Nashville PRIDE August 8, 2023 Edition

Henrietta Lacks’ family settles lawsuit with biotech company See page 2

ONLY

Record 29 people died in Tennessee mass shootings this year See page 3

See page 7

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volume XXXvii, Number 31

Nashville, TN

August 4, 2023

Bordeaux citizens question new recycling center Tennessee families People Are Talking

save on state, local grocery sales tax through October

Tennessee families will save lots during the state’s three-month grocery tax suspension, that runs through October 31.

This year, Gov. Lee and the General Assembly passed the Tennessee Works Tax Act, which includes the three-month grocery tax suspension. During the tax holiday, Tennesseans are expected to save an estimated $273 million in taxes total.

“We’re inviting Tennesseans to take advantage of savings at the grocery store this August through October,” said Gov. Lee. “I thank the General Assembly for partnering to deliver three months of savings for Tennessee taxpayers.”

The three-month grocery tax holiday will give Tennesseans the opportunity to save up to 6.75% in state and local option sales tax on food and food ingredients.

Food and food ingredients are defined as liquid, concentrated, solid, frozen, dried, or dehydrated substances that are sold to be ingested or chewed by humans and are consumed for their taste or nutritional value. Food and food ingredients do not include alcoholic beverages, tobacco, candy, or dietary supplements.

Texas police mistakenly hold Black family at gunpoint in traffic stop mishap

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Police officers in Frisco, Texas, mistakenly held a Black family at gunpoint after a typo led them to believe their car was stolen.

The disturbing incident, which took place on July 23, was captured on multiple officers’ body cameras, and has sparked outrage and concern over racial profiling and police procedures.

The emotional footage showed members of the Frisco Police Department demanding the family exit their car.

The family, a husband, wife, son, and nephew, identified themselves, with the boys identified as 12 and 13 years old.

One officer even pointed his gun at one of the children, eventually handcuffing him.

At one point during the ordeal, the officer who ran the incorrect plates admitted her mistake.

“It looks like I made a mistake. So I ran it ‘AZ’ for Arizona instead of ‘AR,’ and that’s what happened,” she said, according to Continued on page 5 The Nashville PRIDE Newspaper is on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: @pridenews

Printed on 100% recycled paper

Pride Newsdesk In a spirited community meeting held at Metro Nashville’s Hartman Park Center last Thursday, July 27, a wide-ranging discussion about the forthcoming recycling center on Ashland City Highway North of the city was held. At issue was whether or not this is the same game of dumping on Bordeaux that has been fought for decades, but disguised as the creation of and operation of a recycling center.

The call for questioning the new facility went out with a poignant plea.

“The blatant disrespect and disregard for the residents in Bordeaux continues in what can be considered as surreptitious negotiations to continue to expand the Waste Management Dump under the guise of a C and D (Construction and Demolition) recycling treatment center within the same site as the existing dump is inexcusable,” said the sponsor of the forum.

“This recycling center is being built as we speak, scheduled to open in September, although discussions and approval of the center comes as complete shock to the majority of the Bordeaux community who thought that expansion of the dump was a dead issue. Once again, the feelings and consideration of the residents of Bordeaux are trivialized and ignored.

Bordeaux Landfill Continuing to give Bordeaux anything ers, members of the affected North that other districts don’t want is a prac- Nashville community. tice that doesn’t seem to be going “Wake up residents and supporters away.” of Bordeaux and act in the best of your The meeting was held with a stirContinued on page 5 ring personal invitation by the organiz-

U.S. Department of Justice launches civil rights ‘Pattern or Practice’ investigation into Memphis Police Department

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee have launched an investigation to determine a pattern of civil rights violations allegedly committed by the Memphis Police Department.

The investigation comes in the wake of the fatal police beating of Tyree Nichols, the 29-year-old Black man whom police beat, tasered, and pepper-sprayed during a traffic stop earlier this year.

Nichols died three days later, sparking a civil rights probe.

Clarke and Ritz said authorities are looking into conduct within the police force that might violate the Constitution or federal civil rights statutes.

“The tragic death of Tyre Nichols created enormous pain in the Memphis community and across the country,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated.

“The Justice Department is launching this investigation to examine serious allegations that the city of Memphis and the Memphis Police Department engage in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct and discriminatory policing based on race, includ-

ing a dangerously aggressive approach to traffic enforcement.

“We are committed to working cooperatively with local officials, police, and community members to conduct the thorough and comprehensive review that the residents of Memphis deserve.”

Clarke emphasized that the Nichols case did not solely prompt the investigation.

Instead, she claimed that numerous reports of officers allegedly escalating encounters with community members and using excessive force sparked it.

“There are also indications that officers may use force punitively when faced with behavior they perceive to be insolent,” Clarke said.

The DOJ had previously agreed to review the Memphis Police Department’s specialized units at the request of Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland and Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn ‘C.J.’ Davis.

Clarke highlighted a concerning disparity, noting that despite Memphis being a majority Black city, the police Continued on page 5

Concerns mount among Democrats as Black voter turnout drops, impacting Biden’s reelection bid

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Democrats are increasingly worried about a potential drop in Black voter turnout next year, particularly among Black men, their most loyal constituency, who played a pivotal role in securing President Biden’s victory in 2020 and are crucial to his bid for reelection.

The Washington Post analyzed the Census Bureau’s turnout survey and found that Black voter turnout saw a significant 10 percentage-point decline in last year’s midterms compared to 2018, a more substantial drop than among any other racial or ethnic group.

While Democrats initially downplayed these warning signals due to other victories in 2022, such as gaining a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and Sen. Raphael G. Warnock’s reelection in Georgia, the decline in Black turnout has become a significant concern for the party as they look ahead to the next presidential contest in 2024.

States like Georgia, which are crucial to Democrats’ strategy for mobilizing Black voters in significant numbers, saw lower turnout among younger and male Black voters in the midterms, according to internal party analysis.

W. Mondale Robinson, the founder

Also, as much as Biden has praised Black voters and the Black Press, the campaign has done little thus far to utilize Black-owned newspapers and media companies to help reach African Americans. of the Black Male Voter Project, highHe expressed disappointment that lighted the urgent turnout problem the Democratic Party seems more among Black men, telling the Post that focused on converting conservativemany are “sporadic or non-voters” leaning White women in the suburbs, registered but haven’t voted in recent Continued on page 5 presidential elections.

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August 4, 2023

Henrietta Lacks’ family settles lawsuit with biotech company, paving way for more claims, says Ben Crump, attorney

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent Living relatives of Henrietta Lacks have reached a confidential settlement with Thermo Fisher Scientific, the multi-billion-dollar biotechnology company that has used regenerative cells taken from Lacks decades ago without her consent.

The settlement sets a precedent, potentially leading to complaints seeking compensation and control of Lacks’ cells, famously known as ‘HeLa’ cells, the world’s first cells capable of replicating outside the human body.

Represented jointly by attorney Ben Crump, renowned for his advocacy for Black victims of police violence, and attorney Chris Seeger, known for leading significant class action lawsuits in U.S. history, the family called a news conference in Baltimore on August 1, which coincides with what would have been Lacks’ 103rd birthday.

“The parties are pleased that they were able to find a way to resolve this matter outside of court and will have no further comment about the settlement,” Crump and Seeger wrote in a news release.

The Lacks family’s lawsuit addressed a problem that had persisted for 70 years following the unlawful removal of Henrietta Lacks’ cells while she was receiving cervical cancer treatment Johns Hopkins at Hospital.

The family argued that the cells rightfully belong to Lacks and that companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific should pay for using them in research and product development.

In a 2022 interview, Crump called the situation “indicative of the Black struggle for equality and respect in America—because it’s a racial justice issue when you think about it in the purest form. The children of Henry Ford are able to benefit from his contributions to the

world.”

Thermo Fisher Scientific, in its defense, contended that Lacks’ descendants waited too long to take legal action and that other companies worldwide also use HeLa cells without the family’s consent.

Lacks’ cancer treatment in 1951 was unsuccessful, and she tragically succumbed to the disease a few months after her diagnosis.

Following her death, researchers at Johns Hopkins discovered that the cells sampled from Lacks’ cervix could regenerate outside the human body.

They shared those groundbreaking cells, which were instrumental in developing polio and COVID-19 vaccines and the world’s most common fertility treatment.

Crump has noted that other companies besides Thermo Fisher Scientific sell Lacks’ cells, and biotech companies and labs globally use them for various types of research.

The family has sig-

Historically Black collegiate fraternity relocates convention due to Florida’s “harmful, racist, and insensitive” policies

by Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire senior national correspondent The oldest historically Black collegiate fraternity in the United States, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, has announced that it will move its planned 2025 convention from Florida to an alternate location.

