Nashville PRIDE December 2, 2022

Partnership announced supporting local small businesses See page 3

Hakeem Jeffries ascends to U.S. House leadership See page 2

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volume XXXvi, Number 48

People Are Talking Mayor Cooper hosts annual city Christmas tree lighting ceremony

2019 Tree Lighting Ceremony Mayor John Cooper will host Nashville’s 23rd annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 pm on Friday, December 2, at the Historic Metro Courthouse. Residents and the public are encouraged to attend and see more than 5,500 multicolored lights illuminate the tree during the ceremony. This year’s Norway Spruce tree is approximately 35 feet tall and was donated by Donelson resident Jedidiah Freiheit.

Judge Lynda Jones speaks at Women Leadership summit Metropolitan Nashville/DavCounty idson General Sessions Judge Court Lynda Jones was a panelist on November 2 at the Women in Judge Lynda Jones Service Leadership Public Summit. The summit was a free half-day professional and personal development event, hosted by Accenture and education partner(s), for women featuring valuable tactical training and distinguished speakers sharing inspirational stories. The event was designed to provide a forum to elevate, amplify, and empower women—helping to inspire and encourage attendees to seek out up-skilling opportunities as well as encouraging females to become leaders at all levels of work.

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December 2, 2022

Racist sentenced to life in prison for Buffalo mass killing of African Americans

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent A White man who traveled to a Buffalo grocery store in May and killed 10 African Americans, including Black Press writer Katherine Massey, pled guilty to 25 criminal counts on Monday and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

A grand jury previously indicted Payton Gendron, 19, on domestic terrorism, first-degree murder, attempted murder, hate crimes, and weapons possession.

A single domestic terrorism motivated by hate charge carries an automatic life sentence upon conviction.

Prosecutors said Gendron acknowledged that he committed the heinous crimes “for the future of the White race.”

A lawyer for the victims indicated relief that the state’s case didn’t go to trial.

“It avoids a lengthy trial that they believe would be very difficult for the families,” said Terrence Connors, an attorney representing the victims’ families.

“I think it was pretty clear they had no real defense.” he self-described White supremacist, Gendron, previously pled not guilty to federal hate crime charges.

Federal law allows for the death penalty in those cases.

He still faces 27 federal counts,

Prosecutors said Gendron acknowledged that he committed the heinous crimes “for the future of the White race.” including 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in deaths, three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 13 counts of using, carrying, or discharging a firearm related to a hate crime.

Prosecutors said Gendron possessed a 180-page manifesto that revealed troubling perceptions the self-avowed White supremacist had.

He complained of the dwindling

Tennessee Human Rights Day Celebration, Dec. 8

size of the White population and included his fears of ethnic and cultural replacement of White people.

Gendron described himself as a fascist, a White supremacist, and an anti-Semite.

His live-streamed shooting spree has left at least 10 dead and several more wounded.

Continued on page 5

AARP poll shows older voters may decide close GA runoff election

House Democratic Caucus elects leadership positions Camper remains Minority Leader – Clemmons elected new Caucus Chair

(l-r) Rep. John Ray Clemmons and Rep. Karen Camper The Tennessee House Democratic Caucus has elected its leadership positions for the upcoming 113th General Assembly of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Rep. Karen Camper of Memphis remains House Minority Leader and Rep. John Ray Clemmons is the newlyelected Caucus Chair.

Rep. Clemmons said that he’s “honored by the trust shown in him by the Caucus membership” and said he’s “ready to get to work on the challenges that lie ahead.”

Other positions elected were as follows: • Assistant Minority Leader — Rep. Harold Love of Nashville Continued on page 5 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews

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(top row l-r) Muriel Nolen, Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, Rev. Davie Tucker (middle row l-r) Jacob Aparicio, Dr. Stephanie Kang, Rev Earle J. Fisher (bottom row l-r) Robin Derryberry, A.J. Starling, and Rev Brian Fesler.

By Cass Teague Tennesseans gather each year around December 10th for the Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day (TCIHRD). The TCIHRD will take place in Nashville on Thursday, December 8th at 5 pm at the Nashville Church of Scientology. During the event, leaders are acknowledged, and awards recognize human rights champions in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement.

Muriel Nolen, director of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, will serve as master of ceremonies for the affair. Rev. Davie Tucker, director of Metro Human Relations Commission, will comment on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how it applies locally. The theme, “Advancing Universal Freedom,” will be explored by a special panel.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will go to A.J. Starling, a past

commissioner for the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, an advocate for workers’ rights since 1971. Some of his earliest work was with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235; since the early 1980s he has been with the Tennessee AFL-CIO. Outstanding Service Awards are going to Dr. Allison Quintanilla Plattsmier, the Executive Director of the Edgehill Neighborhood Partnership; Rev. Earle Fisher, the senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Memphis and founder of #UPTheVote901; and Robin Derryberry, who served on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission from 2015 - 2022.

Rising Advocate Awards will go to Jacob Aparicio, the Building Bridges & WE City Program Coordinator for the Oasis Center and Stephanie Kang, the Bureau Director of Health Equity for the Metro Public Health Department.

Continued on page 5

The vast majority (90%) of voters 50 and older said they are highly motivated to vote in the runoff election.

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent With the Georgia runoff election between Democratic incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker less than two weeks away, there’s a vast divide between younger and older voters.

AARP Georgia released key findings from a 2022 runoff election survey that shows candidates should pay close attention to Georgians age 50 and older, with issues such as inflation and rising prices, threats to democracy, and Social Security and Medicare top of mind for these voters.

Warnock, seeking to retain the seat he won in a 2020 runoff, leads the exfootball player by 24 percentage points among voters 18-49.

Meanwhile, Walker leads the senator by nine points among voters 50 or older.

Overall, the AARP poll shows Warnock with a 51% to 47% lead over Walker.

The big mountain for Democrats is the 55% to 42% edge Walker holds among voters over 65 and Walker’s 51% to 47% lead among voters 50-64.

Continued on page 5

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National/State

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December 2, 2022

‘Crisis’ revealed in new recruit police training across America

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent A comprehensive new report has asserted that American authorities have traditionally trained police officers on the cheap, noting that more than 71% of agencies devote less than five percent of their total budget to recruit training.

Issued by the Police Research Executive Forum (PERF), the report found that nearly half of the agencies responding to the survey agreed that spending on recruit training had increased over the past five years.

However, that was before police budgets faced the dual challenges of cuts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and calls to ‘defund’ the police.

The 84-page exposition noted that investments in training could be stalled or reduced at

the very time they need to increase to bring about changes required in American policing.

Researchers found that in many jurisdictions: “The goal seems to be moving as many recruits as possible through academy training as fast as possible and at the lowest possible cost.”

They argued that this approach had been driven partly by the desire to quickly get more officers on the street—a challenge that became particularly acute as officer hirings declined and retirements and resincreased ignations because of the COVID19 pandemic and as homicides and other violent crimes surged.

“Besides recruiting and hiring, there is perhaps no activity that is more crucial to the success of police departments and sheriffs’ offices than how they train recruits,” research-

Researchers concluded the report by noting that American policing needs to re-imagine and retool recruit training. ers wrote. them, without the seri- training is about more “Recruit training is ous consequences of than just technical where new officers making those mistakes instruction. acquire the basic knowl- in the field.

“Recruit training is edge and skills to do “It is where new offi- where prospective offitheir jobs. It’s where cers acquire the founda- cers are introduced to they learn the right way tion of technical know- the concept of public to do things and have an how that will stay with safety and public servopportunity to make them throughout their ice. The training academistakes and learn from careers. But recruit my is where police agen-

The ascension of Hakeem Jeffries signals Democrats’ willingness to move on from the old guard

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is probably precisely what Democrats need in America’s brutal political civil war, where most Republicans behave as if it’s a North vs. South redux.

For starters, Jeffries is unapologetically Black.

During his campaign, he often wore tracksuits. When he presented arguments for former President Donald Trump’s impeachment, Jeffries punctuated his remarks by quoting none other than the late hiphop icon the Notorious B.I.G. “And if you don’t know, now you know,” Jeffries said in the quintessential mic drop moment.

But most importantly, Jeffries’s ascension into a leadership role as vets like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Whip James Clyburn step aside signals a much-needed changing of the guard.

More pointedly, Washington insiders (and many outsiders) have argued that it’s time for the younger generation of leaders to take the helm.

Both Pelosi and Clyburn are 82.

Along with Jeffries, 52, taking over for Pelosi, Rep. Katherine Clark, 59, of Massachusetts, replaces Clyburn as Whip. At the same time, Rep. Pete Aguilar, 43, of California, ascends to the role of Democratic conference chair.

