234 Block: 7757 Lot: 68 ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York.

As more particularly described in the judgment of foreclosure and sale. Sold subject to all of the terms and conditions contained in said judgment and terms of sale. Approximate amount of judgment $211,688.70 plus interest and costs. INDEX NO. 502736/2016 Philip L. Kamaras, Esq., Referee

with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Block 1603 Lot 163. Approximate amount of judgment $699,825.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 12021/2012. Charlene Brown, Esq., Referee Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 759-1835 Dated: February 12, 2018 51969 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST, Plaintiff, Against Index No.: 6482/08 RICHARD BUCKHEIT, ESQ., AS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF KINGS COUNTY ON BEHALF OF THE ESTATE OF GREGORY BISCOMBE, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered in the Kings County Clerk’s Office on 1/17/2018, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction in Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on 4/12/2018 at 2:30 pm, premises known as 40 Weirfield Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in thein the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, and designated on the tax maps of the Kings County Treasurer’s Office as Block 3401 and Lot 24. The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $723,250.09 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 6482/08. Angelique Moreno, Esq., Referee.

STIENE & ASSOCIATES, P.C. (Attorneys for Plaintiff), 167 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768 Dated: 1/26/2018 File Number: 201202875 TKS SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS EMC MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff against VALERIE ISOLENE RUTHERFORD, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on November 29, 2016. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction in Room 224 of the Kings County Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. on the 5th day of April, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. premises described as follows: All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Said premises known as 632 Vermont Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11207.

(Block: 3824, Lot: 48). Approximate amount of lien $ 570,241.54 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 10380-11. M. Randolph Jackson, Esq., Referee. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 145 Huguenot Street – Suite 210 New Rochelle, New York 10801 (914) 636-8900

SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS HSBC BANK USA, N.A., Plaintiff against RAMKUMARI SINGH A/K/A RAMKUMARI RAM, et al Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and COUNTY OF KINGS HSBC Bank USA, Sale entered on September 15, 2017. I, National Association as Indenture Trustee for the undersigned Referee will sell at public First NLC Trust 2005-3, Mortgage-Backed auction in Room 224 of the Kings County Notes, 2005-3, Plaintiff AGAINST Elisha Courthouse, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, Johnson; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a N.Y. on the 5th day of April, 2018 at 2:30 Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated p.m. premises described as follows: All that January 29, 2016 I, the undersigned Referee certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the will sell at public auction in Room 224 of buildings and improvements thereon erected, Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams situate, lying and being in the Borough of Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on April 5, Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 551 of New York. Said premises known as 389 Kosciuszko Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221. Crescent Street, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11208.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, (Block: 4170, Lot: 105). Approximate

amount of lien $ 428,793.46 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 508896/2015. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee. Fein, Such & Crane, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, N.Y. 14614 (585) 232-7400 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT: KINGS COUNTY WELLS FARGO BANK N.A.; Plaintiff(s) vs. ELEANOR L. BROWNE; IVOR A. CLARKE; et al; Defendant(s) Attorney (s) for Plaintiff (s): ROSICKI, ROSICKI & ASSOCIATES, P.C., 2 Summit Court, Suite 301, Fishkill, New York, 12524, 845.897.1600 Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale granted herein on or about March 17, 2016, I will sell at Public Auction to the highest bidder in Room 224 of Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. On April 5, 2018 at 2:30 pm.

Premises known as 1458 E 87TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11236-5138 Block: 8083 Lot: 32 All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York. As more particularly described in the judgment of foreclosure and sale. Sold subject to all of the terms and conditions contained in said judgment and terms of sale. Approximate amount of judgment $699,184.36 plus interest and costs.

