Nashville PRIDE December 9, 2022

VP Kamala Harris plans to swear in New Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass See page 2

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Nashville’s Nutcracker returns to TPAC See page 7

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Volume XXXVI, Number 49

People Are Talking Jan. 6 House Select Committee to recommend criminal charges to Dept. of Justice

House of Representatives (photo by Frank Schulenburg, Copyright: CC BY-SA 4.0).

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent The January 6 House Select Committee has decided to make criminal referrals to the Department of Justice.

Based upon the mountain of damning testimony and evidence compiled against Donald Trump, it’s believed that the committee will push for the unprecedented prosecution of a former president.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (DMississippi) told reporters that the committee had not narrowed down all those who they may recommend for prosecution.

He hinted that some of the witnesses committed perjury when they were called to testify.

Remembrance service for victims of Sandy Hook and gun violence, Dec. 10

Marie Delus, New York Moms Demand Action volunteer and survivor On December 14, 2012, 20year-old Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and fatally shot 20 children between six and seven years old, as well as six adult staff members.

Prior to driving to the school, he shot and killed his mother at their Newtown home. As first responders arrived at the scene, Lanza committed suicide by shooting himself in the head.

In commemoration of the tragedy, volunteers with the Middle Tennessee chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, will gather to commemorate the tragedy and remember the Davidson County citizens who died in shootings in 2022.

“We’re going to remember the Sandy Hook children and educators (dead now for 10 years) and all those in Davidson County who died in gun suicides, homicides and unintentional shootings in 2022,” said event organizers. “We will engage in several activities to keep their names alive.”

Refreshments will be served following the gathering. For those who cannot attend but want their loved one’s name remembered, email the name to <nashvillemomsgroup@gmail.com>.

The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews

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December 9, 2022

Warnock wins Georgia Brings U.S. Senate Democrats to powerful new majority

by Hazel Trice Edney (TriceEdneyWire.com) – Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) has won reelection to the U.S. Senate, solidifying a clear Democratic majority in the 100-member body. The win ends a hard-fought run-off against Donald Trump-backed Herschel Walker, former star football player who ran neckin-neck against Warnock in the midterm election.

Warnock’s 51.4% to 48.6% win on Tuesday, Dec. 6, is especially important for those issues overseen by powerful Senate committees. Those committees include the Budget; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Environment and Public Works; Finance; Health Education, Labor and Pensions; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; Joint Economic Committee; Judiciary; Rules and Administration; Select Committee on Ethics; Select Committee on Intelligence; Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Veteran’s Affairs.

The Warnock win brings the Senate Democratic majority to 51-49; thereby eliminating the need for Vice President Kamala Harris having to break ties in the case of 50-50 votes. The win also signals another blow to the influence once held by former President Donald Trump and his endorsed candidates, most of whom failed miserably in the mid-term elections Nov. 8.

Following Walker’s concession

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) speaks to supporters after winning Georgia’s runoff race. speech in which he encouraged his promise, of the brutality and the possisupporters to continue to believe in bilities. But because this is America, America, Warnock declared in front of because we always have a path to a cheering crowd what he described as make our country greater against “the four most powerful words ever unspeakable odds, here we stand spoken in a Democracy: The people together.” have spoken!”

He also pointed to the fact that just The current pastor of the historic because voters suffered through long Ebenezer Baptist Church, once pas- lines in in-climate weather did not tored by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. mean voter suppression and intimidasaid: “I am an example and an iteration tion did not exist. of [Georgia’s] history, of its peril and Continued on page 5

State of Housing in Black America report cites barriers to Black home ownership, impact of climate change, environmental hazards

NAREB has released its ‘2022 State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) Report,’ analyzing Black homeownership and the historic barriers Blacks face when seeking to purchase a home and gaining wealth.

As the nation struggles to disman- of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) tle the institutional racism that has Report.’ It provides a comprehensive undermined wealth generation in analysis of Black homeownership and Black families, the National the historic barriers Blacks face when Association of Real Estate Brokers seeking to purchase a home and gain(NAREB) has released its ‘2022 State ing wealth.

For the first time, the SHIBA report, which was released at NAREB’s annual Black Wealth Summit in Washington, D.C., includes assessments of the impact that natural disasters, climate change, toxic facilities and inland flooding have had on Black families. The report notes the devastation caused in places like New Orleans, La.; Jackson, Miss.; and Flint, Mich.

“We often think of wealth in terms of cash, investments and even Bitcoin, but wealth is also found in the water we drink, the air we breathe and the land on which we live,” said NAREB President Lydia Pope. “It is the sacred duty of community leaders, policy makers and financial industry specialists to lift communities so that all children can thrive and grow up with opportunities for good health, wealth and happiness in their lives.”

The report states: “Race has historically been the main determinant of the placement of toxic facilities in the United States. And decades of redlining and segregation has ensured that Black inner-city communities are home to some of the most deteriorated Continued on page 5

Homeland Security extends REAL ID enforcement deadline 2 more years

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Dec. 5 it would extend for two years the REAL ID full enforcement, from May 3, 2023-May 7, 2025.

Officials deemed it important to allow states additional time to ensure residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act. As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards.

“DHS continues to work closely with U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to meet REAL ID requirements,” Secretary of

Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, 63, said in a news release.

“This extension will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card.

“DHS will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process more efficient and accessible.

We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely.”

According to DHS, the extension is necessary, in part, to address the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card.

REAL ID progress over the past two years has been “significantly hindered by state driver’s licensing agencies having to work through the backlogs created by the pandemic,” DHS officials wrote in the news release.

Many of these agencies took various steps in response to the pandemic

As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies (including the Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards. including automatically extending the expiration dates of driver’s licenses and identification cards and shifting operations to appointment only.

Continued on page 5

National/State www.pridepublishinggroup.com December 9, 2022 White teacher fired How a racist, segregationist pushed Georgia into a after telling students his race was ‘superior’ history of runoff elections Nashville PRIDE

Page 2

In the video, the unidentified White middle school teacher was captured saying: “Deep down in my heart, I’m ethnocentric, which means I think my race is the superior one.”

(Defender News ask, “So White is better Service) — A teacher in than all?” the Pflugerville IndeThe teacher then asks pendent School District the students to let him which is located in finish speaking before Austin, Texas, is no adding: “I think everylonger employed by the body thinks they’re just district after a video sur- not honest about it.” faced of him saying he Several students then believes White people appear to confront the are “the superior” race. teacher about his bold In the video, the claim, asking him if he unidentified White mid- just openly admitted to dle school teacher was being racist. captured saying: “Deep “I think everybody is down in my heart, I’m a racist at that level,” the ethnocentric, which teacher said. means I think my race is When asked a second the superior one.” time if he just said he is It’s unclear what led racist, the teacher said: to the controversial con- “I did. I did. If I’m going versation inside a class- to be honest with you.” room at Bohls Middle In a statement School. released on November Rapper Southside’s 14, Pflugerville ISD son is in that class and Superintendent Dr. Douthey put the video on glas Killian said that the social media, which teacher “is no longer quickly went viral. The employed” by the disvideo shows the stu- trict and that the district dents’ quick reaction to “is actively looking for a the statement, which replacement.” prompted one student to Dr. Killian acknowl-

edged that the incident “has prompted local and national media attention” and issued an apology to “any parents whose students have been included in the video without their knowledge.”

The full statement from Dr. Killian follows: “Last Friday, Nov. 11, Pflugerville ISD officials were made aware of an inappropriate conversation a teacher at Bohls Middle School had with students during an advisory class. As of Monday morning, Nov. 14, the teacher in question is no longer employed by Pflugerville ISD and we are actively looking for a replacement.

“In addition to providing this video to our administrators, the video was shared on social media by some in the class and has prompted local and national media attention. We apologize to any parents whose students have been included in the video without their knowledge.

“We want to reiterate that this conversation does not align with our core beliefs and is not a reflection of our district or our culture at Bohls Middle School.

Pflugerville ISD and Bohls MS staff work together to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all of our students.