As one journalist pointed out, the “oldest

Editorial Department Editor: C. Ailene Lydia Staff Writers: David Lawrence; Wanda Clay

Table of Contents Front Page .......................... 1 National/State..................... 2 Local.................................... 3 Editorials ............................ 4 Continuations ..................... 5 Church ................................ 6 Leisure ................................ 7

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During his campaign, he often wore tracksuits.

When he presented arguments for former President Donald Trump’s impeachment, Jeffries punctuated his remarks by quoting none other than the late hip-hop icon the Notorious B.I.G. member of the incoming Democratic leadership team is nearly a quartercentury younger than the youngest member of the current Democratic leadership team.”

“The thing about us is that while we can have some noisy conversations at times about how we can make progress for the American people, what we’ve seen is that under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, Jim Clyburn, we’ve constantly been able to come together,” Jeffries said during a nationally televised interview this week.

Maxwell Frost, the 25-year-old from Florida, perhaps best summed up the changing of the guard in the Democratic party.

Frost won the election this month as the first member of Generation Z to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he’ll serve under Jeffries’ leadership.

“I think it’s important that we have a gov-

ernment that looks like the people,” Frost said.

The change in Democratic leadership comes at a time when their Republican counterparts have seized control of the House, weaponized the U.S. Supreme Court, gerrymandered congressional maps throughout the country, and have used their pulpits to spark and spread messages of hate and division.

And with the G.O.P.’s unchecked and unquestioned leader, Donald Trump, announcing his 2024 White House bid, Democrats have finally read the room and recognized the need to get younger.

“Americans have tended to see younger candidates as less qualified to serve in office relative to a middle-aged or older candidate,” Damon Roberts, a political scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder, told C.B.S. News.

Continued on page 5

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Staff and Afillates Administration Publisher: Meekahl Davis, CEO Advertising Sales: Scott Davis Attorney: Karen Davis

cies can articulate their philosophy and vision and begin to instill their core values.

“Finally, recruit training is where agencies build and reinforce their culture through the next group of frontline employees.”

While policing has in many changed respects throughout the years, officers struggle with challenges on several fronts, including dealing with individuals in crisis.

The report contended that, far too often, police recruits are trained as not as warriors, guardians and partners intended for civil communities.

To effect change, new officers should receive new and adequate instruction sensitive to the communities they serve, researchers wrote.

“The current state of Continued on page 5

Contributing Writers: Alvin Campbell; T.A. Spence; Reeju Davis General Columnists: William T. Robinson, Jr. Church Columnists: Rev. Barbara WoodsWashington, Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. B. Bethel Writers/Photojournalists (fl): Cass F.L.Teague, Jr., Wanda Clay, Justin Darden,

Shiloh Long, Mayes, Inc., Marcus Jones Copy editor: Bill Dorian

Production Department James H. Lewis, Jr., manager; Webmaster Lawrence Davis Circulation Department Scott Davis

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Page 3 Nashville PRIDE Local Cancer: My journey in time Partnership supporting local A reason to listen to small businesses announced

December 2, 2022

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the words you read

by Wanda Clay “After surgery for two weeks, with zero to a minimum of talking plus dealing with minor cold symptoms that I'm sure would have been the flu if I'd not taken the flu shot, it brings me to rebuttal for all the people who resist the flu and COVID vaccines. People have free choice, but their reasons for doing something or not should be reasonable.

The reason people give for not taking vaccines is that they don't know what's in the vaccines.

Well, I say you don't know what's in Tylenol, aspirin, McDonald's hamburgers or Kentucky Fried Chicken, but never question taking or eating either.

They don't know whose flying the plane, but they buckle up and takeoff.

“One of the reasons I've survived this chronic illness is the use of medication and vitamins. Medical science has had astronomical advances in the past 20 years.

Lifespans are extended as the result. I know lots of people that

Rev. Enoch Fuzz resisted treatment who are no longer living because they didn't believe in medicine.

“I wanna thank my doctors and nurses and the staff at General Hospital for helping me survive to see and serve another Christmas holiday. It's not fun being sick, but I realize that there are millions of people worse off than me. So in my illness I have learned to focus on gratefulness. Yes, I could complain about it taking so long to get my shoes on, until I'm reminded of someone who don't have shoes or even feet. We have so much to be grateful for” – Rev. Enoch Fuzz.

Sometimes we want to hear the exact thoughts of Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, while he continues on his journey with stage four lung cancer and all of what he is going through as a result of this diagnosis. As a chronicling of his journey, each week of his story is written here with some quotes regarding his thoughts.

On occasion, his words tell his story best—as his thoughts allow readers to ‘see for yourself,’ giving reason to listen to the words you read and know that Rev. Fuzz is not just a preacher but also a humble witness to God’s word. Amen.

Continue to pray for Rev. Fuzz and a complete recovery on his continuing journey towards healing. Text a prayer to his phone or on his Facebook page.

Rev. Fuzz is always in continuous prayer for you and this world.

Thanks for reading and sharing ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time’ each week. We pray it will be a blessing to you.

Healthy lifestyle changes can help Tennesseans prevent pre-diabetes and diabetes

by Danielle Smith, Producer Health experts believe Tennesseans can reverse pre-diabetes, and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Tobi Amosun, assistant commissioner of family health and wellness for the Tennessee Department of Health, said in prediabetes, when a person’s blood sugar levels are higher than normal but haven’t spiked high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes, patients often show no symptoms.

“A pre-diabetes level is considered when you have a hemoglobin A1C level of between 5.7% and 6.4%. If you’re 5.6% and less, you’re in the normal range; 6.5% and higher, you’re in the diabetes range,” Amosun said.

About 730,000 Tennesseans have been diagnosed with diabetes, which is 13.6% of the adult population in the state. Amosun emphasized that, if left untreated, the condition becomes more serious over time, causing such health problems as heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, vision problems and kidney disease.

Amosun pointed out obesity and family history are among the risk factors for pre-diabetes and diabetes.

She explained the obesity data they are seeing across the state is showing more obesity concerns among men than women, and in rural populations compared to urban.

It also tends to be higher among people of color. And among children, she said, four of 10 in Tennessee are obese.

“Pediatric obesity, we know about 40% of Tennessee children in K12 are either overweight or obese,” Amosun said.

“Overweight or obese means that they’re hitting the 85th percentile for their Body Mass Index or higher.”

Every day, 7.5 million Americans rely on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels and help prevent the compli-

Every year, close to 48,000 people in Tennessee are diagnosed with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. (photo courtesy of Minerva Studio/Adobe Stock) cations of living with and that cost and finandiabetes. cial burden,” Brady statDr. Nicole Brady, ed. “People will be able chief medical officer for to be better adherent to employer and individual their medications and business at United take them more regularHealthcare, noted begin- ly.” ning Jan. 1, United octors pointed out Healthcare has decided during the pandemic, a its eligible members will lot of people skipped pay nothing out-of- their routine wellness pocket for short and visits to check things long-acting insulin. like blood pressure and “So we’re really, blood glucose levels. really hoping that elimi- Diabetes is manageable nating the out-of-pocket and even preventable, expense for insulin helps with medical checkups, reduce that burden of a healthy diet and regupaying for that insulin lar exercise.

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Local small businesses join city’s ‘Shop Small Nashville’ initiative

On Friday, Mayor John Cooper and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee CEO Hal Cato announced a partnership to support local small businesses throughout Nashville’s and neighborhoods, issued a call to action for Nashvillians to eat and shop local during the holiday season. The announcement came a day before Small Business Saturday, a national retail holiday to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

To officially kick off the #ShopSmallNashville social media campaign, Mayor Cooper visited some local business owners this week in North Nashville and Green Hills to recognize their valuable contributions to neighborhoods, thank them for their efforts and investment, and to purchase gifts for friends and loved ones.

The businesses included Nashville Toys & Books, Levy’s, Woodcuts Gallery and Framing, and The Trenches Gallery.

“Nashville’s small business community embodies our city’s spirit of entrepreneurship and plays an essential role creating jobs and shaping a Nashville that works for every neighborhood,” said Mayor John Cooper.

“As folks begin shopping this holiday season, I’d encourage all Nashvillians to visit one of our incredible local shops to find something unique and meaningful for their friends and loved ones. When you shop local, take a photo

Pictured (l to r): hal Cato, Nate harris, and Mayor Cooper at Woodcuts Gallery and Framing and post it with the hash- The CFMT will then tag #ShopSmall- donate those proceeds to Nashville—and I’ll do five non-profits: Keva, the same.”