The decision comes as a response to what the fraternity describes as “harmful, racist, and insensitive” policies implemented by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration towards African Americans.

The convention, which typically draws between 4,000 and 6,000 attendees and reportedly has an economic impact of $4.6 million, has been a significant event for the fraternity.

However, the recent travel advisory for Florida issued by the NAACP and other civil rights organizations has raised concerns about the state’s stance towards African Americans, people of color, and the LGBTQ+ community.

In a statement, Willis Lonzer, the fraternity’s general president, said that part of their motivation for relocating the convention is Florida’s new education standards.

The new standards mandate that middle school teachers instruct students on the idea that enslaved people developed skills for their benefit.

The fraternity strongly disagrees, viewing it as an attempt to downplay the horrors of slavery and its enduring impact on African Americans.

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

Table of Contents Front Page .......................... 1 National .............................. 2 Local.................................... 3 Editorials ............................ 4 Continuations ..................... 5 Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit ........ 6 Leisure ................................ 7

Henrietta Lacks that’s genetic makeup is afford proper medical that important to the [care], you know, it’s world,” Lacks’ grand- like she’s on the auction son, Ron Lacks, said in block,” he said. an earlier interview.

“You know, as loving “When people are as my grandmother was, profiting from her, and she would have definitesome of my family ly said, ‘Well, what members can’t even about her family?’”

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The decision comes as a response to what the fraternity describes as “harmful, racist, and insensitive” policies implemented by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration towards African Americans.

“Although we are travel advisories for moving our convention Florida, pointing to the from Florida, Alpha Phi state’s recent laws and Alpha will continue to policies that they support the strong advo- deemed hostile to marcacy of Alpha Brothers ginalized communities. and other advocates Among these laws fighting against the con- were restrictions on tinued assault on our diversity, equity, and communities in Florida inclusion programs in

by Gov. Ron DeSantis,” state colleges, bans on Lonzer said. critical race theory, and DeSantis, vying for implementing the Stop the 2024 GOP presiden- WOKE Act, which limtial nomination, has ited specific race-based faced criticism from var- conversations and analyious quarters, including sis in schools and busia fellow Republican, nesses.

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of Concerns were also South Carolina, the sole raised over laws impactBlack Republican in the ing immigrants in FloriSenate. da and restricting disIn response, DeSan- cussions on LGBTQ tis defended Florida, topics in schools. stating that he was counAt least nine other tering “false accusations organizations or associaand lies” and pledging to tions have canceled their uphold the truth. conventions in Orlando In May, the NAACP, and Fort Lauderdale, along with the League of two of Florida’s major United Latin American convention cities, citing Citizens (LULAC) and Equality Florida, issued 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

Nashville PRIDE (USPS 003861) is published weekly for $40.00 for one year, $80.00 for three (3) years by Multicultural Media 5331 Mt View Rd #1072, Nashville, TN 37013. Periodicals Postage Paid at Nashville TN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Multicultural Media PO Box 60487, Nashville, TN 37206. Service by NNPA wire. Articles submitted for publication are subject to editorial rights of Multicultural Media. Multicultural Media accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to unsolicited articles, photographs, or art. For subscriptions and advertising rates call: (615) 292-9150. E-mail - News and Editorials: npnews@ comcast.net Advertising: prideads@comcast.net.

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naled that they also may act against those companies.

For decades, Lacks’ contributions to science remained unrecognized.

However, Maryland Democratic Rep. Kweisi Mfume and fellow Maryland Democrats U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin have introduced legislation seeking to award Lacks a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously.

The lawmakers said the goal is to ensure her contributions are honored and acknowledged for generations, as the cells she unknowingly provided continue to benefit millions worldwide.

Lacks’ story has since become a best-selling book and, in 2017, Oprah Winfrey starred in the big screen biopic, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

“It’s a real honor to have a family member

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Local

Cancer… My Journey in time Women in the pulpit

by Wanda Clay We used to hear a lot about women being in the pulpit. Maybe not so much that we used to, as it was that women were not allowed or welcomed in the pulpit. Currently, it is normal to hear and see women in pulpits; although, certainly it is still a practice in some churches that we may not even know about.

Just as concerning other rights, women being welcomed to the pulpit has come a long way. But that’s a talk for another day.

Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor of Corinthian Baptist Missionary Church, is maintaining his health during his journey with stage four lung cancer. This past week, he went for a four month CT scan.

After being off of cancer medication for three months, he will receive the results next week. Friends, family

and Rev. Fuzz expect that he should receive a good report regarding the cancer while he has remained off those specific medications. With that being the constant prayer, all are also prayerful that he will eliminate other medications as well.

During the month of August, Pastor Fuzz will be taking a break from the pulpit. He has designated the month as ‘Women’s Month’ at Baptist Corinthian Church. The upcoming Sunday worship service for August 6 will see the sermon delivby Vanessa ered Croney. She will also administer the Communion Ordinance following the sermon.

After the recogniof Women’s tion Month, Rev. Fuzz will return to the pulpit in September. Just as every year, Corinthian will observe Rev. Enoch Fuzz’s anniver-

Rev. Enoch Fuzz sary in the ministry.

His 50th year will be celebrated September 23.

Continue to pray for Rev. Fuzz, his healing and for his upcoming report. As we remember that Rev. Fuzz has been in the ministry for 50 years, it is also to be noted that he will celebrate a birthday in September as well. Daily prayers for others are also observed by Rev. Fuzz.

Keep viewing his posts on Meta and be informed and encouraged by reading the weekly column ‘Cancer: My Journey in Time.’

Tennessee Titans to host master class for small and minority business owners

by Cass Teague As part of its ONE Community program, the Tennessee Titans will host a four-part readiness master class for small and minorityowned businesses, in partnership with the Business Nashville Incubation Center and Don Hardin Group. The tailored, four-part class series will provide business owners and contractors with the tools to build capacity and gain insight on preparing for contracting bids in order to better position themselves for large-scale construction projects, such as the new Titans stadium. The monthly series begins August 17, with meetings on the 3 rd Thursdays, except October, on the 4 th Thursday.

“The construction of the new stadium is the largest opportunity for inclusion to date in the state of Tennessee, and with the leadership of our owner, Amy Adams Strunk, our organization is committed to maximizing small and minority owned business participation on this project,” said Johari Matthews, Titans Vice President, Executive Director of the Titans Foundation. “We also

Johari Matthews, Titans VP, Executive Director of the Titans Foundation. want to ensure that we small and minorityare creating lasting owned businesses, and impact in our communi- the Titans Economic Program, ty even beyond the stadi- Inclusion um project, and prepar- which commits to an ing these businesses and $18 / hour minimum contractor for large- wage for employees and scale projects through a workforce developthis master class is a ment program to be great step forward announced soon.

The curated worktowards that goal.”

The master class is a shop series will empowcomponent of the er and equip minorityTitans’ ONE Communi- owned businesses and through ty platform focusing on contractors Opportunity for small instruction and mentorand minority owned ship by experienced businesses. Other pro- industry leaders. Attengrams focused on dees will also have the Opportunity include the opportunity to network 1st and Goal Small Busi- with instructors and speness Support Program, cial guests in a dinner which creates a $2 mil- immediately following lion fund with Citizens each session.

Bank for loans and Continued on page 5 grants for qualified

TSU’S men’s initiative program fosters bonds, personal growth

TSU junior Emmanuel Strickland, right. who is a current member of the G.A.P noted that he looks forward to being a program mentor next year.

by Alexis Clark upcoming school year.

Within the Men’s Ini- Reflecting on his journey, tiative Graduation Accel- DeBerry revealed that he eration Program (G.A.P.), had participated in the a bond was forged program last year and between Tennessee State experienced firsthand University students and how it guided students their dedicated advisors. through the maze of life’s These advisors are challenges. more than mentors; they Now DeBerry has became father figures to stepped into a leadership students like Dwight role as one of five lead DeBerry II, a TSU junior student mentors in the hailing from Memphis program. who holds the title of “It’s more than a Mister Junior for the blessing to have three

father figures (the advisors) at all times to guide you through whatever you’re going through at school,” he said. “I appreciate the men’s initiative program because I came from humble beginnings. I never envisioned the man that I am becoming today.”

The 5-week summer program welcomed a cohort of 22 young male students this summer.

The participants engage in profound conversations about personal growth, responsibility, integrity, and learning how to navigate life while homing in on their conflict resolution abilities.

Heading the Men’s Initiative are program coordinators Martez Safold, Walter Dirl, and Dr. Andre Bean, accompanied by their newest advisor, DeSean Keys.