INDEX NO. 5383-13 Steven H. Richman, Esq., Referee SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Index No. 503837/2014 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF KINGS BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS SUCCESSOR

BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF BEAR STEARNS ASSET BACKED SECURITIES I LLC, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-HE6, Plaintiff, -vs-THE HEIRS AT LARGE OF WILHELMINA ANDERSON, deceased, and all persons who are husbands, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributees, successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their husbands and wives, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors of interest of all of whom and whose names and places are unknown to Plaintiff; REO BERT ANDERSON; EARLSTON ANDERSON; MERCEDES ANDERSON A/K/A MERCEDES DRAGGON; NICASIO JONES; NEVILLE JONES II; RONALD ANDERSON; HAROLIE THOMAS A/K/A HAROLIE ELLIOTT; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; THE CITY OF NEW YORK DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; “JOHN DOE” AND “JANE DOE” said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants. Mortgaged Premises: 3411 CLARENDON ROAD, BROOKLYN NY 11203 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State.

The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. Your failure to appear or answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In

VOL. 22 NO. 11 the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you, unless the Defendant obtained a bankruptcy discharge and such other or further relief as may be just and equitable. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer to the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. These pleadings are being amended to include the Heirs at Large of WILHELMINA ANDERSON, deceased, Earlston Anderson, Mercedes Anderson A/K/A Mercedes Draggon, Nicasio Jones II, Ronald Thomas and Harolie Thomas A/K/A Harolie Elliot as possible heirs to the estate of WILHELMINA ANDERSON, deceased. These pleadings are also being amended to include the United States of America, New York City Environmental Control Board and New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

KINGS County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises. Dated: August 30, 2017 Mark K. Broyles, Esq. FEIN SUCH & CRANE, LLP, Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800, Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 232-7400 Block: 3411 Lot: 38 NATURE AND OBJECT OF ACTION The object of the above action is to foreclose a mortgage held by the Plaintiff recorded in the County of KINGS, State of New York as more particularly described in the Complaint herein. TO THE DEFENDANT, the plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. NOACH DEAR, Justice of the SUPREME Court of the State of New York, dated December 6, 2017 and filed along with the supporting papers in the KINGS County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a Mortgage. ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the northerly side of Clarendon Road (formerly Avenue “C”), distant 50 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the easterly side of East 34th Street with the northerly side of Clarendon Road; THENCE northerly parallel with East 34th Street and part of the distance through a garage party wall, 100 feet; THENCE easterly parallel with Clarendon Road, 50 feet to the center line of the block; THENCE southerly, along the center line of the block and parallel with East 34th Street, 100 feet to the northerly side of Clarendon Road, 50 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING. Mortgaged Premises: 3411 CLARENDON ROAD, BROOKLYN NY 11203 Tax Map/ Parcel ID No.: Block: 4934 Lot: 38 of the BOROUGH of BROOKLYN, NY 11203 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Mandisa Turner a/k/a Mandisa E. Turner; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated June 8, 2017 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 ➔➔ Continued on page 11

VOL. 22 NO. 11

11

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

LEGAL NOTICES ➔➔ Continued from page 10 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on March 22, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 601 Mac Donough Street a/k/a 601 Macdonough Street, Brooklyn, NY 11233. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of NY, Block 1496 Lot 66. Approximate amount of judgment $504,829.38 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 512258/2014. Gregory M. Laspina, Esq., Referee Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 759-1835 Dated: January 5, 2018 51136 NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS U.S. Bank National Association as Trustee for Merrill Lynch First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-5, Plaintiff AGAINST Nelson Moncion; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated July 28, 2017 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Room 224, Brooklyn, NY 11201 on March 22, 2018 at 2:30PM, premises known as 291 Ridgewood Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11208.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of NY, Block 4114 Lot 56. Approximate amount of judgment $796,122.49 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 507269/2014. Shmuel Taub, Esq., Referee Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 759-1835 Dated: January 22, 2018 51446 NOTICE OF SALE Supreme Court County Of Kings Citibank, N.A., as trustee for CMLTI Asset Trust, Plaintiff AGAINST Paul D. Dingle, Inez Dingle, et al, Defendant Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly dated 11/30/2017 and entered on 12/20/2017, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on March 22, 2018 at 02:30 PM premises known as 8 Van Siclen Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11207. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Kings, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 3917, LOT: 12. Approximate amount of judgment is $608,476.39 plus interests and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 504182/2012.