Inc; East Nashville Mayor Cooper joined Cooperative Ministries; Cato at Woodcuts The Branch Nashville; Gallery and Framing Bellevue Community located at 1613 Jefferson Food Bank; and The Street to meet with Heimerdinger Foundaowner Nate Harris and tion. thank him for his more “Our neighborhoods than 35 years of business make up the fabric of historic North our city, and Nashville is in Nashville. They both blessed with so many encouraged residents to great local businesses Nashville’s and nonprofits that help support small businesses and to make each neighborshow their support via hood unique,” said Hal social media by using Cato, CEO of the Comthe hashtag #ShopSmall- munity Foundation of Nashville.

Middle Tennessee. “We Participating local hope Nashvillians will businesses who have join us in supporting joined the Shop Small Small Business NashNashville initiative have ville as our community pledged to donate 10% comes together to celeof their sales to the brate this season of light Community Foundation Continued on page 5 of Middle Tennessee.

Page 4

Nashville PRIDE

Editorials

Rappers dehumanizing their race

by William T. Robinson, Jr. African Americans have a long history of being devalued and dehumanized by Whites who subjugated them for personal gain whether economic, social, or political. There is no shortage of the intellectual genius, creativity, and productiveness generated by African Americans that can be hidden or overlooked—regardless of those in power to prove otherwise.

We know we live in a country that too often relegates African Americans to a second-class status, regardless of their numerous accomplishments and achievements. This treatment began with the arrival of African Americans to this country as slaves.

Their pursuit for respect, acceptance, and equality has been an uphill battle.

No doubt, the cries of the ancestors from their graves is for their children to be respected and given the dignity they were denied.

White oppressors’ aim and goal to keep African Americans from realizing their potential and greatness as a people was fueled by keeping them from being united. Teaching African Americans to distrust and hate each other was paramount to keeping them enslaved. Common sense dictates that if an individual personally doesn’t like who they are, they will not like or respect people who look like them.

This country has a history of hundreds of years of brainwashing Blacks as well as Whites into believing every negative stereotype you could conjure about African Americans.

African Americans quest for acceptance and equality is now being hampered and polluted by young rappers, both male and female, aiding in their own people’s degradation and dehumanization. This is far from being a coincidence. This exploitation

by Blacks against their own race is a wellplanned and oiled machine belonging to the powers-that-be, especially those in the music industry, consumed with making money at whatever the cost.

The Whites executives running many of these recording companies decide and promote what type of music these Black rappers are to

deliver to the public.

These starving artists (knowingly or unknowingly) achieve monetary wealth at the expense of demeaning and exploiting their race. What other ethnic group does that? These Black rappers consistently use degrading expletives describing females, promoting gang and thug life, and Black hate.

Their fans don’t seem to be the wiser. They don’t see that some of these self-serving rappers are traitors obsessed with making money at the expense of exploiting their own race. Some Black female rappers are no better than their male counterparts, sexually exploiting themselves in sexual provocative dance and rap, as well as calling women expletives that are morally debasing.

The harm these rappers have done and continues to do is monumental in scope, literally aiding and keeping the African American communities in turmoil— whether by promoting the sale of drugs, gun glorifying violence, Black on Black crime (especially murder), or disrespecting and sexually exploiting Black women. This practice of Black rappers devaluing Black people is so prevalent and pervasive that it has become normalized and acceptable with a huge fan following among the young.

There is little if any cry from the Black churches, elders, or parents calling out the rappers or their young followers for supporting this filth—or demanding these rappers stop contributing to our own Silence degradation. from older adults is considered acceptable. And the spiraling exploitation continues.

Lack of guidance from the older generation contributes to these young African Americans accepting and adopting the often-negative behaviors from their peers in the streets.

They rationalize that the debilitating love they find in the streets is all they know and it’s better than no love at all.

Rappers promoting their defiling and belittling rhetoric makes them enemies of the Black community. Yet they are ironically being herald as iconic superstars to many young adults.

What is it going to take for some of these

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December 2, 2022

State continues attack on TSU by denying them land grant funding – an alarm at TSU’s gate

William T. Robinson, Jr. rappers to realize the tremendous harm they are doing to the psyches of a young generation subconsciously buying into self-hate for themselves and people who look like them?

Many rappers are not helping to bring to fruition the dream and hope of the slaves, who longed for dignity, respect and equality for their children—qualities they were denied. Too many rappers are not portraying the proud, intelligent and beautiful people that we know we are and want the world to see. They are doing the ancestors and their race a grave injustice.

Degrading your race, promoting violence, and manifesting disunity can be seen as the epitome of disrespect for those who gave their sweat, tears, and lives for this country, praying and hoping to be respected as a people.

There are too many positive, educated, intelligent African Americans achieving and accomplishing things to build their race up. They are not given half the recognition due to them in uplifting African Americans up as a people. However, too many rappers in the public light are using their popularity to devalue and exploit their own race in the pursuit of the dollar bill.

We must educate salacious, exploitative rappers on their role in bastardizing their people—all in the name of profit. We as a people must demand better and refuse to support those who disrespect us as a people. Our role in contributing to our own disrespect and exploitation must stop! Maybe if more of these Black rappers knew their true Black history, they wouldn’t be so quick to belittle and exploit their own, even for money.

P.S.: Rappers occasionally giving out toys and food to impoverished communities does not negate or undue all the irreparable harm they have done in helping to destroy the Black family and community.

They must take responsibility for their complicity in giving the world a tarnished narrative of who African Americans are as a people.

by Kenneth Caine, Save TSU Community Coalition It is becoming apparent to many observers that there appears to be an attack on HBCU land grant universities when compared to their White counterparts. This is true for most HBCUs, but especially TSU, which has for decades been denied land grant the funding—while other land grant university in our state has received each and every dollar of their land grant funding and much more.

It is no secret that HBCUs across the country have not been treated equally in the distribution of monies entitled to them. This has allowed White land grant institutions to prosper and flourish, while HBCU land grants have suffered financially concerning offering scholarships, maintaining infrastructure, providing more competitive academic programs, paying instructors and staff to meet their missions— especially as applies to providing the best state of the art environment for research and education by way of infrastructure.

But these HBCUs (especially TSU) have weathered the storms by producing exceptional alumni who are making monumental differences in the world.

This prolific attack has been spearheaded by the state of Tennessee by controlling funds they kept from TSU for many years.

These are funds that would have made TSU comparable to UT, affecting especially housing. The very argument the state is using to try and make TSU’s administration look incompetent in managing its business affairs can be attributed to racism and malfeasance on the state’s part.

Money due to TSU throughout the years could have been used to keep TSU updated in being able to adequately house all their enrolled students—a problem that doesn’t seem to be a problem for the state’s favorite son, UT. First, one must understand that land grant institutions were founded by the Morrill Act to provide agricultural venues, provide extensive innovative research, and to serve their respective communities. As a result, there are both individual, public and private stakeholders. Federal funding to these land grants must be matched by the states where they are located, using a student calculated formula. It has been proven

that state legislatures have deprived their HBCUs of millions (even billions) of dollars, while overly funding their White land grant universities.

These funding disparities have aided in the proliferation of big state of the art White universities with all the amenities to attract record numbers of students, while HBCUs are functioning on shoestring budgets—at times, striving to stay afloat and exist.

Land grant universities (especially TSU) should be applauded for making gold bricks from straw, but state legislatures seem persistent in their manipulation in paying these universities the money they were cheated out of. Some of these state legislatures (as in the case of TSU) have the audacity to blame the universities of being at fault when they are actually the victims.

One must remember that HBCUs came about because Whites didn’t want or allow Blacks into their colleges and universities.

Now some people are arguing that HBCUs are irrelevant and unable to themselves. manage Give us break! The only reason HBCUs fall short of equaling some PWIs in size and amenities is because of gross racism in applying funds. It is apparent that many state legislatures favor their PWIs (from which most of the White legislators are alumni). Such is the case with Tennessee’s White Republican controlled legislature—and it is obvious what they think of TSU. Tennessee State University (originally Tennessee A&I [Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State]) was granted the status of a land grant university. It has come to the surface that the state of Tennessee owes the university hundreds of millions of dollars in missing and held funds (reparations).

Some speculate the state of Tennessee intentionally built up the University of Tennessee (a White land grant university) depriving TSU of land grant funding it was supposed to match.

Let’s make it clear that we have state legislators partial to UT Knoxville and would like to see the state take over TSU. It is no secret that these legislators have done everything possible to present TSU in a negative light by trying to highlight anything that makes TSU look bad—especially as it applies to its housing problems, infrastructure, or lack of adequate student funding, at times which can be attributed to inadequate

funding from the state.