Bean, who is the director of the Men’s Initiative, said the program offers a curriculum designed to challenge and inspire its participants. “The proContinued on page 5

Page 3

Nashville PRIDE

Record 29 people died in Tennessee mass shootings this year The mass shooting at The Covenant School that left six people dead, including three nineyear-olds, shocked families throughout Tennessee this spring. But the tragedy at Covenant wasn’t the state’s first (or last) mass murder with a firearm this year.

State gun violence statistics, compiled by a new website, show that the March school shooting is only one grizzly event an epidemic of gun violence that has been increasingly endangering families in the state for more than a decade.

In fact, with five months left in 2023, Tennessee has already set a new annual record for the number of people who have been killed in mass shootings: 29.

Children accounted for more than a third of these homicides. <TNUnderTheGun. com>, a new project by the Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus, is tracking shootings like these throughout the state and compiling data to show the far-reaching consequences of deadly gun violence.

Since Jan. 1, there have been at least 13 mass shootings in Tennessee resulting in the deaths of 19 adults and 10 children, as well as bullet wounds for 45 additional adults and four children.

The previous death toll record was set in 2021, when 15 mass shootings in Tennessee resulted in 20 deaths and 52 firearm injuries. Last calendar year, there were 17 mass shootings with 12 deaths and 57 injuries.

Mass shootings are defined as a shooting incident where at least four people are injured or killed, not including the shooter.

Additionally, there have been three mass murders with a firearm (defined as four or more people killed excluding the assailant) in 2023, the most since at least 2014: The Covenant School shooting and two murder-suicide, family annihilation events.

The website shows the majority of mass shootings have taken place in Memphis, but these horrific events have occurred in all three grand divisions and in both urban and rural communities.

Tennessee’s first mass shooting this year happened in January in the town of Luttrell, Tenn., where a 52-yearold man shot four children, including two fiveyear-old girls, a nineyear-old girl and a 15year-old girl, before setting their home on fire and fatally shooting himself. His wife reportedly told TBI agents that her husband had been saying there was a “devil in his head” telling him

Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows issues statement on Margolin Hebrew Academy shooting Melissa Alexander, one of the founding parents of Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows, issued the following statement after a recent shooting outside the Margolin Hebrew Academy– Feinstone Yeshiva of South in the Memphis: “Our family, having lived in Memphis for more than 15 years, is saddened to learn of the incident at the Margolin Hebrew Academy in East Memphis. We and others know too well the pain of a school shoot-

ing, especially targeting a specific religious community, and we are grateful that there were no injuries at the school. Yet, this was too close. We need to keep guns away from people who are a threat to themselves or others. This incident underscores the need for action during the coming special legislative session to prevent an active shooting, and we urge the legislature and Gov. Lee to find common ground to keep this from happening in our state.”

to harm himself.

The mass shootings seen in Tennessee this year are a horrific reflection of larger trends seen in recent crime data.

Tennessee’s gun violence epidemic is getting worse and more children are dying because of it.

Between 2011 and 2021, the rate of firearm homicides for children, ages 0–17, increased 155%, according to CDC data included on <TNUnderTheGun.com >. Tennessee had the fifth highest rate of firearm homicides for children in the nation.

The young, developing bodies of children are uniquely vulnerable to gun violence. As firearm deaths have reached historic highs over the last decade, the Institute Sycamore reports that gunfire has become the leading cause of death among Tennessee children ages one to 18—more than traffic wrecks and cancer. <TNUnderTheGun.c om> is launching just weeks ahead of a special session promised by Gov. Bill Lee. Though the governor has not officially called the session, lawmakers are expected to return to the state capitol on Aug. 21 to debate various proposals related to ‘public safety.’

Lee, a Republican, had urged state lawmakers in the wake of The Covenant School shoot-

ing to pass legislation that would allow police to temporarily take firearms from a person who is threatening violence to others or harm to themselves.

Despite the slaughter of innocent children by gunfire, Republicans ended the session in April without taking action on the governor’s order of protection proposal nor any other gun safety measure that could prevent future shootings.

While members of the controlling party have spoken out against many evidence-based solutions, the public has shown consistent support for such policies, including ‘red flag’ laws, as well as many other common sense gun safety reforms. <TNUnderTheGun.c om> also includes a section featuring the results public opinion of research, which shows widespread, bipartisan support for gun safety reform. For example, a poll conducted in April showed: 88% of Tennesseans support universal background checks for gun purchases; 82% support safe storage laws; 70% support red flag laws, which allow police to remove firearms from dangerous individuals; and 70% oppose a move to lower Tennessee’s Continued on page 5

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Nashville PRIDE

Editorials www.pridepublishinggroup.com

August 4, 2023

ignoring road repairs Preserving a mother and son’s story in predominately Black communities

by William T. Robinson, Jr. How many times have you heard African Americans complaining about the poor condition of roads and streets in neighborhoods their compared to the preferential treatment predominantly White neighborhoods appear to receive?

It is not a figment of one’ imagination but a reality that continues to be a concerning problem.

If the state or city had to pay for every car that has been damaged (especially tire damage and front-end alignments), they would get a hefty bill for these cars. We have massive road repairs that quite evidently require immediate attention. Pot holes should be treated immediately, especially in high density traffic areas.

A pending argument is that Black people pay taxes just like their White counterparts, but their cries for road repairs in neighborhoods their seem to be ignored. Our roads take a back seat.

While many of the residents in Tennessee’s Black communities claim they report their concerns to council members or to (Tennessee TDOT Department of Transportation), the road hazards in the form of pot holes don’t seem to be a priority. They often take sometimes weeks, months to fix—if they’re ever fixed at all. By then, extensive unnecessary damage is done to many of the cars in that particular neighborhood.

The cry is ‘who do you hold accountable?’ Is it one’s council member, perhaps TDOT? Maybe it’s the residents in the community for not being enough. vociferous Maybe businesses are to blame that allow paths to their businesses to be riddled with potholes, vio-

William T. Robinson, Jr. lating the safety of their potential customers.

There is enough blame to go around, but common sense dictates that potholes jeopardizing the safety of drivers, regardless of the neighborhood, should get immediate attention.

In some affluent areas, all that is needed to rectify a hazardous road condition is a phone call.

One would assume that when you elect officials to represent your community, they should be the ones to weigh in on your behalf. Your welfare should be their primary duty. Think about that when you consider candidates that are best qualified to represent you.

You don’t need someone who makes excuses and passes the buck, but someone who can do whatever is necessary to resolve your road problems expeditiously.

We must also advocate that our city and state exercise fair operating procedures in making sure all communities are treated equally, regardless of one’s zip code.

The special treatment given to opulent, upperclass, dominate White communities is obvious and a slap in the face to taxpaying residents in economically disadvantaged communities that are too often overlooked or ignored. Even when the proper authorities are contacted concerning communities, certain

many times excuses are made and a significant time lapse exists before the problems concerning hazardous road conditions are resolved.

Such is the case on Clarksville Highway, a Black predominately community (Bordeaux) which is undergoing road construction to widen the road. Many residents’ cars have been damaged by potholes going untreated for a significant amount of time on the Clarksville Highway.

This is unacceptable because we all know this would not have happened in other parts of Nashville such as Brentwood, Green Hills, or Belle Meade.

Inconveniencing or ignoring certain communities while prioritizing others is wrong and should be looked into.

Unfortunately, Bordeaux in Northwest Nashville has historically been a dumping ground for projects rejected by other communities. It has been often overlooked and open to blatant disrespect and underdevelopment.

Many claim the fault for problems plaguing Black communities (i.e., road hazards) falls primarily on poor representation by elected officials in those communities. If that is the case, Bordeaux and other communities should be more diligent in the people they elect to public office.

In all fairness to the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee, there is an emergency (TDOT} hotline number you can call as well as online forms for reporting pot holes and other road hazards. You can even file a car damage claim which is investigated on a carto-car basis. If this is the case, why does treating road hazards continue to remain a problem in so many communities?

‘No labels’ – just more political nonsense

by Rev. Jesse Jackson (TriceEdneyWire.com) – Labels, as all consumers discover, are just packaging. And truth in packaging is almost a contradiction in terms.

The purpose of packaging is to make a sale, not admit the truth.

The political group that calls itself ‘No Labels’ is a perfect example. Its name, game, and claim all are poll driven and message centered.

The billionaire-funded group praises bipartisanship as an end in itself.

Now it is toying with running a Third Party candidate for president by peddling West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin as a ‘centrist,’ running on a manifesto entitled, inevitably, ‘Common Sense.’ The manifesto offers up a series of poll-driven, carefully crafted policy positions, wrapped in pretty paper and designed to sell.

If there were truth in packaging, ‘No Labels’ would call itself ‘No Clue.’ It seems perversely blind to the reality we face.

America faces severe, simultaneous challenges, including what academics call a ‘polycrisis.’

They are pressing and apparent. Climate change threatens existence itself, with severe weather already savaging lives and communities.