The advisory discussion was inappropriate, inaccurate, and unacceptable—and this type Continued on page 5

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent With Georgia having experienced its second runoff in two years to determine which party represents the state in the U.S. Senate, one irony about the election isn’t lost.

The two candidates, incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker are both Black.

What makes that ironic is that Georgia’s runoff elections began in 1963 when a segregationist legislator named Groover Denmark earnestly fought to disrupt the power of the Black vote and ensure that a White person would prevail in any closely fought campaign.

Having served as a state representative in early 1950s, the

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Kamala Harris, the United States’ first Black and first woman vice president, will do the honors for Karen Bass, the first woman to serve as mayor in the ‘city of angels.’ time, I plan to deliver.”

Caruso, CBS News A spokesperson for reported.

Harris said Bass asked Former President the vice president to Obama also threw his administer the oath of support behind Bass office “as a nod to their shortly before the status as two of Califor- November election. nia’s most powerful Bass, 69, a six-term Black women.” congresswoman and a Harris and President finalist on President Joe Biden endorsed Bass in Biden’s short list of August after she won the potential running mates, June primary by seven drew more votes than percentage points over any mayoral candidate her rival, billionaire real in Los Angeles’ history. estate developer Rick Continued on page 5

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was left to the option of each local party executive committee throughout the state,” researchers said.

Why did Groover propose this significant alteration in January 1963?

Two decades after introducing the majority vote plan, he candidly admitted that in the 1950s and 1960s: “I was a segregationist. I was a county unit man.

But if you want to establish if I was racially prejudiced, I was. If you want to establish that some of my political activity was racially motivated, it was.”

At the time of the legislative debate in February 1963, it was extensively reported in the state’s newspapers that Groover and his allies saw the measure “as a means of circumventing what is called Continued on page 5

Nashville PRIDE Quick Reference

VP Kamala Harris plans to swear in New Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent America’s historymaking vice president plans to swear in Los Angeles’ history-making mayor during an inaugural ceremony scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11.

Kamala Harris, the United States’ first Black and first woman vice president, will do the honors for Karen Bass, the first woman to serve as mayor in the city of angels.

Officials said holding the historic ceremony on Sunday makes it more convenient for the public to participate while allowing Bass to devote her first day in office to attending to city business.

“Angelenos are so frustrated,” Bass said in a CBS Mornings interview this week. “There is so much pent-up urgency to see something happen immediately. Part of my job is to communicate exactly what I’m doing with Angelenos and the timeline, so I manage expectations. But at the same

Groover fell in defeat for election to the House in 1958.

According to the National Park Service (NPS) Archives, the Macon politician blamed his loss on “Negro bloc voting.”

He carried the White vote, but his opponent triumphed by garnering Black ballots by a fiveto-one margin. soon “Groover devised a way to challenge growing Black political strength,” NPS researchers wrote.

Elected to the House again in 1962, he led the fight to enact a majority vote and runoff rule for all county and state contests in both primary and general elections.

“Until 1963, plurality voting was widely used in Georgia county elections, and the decision on whether to have a majority or plurality

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,

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December 9, 2022

Local

Cancer: My journey in time

Loud and clear

by Wanda Clay “If I can’t say a word, then I’ll just wave my hand,” are the words to a legendary song sung by a choir that would express the goodness of God leaving Christians speechless. When you know that God works miracles in your life, you often can’t express it and the only thing that’s left to do is to simply, “wave your hand!”

The words in italics are directly spoken by Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, who has been temporarily silenced from the latest procedure on his vocal chords. This procedure was necessary due to another complication that arose because of his journey with stage four lung cancer.

Although the voice of Rev. Fuzz has been silenced, his ministry and mission remains loud and clear! Rev. Fuzz said:”At this time of year I’m most focused on trying to meet the needs of my neighbors. Thanks to what I call the precious members of Corinthian Baptist Church, I’m always able to help our neighbors. My church

leaders like to say, ‘Pastor, what do you need us to do for the community this Christmas?’ This church is supportive of whatever ministry their pastor asks of them. Sometimes they say, ‘I don’t agree but if you say do it, we’ll follow our pastor.’ So this year, like in years past, we will identify a few community partners and their needs that our church can minister to.”

As Rev. Fuzz pastors to his dedicated and trustworthy members, he clearly reminds them: “Our goal is to help someone less fortunate than ourselves. We can’t help everyone, but we can always help someone.

At the Christmas season, we identify over 100 children to receive gifts from Santa—and 100 boxes of groceries will be distributed to them. In addition to Christmas day worship service, several Christmas fellowship activities will be held.”

Rev. Fuzz continues to minister to his congregants with a message that is loud and clear in his silence.

He recognizes his situation is a part of the journey that still offers the opportunity to

Rev. Enoch Fuzz show God’s good news at Christmas. The simple thought of the good his deeds can work for others is just that kind of thing that renders the pastor speechless in God’s love—rather than speechlessness from a surgery. “In the words of an old Negro hymn,” said Rev. Fuzz, “‘If I couldn’t say nothing, I’d just wave my hand.’ Merry Christmas!”

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.

Holiday entertainment takes flight at BNA Performances include local musicians, Puppet Truck, balloon artist, Santa Claus Nashville International Airport (BNA) kicked off its holiday celebration this week with live music, puppet performances, carolers, balloon artists and three scheduled appearances Santa Claus from through Dec. 23.

On Dec. 14, BNA will host Metro Nashville Public Library/ Wishing Chair Productions’ Puppet Truck featuring the marionette version of Hansel and Gretel, the classic Brothers Grimm tale told with the charming Peeko Puppets. Show times are 11:30 am and 1:30 pm and will be performed at the South Terminal Stage, near Green Beans Coffee, just outside the security exit check point.

Travelers are encouraged to check the events schedule at <flynashville.com/event s> to add some festivi-

John Birdsong ties to their holiday trav- Coffee; the Concourse el in December.

A/B Rotunda; the new BNA’s holiday enter- BNA Live Stage in Containment will be per- course C; and the North formed at four locations Terminal, along with throughout the airport: three performances the South Terminal roaming in the terminal Stage, near Green Beans areas.

Schedule of holiday entertainment at Nashville International Airport South Terminal Stage, near Green Beans Coffee Dec. Time Performer 2 – 3-4 pm Harmony Mennonite Youth Group 9 – 12-2 pm John Birdsong Quintet 12 – 12-2 pm Marty Crum Jazz Quartet 14 – 11:30 am and 1:30 pm Puppet Truck 16 – 11 am-1:30 pm ACT IV 16 – 2-4 pm Santa Claus and Balloon Artist 19 – 2-2 pm Billy Gaines 19 – 5-7 pm John Birdsong Quintet 20 – 12-2 pm Leif Shires Jazz Combo 20 – 2:30-4:30 pm James Satterwhite Trio 21 – 11 am-1 pm Pattie Cossentino 21 – 2-4 pm Michael Fair 22 – 11 am-1 pm Sonja Hopkins 22 – 2-4 pm Kent Goodson 23 – 11 am-1 pm Teri Reid Quartet 23 – 2-4 pm John Birdsong Quartet Dec. Time 22 – 10 am-1 pm 22 – 2-5 pm 23 – 10 am-1 pm 23 – 2-5 pm Dec. Time 9 – 10-11:30 am 19 – 2-4 pm 22 – 2-4 pm 23 – 2-4 pm

Concourse A/B Rotunda Performer Jim Hayden Diane Marino Rob Harris Karlton Taylor

BNA Live Stage, Concourse C Performer Doug the Pug Diane Marino Duo Santa Claus and the Balloon Artist Holiday Karaoke

Dec. Time 16 – 12-2 pm 20 – 3-5 pm Dec. Time 14 – 2:30-4:30 pm 19 – 2:30-4:30 pm 21 – 1-3 pm

North Terminal Performer Santa Claus and the Balloon Artist Joe West Trio Roaming in Terminal Performer The Yuletide Carolers The Yuletide Carolers Sandy Claus

Nashville PRIDE

Page 3

3 incredible vocalists performing at 3 venues

By Cass Teague Music City definitely earns its nickname this month. At three venues, three incredibly talented African American singers will enthrall their audiences, encompassing classical, country and soul/R&B. The country artist is singing with the Nashville Symphony and the soul/R&B star will be at the “Mother Church of Country Music.”