While monies are due to TSU, it is apparent that state legislators want to control every aspect of how the monies are suppose to be spent. Keep in mind, this is the same legislature that deprived TSU of funding that could have possibly made TSU comparable to UT Knoxville.

The latest attack on TSU is being circumvented by having TSU explain its largest enrollment, alleging recruiting and student funding improprieties.

The most discriminatory part of this is that UT had record enrollment also, but nothing was said or done! I repeat, UT had a record enrollment of first-year students this year also. Not one time was UT called to a Senate Hearing, nor did they receive statewide persecution for their enrollment or were they accused of admitting too many students.

But TSU was! This is outright discrimination on its face.

This is just a ploy to try to make TSU look incompetent in handling its business affairs, so the state can control the land grant funds owed to TSU. Honestly, does it make sense that the very people that cheated TSU out of monies should control the monies when it has to be repaid? The state has even issued ultimatums toward TSU to help assure their takeover.

The students at TSU must understand that when TSU is allotted the land grant with no strings, the students win. TSU will be in a better position to eradicate the financial concerns many of the students may now entertain in regards to their future.

TSU alumni, the Black community, and TSU stakeholders must be willing to call out the key state legislators in Tennessee who are so adamant about portraying TSU’s administration as incompetent and inadequate in managing its academic and fiscal responsibilities. Pressure must be applied, so the state will do the right thing when it comes to TSU. Beware the snakes are surfacing, and we must be united in calling them out to protect our beloved TSU. Let’s show the state how much we love our TSU. We are asking TSU students, the Black community, TSU stakeholders, and TSU alumni to put on their boxing gloves. We are not going down without a fight. We must expose what we see as blatant improprieties and racism on the part of the state. Our mantra is ‘Justice will prevail.’

Nancy Pelosi is most successful, effective Speaker of the House in U.S. history

by Marc Morial (TriceEdneyWire) – “History will note she is the most consequential Speaker of the House of Representatives in our history. There are countless examples of how she embodies the obligation of elected officials to uphold their oath to God and country to ensure our democracy delivers and remains a beacon to the world. In everything she does, she reflects a dignity in her actions and a dignity she sees in the lives of the people of this nation” – President Biden.

When the National Urban League convened our first in-person conference in three years, in July, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi joined us for the opening rally at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial.

“There’s an assault on our democracy,” she said.

“That’s why we have to

fight for voting rights, and we will not stop until we achieve voting rights: removing obstacles of participation and the voter suppression laws, doing away with their nullification of elections, removing big special interest money from suffocating our political system, so that everyone’s voices are heard.”

As her historic fourth term as Speaker of the House draws to a close, it is nearly impossible to express the full impact of her decades of leadership and the profound legacy she leaves behind It has been my privilege to know and collaborate with Speaker Pelosi since her earliest days in Congress, when I was a Louisiana state Senator, throughout my two terms as Mayor of New Orleans and the last two decades with the National Urban League. One of my most treasured

mementos is a pen she gave to me that President Obama used to sign the Affordable Care Act. Of all the legislative and policy initiatives on which she and I have worked together, it was the passage of the ACA that demonstrated her unmatched mastery of the legislative process and the power of her determination. When her party’s loss in a Senate special election cost them a filibuster-proof majority, many (including President Obama’s own chief of staff) publicly declared the ACA dead and advocated for a watered-down, piecemeal approach. Speaker Pelosi derided the proposal as an “eensy weensy bill,” telling President Obama, “I know there are some on your staff who want to take the namby-pamby approach.

That’s unacceptable.”

The vote-wrangling

that Speaker Pelosi employed to bring the bill to meet the pen I now treasure will be the subject of graduate seminars on public policy for generations to come.

But as large as her speakership may loom in the history books, she was no less bold or impressive as minority leader.

In 2018, she broke the record for longest House speech, spending eight hours and seven minutes reading the emotional letters of young DREAMers, undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children who aspire to become U.S. citizens. Characteristically, she wore her four-inch heels the entire time. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy bested her record by four minutes last year: “But if he wanted to outdo her, he should’ve done it in stilettos,” Rep. Alexandra

Ocasio-Cortez said.

Whether leading the majority or minority, she has long been a target of misogynistic attacks, false accusations and conspiracy theories, and threats of violence led by members of the opposing party. Tragically, this campaign of demonization culminated in a brutal attack on her husband, Paul Pelosi, by a rightwing conspiracy theorist intent on abducting her.

Yet she herself has never resorted to personal attacks. She has risen above the rancor and insults leveled at her without responding in kind. She continues to exude grace and is the personification of the iron fist in a velvet glove.

When she was sworn in as the first woman Speaker of the House in 2007, she noted that women had waited more than 200 years to shatter the “marble ceiling” of

Marc Morial Congress. As she said, “Women weren’t just waiting, women were working. Never losing faith, we worked to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal.”

Her commitment to that promise never has wavered throughout her illustrious career. She has been steadfast in her support for civil rights and civil liberties. I’m proud to call her my friend. On behalf of the National Urban League and our nationwide network of affiliates, I thank Speaker Pelosi for her years of dedicated service and her friendship to the League.

The editorials on this page do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers or staff of this newspaper.

December 2, 2022

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Continuations

Buffalo shooting... from page 1 Unlike the many unarmed Black people killed during encounters with law enforcement, the White racist is alive to plead not guilty in court “While past violent White supremacist attacks seem to have factored into this heinous act, we must acknowledge that extremist rhetoric espoused by some media and political leaders on the right, promoting theories that vilify or dehumanize segments of our society like ‘the great replacement theory,’ is a factor too,” U.S. House wrote Security Homeland Bennie Chairman Thompson in an earlier statement.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell added that the organization condemns the White supremacist terrorist attack targeting Black men and women in Buffalo and the racist rhetoric that has sparked such violence.

“The constant repetition of White supremacist conspiracy theories on social media and even mainstream media outlets has led to horrific violence in places as distant as Christchurch, El Paso, Oslo, and

Charleston,” Mitchell said.

“Those who promote racism, White supremacy, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of bigotry must be held accountable for the violence they inspire.”

Mitchell added that CAIR has often spoken against those who promote the ‘great replacement’ and other racist conspiracy theories.

Mayor Buffalo Byron Brown told Newspaper National Publishers Association’s live daily morning show, Let It Be Known, that Gendron surveilled both the community and the grocery store as part of the attack’s planning.

Brown said the teen surveilled the area for several days and targeted a busy place in an area predominantly populated by Black people.

Gendron’s manifesto said: “Zip code 14208 in Buffalo has the highest Black percentage that is close enough to where I live.”

According to the U.S. Census, the zip code is 78% Black and among the top two percent of zip codes nationwide with the highest percentage of Black population.

In addition, it has the highest rate of Black

population of any zip code in upstate New York.

“Well, this manifesto tells everything to us.

And that is what’s so bone-chilling about it is that there is the ability for people to write and subscribe to such philosophies filled with hate,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said after the shootings.

“The White supremacist acts of terrorism that are being fermented on social media and to know that what this one individual did has been shared with the rest of the world as well as the live-streaming of this military-style execution that occurred in the streets of my hometown.”

Katherine Massey was one of Gendron’s victims. She spent her life trying to clean up and help her community.

While she retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Massey, 72, remained active in her community as the Cherry Street block club president and as a columnist for the Buffalo Challenger, an NNPA member newspaper.

“She was the greatest person you will ever meet in your life,” her nephew, Demetrius Massey, told reporters.

Hakeem Jeffries... from page 2 That view partly comes from age requirements.

To serve in the U.S. House, a candidate must be at least 25. A U.S. Senator must be at least 30, while a presidential hopeful can’t be younger than 35.

“People do seem to be pretty positive toward having a younger representative,” Roberts said.

Stressed and sickened by thoughts of their rights and democracy slipping away, young Americans across gender, racial, geographic and education lines banded together last week to help save the Democrats from what many foresaw as a sizable midterm defeat,

John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, wrote in an editorial.

“In the eyes of many young voters, this is how America meets its destiny: when the passion of the grassroots melds with the power of institutions to forge progress,” Della Volpe wrote.

“As political analysts methodically review the numbers after an election for the ages, anyone interested in the winning formula for 2024 should closely examine those between the ages of 18 and 39.”

Gerald Warburg, a professor of practice of

public policy at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, noted that turnover in the youthchallenged leadership of the Democratic House and Senate caucuses had frozen for decades.

Until now, all Democratic legislative leaders were over 70 years of age.

Warburg contended that both parties might now welcome the opportunity to pass the torch to a new, post-baby boomer generation with fresh ideas.

Pelosi and Democrats, Warburg said, “had the courage to step back, making way for new leaders and new ideas.”