Extreme inequality corrupts elections and subverts decent government.

The million plus lives lost to COVID have exposed our broken public health system. Our infrastructure is dangerously decrepit. Our healthcare system is simply unaffordable.

Systemic racism continues to mock the promise of equal justice under the law. We’re taking on both China and Russia, while fighting endless wars trying to police the world, a mission even our military,

the most expensive and powerful in the world, can’t afford.

We have guided missiles but misguided leadership.

How does ‘No Labels’ ‘Common Sense’ address these challenges?

Mostly by ignoring them.

On climate change, they worry not about the extreme weather but about the price of oil, wanting an ‘all of the above’ energy policy that polls well but utterly fails to address the crisis.

On extreme inequality, they say nothing. On infrastructure, they praise Joe Biden’s infrastructure act (while preposterously trying to take credit for it), without talking about how it is but a first step to what is needed. On health care, they offer traditional nostrums that won’t offend insurance companies and Big Pharma, and won’t take us any closer to affordable and comprehensive health care for all. Systemic racism or even the Supreme Court’s assault on civil rights goes unmentioned.

They embrace the impossible mission of policing the world, calling for even more money for the military while demanding deficit reductions. That puts Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block, which they imply but don’t admit, promising not to cut the benefits of those already or near retirement. If you’re 55 and under, look out.

Their remedy is not new ideas, but ‘bipartisanship.’ Bipartisanship polls well, but consider dealing with a Republican Party that overwhelmingly believes that the election in 2020 was stolen, that Donald Trump is innocent, that ‘wokeness’ is the greatest threat to America, that taxes should never be raised, that we spend too much on education and

Rev. Jesse Jackson too little on the military, that voter suppression and political gerrymandering is an imperative, that guns should be free and women’s bodies should be regulated.

We already suffer from the overwhelming bipartisan support for giving more money to the Pentagon, despite the fact that it is the greatest source of waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government. There is a bipartisan consensus not to move to Medicare for All, which is the only way for Americans to have good health care they can afford. There’s bipartisan support for the ‘all of the above’ energy policy that is contributing directly to accelerating and catastrophic climate change.

Their prospective presidential candidate offers not new leadership but business as usual.

Joe Manchin, who grew rich in the coal business, primarily uses his Senate seat to protect subsidies to coal and big oil, and to impede investment in renewable energy. He embraced the filibuster to block electoral reform to limit big money in politics.

‘Common sense?’

No, just more political nonsense. ‘No Labels?’

No, just no clue and no way out. Billionaires have the money to create a political party. Pollsters and message gurus can figure out how to package it. Venal politicians can test to see how they can profit from it. But don’t fall for it. This is just another beltway bandit con job that the country can’t afford.

by Ben Jealous At the heart of the story that President Biden preserved last week by creating our newest national monument are a mother and son, Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till. especially That’s moving for me because so much of my understanding of what the Tills endured and why their story remains essential today comes from my own mom’s experiences.

Like Emmett, she was in her early teens in 1955 and growing up in West Baltimore. The ritual he was taking part in by traveling from Chicago to Mississippi that summer was a universal one for Black kids living in destinations of the Great Migration, one that still happens today.

Despite the indignities of Jim Crow, everyone seemed safe when they went back to Grandma’s. Emmett’s torture and lynching by two White men incensed that he whistled at a White woman exposed the vulnerability of Blacks anywhere in the South. But rather than cower in response to the brutal murder, my mom and many other young Black people dove deeper into a lifelong struggle for civil rights.

Mamie Till’s courage to leave open her son’s casket so tens of thousands of mourners in Chicago and the entire world could see his bloated, disfigured corpse galvanized that growing civil rights

movement.

I went to Mississippi in my early 20s to organize opposition to the governor’s plan to close three Historically Black Colleges and turn their campuses into prisons.

Nearly 40 years later, I could still see the deep trauma in the souls of Black Mississippians who were Emmett’s age when he died.

One night, my dad called to ask me to leave the state, if only for a short time. “Your mom keeps having the same nightmare. She hasn’t slept for days,” he told me. “She keeps seeing your face on Emmett Till’s beaten body.”

The deep concern apparent in those dreams wasn’t irrational. The rhetorical violence of Crow always Jim accompanied the physical violence of lynchings. That culture persisted. The Jackson newspaper where I later worked got shot up in ‘drive-byes’ several times in much the same way a plaque at the place where Emmett’s body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River has been repeatedly vandalized (with that site now part of the national monument, those crimes will be a federal offense).

At a time when we see racist rhetoric and whistles find dog renewed popularity, the Tills’ story is a reminder to all of us that there’s a well-worn path from hateful language to violence to the murder of a 14-year-old boy. As it’s been since colonial

Ben Jealous times, that rhetoric exists to divide poor and working-class people of all races so that they can’t unify around the political and economic interests they all share.

There are signs of hope, even in Mississippi. In November, the state could elect a populist Democrat as its governor, unseating the Republican heir of the governor I opposed 30 years ago who revived racist rhetoric from that high office.

We create national parks and national monuments to preserve places, people and ideas that define who we are as a country.

Emmett Till should be alive and relatively anonymous in his 80s, not dead from an infamous attack. His mother should be remembered for anything other than making Americans look at just how cruel they can be.

Being able to visit where Emmett’s body was recovered, where he was eulogized, and where an all-White jury acquitted his killers gives us the chance to measure how far we’ve come and accept how far we’ve left to go.

Politicians are not historians

by David W. Marshall (TriceEdneyWire.com) – The College Board is a nonprofit organization that runs an association of institutions, including over 6,000 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational entities as part of its membership.

It develops and administers standardized tests and curricula used by K-12 and post-secondary education institutions nationally.

While the College Board provides resources and services to students, parents, and universities in promoting college readiness, it has no predetermined political agenda. The same cannot be said for the Florida Department of Education, which oversees its state’s public K-12 and college education systems. The department is under the direct responsibility and control of the governor.

As of 2003, the commissioner of education, who manages the day-to-day operations of the school system, is no longer a position elected by the people.

It became an appointed position by the governor in addition to the six other members of the Board of Education. A governor is not a historian; therefore, providing an accurate depiction of history within a school curriculum should be left to those who are the most qualified to do so. By abusing his authority, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis adjusted the state’s education standards to align with his personal, politically, and racially motivated vision for a state “where woke goes to die.”

On July 19, the DeSantis-controlled Florida Board of Education approved new guidelines for its Black history curriculum requiring middleschool students to be instructed on how “slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” The new standards teach elementary school students how to identify famous African American individuals but do not push their knowledge beyond surface-level awareness. The public school teachers are pushing back on the weak and inaccurate guidelines. The same is true of the College Board, NAACP, and

David W. Marshall Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican U.S. senator.

“We resolutely disagree with the notion that enslavement was in any way a beneficial, productive, or useful experience for African Americans,” the College Board said in a statement to USA Today. “Unequivocally, slavery was an atrocity that cannot be justified by examples of African Americans’ agency and resistance during their enslavement,” While the new guidelines still allow teachers to provide instruction about Black history in schools, the board opted to do so in a way that the NAACP says “convey a sanitized and dishonest telling of the history of slavery in America.”

These latest changes result from the state’s Stop Woke Act, enacted in July 2022. The law says discussions about race must be taught in an “objective manner” and should not be “used to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view.” It also states that students should not feel guilty for actions taken in the past by people of their same race or origin. This would not be necessary if the same history they are whitewashing focused on the stories of Whites, such as John Brown, who held antislavery views and was a leading figure in the abolitionist movement. Our public schools should not protect the interest of one race at the expense of another.

The true story of the Black experience in America has always been shallow, filled with omissions in history books.

The desire to develop a watered-down version of the truth is not just limited to Florida, and it predates the Stop Woke Act. Protecting the feelings of White students and their parents does not justify

denying Black students the uplifting and encouraging experience of knowing their ancestors’ full stories and contributions. For example, when presenting the painful facts in depth regarding the transatlantic slave trade, it illustrates to a Black student the strength, courage, and resilience of enslaved Africans from which they are an extension. That important connection for all Black students gets lost in the skimmed-over teaching of valuable history. The long list of Black massacres is unknown to most middle and high school students today. The Orange County Regional History Center in Florida called the 1920 Ocoee Massacre “the largest incident of voting-day violence in United States history.”

For high school students, the DeSantis-controlled Board of Education will now require events like the Ocoee Massacre to be depicted as an “act of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans. From the DeSantis version of the massacre, students may never know that the massacre was a White mob attack on Black residents in northern Ocoee.