Smokey Robinson Ryman Auditorium.

December 16. That’s all that really needs be said.

“Smokey” William Robinson, Jr. is a legendary singer-songwriter, record producer, record executive and co-founder of Motown Records.

Robinson and his group, the Miracles met Berry who was Gordy,

(l-r) Smokey Robinson, Mickey Guyton, and Will Liverman impressed with Robin- Motown’s first million son’s vocals and ambi- selling hit “Shop tious songwriting. “Got a Around.” Between 1960 Job” was the beginning and 1970, Robinson proof a successful collabora- duced 26 Top 40 hits tion and the beginnings with the Miracles includof Motown. ing several Top 10s, like In 1960, Miracles Continued on page 5 recorded their and

Titans part ways with GM Jon Robinson

By Jim Wyatt Tennessee Titans Controlling Owner Amy Adams Strunk informed Jon Robinson Tuesday that he has been relieved of his duties as general manager.

Vice President of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden, who has been with the Titans for seven years, will lead player for the personnel remainder of the season.

Preliminary work for a new general manager will begin shortly and a comprehensive search will be begin once the season is complete.

Amy Adams Strunk released the following statement on Tuesday morning: “Since becoming controlling owner in 2015, my goal has been to raise the standard for what is expected in all facets of our organization.

Jon Robinson I believe we have made significant progress both on and off the field through investments in leadership, personnel and new ideas.

This progress includes the core of our business, the football team itself, which is regularly evaluated both by results (wins and losses) and team construction/roster building.

I am proud of what

we have accomplished in my eight seasons of ownership, but I believe there is more to be done and higher aspirations to be met.

I want to thank Jon for his dedicated work to set this organization on an upward trajectory and I wish him and his family the best.”

The Titans hired Robinson as general manager in January 2016 and in 2017 he was promoted to executive vice president/general manager.

A native of Union City, Tenn., Robinson worked as the director of college scouting with the New England Patriots before serving as the director of player personnel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Titans return to action on Sunday at Nissan Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Page 4

Nashville PRIDE

Editorials

Wakanda Forever movie review

by William T. Robinson, Jr. The movie Wakanda Forever definitely delivers, continuing to manifest the intellectual prowess and culture of a beautiful people—a people that have often been trivialized and devalued in a dominant White society that prioritizes a Eurocentric agenda. The strength, culture, and creativity of people of African descent continue to be reflected, while offering another film that also serves to entertain and unite the African Diaspora and the world.

Probable the main selling points for this film, just as in the first movie of the series, Black Panther, is that it depicts a positive, strong, and admirable portrayal of Blacks— altering how Blacks are seen by themselves and many of their White counterparts.

The movie continues to be refreshing, reminding or even educating Blacks of their greatness and making people of color feel extremely proud.

One main concern for many people was whether the movie could hold up to the fanfare of the original Black Panther movie, especially with the unfortunate passing of it key figure and hero T’ Challa played by Chadwick Boseman.

It was important that the strength and majestic power of the Black Panther continue to be an uncompromising focus.

For most viewers this was achieved. But some people may feel the Black Panther’s power and credibility was compromised by the substitution of a female lead, however powerful.

Chadwick Boseman created a powerful,

William T. Robinson, Jr. regal, and charismatic Black hero. Some say that can never be equaled, but nonetheless Wakanda Forever rises to the occasion, continuing to capture the energy and excitement of the audience. One must also realize the ever present strength of the movie is in the dialogue. The plot revolves around protection of the valuable substance ‘vibranium’ from the manipulative diabolic aims of questionable nations seeking to use the valuable element for self-gain, power and control.

The movie invites its viewers to become critical, conscious, and sagacious thinkers in analyzing the motives of men—whether good or bad, and the dire consequences that may lie ahead if the wrong choices are made and implemented. Too often, humanitarian, benevolent endeavors are adulterated by diabolic individuals and groups for selfish purposes.

The reoccurring plot to keep the substance vibranium out of the hands of shady individuals or governments is understandable and commendable, despite the humanitarian good if it were used to benefit all mankind. Thus, we are presented with an ever synergizing plot.

A nation of people of Mexican ancestry exist-

ing underwater in an Atlantis-like environment called ‘Talokan’ arises with the goal of secretly protecting their valuable resource of vibranium from the world. So you have two nations of people of color battling, only to conclude that they must work together to protect their vibranium interests.

The movie continues to tantalize it viewers with the rich culture and traditions of many African nations, thus acting as a conduit in reuniting the African Diaspora and educating the world to the beauty, intellect, and resilience of Blacks. The film also manifests the rich beauty of Mexican culture.

A special note should be given to the continued deference and respect given to the African ancestors. Their on their influence descendants in making decisions going forward is essential to the plot.

This practice is a valuable, sacred, spiritual African tradition that seems to be waning for many young Africans Americans in the Western part of the world.

The importance of the ancestors is paramount.

Wakanda Forever continues to show the greatness and beauty of Blacks to a generation of people who have for too long seen Blacks viewed in a negative light.

The pride and joy the movie brings to people who may feel marginalized is immeasurable, giving them a greater sense of worth. From living in a country where we are inundated from a Eurocentric perspective on everything, it is invigorating for so many people to see things from a strong and powerful Afrocentric perspective.

Unchecked

by Dr. E. Faye Williams (Ret.) (TriceEdneyWire) – Noteworthy indicators demonstrate our ‘shrinking’ world. The rapid spread of COVID-19 is a clear example. Plant and animal invaders without natural enemies also proliferate exponentially and cause significant damage to our ecosystem.

Wikipedia describes the ‘spotted lantern fly’ as: a plant hopper indigenous to parts of China. It has spread invasively to Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Its host plants include grapes, stone fruits, and the Chinese sumac tree.

In its native habitat, their populations are kept in check by parasitic wasps. The piercing wounds caused by their mouthparts and the honeydew waste they excrete have been found to be significantly detrimental to the health of host plants. In 2014, it was recorded in the U.S. and is now invasive throughout the Northeast.

Contrary to what may be suggested, this is not an entomology essay. It provides background to a story about a psychological assault on a nineyear-old Black child.

Nine-year-old Bobbi Wilson learned about the harm posed by the spotted lantern fly. In October, with homemade insecticide in-hand, Bobbi explored her Caldwell, N.J., neighborhood for the wingedinvaders. She enthusiastically pursued her mission until it was interrupted by the police who had been called with a report that: “There’s a little Black woman walking, spraying stuff on the sidewalks and trees on Elizabeth and Florence. I don’t know what the hell

she’s doing. Scares me, though.” The complaint also noted that she wore a ‘hood.’

Gordon Lawshe, a former Republican Councilman in Caldwell and a neighbor of Bobbi’s family made the complaint. The police responded, but upon arrival determined that Bobbi was a child. The responding officer waited with Bobbi until her mother came to see what was happening. After she arrived, Bobbi’s mother, Monique Joseph, recalls Bobbi asking: “Am I in trouble?” Joseph pulled her close while she and the officer reassured her that nothing was wrong.

The excuse offered

by Lawshe was that he thought she was a “lost little girl” or “little old lady with dementia.”

The apology Lawshe offered was not accepted because Joseph could not understand why he called the police before his own investigation, especially since their families had been neighbors for years and there was only one Black family on the block.

This incident has forced the Caldwell community to deal with perceptions of race and racism, the weaponization of police, and the ability of people of color to occupy and move in space interpreted by Whites as ‘their own.’

This incident asks the question: “What circumstances define the ability of Blacks of any age to coexist in any community?”