Partnership... from page 3 and generosity.”

“We know that small business owners need our support now more than ever,” said LaTanya Channel, Mayor Cooper’s director of Economic Growth and Small Business Development.

“As a city, lifting up small business owners through purchases, word of mouth, and providing the necessary tools to thrive helps our economy and creates more jobs.”

Local small businesses who have joined the Shop Small Nashville initiative include: North Nashville • Woodcuts Gallery & Framing – 1613 Jefferson St., Nashville, Tenn. 37208 • The Trenches Gallery – 906 Buchanan St., Nashville, Tenn. 37208 • Maple Built – 1003 Buchanan St., Nashville, Tenn. 37208

Green hills • Fox’s Donut Den – 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, Tenn. 37215 • Nashville Toys & Books – 2002 Richard Jones Rd., Nashville, Tenn. 37215 • Levy’s – 3900 Hillsboro Pike #36, Nashville, Tenn. 37215 Antioch • Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea – 6900 Lenox Village Dr. Suite 8, Nashville, Tenn. 37211 • Crown Love Beauty Supply – 887 Bell Rd., Antioch, Tenn. 37013 • Perfectly Cordial – <www.perfectlycordial. com> • Perla Salas Beauty Salon – 435 Cotton Ln., Nashville, Tenn. 37211 • Perlita’s Fashions – 433 Cotton Ln., Nashville, Tenn. 37211 Bellevue • Bandwagon Music and Repair – 7639 Hwy 70 S., Nashville, Tenn.

CRD

37221 • Loveless Café – 8400 Tenn.-100, Nashville, Tenn. 37221 • The Inka Trailer – www.theinkatrailer. com East Nashville • Pearl Diver – 1008 Gallatin Ave., Nashville, Tenn. 37206 • Love & Exile Wines – 715 Main S. A, Nashville, Tenn. 37206 • Nashville Blanket Project – 1006 Fatherland St. Suite 103, Nashville, Tenn. 37206 • Kernels Nashville Popcorn – 2501 Gallatin Ave. B, Nashville, Tenn.

37206 • Baxter Bailey & Company – 1004 Fatherland St. #101, Nashville, Tenn. 37206 • Clifton + Leopold – cliftonandleopold.com --More participants are expected as the holiday season continues.

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Page 5

Nashville PRIDE

AARP poll... from page 1 AARP noted that individuals 50 and older make up 62% of likely runoff voters.

Warnock continues to enjoy a commanding 83-point lead among Black voters 50 and older.

“Georgia voters 50 and older are a critical voting demographic that both candidates are competing for in this runoff election,” Debra Tyler-Horton, AARP Georgia state director, said in a news release.

“Georgia residents want their leaders to provide solutions to inflation and the rising cost of living, preserve democracy and protect their health and financial security,” Tyler-Horton

said.

“The message is clear, if these candidates want to win the U.S. Senate seat, they should pay attention to the issues that matter to Georgians 50-plus.”

The survey also found that a significant majority (70%) of voters think the country is headed in the wrong direction, while just 49% think the same about the direction of the state.

Meanwhile, 63% of voters said they are worried about their financial situation.

The vast majority (90%) of voters 50 and older said they are highly motivated to vote in the runoff election.

On behalf of AARP, the bipartisan team of pollsters Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research conducted the survey.

The firms interviewed 1,183 likely Georgia voters.

Interviewees included a statewide representative sample of 500 likely voters, an oversample of 550 likely voters aged 50 and older, and an additional oversample of 133 likely Black voters in that age bracket.

Officials conducted the survey between November 11-17, 2022.

For more information on how, when, and where to vote in Georgia, visit <aarp.org/ Gavotes>.

Human Rights Day... from page 1 A committee of human rights organizations, nonprofits, and advocates, including the Human Tennessee Commission, Rights Metro Human Relations Commission, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Scarritt BenCenter, the nett Nashville chapter of Amnesty International, the Church of Scientology and others, work together each year to plan the event.

“Human Rights Day is a day to remember past advances in human rights, to honor those who have made our lives better,” says planning committee chair Rev.

Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville. “It’s also a day to refresh and restore and be inspired for the following year, and a sort of annual reunion of the state’s various agencies and organizations who work daily to make human rights a fact. The day centers around the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and this year we focus on how human rights advance universal freedom.”

The event will be live in person this year, after two years of virtual events during the pandemic.

To ensure the safety

and health of all, extra precautions are being Temperature taken. screenings will take place at entry, and the committee asks that anyone who may have symptoms of illness to please view the event later when it is posted online. The event venue this year is the Church of Scientology, 1130 8th Ave S, Nashville TN 37203.

There is no charge for admission, but donations are being accepted to cover costs of the event.

Registration is at TnUHR.org, with more information about the event and human rights.

Democratic Caucus... from page 1 • House Floor Leader — Rep. Bill Beck of Nashville • Minority Whip — Rep. Jason Powell of Nashville • Caucus Vice-Chair — Rep. Bob Freeman of Nashville

• Caucus Treasurer — Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville • Caucus Secretary — Rep. Ronnie Glynn of Clarksville • Leader Pro Tempore — Rep. Larry Miller of Memphis

In addition to the above, Rep. Dwayne Thompson of Memphis and Rep. Johnny Shaw of Bolivar were elected to fill the two House Democratic positions on the Joint Fiscal Review Committee.

‘Crisis’ revealed... from page 2 recruit training demands that we rethink, and remake, the system for how new police officers are trained,” the researchers wrote.

“We need national consensus and national standards on what the training contains, how it is delivered, and by whom.

“This report may present a grim picture of the current state of recruit training, but it also puts forth a series of principles that can help guide the transformation of training to meet the challenges of policing for today and tomorrow.”

Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the PERF, said one could ascertain much about a police training academy from the moment an individual walks in the door and encounters a group of recruits.

“If the recruits immediately back up against the nearest wall, look straight ahead, and bark out in unison, ‘Good morning, ma’am!’ or ‘Good afternoon, sir!’ you pretty much know the culture

and operating philosophy of that academy,” Wexler said.

“If on the other hand, the recruits pause, look you in the eye, and offer a more conversational, ‘Good morning, sir’ or ‘How are you today, ma’am,’ that tells you something else.

“Academies have traditionally followed a paramilitary, boot camplike model that emphasizes discipline, deportment, following orders, and a strict hierarchy where recruits are often on the lowest rung.

Discipline and following the chain of command are certainly important and necessary aspects of police training and operations. But when those elements become so pervasive that they overshadow almost everything else, it can undermine the academy’s mission, which is to prepare new police officers to serve and protect their communities with compassion and humanity.”

Researchers concluded the report by noting that American policing needs to re-imagine and retool recruit train-

ing.”

They recommended that officials rethink how academies are operated and staffed, what the recruit curriculum contains, and how the training is delivered and by whom.

They also suggested authorities rethink how to use reality-based scenario training more broadly and effectively and how recruit training integrates with field training once recruits leave the academy.

“Re-imagining policing begins with tackling how police officers are taught,” said Wexler.

“This report is a blueprint for fundamentally rethinking the current way we train new police officers—for dismantling the existing model and building a new approach.

“The goals are ambitious and far-reaching.

But we hope that if police agencies can attract those who possess the ‘right stuff,’ we can provide them with the kind of training that will take us into the future guided by a new way of thinking.”

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Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Church

Faith of A Mustard Seed

by Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. I am connected on FaceBook to a ‘social media’ of individual lives who are unafraid and unashamed of Truth. For clarity, my ‘Bio Statement’ is very poignant in this. Just below my name you can find a purpose driven life as: “A #TruthSeeker and A #LoverOfKnowledge”.

This will not be an easy task; this revelation regarding “Knowledge is Biblical. Education is not.”

In that 2022 American life, and culture and being, and thinking, and doing is so systemically bound by this “Great Divided Aisle” which wages war against... Truth.

There is a natural tendency among us to listen and hear with our own limited perspectives; ready to respond in antagonism. I invite you to see that you are “either learning or teaching” —in every dialogue.

While we have been given by definition of these two most powerful words, (even in their English forms), a synonymous understanding, I can now see —strictly by revelation alone, that these two words are polar opposites and must be seen IN and OF —themselves!

Between 1740 and 1834, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Alabama all passed ‘Anti-Literacy Laws’.

SC 1740. GA 1770.

VA 1819. MS 1823.

NC 1830. LA 1830.

AL 1831. Missouri (admitted as a Slave State in 1821) 1847.