The motive was to prevent Black citizens from voting in the 1920 presidential election. Most of the Black-owned buildings and residences were burned to the ground, and approximately 30 to 35 Blacks were killed. “Most of the people living in Ocoee don’t even know that this happened there,” said Pamela Schwartz, chief curator of the Orange County Regional History Center. Sadly, a culture of silence existed.

For almost a century, many descendants of survivors were not aware of the massacre that occurred in their hometown. The memories of the victims from 1920 don’t deserve to be forgotten and then misrepresented. In 1920, the culture of silence concerning Blacks came out of fear. A traumatized community may never heal when racially driven politicians and appoin-tees use their power and positions to perpetuate the white denial of the truth behind the sometimes-uncomfortable Black American experience.

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

August 4, 2023

www.pridepublishinggroup.com

Continuations

Page 5

Nashville PRIDE

Bordeaux citizens... from page 1 Memphis Police... from page 1 children and community for years to come in considering the environmental detriment, traffic congestion, and devaluation of your property this Waste that Center Management (Dump continuation) will bring to our community,” said an organizer. “An entire community of Black baby boomers that have been fighting this fight for decades needs your help.

They are being environmentally gentrified out of their community.

After finally stopping the expansion of the dump, the council is voting on bill BL2023-1993 to have all the Nashville and surrounding cities construction and recycling waste diverted to Bordeaux. Increasing dump truck traffic from 2 to 42 dump trucks an hour, during operating hours.

BL2023-1993 allows upwards of 1200 tons per day of trash into the Recycling Center WM setup at the landfill.

60% or roughly 700 tons per day cannot be recy-

cled and will be dumped onto the existing landfill. That means without appealing the court lose, they will have to be allowed to expand because we are NOT requiring them to neither sort and recycle existing landfill materials or send the 60% of new trash ( 700 + tons daily) to go to an alternate site outside the City.”

A previous meeting was held at Hadley Park, miles from the affected area, and several unanswered questions remain. As was put to the assembly: “Why are they allowing 700 tons of trash and day into a landfill that has been at capacity for years and has been denied expansion by the Solid Waste Regional Board, The City and a Judge’s ruling? Why did Metro Waste Services deny a study to see what other areas this could go into?

What are the incentives to developers & contractors to sort on site and recycle? What are the penalties to/and enforce-

ment capabilities of Metro Solid Waste?

What incentives and request for vendors / contractors (other companies that recycle) to come to Nashville and compete for these materials? Why has there been only one communimeeting with ty Bordeaux residents and on 2nd reading when admittedly this has been a 3-year in-house conversation? What companies other than WM have been contacted, and is there an official bidding process / RFP? What is the time line for other Districts to each receive their own facilities, and how is that determined? And, why wasn’t the lawsuit won against WM and the overall history of Bordeaux, its air quality, diminished land values, infringement on existing Wetlands and the Whites Creek water shed taken into account when giving WM a $47 million contract and a free pass to expand despite a court ruling?”

Texas police... from page 1 the footage.

The gravity of the situation hit the husband during the encounter, and he expressed his emotions, saying: “It could’ve gone all wrong for us, though. If I would’ve gone to reach for my phone, we could’ve all gotten killed,” before walking away in tears.

Frisco Police Chief David Shilson issued a statement in which the department admitted its error and vowed to accept responsibility.

“We will not hide from our mistakes.

Instead, we will learn from them,” Shilson said.

Frisco is a city about 30 minutes north of Dallas.

The officer who ran the incorrect plates also admitted her error.

Body camera footage captured the conversation between the officer

and the father as they attempted to explain the situation.

The officer told the man: “I ran your tag, and it came back to, associated essentially with no vehicle. So I confirmed it with my dispatch. I’m like, ‘That’s weird.’” after, the Soon footage appeared to feature another police officer saying in the background, “She ran it out of the wrong state.”

The officer who made the typo said: “AR, AR is Arkansas, correct?”

Another officer responded: “It’s Arizona, though. It’s not Arizona.”

“Oh, I see what you’re saying,” the officer said. “That’s on me.”

As the father and boy got out of the car, the footage showed an officer explaining the mistake to the young boy, who was crying in the

back of the car. The officer said: “We’re so sorry you had to go through that.”

The video ended with the officer, who made the error, shaking hands with the husband after he calmed down.

The husband told the officer: “It’s all good.” department The promised a thorough review of the incident and committed to implementing necessary training, policies, and procedures changes to prevent similar occurrences.

Shilson apologized on behalf of the department and emphasized a dedication to holding themselves accountable and ensuring transparency throughout the investigation process.

The incident has again brought concerns about racial profiling and the use of force by law enforcement agencies.

Master class... from page 3 The schedule is as follows: Class I: A Deep Dive into Accessing Capital, Bank Lines of Credit & Financial Tools – Thursday, August. 17, 2 – 6 p.m.

Class II: How to Access Surety Bonds – Thursday, September 21, 2 – 6 p.m.

Class III: Identifying Mentorship & Business Support Networks – Thursday, October 26, 2 – 6 p.m.

Class IV: Tools for Building a Skilled & Efficient Workforce – Thursday, November 16, 2 – 6 p.m.

Registration opened

July 31 at www.tennesseetitans.com/oneco mmunity. The class is free of charge, with a capacity of 75 attendees for each session. Small and minority-owned businesses and contractors need to register for each individual session that they are interested in attending. Questions on the class can be directed to nbic@nbiconline.com.

ONE Community is the Tennessee Titans’ multi-faceted philanthropic platform that reaches Nashville’s most underrepresented and marginalized communities with a focus on three

areas – Opportunity, Neighborhoods and Education. The Nashville Business Incubation Center (NBIC) is the leading business development resource center in Middle Tennessee for small businesses to grow sustainable companies that ultimately create jobs and wealth. Learn more at www.nbiconline.com.

Established in 2001, Don Hardin Group is a construction consulting and project management firm, which specializes in Owner’s agent services. For more information visit www.donhardingroup.com.

Men’s initiative... from page 3 gram also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary learning, encouraging participants to make connections across different fields of study,” Bean said. “Through a comprehensive curriculum, community engagement, and mentorship opportunities, the program aims to empower young men to reach their full potential. With each passing year, the program continues to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders.”

Understanding the significance of financial well-being, the G.A.P. program also emphasized financial literacy. The participants were equipped with practical skills during week one to manage their finances effectively.

TSU junior Emmanuel Strickland who is a current first-time member, said so far the program has instilled the importance of budgeting, saving and setting a

strong foundation for their financial future.

Strickland, also known as “Mille Manny” said he appreciates how knowledgeable the first week has been related to his endeavors. Strickland of Memphis is studying business information systems and is pursuing a career as a singer and songwriter. “The first week has already shown me how to have long term success,” Strickland said. “As young Black men, we need this. It’s important for TSU to have a program like this,” he continued. “This is a

small step into creating generational wealth.”

Strickland also noted that he looks forward to being a program mentor next year.

“I’d love to keep adding value to this program.”

The Men’s Initiative Graduation Acceleration Program launched in 2019 and since then has shaped many alumni throughout their college years. The program has also set alums on a path towards success, with support of their advisors, mentors, and cherished memories.

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department’s traffic enforcement disproportionately targeted the Black community.

She noted that officers were accused of using force against individuals already restrained or in custody, often resulting in serious physical injuries.

The scope of the new investigation will encompass the department’s overall conduct, Clarke said.

The DOJ will determine whether the police department engaged in unlawful stops, excessive force, and racially discriminatory policing practices against the city’s Black residents.

Nichols’ family has filed a $550 million lawsuit against the city of Memphis, Police Chief Davis, the five officers involved in Nichols’ death, two additional officers, and three Memphis Fire Department employees.

The lawsuit accuses the city of negligence in hiring Chief Davis and blames her for lax hiring processes.

It also addresses the development of the SCORPION Unit’s “oppression style of policing” and inadequate training.

The five officers facing criminal prosecution for Nichols’ death were members of the SCORPION Unit and have pleaded not guilty to and other murder charges.

“I know this community is still hurting after the tragic death of Tyre Associate Nichols,” Attorney General Vanita Gupta said. “At the Justice Department, we are committed to using all our tools to help ensure that Memphis residents have a safe community and can trust in the actions of law enforcement.”

Clarke added that

every person is entitled to constitutional and non-discriminatory policing.

“Based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information provided to us, there are grounds to open this investigation now,” Clarke said.

“We have reviewed information that indicates that the Memphis Police Department may be using an approach to street enforcement that can result in violations of federal law, including racially discriminatory stops of Black people for minor violations.

“The Justice Department will conduct a thorough and objective investigation into allegations of unlawful discrimination and Fourth Amendment violations. policing Unlawful undermines community trust, which is essential to public safety.”

Black voter turnout... from page 1 considering Black men as potential swing voters who need targeted efforts to be mobilized.