Apparently, many Whites perceive Blacks of any age, gender, or size as a threat. Reasonable adults who watch videos of Bobbi can discern that she is a child and I am sure the same is true in-person. We are blessed that the respond-

Dr. E. Faye Williams (Ret.) ing officer demonstrated more restraint than Timothy Loehmann, the Cleveland, Ohio, officer who murdered 12-YO Tamir Rice within 13 seconds of exiting his police cruiser.

Lawshe’s complaint is another example of Whites using the fear of stereotypical Black behaviors, inherent in many White officers, to intensify officer’s desire to control the coming and going of Blacks.

Like any ‘nuisance species,’ age, gender, size, and intent are irrelevant.

Ms. Joseph says that the encounter has changed her daughter.

Bobbi remains confused and still tries to process the event. Testifying before the Caldwell City Council, Hayden, Bobbi’s 13-year-old sister said: “She was not only doing something amazing for our environment, she was doing something that made her feel like a hero. What Mr. Gordon Lawshe did to my sister was extremely offensive, traumatic, and scarring towards my family. I can confidently assure you guys that she will never forget this.”

We won’t either!

(Dr. E. Faye Williams is president of The Dick Gregory Society <thedickgregorysociety.org>; <drefayewilliams@gmail.com> and President Emeritus of the National Congress of Black Women.)

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December 9, 2022

Executive order for reparations

by Julianne Malveaux (TriceEdneyWire) – Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.) introduced HR-40 in every congressional session from 1989 until he left Congress in 2017.

Then, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (DTexas) ably took the baton and ran with it, amassing more than 200 Congressional cosponsors for the legislation that would study and develop reparations proposals for African Americans.

Had House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) chosen to schedule a vote on HR 40, it would likely have passed, given its strong cosponsorship. While as many as 40 Senators have supported the companion legislation, S40, introduced by Sen. Corey Booker, reparations legislation was not likely to pass the Senate. With Republicans poised to take the House of Representatives, HR 40 won’t get a House vote. But President Biden can move the reparations movement forward by signing Executive Order 40 (#EO40), which could establish the commission that HR 40 requires.

The organizations that support HR40, including the NAARC, National African American Reparations Commission (on which I serve), and N’COBRA, the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America, are urging President Biden to sign this executive order on Dr. King’s birthday in 2023.

Callie House was one of the first reparations advocates, advocating for the National Ex-Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Act, seeking pensions for formerly enslaved people who fought in the Civil War. The government, of course, opposed her efforts, with the Post Office Department aggressively vilifying her. House was convicted of postal fraud (the same thing Marcus Garvey was convicted of).

Her jury was all White males.

She was incarcerated for a year, a blow to the

reparations movement.

House was a threat to the illusion of White supremacy. Her organization filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury, seeking to distribute cotton tax revenues to formerly enslaved people. Of course, the case failed, with the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court asserting that the government had immunity for the crime of enslavement and owed nothing to formerly enslaved people. In the eyes of White America, House had to be punished for her audacity, thus her conviction and jail sentence.

Callie House sowed the seeds that are now bearing fruit. For example, the notion that cotton tax money should be used to compensate those who picked cotton has borne fruit in the contemporary reparations movement. In Evanston, Illinois, the first municipality to implement reparations, marijuana tax money is being used to compensate those affected by discriminatory housing policies. Connecting the source of payment to the harm people experienced is Callie House’s legacy.

More than 100 local reparations advocates gathered in Evanston December 1-3 at a gathering sponsored by NAARC and First Repair, the organization founded by Robin Rue Simmons, the former Evanston Alderwoman who was the force behind local reparations.

Described by some as the ‘Rosa Parks of the reparations movement,’ Simmons has been a visionary in “informing local reparations nationally.”

She gathered people from Boston, San Francisco, Asheville, Amherst, Miami, Nashville, Evanston, and other cities to share their strategies to obtain local reparations.

Attendees also rallied around the need for an Executive Order (#EA40) to establish a national reparations commission to suggest ways to provide reparations.

The wealth gap is in the news these days.

Julianne Malveaux Black folks have one dollar in wealth for every $10 Whites have.

The reason for this gap is simple and deliberate.

It isn’t that Black people don’t save enough. It’s that deliberate public policy has been used to accelerate the White accumulation of wealth (think the GI Bill) while decelerating Black accumulation. The ugly history of the White economic envy that led to lynchings, violent community decimation Wilmington, (Tulsa, N.C.), government-sanctioned land appropriation (sundown towns), and government-sanctioned discriminatory distribution benefits (how many Black veterans were denied benefits) is directly responsible for the wealth gap.

This history makes a strong case for reparations.

Some suggest that local remedy is not the same thing as reparations. They are wrong! If a local entity harmed Black people, that entity must fix it, as must the federal government.

Every entity that has harmed must remedy that—Federal, state, local, corporate, and university.

The harm inflicted on Black people has contemporary outcomes and must be remedied.

People who care about national reparations should reach out to their Congress members, especially the White House, to encourage President Biden to sign an executive order. We must also thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for her efforts.

Callie House was not the first person to take the reparations struggle to the courts, and the struggle continues.

President Biden can move the struggle forward with a supportive executive order.

(Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author, and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.)

Economic guidance from Prof. James Clingman

by A. Peter Bailey (TriceEdneyWire) – It is not an exaggeration to say that day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year most Black newspaper columnists, Black television and radio commentators, Black civil rights leaders and especially Black politicians read, write and talk about Black politics from every possible angle.

Unfortunately for Black folks they don’t do the same with the critical subject of economics.

What they and the rest of us need to do is to take time to read a March 20, 2013 column by the gifted Professor James Clingman. The column entitled ‘Putting Economics Before Politics’ if we want to know the real deal about that important subject.

Professor Clingman’s first paragraph states the following: “It is always been intriguing to me that we have elected thousands of Black politicians since Recon-

A. Peter Bailey struction, especially since 1970, while the number of Black economic advocates pales in comparison.

While understanding that Black economic advocates are not elected per se, it is obvious to me that if economics is at the bottom of everything in this country, Black people should have at least as many Black economists, economic advocates and economic literary instructors as we do politicians.”

Professor Clingman’s closing paragraph in the same column states that “Economics is

about empowerment and our dollars should be used more wisely to that end. Politics is about self-interest and our votes should reflect that truth. The best help is self-help. We must organize and rally around basic economic principles. And until we our really serious in playing the political game, we must wean ourselves of the milk and pabulum of political dependence and get on a steady diet of competitive economics and mutual respect.”

What Professor Clingman is really telling us is that there is no political power without economic power.

There may be a limited degree of political influence but to have political power a group must first possess economic power.

Fortunately, there is a growing number of young Black folks following the guidance suggested by Professor Clingman.

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

Page 5 Nashville PRIDE Continuations State of Housing... from page 1 Warnock wins... from page 1 December 9, 2022

infrastructure in the nation. Black communities are on the front lines of climate change as a lack of resources and outdated housing stock and infrastructure make them more vulnerable to the adverse effects of extreme weather and climate change.”

The 2022 SHIBA report outlines the status of Black homeownership and the broad challenges that Black families and individuals face when they seek to purchase a home, as well as the impact of new banking trends on their family financial security.

In the first quarter of 2022, the Black homeownership rate was 44.7%, down from 45.3% in 2020. The Black/White homeownership disparity was 23.8% in 1970 and climbed to over 31 percentage points by 2019.

In 2022 the homeownership gap is still “an astounding” 30%, the report states, continuing a two-decades trend of an expanding homeownership gap between Blacks and Whites.

Equally important, the current Black homeownership rate remains far below its peak recorded in 2004, when Black homeownership exceeded 49%.

The report also analyzes the recent trend of non-deposit lenders, such as Fintech companies, increasing their market share of mortgages, and the impact on other bank related functions.