“Whereas, the having slaves taught to

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. write, or suffering them to be employed in writing, may be attended with great inconveniences; Be it enacted, that all and every person and persons whatsoever, who shall hereafter teach or cause any slave or slaves to be taught to write, or shall use or employ any slave as a scribe, in any manner of writing whatsoever, hereafter taught to write, every such person or persons shall, for every such offense, forfeit the sum of one hundred pounds, current money.” South Carolina Act of 1740.

(Revised 1800 & 1834).

“That all meetings or assemblages of slaves, or free negroes or mulattoes mixing and associating with such slaves at any meeting-house or houses, &c., in the night; or at any SCHOOL OR SCHOOLS for teaching them READING OR WRITING, either in the day or night, under whatsoever pretext, shall be deemed and considered an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY; and any justice of a county, &c., wherein such assemblage shall be, either from his own knowledge or the information of others, of such unlawful

assemblage, &c., may issue his warrant, directed to any sworn officer or officers, authorizing him or them to enter the house or houses where such unlawful assemblages, &c., may be, for the purpose of apprehending or dispersing such slaves, and to inflict corporal punishment on the offender or offenders, at the discretion of any justice of the peace, not exceeding twenty lashes.”

Virginia Revised Code of 1819. (Revised 1830).

Georgia’s 1829 Anti-Literacy Act Sec. 11. “And be it further enacted, That if any slave, negro, or free person of colour, or any white person, shall teach any other slave, negro, or free person of colour, to read or write either written or printed characters, the said free person of colour or slave shall be punished by fine and whipping, or fine or whipping at the discretion of the court; and if a white person so offending, he, she, or they shall be punished with fine, not exceeding five hundred dollars, and imprisonment in the common jail at the discretion of the court before whom said offender is tried.”

Assented to, December 22, 1829.

George R. Gilmer, Governor (First enacted 1870).

Here, for me, lies the most significant analogous directional in seeing the gravity of this revelation: “Knowledge is Biblical. Education is not.”

— Education is ‘Legislated’!

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Faithful Utterances The dash is very important

by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew I will never forget that unique voice that was so soft, but you could always hear her joy. She was consistently kind, generous, and a fighter. Our grandmothers were best friends.

Our grandfathers were on the deacon board together. We were both in youth ministry as kids at First Baptist Church on Henderson Avenue in Shreveport, Louisiana.

But our lives moved in different directions after high school. She went on to become a fierce warrior in the domestic violence space advocating for women. She was well known and respected for the ways in which she served others.

Despite the media attention she received for being a change agent, she was still down to earth and a true lover of people. It was painful to find out that she had become ill and that on Sunday, she passed away. It was a blessing to grow up with such a beautiful person who was always a light. The legacy she has left behind for her mother, two sons, family, friends, and those she served is monumental.

Death is something that we will all face. It is inevitable.

The day will come when each of us will leave this body. We will leave behind our possessions, our jobs, our relationships. My friend is the epitome of a life well lived.

Her Facebook page is filled with tributes of the kindness she displayed to others. I am

sure this weekend at her services, the tributes of her character and compassion will continue to be shared. Some of us get so fixated on the wrong things as we strive for success. We can get so focused on the end result that we don’t think much about the process or the people.

People don’t remember, when you are gone, what you wore, how much you made, or the titles you had throughout your career. People remember how you made them feel. They remember what you said, how you treated them, your traits and the impact you had on their existence.

What will people say about you when you are no longer here? Are you too busy building a life of success or one of significance? The impact of my childhood friend’s life will reverberate for years beyond her time on earth. I am comforted in knowing that she lived a wonderful life but more so that because of her belief in God and strong faith, I know where she is. “Do not let your hearts be troubled.

You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going,” John 14:1-4.

God has prepared a place for her. I am saddened by the loss of such a wonderful human, but

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew my grief is different.

“Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life],” 1 Thessalonians 4:13, AMP. Although the dates of January 14, 1972—November 6, 2022, only share her birth and death, it doesn’t offer any indicator what happened in the dash. Her dash was one that was transformative.

In her dash, she made those around her better.

Her dash made a difference. What is happening with your dash?

Live a life that matters.

Live a life that blesses others.

Most importantly, live a life of accepting, believing unconditionally, knowing intimately, and walking daily with God. Rest well, my friend. Your legacy of love lives on!

(Dr. Froswa’ BookerDrew is the host of the Tapestry podcast and the author of three books for women. She is also the vice president of Community Affairs for the State Fair of Texas.

To learn more, visit <drfroswa.com>.)

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December 2, 2022

expressions of faith Ready

by Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. “Be therefore ready also: for the Son of man comes at the hour when you think not,” Luke 12:40.

The word ‘today’ really means to be prepared mentally and physically for actions and experience from God. Jesus repeatedly said He [Christ] would leave this world, but He would return at some future time.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me, in my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And whither I go you know, and the way you know,” John 14: 1-3.

He also said a Kingdom is being prepared for His followers, the people of God. A heavenly, idealized, spirKingdom, a itual earthly restored Kingdom.

Christ’s return at an unexpected time is not a trap where God hopes to

catch us off guard. God is delaying Christ’s return so more people will have a better chance to follow Christ.

The Lord does not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9, KJV).

The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost (2 Peter 3:9, IEV).

During this time before His return, we have the opportunity to live out our belief and to reflect Jesus’ love as we relate to other people who are ready for the Lord’s return. In today’s key verse, why did Jesus say “be ready” instead of “get ready”?

Because, we will not be able to get ready at the time Jesus comes.

His coming will be as sudden as a flash of lightning.

“For as the Lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be,” Matthew

Bishop-elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. 24:27.

So there will be no time to make any preparation.

We are moving away from fearful—be ready to witness, not more anxious, but trusting; no more greed, but generous giving; no more hate, but love. We are growing more like Christ, so when He comes we will be ready to greet him joyfully.

What can we do to be ready? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Repent and confess all your sins, and believe that the blood of Christ cleans us from all unrighteousness.

Make up your mind to live a holy life and follow him all the way.

Jesus promises a reward for those who have been faithful to him. This is why we must be focused on God’s agenda so that we can have a clear directive. We need to move toward God before the coming of the Lord.

Lord give it to me now!

Nashville PRiDe Directory of Churches 40th Avenue Church of Christ 616 40th Avenue North Nashville TN, 37209 www.40thavecoc.com Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study: Wed. 7:00 p.m. & Thurs 11:00 a.m.

(615) 329-2325 Min. Dr. Charles A Beaman

Greater St. John Baptist Church 2200 26th Ave, No. Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 263-9450 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m.

Herbert T. Brown, pastor

Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church 2334 Herman Street Nashville, TN 3728 615-329-2779 Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Sunday School @ 8:45am Nashville Sunday Worship @ 1130 8th Ave S 10:00am Nashville, TN 37203 Bible Studies: Monday 615-687-4600 Thursday @ 6pm; 7 days a week Wednes days @ 12 noon with Service every gordonmemorialumc.org Sunday at 11AM Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, scientologyPastor ccnashville.org Senior Pastor: Jefferson Street MBC Rev. Brian Fesler 2708 Jefferson Street Nashville TN 37208 Clark Memorial 615-329-2990 United Methodist Church Morning Worship: 1014 14th Ave. North 10 a.m.

Nashville, TN 37208 Rev. Aaron X. Marble, Ph: (615) 329-4464 pastor FAX: (615) 321-0975 Sunday Worship: John Wesley UMC 8:00 a.m./10:45 a.m.

901 Benton Avenue Herbert Lester, Jr.,pastor 615-298-2019 clarkumcnashville.org Sunday worship 8am/11am Cleveland Daniel M. Hayes, Sr. Street MBC pastor 608 Cleveland Street jwesleyumc@ Nashville, TN 37207 bellsouth.net 615-227-1149 Sunday Worship: http://jwesleyumc.org/ 10:45 a.m./9:15 Church School Lake Providence MBC clevelandstreet 5891 Nolensville Pike baptist@comcast.net Nashville, TN 37211 www.clevelandstreet (615) 833-5539 baptistchurch.com Sunday worship: Dr. Donald Snead, pastor 8am/11am Rev. H. Bruce Maxwell, Corinthian Missionary pastor Baptist Church 819 33rd Avenue N. The Living Word Nashville, TN 37209 International Church (615) 977-6855 5100 Wyoming Ave. Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship Nashville, TN 37209 11:00 a.m.

615-297-7437 Wed. Worship: 7:30 PM Worship Times: Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor 11:00 a.m. 7 p.m.

(1st & 2nd Sun.) Ezra Emmanuel Bishop Adebanjo Ministries thelivingwordcogic.com 2606 Union Hall Rd. Clarksville, TN 37040 Mt. Lebanon MBC www.ezraemmanuel 222 Franklin Lime min.org Stone Rd. 9 a.m. Sunday worship 11:00 a.m.