In response to the growing concern, Biden’s political team acknowledged the issue and pledged to act, especially among younger Black men.

Cedric L. Richmond, a former Biden adviser now serving as a senior adviser at the Democratic National Committee, emphasized to the Post’s researchers the need to connect with Black voters, highlighting the benefits they have received from Biden administration policies.

The party aims to learn from past shortcomings and draw explicit connections between its policies and the well-being of Black communities.

The challenge is particularly acute among Black men who often feel alienated from the political process due to historical policies that increased incarceration and job losses in manufacturing sectors.

Many express disillusionment after experiencing upheaval from a global pandemic and witnessing escalating

violence in urban areas.

To win their support, Democrats must focus on highlighting specific policy benefits rather than solely concentrating on criticism of former President Trump and Republican extremism, the analysts found.

Despite Black women historically showing more robust voting enthusiasm, concerns over Black voter turnout also extend to this group.

Biden’s reelection garnered a tepid reaction in a Washington Post /Ipsos poll of Black Americans, with only 17% expressing enthusiasm about another term.

The poll also revealed that most Black Americans wouldn’t consider voting for Trump, but a significant portion is not enthusiastic about Biden’s reelection.

Terrance Woodbury, chief executive of HIT Strategies, a polling firm focused on young, nonWhite voters, warned liberal groups of the urgency to convince Black voters that they have benefited from Biden’s time in office.

The messaging needs to shift from attacking

Trump to emphasizing policy benefits and addressing the belief among Black Americans that their votes don’t matter—a significant barrier to voter participation.

Brittany Smith, executive director of the Philadelphia-based Black Leadership PAC, which mobilizes Black voters, said she has noticed a shift in how Black people respond to get-out-the-vote efforts.

Also, as much as Biden has praised Black voters and the Black Press, the campaign has done little thus far to utilize Black-owned newspapers and media companies to help reach African Americans.

“Everybody knows that there’s no path, whether it’s President Biden or any other Democrat, federal or state, there’s no path to win that does not involve massive turnout from Black voters,” Cliff Albright, cofounder/executive director of Black Votes Matter.

“But they can’t just think that it’s just going to happen on its own.

They’ve got to invest in making that happen.”

Convention relocates... from page 2 concerns over the state’s political climate.

Florida remains a popular tourist destination, and tourism is a vital industry for the

state, providing 1.6 million full-time and parttime jobs.

Despite facing challenges during the pandemic, Florida’s tourism

sector bounced back, with over 137.5 million visitors in the last year, contributing $98.8 billion to the state’s economy in 2019.

Mass shootings... from page 3 legal age to carry a gun from 21 to 18.

Polling conducted by Vanderbilt University in the spring of 2023 similarly included questions about support for ‘red flag’ laws. The results showed that 75% of Tennesseans support red flag laws to prevent school shootings, including a strong majority (67%) of self-identified MAGA Republicans.

Unrelated to the launch of <TNUnderThe Gun.com>, the AP reported this week that

the first six months of 2023 have been the deadliest six months of mass killings recorded in the U.S. since at least 2006.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the nation endured 28 mass killings, defined as four or more people dying, not including the assailant, as a result of an attack.

Three of those mass murders were in Tennessee. All involved firearms. A prominent Repub-lican and parent, whose children were at

The Covenant School on March 27 when a shooter opened fire, featured prominently in the AP’s story.

“What a ghastly milestone,” said Brent Leatherwood.

“You never think your family would be a part of a statistic like that.”

Since the shooting at their Christian school, The Covenant School families have been working together to advocate for state reforms to curb gun violence.

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Page 6

Nashville PRIDE

Pastor, Pew, & Pulpit

Faith of A Mustard Seed

by Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. “BLACK people in the United States differ from all other modern people owing to the unprecedented levels of unregulated and unrestrained violence directed at them. No other people have been taught systematically to hate themselves —psychic violence —reinforced by the powers of state and civic coercion — physical violence —for the primary purpose of controlling their minds and exploiting their labor for nearly four hundred years. The unique combination of American terrorism — Jim Crow and lynching —as well as American barbarism —slave trade and slave labor —bears witness to the distinctive American assault on black humanity. This vicious ideology and practice of white supremacy has left its indelible mark on all spheres of American life —from the prevailing crimes of Amerindian reservations to the discriminatory realities against Spanish speaking Latinos to racial stereotypes against Asians.

Yet the fundamental litmus test for American democracy—its economy, government, criminal justice system, education, mass media, and culture—remains: how broad and intense are the arbitrary powers used and deployed against black people. In this sense, the problem of the twenty-first century remains the problem of the color line.” Cornel West “Race Matters” 1993.

While working the 2010 Decennial Census I soon discovered that there were only Five categories of Race that the United States maintains.

First on the list is White.

The most recent United States Census officially recognized Seven; White, Black, Latino, Asian, Native American/Alaska Nat-ive, and Native Hawaiian; as well as people of two or

Barbara A. Woods Washington, M. Div. more races.

I worked the area that Nashville has identified historically as ‘The Nations’; more so because most of the streets are named for States. But for the purpose of this information discovery, in 2010 the Nations was undergoing a major shift in race.

What had been since my years as a student at Tennessee State University a very clear line of demarcation between the TSU community and the Nations became my first time, in 2010… entering. My point here in the Census taking is that the vast majority of persons who I met were from South America.

More countries than I had ever been taught in any of my education But, I curriculums. found that while many of the women would identify with Latino, most all the South American men identified themselves as White.

So I am now thinking of how the Majority American population is ONLY “White”? What is “White Race” in America? First is the ‘knowledge come’ that the US Census Bureau maintains an “International Database” where World populations and Americans who ‘self identify’ their Ancestry is recorded. A press release at census.gov “Germanheadlined American Day: October 6, 2022” has first numbers found. In table data format listing…

42,220,180 million German Americans; with this statement “GermanAmericans now make up the largest selfreported ancestry group, which is around 44.2 million.” Separate... but Equal to —White in America.

The List continues: 31,825,171 million English Americans.

31,495,897 million Irish Americans. 15,947,138 Italian Americans.

8,237,026 million Polish Americans. 6,448,506 million French Americans. 5,244,788 million Scottish Americans.

Separate... but Equal to —White in America. I noticed that very blantantly missing from this data is the Russian American population.

Made me go hummmmm? All ‘Separate... but Equal’ to —White in America.

Black Nation now has a very HATE relationship with Cornel West since his ‘lone wolf’ voice as it stood against the Administration of President Barack Truth ProObama. claimed!

Prophetic Fire! Whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth; which Black Nation refuses to handle because, we “can’t handle the Truth”. Dick Gregory put it right, “Black Folk need to stop falling in love with Politicians”.

I believe Dr. West to be one of the most ‘Woke Men’ in the history of America. His “Race Matters” statement rings as loud as the Liberty Bell: “Yet the fundamental litmus test for American democracy—its economy, government, criminal justice system, education, mass media, and culhow ture—remains: broad and intense are the arbitrary powers used and deployed against black people. In this sense, the problem of the twenty-first century remains the problem of the color line.”

You can contact Rev. Barbara by email at: myfathersmansion press@gmail.com

Faithful utterances You might be a Pharisee if…

by Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew I was recently reminded of a book and comedy tour entitled ‘You Might be a Redneck If’ by Jeff Foxworthy which was wildly successful in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

Foxworthy shared these one-liners about his experiences that became common in culture and language. It reminded me of how quickly ideas, beliefs, and ways of thinking can spread.

For many Christians, many of the ideas we embrace go against the teachings of Christ. As much as we talk about the Pharisees of the Bible as if they existed in the past, I can confidently say that the beliefs and actions of that group of church leaders still exist today.

In Luke 11:37-54 and Matthew 23: 13-39, Jesus calls out the Pharisees.

In a culture that wants to feel good and get rich quickly, there is a lot that is missing in our character and our congregations. What we say we believe, and our actions often do not align. As I write this article, I, too, am not exempt from this reality check. The Pharisees were Synagogue-going, Torah-toting, and scripture-quoting individuals (sounds familiar?) who were so ready to condemn others but failed to see their own shortcomings.

How often do we do the same thing?

You Might be a Pharisee If… ‘You claim to love God but don’t love those whom God has created.’

“If anyone boasts that ‘I love God,’ and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the

person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people.

You’ve got to love both,” 1 John 4:20, MSG. We cannot hate people because of (name the identity or descriptor) and turn around and praise God. That’s hypocrisy.

You might be a Pharisee If… You are so fixated on your outer appearance and the appearance of others that you fail to see the toxic mess on the inside. We are too busy getting for ourselves instead of caring about others. “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?

But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you,” John 11:39.