“Higher profit, more lucrative investment strategies for banks has come at the expense of supporting homeownership and wealth building in low-income communities and communities of color,” the report states. “Federal Reserve data indicate that in the third quarter of 2021,

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residential real-estate loans hit a historic low as a percentage of total assets (10%) at U.S. banks, whereas the share of safe assets (investments such as cash, Treasuries, and government-guaranteed securities) increased from the prior year. The closing of branches by larger banks in low-income areas and profit-maximizing strategies such as high overdraft fees, debit card swipe fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and wire transfer fees, among other charges, particularly have impacted low-income customers and customers of color.”

The report finds that 72% of Black applicants and 63% White applicants applied for loans at independent mortgage companies in 2021. The report notes that traditional banks continued to disproportionately attract White applicants: 33% of Whites sought loans from banks in 2021 compared to 20% of Blacks. Further, the report notes origination rates were higher at independent mortgage companies than at banks for both Blacks and Whites.

“In 2021, denial rates continued to be lower at independent mortgage companies than at banks,” the report notes.

“Disparities in denials mirror those in loan origination rates as Black applicants fared much worse than White applicants across all lender types. Black applicants had a 20% denial rate at banks compared to eight percent among White applicants.

At independent mortgage companies, denial rates were 13% for Blacks versus five percent for Whites.”

This year’s SHIBA report includes six recommendations outlining

what Congress, regulators and the private sector must enact to improve access to the American Dream of homeownership: · Eliminate loan level price adjusters · Eliminate penalty fees for borrowers to access down payment assistance · Recalculate the impact of student loan debt · Leverage special purpose credit programs · End discriminatory and abusive appraisal practices · Fix the broken and housing out-of-date finance system The report cites a study by the National Association of Realtors identifying millennials as the largest segment of Black homebuyers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend continued in 2021, but declining affordability likely contributed to a slower growth rate of Black millennial homebuyers since Spring 2021.

The report cites another issue that may be a drag on Black homeownership: “Black college graduate millennials have less than one tenth the wealth of their White counterparts. Further, student loan debt represents a major challenge for Black millennia homebuyers, as it can limit the amount of savings that can be used for a down payment. Black millennials owe more in student loans and carry that debt longer than other groups. And because Black households have less wealth and fewer savings on average than the general population, Black millennials rely less on their families’ financial resources when purchasing a home than White millennials.”

Mayor Karen Bass... from page 2 The former Congressional Black Caucus Chair has prioritized tackling the city’s homeless crisis. She said she wants to work to eradicate the problem immediately.

“Los Angeles has become unaffordable.

You have to have a comprehensive approach.

There’s no magic bullet,” Bass said in a nationally televised interview late last month.

“So first and foremost, you have to pre-

vent people from falling into homelessness. And clearly, affordability is key to that. But you know, people are on the streets for a variety of issues. And you have to address why they’re there.

“Is it substance abuse? Is it mental illness? Is it just straightup affordability? We have people who are in tents who actually work full-time. We have thousands of children who are in tents.

“Some with mothers

who fled domestic violence, some who are teenagers who aged out of foster care. Some people who were formerly incarcerated because they were not able to find housing are in tents.

“So we have to have a comprehensive approach and address why people were unhoused.

But first and foremost, we have to get people off the streets. People are literally dying on the streets in Los Angeles, and this has got to stop.”

3 vocalists... from page 3 “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “I Second That Emotion” and the group’s only number-one pop hit, “The Tears Of A Clown.” Other notable hits include “Ooo Baby Baby,” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” Robinson wrote many hit singles such as “Who’s Loving You,” “My Guy,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “Ain’t That Peculiar.”

1975’s A Quiet Storm, had three hit singles; “Cruisin’” peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100; Robinson topped the charts with “Being with You,” and One Heartbeat had two Top 10 hit singles, “Just to See Her” and “One Heartbeat.”

Smokey has seven Grammy Awards, honorary of Doctor of Music degrees from Howard University and Berklee College of Music, an individual star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a second star with The Miracles, and was inducted as a solo artist to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and to the Kennedy Center.

Will Liverman Also on December

16, Nashville Opera presents An Evening with Will Liverman at the Noah Liff Opera Center.

This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the most exciting, up-andcoming baritones of our time in an intimate, cabaret-style setting.

Called “a voice for this historic moment” by the Washington Post, the GRAMMY-nominated Liverman is the recipient of the 2022 Beverly Sills Artist Award by The Metropolitan Opera.

He opened the Met’s 2021-22 season in a celebrated “breakout performance” (New York Times) as Charles in Terence Blanchard’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones.

Following Fire’s success, the Met announced that Liverman will star in Anthony Davis’ X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, the second opera

by a Black composer in the company’s history, premiering in fall 2023.

An Evening with Will Liverman will feature opera selections, Liverman’s favorites, and very likely a holiday carol or two.

Mickey Guyton in Music City Christmas This Music City holiday tradition returns December 15 - December 18 with special guest vocalist country star Mickey Guyton. Celebrate the most magical time of year with your Nashville Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez for a night of holiday fun amid the splendor of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, with feature dancers, Broadway singers and some very special guests, including Jolly Old Saint Nick himself.

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The Warnock-Walker race had for weeks set the political world on edge as millions anticipated who would win between President Biden and Obama-backed Warnock and Walker, who was backed by Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp among other so-called MAGA (Make America Great

Again) Republicans. In the end, Warnock won those traditionally Democratic and predominately Black areas such as Atlanta and Augusta while Walker got his votes from largely rural areas, but not enough.

Perhaps Warnock’s greatest line Tuesday night was when he intro-

duced his mother: “I want to say thank you to my mother, who is here tonight. You’ll see her in a little while.

But she grew up in the 1950s in Waycross, Ga., picking somebody else’s cotton and somebody else’s tobacco. But tonight she helped pick her youngest son to be a United States senator.”

REAL ID... from page 1

Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for driver’s state-issued licenses and identification cards. Security standards include incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be.

Under the new regulations, beginning May 7, 2025, every traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL IDcompliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.

Officials noted in the release that, since enactment of the REAL ID

Act in 2005, advancements in technology have enabled TSA to make significant improvements in checkpoint screening, particularly in the areas of identity management, on-person screening, accessible property screening and alarm resolution.

Through the deployment of technologies such as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT); Advanced Technology (AT) X-ray; then Computed Tomography (CT); Bottled Liquids Scanners (BLS); Credential Authentication Technology (CAT); as well as deployment of Passenger Screening Canines (PSC) and the rollout of TSA PreCheck—TSA has continually advanced its security capabilities, DHS officials wrote.

TSA also increased its vetting capability through Secure Flight, a risk-based passenger

prescreening program that enhances security by identifying low and passengers high-risk before they arrive at the airport by matching their names against trusted traveler lists and watch lists. “REAL ID requirements will strengthen these improvements further by providing an additional layer of confidence in the identity of the traveler,” DHS officials said.

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards.

These standards have significantly improved the reliability and accuracy of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

For more information on REAL ID, visit <www.dhs.gov/real-id>.

Teacher fired... from page 2 of interaction will not be tolerated in any PfISD schools.

“We apologize to our students and families at Bohls Middle School for the undue stress or concern this has caused. We have counselors and administrators available for any of our students and families who want to discuss this situation further. We always do our best to ensure the safety of all students. We encourage them to be self-advocates and let an adult know when something is wrong, as they did in this situation. If you see something, say something.

“As always, we appreciate the support of our Bohls Middle School families and entire PfISD community.”

The initial statement released on the incident

follows here: “When the incident first came to light on November 11, Dr. Killian released the following statement: “We are aware of an inappropriate conversation a teacher at Bohls Middle School had with students this week during an advisory class.

This interaction does not align with our core beliefs as a district. The video of the conversation includes statements that we find wholly inappropriate.

The teacher has been placed on administrative leave while Human Resources conducts an investigation. “Pflugerville ISD and Bohls MS work together to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for our students. The advisory activity was inappropriate, inaccurate, and

unacceptable. This type of interaction will not be tolerated in PfISD schools. Staff checked in with students today. Our counselors and administrators are always available if your student wants to discuss this situation further.

“We always do our best to ensure the safety of all students. We encourage them to be self-advocates and let an adult know when something is wrong, as they did in this situation. This could be to a parent, a teacher, or a counselor.