6 p.m. Wednesday worship service Hr of Empowerment 615-596-0456 931-378-1092 Overseer Danelle M. jamesgreen@yahoo.com Stephens Rev. James J. Green, pastor Gospel United Missionary Mt. vernon MBC Baptist Church 1022 New 3700 Fairview Dr. Providence Pass Nashville, TN 37218 Madison, TN 37115 615-876-7022 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

9:30 Sunday School 615-860-0213 Sunday Worship: Bishop Willie Joy, pastor 11:00 a.m. mtvernon1022@cocast.net Pastor Carlos A. Jones

Nehemiah Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Thomas E. Hunter, Sr. 916 16th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37208 615-942-5261 Sunday School:9:00am Sunday Service: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study:6:30pm nehemiahmissionary baptistchurch.com New Salem A.M.E. Church 1800 4th Ave. N. Nashville, TN 37208 615-964-7246 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

Pastor Eddie L. Sneed Payne Chapel AME Church 212 Neil Avenue (615) 262-3675 Sunday Worship: 10 am Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield Schrader Lane Church of Christ 1234 Schrader Lane Nashville, TN 37208 (615) 329-0950 Sunday Worship: 7:45/10:15 a.m./5:00 p.m.

Robert Gardenhire, Pastor Spruce Street Baptist Church 504 Spruce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Worship at 11 a.m.

(615) 329-4105 Pastor Raymond Bowman St. John A.M.E. Church 1822 Formosa Street Nashville, TN. 37208 (615) 320-1026 sainjohname@aol.com Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.

Rev. Lisa Hammonds St. Luke A.M.E. Church 355 Blythe Ave. Gallatin, Tenn. 37066 615-452-3137 Sunday School 9:15 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Rev. Dr. Barbara J.Crawford St. Matthew MBC 2412 Osage Street (615) 329-0173 Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Rev. W.B. Armstrong, pastor St. Paul A.M.E. Church 3340 W. Hamilton Ave. Nashville, TN 37218 (615) 876-7219 Rev. Harold Moses Love, Jr. www.stpaul-amec.com Word of Life Christian Center International 4100 Clarksville Pike Nashville, TN 37218 (615) 876-3086 Sunday Worship: 11:00 am Rev. Alexander Arthur

December 2, 2022

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“insomnia’s My Closest Friend” is December 5 at Analog at Hutton Hotel

By Cass Teague chatterbird, a Nashville-based chamber ensemble, will present a performance featuring “Insomnia’s My Closest Friend,” a new work by performance poet Tavius Marshall and composer Joshua Dent. The performance will take place December 5 at the Analog at Hutton Hotel.

Additionally, chatterbird will host a post-event talkback session featuring clinical psychologist, writer, and professor Dr. Raquel Martin, focused on mental health-related resources and challenges for Black communities.

My “Insomnia’s Closest Friend” is a poetic and musical retrospective on Black / Biracial mental health and presented masculinity. Marshall and Dent have created a show that discusses their own personal perspective on the lack of representation

and conversation around the issue.

“The conversation around Black / Biracial mental health is a forgotten side note in our society,” said Marshall.

“This show is not only a conversation about my and Josh’s shared experiences, but also hopefully a doorway to anyone who needs access.”

Performed by chamber ensemble and a theatrical thesis of words and thought, the work discusses the struggle of being “othered” in a world already not built for oneself.

“I’m really excited about the collaborative nature of this project; building a piece with friends trying to address such a rarely explored topic within the scope of modern classical music,” said Dent. chatterbird is a chamber music ensemble that explores alternative

instrumentation, stylistic diversity, and interdisciplinary collaboration in order to create thoughtful, intimate, and inventive musical experiences.

Formed in 2014, performs chatterbird classical music that skirts traditional boundaries, sliding between classical, jazz, hip-hop, rock, avant-garde, and country, creating a thoughtful and inventive way to discover and experience modern classical music. chatterbird cutting-edge brings chamber music repertoire into spaces where you wouldn’t usually find it, like bars, galleries, breweries, basements, and everywhere in between.

Tavius Marshall has been a poet and storyteller in Nashville for more than 20 years. He is the project lead and creator of the podcast /

Insomnia’s My Closest Friend live show “The Mixer: Legal to Brew since 1967” and the comedy fiction podcast “Spooning in the Apocalypse.”

Tavius believes that stories are the essential element that defines us as human beings; he has spent his career dedicated to crafting, forming, and sharing these stories so that we can reinvent our definitions of ourselves.

Joshua Dent began playing cello at the age

of 14 in Kissimmee, FL. Two years later, Joshua began learning improvisation and exploring genres outside of the classical umbrella of music. Towards the end of Joshua’s studies at Florida State University, Dent decided it was best to pursue music by learning in the professional world in different ways. Since then, Joshua moved to Nashville, Tennessee where Dent currently

resides.

Currently Joshua is an artist in residence with abrasiveMedia, an active composer, and an active member of chatterbird.

“Insomnia’s My Closest Friend” is Monday, December 5, 8:00 PM; Analog at Hutton Hotel is at 1808 West End Ave., 2nd Floor, Nashville, TN 37203. Tickets ($20 online or at door) are available and on sale now.

Cheekwood’s Winter Concert Series ushers in 2023 with captivating music

Ring in the new year with big band jazz, Brazilian grooves, and classical music at Cheekwood’s Winter Concert Series.

Set in Cheekwood’s Massey Auditorium, the trio of intimate concerts aims to expand perspectives and delight music lovers.

The performances take place on January 28, February 10, and February 23 at 7 pm.

“We are thrilled to welcome this stellar lineup of world-class musicians and offer a way for guests to escape the winter blues in the bright and airy setting of

Nashville Jazz Orchestra’s Big Band Cheekwood’s newly ren- of Brazilian music. With ovated Massey Auditori- a name that means um,” said Director of ‘everything’s good’ in Music & Public Pro- Portuguese, Tudo Bem grams Mark Mason. moves through samba, The 12-piece Nash- baião, forro, bossa nova, ville Jazz Orchestra’s and choro with grace Big Band will kick off and joy. the first installment of Grammy winners the concert series on Will Barrow–– piano, January 28. accordion, and Swinging with saxo- vocals––and Giovanni phones, trumpets, trom- Rodriguez––bass and bones, and a robust percussion––are joined rhythm section, the by guitarist Jerome group channels the big Degey, vocalist Crystal band heyday that Miller, and percussionist defined the 1910s Bryan Brock. through the 1940s.

In the third and final On February 10, installment on February nine-piece super group 23, contemporary classiTudo Bem brings their cal music ensemble sublime interpretations Intersection will present

Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring.

Founded by Kelly Corcoran in 2014, Intersection uses music to elevate new and unique voices, build community, and engage in an ongoing dialogue.

The program will feature additional musical repertoire and original choreography from the Ensworth School of Dance.

Concert tickets are $35 for Cheekwood members and $45 for non-members. Guests may purchase admission online at <cheekwood. org/calendar/winter-concert-series/>.

Tenn. Titans honor local minority businesswoman as 2022 Playmaker Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk presented Dr. Kimberly Clay with the Tennessee Titans’ 2022 Playmakers award, an honor reserved for remarkable women making an impact in their community. In her role as founder and chief executive officer of Nashville-based Play Like a Girl!, Clay leads the organization’s work to level the playing field by leveraging the skills gained from sports to propel young women into competitive, maledominated careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related fields (STEM+).

Clay’s work was spotlighted in a commercial alongside Titans’ running back Derrick Henry who recently teamed up with Play Like a Girl and Bridgestone Americas to increase girls’ access to positive women role models and mentors across Nashville.

Dr. Kim began her career as a public health analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Early in her

career, she saw the gender gap in education and health firsthand while working in underserved communities across the South.

This led her to establish Play Like a Girl during her doctoral studies in health education. In 2007, she returned to the classroom (this time, as a tenure-track professor) at the University of Georgia where she taught and conducted research exploring longterm cancer survivorship in women.

Dr. Kim is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana, Tulane University Schools of Public Health and Social Work, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she received her Ph.D. in Health Education and Promotion.

Her work on behalf of young women has earned her the following national recognitions: Daily Point of Light Award; Toyota Everyday Hero; Xavier University’s 40 Under 40; and, Nashville Business Journal’s 50 People on the Move, among others.

She is a semi-finalist for the 2020 L’Oréal

Women of Worth Award.

Dr. Kim serves on the leadership team for the Nashville Chapter of Elevate Network, which is an international community of professional women committed to a more equal world where women achieve career success.