You might be a Pharisee If… You talk about giving to God but fail to talk about giving justice to God’s children from your pulpit. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue, and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God,” John 11: 42. You emphasize your building funds, anniversaries, homecoming, and other opportunities for funding and fail to raise (and do something about) issues that impact those you serve.

You might be a Pharisee If… You love to be seen and want to be important, but no work backs it up.

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues

Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew and respectful greetings in the marketplaces,” John 11:43. In our society, everyone wants a title, but very few are willing to do the hard work, the behind the scenes work that doesn’t get glory or is a flattering shot for the Gram.

You might be a Pharisee If… You bring people to the church and then mistreat them.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are,” Matthew 23:15. They sing better or have a talent that outshines yours, instead of celebrating their gifts, you isolate them. The Pharisees lacked a relationship that could have changed their destiny. They were attending services and doing what they thought was right, and yet, God was in their presence— but they missed Him. Don’t miss God because of being blinded by tradition and rituals.

Be careful my friends, you just might be a Pharisee….

(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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expressions of Faith Way of God’s grace”

by Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. “Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound,” Romans 5:20.

God’s grace is unmerited favor!

Grace comes to those who receive it through Christ. We are saved by God’s grace for we are in Christ.

Christ’s good work gives us a divine reward not because we deserve it, but because of the work that Christ did to redeem mankind back to the Father. These are the merits of Christ that is our treasury. This is why we are the beneficiaries of the death of Christ because of His faithfulness.

“Those who are in Christ are saved and beneficiaries of Christ’s merit,” Ephesians 2:8.

We now have communion with God as the saints of God. He took on human sins and we benefited from it as the redeemed of the Lord.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, and has gathered them out of the lands, from the

east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south,” Psalm 107:23.

God saved us!

We have His steadfast love, His unfailing love, and His agape love—the highest form of love of God for mankind because we embrace a profound love, regardless of our differences and circumstances.

God says, ‘All I need you to do is come back to covenant with Me— back in the right relationship with Me. Don’t worry about the chariots and the horses. Don’t worry about the Babylon armies. Don’t worry about them, for I have overcome them and the way is already made. So don’t be afraid for I am with you.

Forget what happened before, and do not think about the past.

Look at the new thing I am going to do. It is already happening.

Don’t you see it? Roads in the desert for your direction and rivers in the dry land to quench your thirst—bread from heaven for you each day, and a savior Jesus the

Bishop-Elect Dr. Monterey D. Lee, Sr. Christ who will make all things possible for the way is already made. I will bring your children from the west. I will say north, give them up, south don’t hold them back, and east bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth.

Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed and made will come. For the way is already made. It is done!

Come back, return back to Me as Lord and the blessings of your forefathers will overtake and overflow in your life for this is the will of God for you as My spiritual family.’

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 Church of Scientology & 615-329-2779 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 with Wednesdays @ 12 noon Service every Sunday at 11AM gordonmemorialumc.org scientologyRev. Dr. Paula B. Smith, ccnashville.org Pastor Senior Pastor: Rev. Brian Fesler Jefferson Street MBC 2708 Jefferson Street Clark Memorial Nashville TN 37208 United Methodist 615-329-2990 Church Morning Worship: 1014 14th Ave. North Nashville, TN 37208 10 a.m.

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

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

International Church Sunday Worship 5100 Wyoming Ave. 11:00 a.m.

Nashville, TN 37209 Wed. Worship: 7:30 PM 615-297-7437 Rev. Enoch Fuzz, pastor Worship Times: Ezra Emmanuel 11:00 a.m. 7 p.m.

Ministries (1st & 2nd Sun.) 2606 Union Hall Rd. Bishop Adebanjo Clarksville, TN 37040 thelivingwordcogic.com www. ezraemmanuelmin.org Mt. Lebanon MBC 9 a.m. Sunday worship 222 Franklin Lime 6 p.m. Wednesday Stone Rd. Hr of Empowerment 11:00 a.m.

931-378-1092 worship service Overseer Danelle M. Stephens 615-596-0456 jamesgreen@yahoo.com Gospel United Rev. James J. Green, Missionary pastor Baptist Church 3700 Fairview Dr. Mt. Vernon MBC Nashville, TN 37218 1022 New 615-876-7022 Providence Pass 9:30 Sunday School Madison, TN 37115 Sunday Worship: Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

Pastor Carlos A. Jones 615-860-0213 Bishop Willie Joy, pastor mtvernon1022@cocast.net

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

August 4, 2023

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Deep Tropics Festival announces partnership with R.A.N.C.H. Projects Deep Tropics, praised by the New York Times and nominated by DJ Mag in the ‘Best Boutique Festival’ category, is the most sustainable event in the U.S.A. This renowned music arts festival and announces its new partwith the nership Project R.A.N.C.H. (Regenerative Agriculture, Nutrition, and Climate Health), part of leading superfood brand Ancient Nutrition’s dedication to sustainability and regenerative agriculture. This exciting collaboration brings together two organizations committed to environmental stewardship and a shared passion for prounique and viding immersive educational experiences to their audiences.

“We are excited to provide our fans the opportunity to visit the R.A.N.C.H. Project’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture this summer to have a hands-on experience of regenerative

agriculture. It is so important to reconnect with nature,” said Joel Atchison, co-founder of Deep Tropics.

The Center for Regenerative Agriculture is conveniently located in Summertown, Tenn., less than 60 miles from Nashville. The internationally recognized R.A.N.C.H. Project is at the forefront of sustainable practices.

With a commitment to becoming carbon negative, they are actively building topsoil and planting a million supertrees, food-bearing vines, shrubs and plants by the end of 2024.

Additionally, they cultivate a variety of tropical plants like Papaya and Passionfruit in their greenhouses.

Many of the R.A.N.C.H. Project’s tropical plants will travel to the Deep Tropics festival, where festival attendees will have the chance to interact with (even taste) the fruits of this collaboration.

The R.A.N.C.H. Project will have an onsite presence at the Deep Tropics. Attendees can visit the R.A.N.C.H. Project booth to learn more about their commitment to sustainability. They will offer Deep Tropics fans the opportunity to sign up for organized field trips to their farm this fall in Deep Culture’s 70 passenger school bus. These field trips will provide a distinct experience for participants, allowing them to witness firsthand the farming regenerative practices employed by the R.A.N.C.H. Project.

Participants can reconnect with nature and gain an experiential education in regenerative agriculture, while also contributing to Deep Tropics’ efforts to offset its carbon footprint through tree planting initiatives at the farm.

Entering its fifth year, part of what makes Deep Tropics so unique is their continual success of going beyond net zero

by producing a climate positive event for the third year in a row. These efforts are fueled by their non-profit organization Deep Culture, Inc. Deep Culture recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental care, personal well-being, and community engagement, and seeks to foster a transformative vision that promotes self-discovery, stronger community and environmental connections, and interactive experiences for personal and collective growth. Through Deep Culture, Deep Tropics has successfully diverted the majority of festival waste from landfills and offset their carbon footprint through tree-planting initiatives. Their program zero-waste achieved a remarkable 93% waste diversion in 2022.

Deep Tropics promises an exceptional experience with an outstanding lineup and captivating stage designs across three immersive stages:

Amazing August Art at the Frist Art Museum

by Cass Teague The Frist Art Museum presents Afrofuturistic Visions: Dreamscapes of Sicasso, a micro-exhibition that showcases the beauty of African American people, culture, and history.

The gifted artist Sicasso encourages those who witness her work to immerse themselves in dreamscape spaces. The interior Of the Frist Ninth Avenue Elevator features five vinyl prints of Sicasso’s art, as well as a colorful light display. The exhibition opens August 11, 2023 and closes July 28, 2024.

Guests will be taken on a visual journey through African American figures of power, resilience, and grace. In this retro-futuristic world, powerful Black characters take center stage, embodying strength, resilience, and creativity, exuding confidence and grace.

Inspired by the vibrancy of the 1970s, each character is meticulously crafted to reflect the rich history and diverse heritage of Black culture, paying homage to icons such as Angela Davis while envisioning a future where Black excellence thrives.

The surreal landscapes within Sicasso’s

Sicasso. The Culture, 2023. ( © Sicasso) dreamscapes are an the opportunity to curate, amalgamation of fantasy design, develop, and and reality. Utilizing market a program for a Midjourney via Discord, micro-exhibition featuran AI image generator, ing a local BIPOC artist.

As an abstract artist, Sicasso creates her stunning visuals by inputting Sicasso has always been descriptive phrases such drawn to the world of as “’70s African Ameri- color and form. Through can couple in a groovy her art and her creative rainbow room.” She talent agency, Siiik seamlessly blends the Agency – Captured by resulting psychedelic AI Sicasso, she has had the art with Afrofuturist ele- pleasure of networking ments, creating an other- with a diverse group of worldly experience that business owners, spreading light and love stimulates the senses.