Aaron Tyk, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706

Wishing for Wakanda, Marooned in America: Movies and Matters of Reflection and Resistance ■■

I

Dr. Maulana Karenga

n the midst of the widespread euphoria about the “debatable real” and actually imagined qualities, achievements and benefits of the fantasy movie “The Black Panther,” it is good to remember that no matter how long we stay in the theater and no matter how many times we return to cheer, clap and dance in the dark, sooner or later the lights will come on and we will have to exit and confront the off-screen, cold-water reality of America.

We must know in moments of clarity and calm consideration that even if we wish it to be otherwise, this is only a movie, a comic book story on-screen and we have every right and at least some reasons to enjoy it as we wish. But talking about it as if it is a pathway and push forward to liberation, resistance and racial pride runs recklessly into the face of reality and any concept of critical reasoning and pretends for a movie what only a movement of hard work and long struggle can achieve.

And it is such an unbounded and unreflective embrace that leads to the “need” and tendency to deny the movie’s flaws, overlook its stereotypes and explain away its misrepresentations of continental African and African-American culture and African peoples themselves; its discrediting and misrepresenting revolutionary struggle and resistance; and its cultivating the idea of the oppressor as an ally and enabler for African people.

Thus, so influenced we can overlook racist stereotypes of continental Africans in spite of their advanced technology: still carrying spears, even though sonic ones; trapped in “tribalism;” engaging in blood ritual battles to determine who will rule instead of using elections; and requiring the white CIA agent to save the Black woman and Black people from the Black man, asking the CIA agent to pilot their attack ship as if no Black person is technologically capable, assuring the agent that “we’re counting on you.” And this in spite of the CIA’s brutal and bloody history and current activities in Africa and around the world. We can also explain away the reductive translation of relations of continental Africans and African-Americans using a dehumanized would-be liberation fighter that ends up being little more than a gangster from the ghetto, indicted from the beginning by his name “Killmonger”--one who promotes and deals and participates in killing. And we explain away why a technologically superior country hides itself from whites who obviously know it exists and whom it can easily protect itself from or defeat, does not defend the continent and its people, and spends its hours on-screen fighting within itself.

The film’s appeal is understandable, not simply because of its favorably and mistakenly interpreted content, but also because of the favorable context in which it was produced and positioned. It comes at a time, as the audiences and onliners explain, when

Community Chest ➔➔ Continued from page 6 critical thinkers and leaders through the education of history, culture and geography.

Her dreams of global connection became a reality as a volunteer with IYLI. “Being a kid from Bed-Stuy, I always wanted to see the world but was afraid that it was way too expensive. IYLI provided a scholarship that enabled me to go. We first went to Tanzania, and that was the gateway I needed.” Her

experiences abroad shaped her ideals and fueled her passions. “I just decided to never leave IYLI.” And she hasn’t. From volunteer to group leader, to board member and now as Executive Director, Jadayah has utilized the many resources available to create and foster global connections. And now she wants the same for every Black and Brown child. “I want to enable every Black and Brown child in the United States to be able to travel to a

the attacks on African people, Black people, on the continent and in the diaspora, have taken a wild and openly racist turn. And the film becomes an alternative narrative for many to the rampant, racist, reductive translation and claims of who we are.

Moreover, many said it took them away from the more serious side of Black life, gave them a chance to relax and enjoy themselves watching a predominantly Black cast portray Black people highly advanced, in control of their lives and triumphant.

And it was positioned in February, Black History Month, in which we traditionally celebrate and sing ourselves, reference and revisit our roots, identify and raise up heroes and heroines, extract lessons and models, and wonder out loud or silently “how we got over,” knowing deep down the struggle must--and does--continue.

But let’s face it, it was the marketing that created much of the marvel of the film.

What film with Blacks as the subject has been so massively and skillfully advertised?

Was “Selma” or “Malcolm X” or any other Black subject film made a must-see all over the world, with funds being collected and offered to send thousands of Black children to see it? And when have we seen almost every major media source approving and praising articles and commentaries on a Black subject coming attraction?

Surely, after all, the before-now talk about the predatory and profit-seeking character and conduct of a racist and capitalist society, we can’t possibly not know that this marvel of marketing of make-believe and this apparent established order consensus of approval and praise of the film means that it is clearly profitable for them and problematic for us. Clearly, capitalism is in it for the money, but also for the message, a message which maintains dominance, cultivates loyalty to the system in spite of its white supremacist and capitalist character, and lowers the oppressed’s conception of what they deserve, what they think possible and what they should accept.