She is also a member of the leadership team for Tennessee Girls Collaborative, the local affiliate of the National Girls Collaborative bringing together organizations across the nation that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in STEM. In addition, she mentors college women and is a member of the Scholarship Committee for Women in Technology Tennessee. Her past service includes appointments to the board of directors for YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee and Junior League of Nashville.

The local organization’s reach and impact spans beyond the local level.

This week, NFL players across the league will wear custom cleats

Dr. Kimberly Clay to showcase Play Like a Girl as part of the NFL’s national ‘My Cause My Cleats’ campaign. Custom Play Like a Girl cleats will be worn by seven players in NFL games, including: Greg Newsome (Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans, 12/4); Jonathan Jones (New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills, 12/1); Michael Brockers (Detroit Lions vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 12/4); Tyler Mabry, Jalen ‘Teez’ Tabor, L.J. Collier, and Poona Ford, Jr. (Seattle Seahawks vs.

Los Angeles Rams, 12/4). Players will auction their game-worn cleats at <NFL.com/auction>.

Proceeds will be donated to Play Like a Girl.

Happy Holidays ACROSS 1. Result of too much pressure 6. Stir-fry pan 9. Steps to the river, in India 13. Hindu sage 14. Attorneys’ org.

15. *Christmas cookies emanation 16. The Brady Bunch, e.g.

17. Mourner’s wish 18. Mature, as in fruit 19. *Santa’s entryway 21. *Holiday plum treat 23. Foot the bill 24. Hot alcoholic beverage 25. Not transgender 28. *Frosty’s corn cob 30. Attract 35. Bad luck prediction 37. Indian cuisine staple 39. The whole amount 40. “Keep this information” button 41. *Coveted letter on a dreidel 43. Dry as dust 44. Opposite of digest 46. Inconclusive 47. Dirty air 48. Diplomat 50. Tallest volcano in Europe 52. Like a fox 53. Lion output 55. Beholde’s organ 57. *Breaking holiday news 61. *Not coal on Christmas 65. Courtroom excuse 66. Golf coach at a country club 68. Very, in music 69. Make a logical connection (2 words) 70. Promissory letters 71. Pine or long 72. Chows down 73. Hundredweight, acr.

74. Ooze out DOWN 1. Nile denizen, for short 2. *Like Duke brothers in “Trading Places” 3. *New Year’s Eve option: ___Spumante 4. Title-holder 5. Take for ransom

6. On one’s guard 7. ____-Wan of “Star Wars” 8. K, in Greek 9. *Rose Bowl field, e.g.

10. Kachina doll maker 11. Answer from the flock 12. Drink for John Glenn 15. Fervent 20. Giving the once-over 22. *“Mele Kalikimaka” strings 24. More sordid 25. Trig function 26. Insect in adult stage 27. *Number of candles in Kwanzaa’s kinara 29. Sacrifice for gain 31. Eighty-six 32. List components 33. *Holiday song offering 34. Lament for the dead 36. Scotland’s famous loch 38. Eagle’s aerie 42. Lid or lip embellishment 45. Go to bed (2 words) 49. *Yule tradition 51. Pirate's “Yes!” 54. Savory jelly dish 56. English county 57. London art museum 58. Hipbones 59. *It’s sometimes ignored in face of holiday treats 60. Wading bird 61. Displeasure display 62. Biblical birthright seller 63. Backgammon predecessor 64. Prong of a fork 67. Column’s partner Solutions from last puzzle

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December 2, 2022

TSU expert cautions parents to ‘be on the watch’ with new spike in RSv cases

by Emmanuel Freeman RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is on the rise in Tennessee, with spike in cases and hospitalization— especially among infants and children.

Experts caution parents to be more proactive in helping to keep their children symptom free.

Dr. Wendelyn Inman, an epidemiologist and public health expert, says while adults may only show signs of the common cold, RSV among children (especially those under a year old) shows more severe symptoms because their lungs are more susceptible to the inflammatory effects of the virus.

“In some cases, children showing these symptoms need supplemental oxygen and hospitalization because of severe respiratory infections,” said Inman, professor and director of the public health program in the College of Health Sciences. She warns parents “to be on the watch.”

“If you have an infant, wash your hands frequently and keep sick friends and family members away to prevent the spread of RSV,” she said. “Watch your child. If they show any symp-

toms, take them to the pediatrician as soon as possible.”

Inman also cautions parents to avoid close contacts, cover coughs or sneezes, and clean surfaces (doorknobs, car seats, mobile devices) frequently.

This summer, as in Tennessee, there was an increase in RSV cases in many areas of the country with the expectation it would accelerate in the fall. The trend has played out as expected, and even more adults in Tennessee are coming down with RSV, according to local news reports.

At TSU, officials say over the past 5-6 weeks, there has been “a drastic” uptick in the number of sick visits to the Student Health Services Clinic for upper respiratory symptoms, such as cough, congestion, running nose, and others.

“Luckily for these otherwise healthy individuals, the virus will only usually cause mild, cold-like symptoms,” said Dr. Dorsha N. James, interim medical director of student health.

“In light of our decreasing COVID cases, I would make the assumption that we are seeing some cases as a

Dr. Wendelyn Inman result of RSV.” On COVID-19 and the flu, two of the three viruses with RSV that are going around, the officials warn individuals to get immunized as the surest way to avoid serious illness or hospitalization. Flu activity reportedly increases in October and peaks between December and February.

“Get your flu shots and get vacci-

Dr. Dorsha N. James nated for COVID-19 as soon as possible if you already haven’t,” Inman said. “We are seeing that people who are immunized against COVID and the flu are still not in the majority of the cases that are severe and dying.”

For more information on how to protect against RSV, COVID or the flu, visit the Tennessee Department of Health at <www.tn.gov/health.html>.

Conversations about cancer screening should be priority this holiday season – it can save your life

by David Ford The holidays are a time to gather with friends and family for food, fun, and great conversations. But imagine those conversations not going as planned and the joy of being with your loved ones overshadowed by someone sharing that they have cancer. You may not have been ready to have that discussion, yet it was happening. And you may not be prepared to talk about screenings with your loved ones, but it’s necessary. As someone who has had two different cancers in my life, I cannot stress enough the importance of getting screened.

It was 2015 when I first heard those earth-shattering words: “It’s cancer.” I thought back to a conversation with my doctor just a few months earlier when they recommended a routine colonoscopy screening. Instead of getting it done right away, I kept putting it off. My life was busy. I had a family and was in the midst of a successful career. It just wasn’t a priority for me, and all the while, I was unknowingly putting myself at risk. Then flash-forward to a critical moment with my doctor. It was too late; surgery was needed to treat my cancer.

If I’d gotten my colonoscopy, a screening for colon cancer, when it

David Ford was recommended, it’s possible that I could’ve avoided surgery, treatment, and the emotional toll I put on my family. Even though the treatments saved me, I had to learn the hard way not to take unnecessary risks with my life.

So, three years later, when my doctor recommended screening for prostate cancer, I did not wait. I completed the screening immediately, and we were able to find and treat my second cancer at an early stage. Now, I am once again cancer free and sharing my story to help others understand why they

should be getting screened.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, yet the discussion of cancer screening remains taboo in our community. Now is the time to start having conversations about cancer screening and having it often. Be an example for your friends and family. It’s okay to say: “Hey, as your buddy, I want us to be together 20 years from now. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself. That includes going to the doctor and getting screened for cancer.” It may be a tough conversation to have, but you may be the one that could make a lifesaving difference.

Cancer wasn’t something I was prepared to factor into my life. But through my experience, I learned some tough lessons. It is important to listen to my doctor. I need to take the time to share with others, so they don’t make the same mistake. It’s necessary to go to the doctor on a timely basis. It’s okay to have scary conversations about health with loved ones. And if a doctor recommends cancer screening, get screened.

Through my work with the American Cancer Society, I have seen

that cancer doesn’t discriminate. It’s not just older people getting cancer, anyone can be at risk. This is the reason why it is so important for you to talk to a doctor about the type of health care and screening you may need. You can’t play around with your life. It’s more than just a cancer screening, it’s a way to help ensure that we will be around for our families. The longer we are around, the more opportunities we have to live our dreams and to see our loved ones achieve their goals.

As we prepare to gather for the holidays, whether it’s a large gathering or with immediate family, I encourage you to have a conversation with your loved ones about regular cancer screening. I hope that you take the steps yourself to schedule an appointment to get screened. If you need cancer screening recommendations, resources, as well as tips to start the conversation visit <cancer.org/getscreened>. A small discussion can make a lifesaving difference, so please don’t wait.

(David Ford is a two-time cancer survivor, ‘senior government relations manager’ at Southern California Edison, and member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network board of directors.)