Under the direction through her unique form of student curator of self-expression. Her Samaria Jones, Afrofu- abstract work reflects turistic Visions is the her dedication to captursecond micro-exhibition ing the beauty of the produced through Proj- world around her, and ect Uplift, an internship her agency serves as a that gives HBCU stu- platform to help other dents or recent graduates creatives shine their light

and take their talents to the next level.

Samaria Jones is from Gary, Indiana. Her passion for art started at a young age, when she would spend hours drawing and painting characters in her free time. She chose to study studio art at Tennessee State University because of its program’s reputation for producing talented artists. She believes that every person has a unique story to tell, and she wants to use her art to help them share it with the world. She believes that art can be a powerful tool for healing and self-expression, and she wants to use her talents to help others in need.

Last call for these exhibitions: Storied Strings: The Guitar in American Art Ingram Gallery, closes August 13; Ron Jude: 12 Hz, Gordon Contemporary Artists Project Gallery, closes August 13; Guitar Town: Picturing Performance Today, Conte Community Arts Gallery, closes August 20; 2023 Teens Take the Frist! in the Education Corridor, Upper Level closes September 3; and Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature, Upper-Level Galleries, closes September 17.

The Sporting Life MTSU Art and Ms. Marvel on ABC Edition

by Cass Teague “Here We Are Now” Exhibit at MTSU MTSU’s Department of Art and Design hosts the Todd Art Gallery juried exhibition, “Here We Are Now,” a collaborative showcase of contemporary artworks from a broad range of emerging and established local, regional, and national artists. Covering a broad range of mediums, the public will be treated to sculptures, paintings, photography, and works on paper.

Also, to be discovered is the story that each piece espouses as it embraces artistic expression, and presents a reflection of the broad cultural diversity found amongst its participants. The exhibition closes on August 19.

Curated by Dr. Barbara and Mr. Leroy Hodges the exhibition includes work from Daniel Arite, Gail Clemons, Mariah Clemons, Kimberly Dummons, Samuel Dunson, Dalia Garcia, Barbara Hodges, Leroy Hodges Jr., Sisavanh Houghton, David Jackson, Dayo Johnson, Henry L. Jones, Oglala Lakota,

Hamilton “Matt” Masters, Michael McBride, AnDrew Morrison, Michael Mucker, Jimmy Mumford, Robert Orr Jr., Xavier Payne, Destiney Powell, Jairo Prado, Tony Rodriguez, Ashley Seay, Jamaal B. Sheats, Thandiwe Shiphrah, Roger R. Smith, James Threalkill, Ruben Torres, Tricia Townes, Jose Fernando Vargas, Mary R. Watkins, Carlton Wilkinson, Donna Woodley, and Kevin Wurm.

The exhibition is free and open to the public, with the availability of hand sanitizers and facemasks. Todd Art Gallery, Todd Hall, Room 224A. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and during Saturdays@ Todd, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. https://www.mtsu.edu/ar t/saturdays.php.

For parking, directions, or other questions, contact 615-898-5532 or eric.snyder@mtsu.edu.

See Ms. Marvel FREE on ABC August 5 and 12 “Ms. Marvel” is beaming to broadcast television! The full Emmy®-nominated series is set to air across

Ms Marvel and friends two Saturday nights on might have superpowers.

August 5 and 12. ABC “Crushed”: Kamala and will offer viewers the Bruno explore the opportunity to watch all source of her newfound of the hit Disney+ Origi- powers just in time for a nal series this summer, perilous adventure. And ahead of Ms. Marvel's “Destined”: Ahead of theatrical debut in “The Aamir's wedding, Marvels” on November Kamala may face grave 10, with the first three consequences due to a episodes airing on ABC crucial decision she on Saturday, Aug. 5, and makes. the final three episodes Saturday, Aug. 12 on Saturday, August. 12, “Seeing Red”: Kamala from 7:00-10:00 p.m. travels around the world CDT, locally on WKRN to solve the mystery of Channel 2.1. Also watch the bangle and her famion the ABC app from ly's history. “Time and your smartphone and Again”: The bangle tablet (iOS and reveals to Kamala Android), computer on secrets about her family ABC.com and connected lineage, as well as the devices (Roku, AppleTV truth behind the Veil. and Amazon Fire TV).

And the series/season?

Here’s the schedule: finale, “No Normal”: Saturday, Aug. 5 Back in Jersey, Kamala “Generation Why”: finds Kamran and proKamala Khan attends tects him from Damage Avengercon only to dis- Control, who will stop at cover that she herself nothing to take him in.

The Deep Tropics Festival, coming August 18-19 at Bicentennial Park, is the greenest event in the U.S.A. ‘Meru,’ ‘Lotus,’ and R.A.N.C.H. Project’s ‘Congo Soundsystem.’ dedication to regeneraRenowned artists like tive agriculture, both SG Lewis, Gorgon City, organizations are poised LP Giobbi, Major to make a lasting impact League DJz, What So on the festival’s attenNot and plenty more are dees and the regional, all poised to take the national, and global stage. community.

By combining the Tickets can be purvibrant spirit of Deep chased at the website: Tropics with the <deeptropics.org>.

Talk to Me

by Dwight Brown, Film critic for NNPA News Wire and DwightBrownInk.com (***) Every time they hold the hand and say: “Talk to Me,” something wicked their way comes.

So, you’d think they’d stop. Right? No! Hell hath no fury like teenagers left alone in a room with time on their hands. They’ll find trouble where there is none.

That’s the premise of this mostly engrossing horror film. Writers Danny Philippou and Bill Hinzman know how to create compelling characters, seed their backgrounds, add distinguishing characteristics and propel them into situations that go beyond the human realm. As first-time directors, twin brothers Danny and codirector Michael Philippou guide a cast of young actors, who have a very natural presence, as they encounter something evil in suburban Adelaide, Australia.

Game on.

A hand balanced on a severed forearm sits on a table. Word is if you grasp it a spirit will possess you and take you to another place. Some have tried it and bragged about the experience.

Mia (Sophie Wilde) steps up in a room full of tweens and teens to try her luck. It’s her destiny.

Her mom committed suicide and she’s become a surrogate sister to her best friend Jade (Alexandra Jensen), Jade’s very young brother Riley (Joe Bird) and a second daughter to Jade’s mom (Miranda Otto).

Mia seeks answers from the great beyond through the supernatural. The crowd encourages her: “Do it!

Do it! Do it!”

Weird things happen after Mia holds the hand.

She goes into a hallucinating trance. One by one other kids try it.

They’re egged on by two older adolescents, Joss (Chris Alosio) and Hayley (Zoe Terakes), who act like older kids buying beers for younger ones just to watch them throw up. The incorrigibles start the proceedings with a chant: “Light a candle to open the door.

Blow it out to close it.”

The deeper and more frequent Mia and the others go into the hand’s daze the crazier the real world gets. Things go wrong when little Riley experiments. The power of the hand is unleashed.

Mia, haunted by her mom’s death, needs answers and that’s her impetuous for experimenting with the fivefinger demon. That yearning explains her torment and bad decisions. Her best friend is

Sophie Wilde in Talk to Me. (photo by Matt Thorne)

also dating her ex (Otis Dhanji), which adds tension. The needy protagonist and curious plot line are just enough to pull audiences through to the end. Scare tactics and macabre images will keep viewers on edge.

Mia’s crossed signals with her adopted family add sorrow and mixed emotions to the mix.

The movie starts with a bang, and teen genre fans looking for disturbing horror films will get just enough of what they want. What’s on view is never plausible but usually engaging.

Sometimes scary.

Sometimes weird and creepy. That’s because the Philippou brothers have a good sense of when to end a scene (editor Geoff Lamb), when to frighten and how to get emotionally peaked performances from a very young cast.

The ensemble never steps out of character, no matter how improbable the situation. While Wilde and Otto are the standouts, best supporting actor must go to the embalmed hand.

Obviously, this budgetchallenged thriller was not made for a fortune.

So kudos to its casting directors (Nikki Barrett, Kelly Graham), production designer (Bethany Ryan), costume designer (Anna Cahill), composer (Cornel Wilczek) and cinematographer (Aaron McLisky) for giving the film a feel that seems genuine in a genre where that isn’t even a requirement.

Talk to Me joins a swarm of other little horror films trying to bust out and make the big bucks like the tiny indie The Blair Witch Project did years ago--$248M worldwide. That kind of success may or may not be in the cards. But a smart American producer would buy the rights to this project, cast upand-coming young actors and start a franchise that could become another Scream locomotive.

Adolescents will relate to these kids.

Genre fans may like to see a cursed hand drive Australians crazy.

Stranger things have happened. Wicked is as wicked does.

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