Indeed, it is a central Kawaida contention that one of the greatest powers of any society, class or race is the capacity to define reality and make others accept it even when it’s to their disadvantage. It is the Hon. Marcus Garvey who teaches us that the propaganda of the oppressor is one of the key “organized methods used to control the world,” that “propaganda has done more to defeat the good intentions of races and nations than even open warfare.” It is, he says, a regularly used organized method employed “to convert others against their will,” against their best views and values.

And Min. Malcolm taught us to reject and resist the power and manipulation of the media, a weapon used constantly in the war to win the hearts and minds of our people and other oppressed and turn them against themselves and others. The people in power, he says, are skilled at the science of image-making and can “create a humanitarian image for a devil, or a devil image for a humanitarian.” And they “can make the

victim of a crime look like the criminal and can make the criminal look like the victim.”

Indeed, Malcolm concludes, “If you aren’t careful, the (media) will have you hating the people who are oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”

Yes, it’s good to see Black people celebrating themselves, wearing African clothes, understanding themselves as African people, doing a version of the greeting/salute of the women of Us in the 60s and discussing issues of right and wrong in the way we do politics, distribute wealth, share resources and honor our obligations of solidarity to our brothers and sisters at home and abroad. But can we move beyond movie inspiration and episodic engagement with ourselves and continuously engage each other and issues more extensive than the ones the movie provokes some of us to discuss? And can we do this, not to defend a movie and our liking it, but in defense and advancement of our peoples’ lives and interests and the well-being of the world?

Our oppressors tell us we were abandoned or marooned in America by our people, but we are our people, the ones the enslaver enslaved. And taking seriously the other meaning of maroon, we are at our best, the maroons of our history, the maroons of America, the people who, in the midst of the Holocaust of enslavement, dared to reject the established order, free themselves, be themselves and build free communities. It is a lasting legacy and unfinished fight, and we owe it to ourselves to maintain its commitment to resistance and struggle, regardless of the movies we like or the lands in which we live.

Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor and Chair of Africana Studies, California State University-Long Beach; Executive Director, African-American Cultural Center (Us); Creator of Kwanzaa and author of “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture”; and “Essays on Struggle: Position and Analysis.” www.

AfricanAmericanCulturalCenter-LA.org; www.OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org; www.

MaulanaKarenga.org.

country in the African Diaspora. Imagine if the conversation in the hood went from, what sneakers are you rocking to what country did you go to last summer? Imagine if we had that kind of dynamic in our communities, where we are proud to embrace each other across continents, understanding that we are all a part of one story. Everyone is embracing Wakanda now, but Africa as a continent really is there, and you can really visit it.” Her advice to her peers and even her elders is, “There is no age limit to the kind of impact that you can make. We don’t have to wait

until we are older to start making changes in our community. We can start making an impact in our community right now. Start thinking about how the things we do today will have an impact on others tomorrow. And travel as far as you can and as much as you can. Find ways to see the world. Minimum wage doesn’t have to equal minimum possibility.” From Little Sun People to the United Nations, Jadayah Spencer is on a mission to bring the world to our youth. And if her confidence is any indicator, she’s going to succeed at it.

Dr. Maulana Karenga

12

OUR TIME PRESS March 15 – 21, 2018

DENTISTRY

Charles Grannum DMD

A Charming private dental office with a warm, friendly and professional environment located in Brooklyn’s historic Clinton Hill.

Where explaining and discussing treatment is as essential as the quality and long term commitment you receive, and if you thought dentistry had to be painful, you may be pleasantly surprised at how painless dentistry can be at the hands of knowledgeable and caring professionals.

• Complete & Partial Dentures • Fixed Crowns/Bridges • Dental Implants

• Cosmetic Dentistry • ConsuItations • Preventive Dental Care

136 St. James Place (btwn Gates & Greene) Near Pratt Inst.

718.783.6228

www.clintonhilldental.com

VOL. 22 NO. 11