If you see something, say something. We apologize for any undue stress or concern this has caused. As always, we appreciate the support of our families and community.

This article originally appeared in The Louisiana Weekly.

Runoff elections... from page 2 the Negro bloc vote.”

NPS said Groover later confirmed that he used the phrase “bloc voting” as a racist euphemism for Negro voting and that he specifically aimed his proposal at Black leaders whom he believed secretly collaborated with White politicians to affect the outcome of elections.

Of Groover, who died in 2001, the New Georgia Encyclopedia states that he was closely involved in several notorious events that still impact state politics.

For example, in 1956, Groover was the house floor leader for Gov. Marvin Griffin and helped pass the bill that changed the state flag to include the Confederate battle emblem.

“That change in the

flag, Groover acknowledged later, was a defiant response to federal court decisions striking down racially segregated schools,” the encyclopedia stated.

As segregation died out in Georgia, the Confederate flag design became a sore point with Black voters and business leaders.

Gov. Zell Miller tried to change the state flag in the early 1990s but could not overcome massive resistance among conservative White lawmakers.

When Gov. Roy Barnes made another attempt to change the flag in 2001, he enlisted the support of Groover, who was 78 years old and dying of heart problems, encyclopedia researchers continued.

When legislators

introduced a bill to change the flag design, Groover made a dramatic appearance before the House Rules Committee to urge adoption.

“It has become the most divisive issue on the political spectrum and needs to be put to rest,” he said.

“It would bring to an end this cauldron of discord that adversely affects our lives and the future of our children and grandchildren.”

The bill passed, and the flag design was changed, although the resulting controversy would mean Barnes’s defeat when he ran again for governor in 2002.

Groover died less than three months after that last dramatic political appearance in support of a new state flag, on April 18, 2001.

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Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Church

Making the best use of church space

Clergy members gather in prayer during a vigil at McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville to grieve and remember people lost to acts of racism. (photo by Mike DuBose, UM News) it had to be nonprofit and stuff.”

by Jim Patterson Although ministries it had to align with our Jacques Brown was waiting at McKendree like the Clothes Closet mission of making disciUnited Methodist Church have been going on for- ples for the transformain downtown Nashville, ever in churches, loss of tion of the world,” Handy but not for a church serv- members in recent times said.

Today, McKendree is leading church leaders ice.

“I’m here to get help to use thousands of uses church space to prowith some clothes and square feet of otherwise vide free haircuts, house stuff,” Brown said. “I’m wasted space to expand and help 18- to 24-yearhomeless right now, so their reach further into the olds who have aged out I’m trying to get all the community. At the same of foster care, offer a temhelp I can get. Somebody time, McKendree is porary place to live for told me about this pro- working to grow its missionaries who serve in gram with this church membership by experi- the city, feed people, proright here, so that’s why I menting with smaller vide medical and dental ministries that meet out- checks in collaboration came over.”

Like many folks wait- side the church building with United Methodisting to take their turn in in coffee shops and the related Meharry Medical College and operate the McKendree’s Clothes like.

“When I got here in Clothes Closet.

Closet on Sept. 29, Monday through FriBrown had an air of 2009, the third and fourth weary resignation about floors [of the church] day, 90% of the McKhim—but also a faint, were vacant,” said Rev. endree church building’s defiant hope about his Stephen Handy, pastor of 46,425 square feet is McKendree. “Those were being utilized with some future.

Sunday sort of ministry, Handy Up until a couple of historically years ago, Brown, who school classes. But as the said. “We’re just reclaimgrew up in a Nashville congregation aged over ing our roots,” Handy housing project, had time, those Sunday said. “It’s part of our hisworked his way up to school classes went tory that we had abandoned through wanting to managing a White Castle away.”

Handy and other be this upper middleburger joint and had a church leaders decided class church, when God wife and a home.

“I had everything, but that the space should be has called us to be examme and my wife...you repurposed to serve the ples of Jesus to connect know how it goes...going community. Some of that with the marginalized.

“If you’ve got to be in through a divorce and is being done by the stuff,” he said. “I go to church itself, while McK- a downtown urban center, other churches, too. They endree partners with you have to connect with do showers, let you wash other entities better pre- the marginalized, and your clothes, help you pared to offer other serv- probably 20% of our congregation are marginalwith housing, identifica- ices.

“The prerequisite was ized people.” tion and all that type of

Faithful Utterances Fateful frenemies

by Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew I saw the video. It was difficult to watch Shanquella Robinson, 25, of Charlotte, beaten severely—allegedly by one of her travel companions. Robinson traveled on Oct. 28 with six friends to the resort city of San José del Cabo.

Initially, her mother was called by the friends and told that her death was the result of alcohol poisoning.

The death certificate instead revealed that the cause was a “severe spinal cord injury and atlas luxation,” an instability of the first two neck vertebrae, WSOC reported. Alcohol was not mentioned in the report on the death certificate, and lists the time between injury and death as about 15 minutes and notes that Shanquella was found unconscious in the living room.

The video circulating shows Shanquella was being hit repeatedly in her head. She was not fighting back. Someone can be heard on the video asking if she “could at least fight back.” The mother said she recognizes the people on the video as the friends Shanquella traveled with to Mexico and believes the video was shot during the trip. It was disturbing to see others in the video do absolutely nothing to break it up.

Although the investigation continues on this case, my heart aches for the family. As a mother of an adult daughter, you hope that the people who are around your child, who profess to be their friends are actually people who will look out for your child.

It’s sad that you must caution your children about the people that they are around and that

the world isn’t safe.

Despite no matter how much you try to protect your child from ‘stranger danger,’ it’s often those who are the closest that can cause harm.

I don’t know exactly what happened in this young woman’s assault and death, but I do know that we live in a world with those who camouflage who they are. The lyrics of the famous O’jays song states— ”They smilin’ in your face, All the time, they want to take your place, The back stabbers.” The Bible affirms this: “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without selfcontrol, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” 2 Timothy 3:2-4.

As much as we’d like to believe in the good in everyone, the reality is that everyone doesn’t have the same moral code, ethics or integrity.

Shanquella must have trusted these individuals to travel out of the country with them. They obviously gained her trust only to betray it.

We’ve all experienced believing that someone cared for us, had our best interests at heart only to discover otherwise. Betrayal isn’t new.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, Potiphar’s wife, and the Pharaoh’s chief cup holder (Genesis 37:2324, 28; Genesis 39:1618; Genesis 40:23, NLT).

King Saul rewarded David for taking Goliath down. Even after bringing David into Saul’s family and kingdom, Saul was determined to murder David (1 Samuel

Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew 18; and 1 Samuel 19).

Even Jesus experienced betrayal. Jesus was betrayed by someone close to him. “And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs.

They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people,” Matthew 17:22, NLT. Betrayal is devastating. It is not only a violation of trust but the consequences can impact our mental, emotional, spiritual and in some instances, physical well-being. We don’t always know who will betray us. The Bible reminds us to be careful: “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves,” Matthew 10:16.

I know that justice will be served for Shanquella Robinson.

“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant,” Galatians 6:7.

(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 9, 2022

Faith of A Mustard Seed

by Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. First observation on the quote (me): “Knowledge is Biblical. Education is not.” is in the ‘3 Words’ that could easily be seen as a Trilogy; or Trinity if you would partake in the gravity of this writing: Knowledge/Biblical/Education. These THREE WORDS. I am reminded with my whole heart of the very first word Jesus spoke emerging from the wilderness to begin his what would become a timeless, planetary, universal, futuristic calling to (hu)mankind—”Repent”...!

To get past the impotence of English language is everything in coming to terms with “metanoia” in the most literal sense: meta/change woven with noia/mind. Mind changing that turns a people without knowledge from destruction... particularly in a culture/nation that has her ‘mind made up’ on injustice at it’s most high levels. It is revelation in and of itself to see these ‘3 Words’ in the order in which they appear in this quote: Knowledge. Biblical.

Education.

“But when knowledge comes, the whole world is turned upside down. The meaning of begins to things emerge. And more importantly, the relations between things are seen for the first time. Questions are asked and answers are sought.

A strong restlessness comes over the spirit and the enormity of error moves over the horizon like a vast

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. Struggle shadow. emerges as the way of life. An appetite is awakened that can never be satisfied.”

(Howard Thurman) While spending 33 weeks on FaceBook Live: “Divided We Fall - Dialogue On The Great Divides”, we remained on the ‘MaleDivide’; Female unable to get beyond observing life from 0-5 years. It became a moment of dire straits to realize that children are required to disassociate their “0-5 Knowledge base” in exchange for a complete other system of information.

To where whole groups of children when they enter the American Educational Systems are labeled to determine a course of action based upon their lack of understanding in this scheme of things.

I come from a Family Matriarchal where we had to know many things that went on in our environment that threatened our very existence as children. A very strong statement used by our family so many, many times on the question of the age of a child: “She 4 going on 44!”

Adultification.

Special Education.

Discipline Problem... given as label to the 5 year old child forced to live in silence with their 0-5 Knowledge base. And before YOU KNOW it... becomes Generational.

To consider Knowledge being Biblical is to first look to see where it is located in scripture. Starting out with the First Chapter of Luke. WOW. What a Word to receive in this Christmas Season.

“And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord”. And Elizabeth also gives birth to a son which folk want to know why she chose the name John? “None of your kindred is called by that name”.

As this text unfolds, John’s Father, Zachariah is filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins,”.

“Knowledge of Salvation” —for Christmas!

People hold and value Bible in many definitive terms: Scripture. Law. Torah.

Holy. Canon. Text.

Covenant.

Sacred.

Truth.

Revelation.

Light. Religion. Doctrine. Dogma. Word.

Gospel.

Testament.

Tidings. Creed. Way. Writ.

Bestseller.

Authority. Path. Stand.

Scroll. Wisdom. Reverence. Manual. Handbook. Shall we dare to think of ‘Knowledge” AS all these things?

Reach out by email: myfathersmansion press@gmail.com

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 Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Nashville 1130 8th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203 615-687-4600 7 days a week with Service every Sunday at 11AM scientology-ccnashville.org Senior Pastor: Rev. Brian Fesler Clark Memorial United Methodist Church 1014 14th Ave. North Nashville, TN 37208 Ph: (615) 329-4464 FAX: (615) 321-0975 Sunday Worship: 8:00 a.m./10:45 a.m.

Herbert Lester, Jr.,pastor clarkumcnashville.org Cleveland Street MBC 608 Cleveland Street Nashville, TN 37207 615-227-1149 Sunday Worship: 10:45 a.m./9:15 Church School clevelandstreet baptist@comcast.net www.clevelandstreet baptistchurch.com Dr. Donald Snead, pastor Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church 819 33rd Avenue N. Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 977-6855 Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wed. Worship: 7:30 PM Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor Ezra Emmanuel Ministries 2606 Union Hall Rd. Clarksville, TN 37040 www.ezraemmanuel min.org 9 a.m. Sunday worship 6 p.m. Wednesday Hr of Empowerment 931-378-1092 Overseer Danelle M. Stephens Gospel United Missionary Baptist Church 3700 Fairview Dr. Nashville, TN 37218 615-876-7022 9:30 Sunday School Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Carlos A. Jones

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 Sunday School @ 8:45am Sunday Worship @ 10:00am Bible Studies: Monday Thursday @ 6pm; Wednes days @ 12 noon gordonmemorialumc.org Rev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, Pastor Jefferson Street MBC 2708 Jefferson Street Nashville TN 37208 615-329-2990 Morning Worship: 10 a.m.

Rev. Aaron X. Marble, pastor

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

John Wesley UMC 901 Benton Avenue 615-298-2019 Sunday worship 8am/11am Daniel M. Hayes, Sr. pastor jwesleyumc@ bellsouth.net http://jwesleyumc.org/

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

(615) 329-4105 Pastor Raymond Bowman

Lake Providence MBC 5891 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211 (615) 833-5539 Sunday worship: 8am/11am Rev. H. Bruce Maxwell, pastor

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

The Living Word International Church 5100 Wyoming Ave. Nashville, TN 37209 615-297-7437 Worship Times: 11:00 a.m. 7 p.m.

(1st & 2nd Sun.) Bishop Adebanjo thelivingwordcogic.com

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

Mt. Lebanon MBC 222 Franklin Lime Stone Rd. 11:00 a.m. worship service 615-596-0456 jamesgreen@yahoo.com Rev. James J. Green, pastor Mt. Vernon MBC 1022 New Providence Pass Madison, TN 37115 Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

615-860-0213 Bishop Willie Joy, pastor mtvernon1022@cocast.net

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 9, 2022

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Leisure

Movie Review: Emancipation

Wil Smith in a scene from Emancipation. and tracked by dogs

by Dwight Brown, Film critic for Dwight- through a labyrinth of bayous, his goal is to BrownInk.comand find freedom and reunite NNPA News Wire with his family. (**) At a Union Army It’s a miscalculation.

This film is built around encampment, an intera former slave seen in a view records Peter’s horrific photo whose ordeal, the names of his back bore the scars of slave owners, the overwhippings and evil ves- seer and some details of tiges of slavery. Reimag- his breakaway. During a ining his life is a noble medical examination, endeavor, but this is the two itinerant photographers capture the prowrong execution.

Aside from a brief truding disfigurations on interview and the short his back. His portrait is news article ‘Whipped put on postcards, circuSlave,’ which was pub- lated and that vision horlished in Harper’s Week- rifies and galvanizes ly magazine in July abolitionists. Peter has a 1863, little is known choice, work on a Union about the man in the farm or join the Union iconic image. Conjecture army. He chooses the and creative license fill latter.

The tragedy of the in chapters that were real man’s story and his never written.

Peter (Will Smith) is survival are worthy of a The a slave in 1863, on a cot- dramatization. ton/onion plantation in avenue chosen by the rural Louisiana. He’s film’s producers and whipped by an overseer, screenwriter Bill Colbullied for his defiant lage (Tower Heist) is behavior, separated from what may give discernhis wife and children and ing audiences pause. sent to work on the rail- Peter’s tale is told in the roads. Hearing that Pres- action/thriller vein. It’s a ident Lincoln has issued genre director Antoine the Emancipation Pro- Fuqua has honed over clamation, Peter and his career with thrillers other captives escape (Replacement Killers) and head towards Baton and hero-worship action Rouge seeking out movies (The Equalizer).

Union soldiers who con- This might have been a trol the city. Chased for good time for the direc10 days by slave hunters tor to change course and

make a respectful, distinguished and historical production. After all, if Tyler Perry could curb his tendency to make cheap comedies and create the deeply moving and haunting A Jazzman’s Blues, certainly Fuqua could step out of his comfort zone too.

Oddly, the film is divided into two distinct segments: the escape and Union/Confederate battles. Initial scenes on a plantation are steeped in slave porn: Racist, taunting epithets; beatings and whippings; Black men dragged by horses, attacked by dogs and shot in the head. They’re branded on the face with hot irons and young Black girls are leered at

by White men. Maybe the dehumanizing language, violence and degradation were part of the times, but in this instance, it just feels like cheap emotion-baiting fuel to rev up action fans.

As Peter flees, the camerawork (B&W with hints of sepia by cineRobert matographer Richardson, Kill Bill: Vol 1) favors shots of slave hunters on horseback and menacing hounds tracking Peter and the other escapees.

These chase scenes feel too cowboy-ish, like Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven. One of the sequences cheesiest comes when Peter wrestles an alligator underwater. He finally steps out of the quagmire, you think he’s the victor, then the gator attacks one more time—like a monster in a tacky horror film.

Nothing about this on America’s take enslavement of millions of Africans feels new. In 1989, Glory, featuring Denzel Washington’s stirring performance, depicted Black troops bravely fighting in the Civil War. To read the full review, go to www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Iowa to play Kentucky in 25th TransPerfect Music City Bowl Iowa from the Big Ten will play Kentucky from the Southeastern Conference in the 25th edition of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 11 am, CST, inside Nissan Stadium in downtown Nashville, Bowl, according to representatives.

The game will be televised nationally on ABC, the first time the Bowl has been featured on network television.

Despite being selected in 2020, this will be the first official appearance for the Hawkeyes, following that year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. This will be the second overall and second-straight meeting between the two schools. Kentucky beat Iowa in the 2021 Citrus Bowl.

“On behalf of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl board of directors, our staff and our volunteers, we look forward to hosting Iowa and Kentucky in our game this New Year’s Eve,” Scott Ramsey, president/CEO of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, said. “Both schools bring passionate fanbases and we cannot think of a better way to celebrate our 25th anniversary than with these two programs in our game.”

TransPerfect President/CEO Phil Shawe said: “It’s been an impressive year of football for the Big Ten and SEC. We are proud to host the University of Iowa and University of Kentucky in Nashville on New Year’s Eve, and we look forward to a great game.”

Iowa finished the year 7-5, winning four out of their last five games and posting a 5-4 conference record in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes finished third in total defense in the conference and one of the top defenses in the country (5th overall). Defensive

Iowa will face off against Kentucky in the 25th annual TransPerfect Music City Bowl on New Year’s Eve, December 31. back Cooper DeJean ranked fifth in the Big Ten with four interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. Defensive linemen Deontae Craig (6.5) and Joe Evans (6) ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the conference for total sacks.

Iowa is led by Kirk Ferentz, the longesttenured coach in college football. Ferentz is 185–115 overall in his 24 seasons with the Hawkeyes.

“We are excited to compete in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl,” Ferentz said. “Our players and staff have worked hard to earn this invitation and we look forward to our visit to Nashville.

We understand firsthand the quality of our opponent and look forward to playing on December 31.”

Kentucky returns to the TransPerfect Music City Bowl for the first time since 2017, marking the sixth overall appearance for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats also finished the year 7-5, closing out the season with a win over rival Louisville.

The Wildcats are led by dynamic quarterback Will Levis, who posted 19 touchdowns (4th in the SEC) through the air and two on the ground this season. Chris Rodriguez, Jr. led the ground attack, leading

all Kentucky rushers with 904 yards and six touchdowns.

The Wildcats are led

by Mark Stoops, who is in his 10th season in Lexington where he’s amassed a 124-66 overall record.

“On behalf of our team and all of us at the University of Kentucky, we are excited to accept the invitation to play in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl,” Stoops said. “The Big Blue Nation always paints Nashville blue and the hospitality is second to none. We look forward to a great week and our team can’t wait to play one more time this year.”

Established in 1998, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl has transformed the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day into one of the city’s busiest times of the year for tourism and has become Nashville’s holiday tradition.

This year marks the Bowl’s 25th anniversary where fans have opportunity to vote on the 25th anniversary team and relive the Bowl’s top 25 moments.

Since its inception, the Bowl has produced nearly $400 million in direct economic impact to Nashville.

For more information on this year’s game, visit <www.

MusicCityBowl.com>.

Nashville PRIDE

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Nashville’s Nutcracker returns to TPAC

By Cass Teague Fresh off its Emmy Award win for the televised adaptation, Nashville’s Nutcracker is returning to TPAC December 9–24, 2022.

Deemed Music City’s favorite holiday tradition, this year’s production will feature the unique-tobeloved, Nashville story, plus live music by the Nashville Symphony and a brandnew Snow Scene.

“When I created this ballet almost fifteen years ago, I wanted to make it something unique to our community- something we could be proud of,” shared Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling.

“Over the years, it’s become so much more than that. It’s a tradition our dancers look forward to, an experience we share with family and friends, and most of all, an opportunity for us all to come together to celebrate the magic of the holidays and the beauty of dance.”

Inspired by the 1897 Centennial Exposition, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, Nashville’s Nutcracker showcases the unique history and cultural innovation of Music City. performance The begins with Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer at the Exposition, where they experience inventions from across the globe and see the beloved Nutcracker for the first time.

Along with the iconic land of sweets and sugar plum fairies, several Nashville treasures are featured throughout the performance, including Centennial Park and the Belle Meade Mansion.

Known for its eyecatching costumes and elaborate sets, this year’s attendees will get to experience the debut of a brand-new Snow Scene.

Inspired by the company’s Emmy Award-winning film adaptation of the beloved production, the new Snow Scene is designed to look as if you are staring into a piece of dark mica stone—with reflections and sparkles inside that make the dreamy costumes pop more to the audience. The new scene was created specifically for this production by renowned designer Campbell Baird.

Nashville’s Nutcracker will feature Nashville Ballet company dancers, the artists of NB2, a youth cast of students from School of Nashville Ballet, Rejoice School of Ballet, and the Hispanic Family Foundation, and live music by the Nashville Symphony. A complete holiday experience, guests will also be able to enjoy several pre-performance activities, including a commemorative photo booth, meet and greets with characters from the production, and story times hosted

by Nashville Ballet teaching artists.

Nashville’s Nutcracker is sponsored in part by the Tennessee Titans.

For more information, please visit: nashvilleballet.com.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased there.

Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director Paul Vasterling.

Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 55,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through virtual and in-person season performances and its Community Engagement programming. Curriculum-based Community Engagement programs bring dance education to

See Claudia Monja and Owen Thorne dancing in Nashville’s Nutcracker at TPAC this month. community centers, col- brings world-class dance leges, public libraries, instruction to students and public elementary, ages 2 and up. To learn middle, and high schools more about Nashville across the state. School Ballet, please visit: of Nashville Ballet nashvilleballet.com.

Year-In-Review ACROSS 1. Use a bayonet 5. *Late Saget 8. Greek salad staple 12. Meal in a shell 13. Lowest brass 14. Like daytime energy 15. *2022 16. Van Gogh’s famous flower 17. Poodle minus d 18. *Late Queen 20. Volcano off Sicily coast 21. Leaves out 22. Elf’s distinctive body part 23. *Olympic host 25. *Russia’s target 29. Black sheep sound 30. Treat badly 33. Reason for Thanksgiving 34. Carl Jung’s inner self 36. “But I heard him exclaim ‘___ he drove out of sight, “Merry Christmas...”

37. Pick on 38. Pro ____ 39. Bank, usually 41. Driver’s aid 42. Jalopy 44. Back of the neck, pl.

46. Finish line 47. Fur of the marten 49. Paul Bunyan story, e.g.

51. *Economic woe 55. Faultfinder 56. Tropical edible root 57. Soreness 58. Irretrievable loss 59. Gator’s cousin 60. *Super Bowl winners 61. Undertaking 62. “For ____ a jolly good..”

63. Archaic form of do, second person singular DOWN 1. Eyelid affliction 2. Asian weight unit 3. Smoothie bowl flavor 4. Russian hunting sighthound

5. Chemistry lab measuring device 6. Parting words 7. New Year’s Eve get-together, e.g.

8. Running competition 9. *Twitter’s new proprietor 10. Western Samoan money 11. “____ you ready?”

13. Relating to shinbone 14. Asparagus unit 19. Amnion, pl.

22. Barely obtain 23. Erie or Suez 24. Port-au-Prince country 25. Like something vintage, usually 26. About to explode 27. Olfactory organs 28. Athos’ or Porthos’ weapon 29. Throw up 31. Lecherous look 32. Funereal container 35. *Tom Cruise’s callsign 37. “____-____-la” 39. Type of Christmas lights 40. All together 43. T-shirt style 45. Small bomb 47. Rabbit trap 48. 1970s big dos 49. “Musical” constellation 50. Dollar bills 51. 7-year affliction 52. International Civil Aviation Org. 53. Electrical resistance units 54. Egg holder 55. 100 lbs.

Solutions from last puzzle

Nashville PRIDE

Page 8

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December 9, 2022

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