Sankofa - Tampa

Vol. 27 #4 April 2021

Tampa • St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Largo • Tarpon Springs . Brandon • Bradenton • Sarasota • Lakeland Plant City

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Publishers: TAMPA BAY TAMMY & DJ CEO

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Dear Girlfriend, Will you please re-run a letter from a divorced man from about 2 years ago. I believe it will be a blessing for a lot of us..

Your loyal reader Dear Loyal Reader, I hope this is it Dear Girlfriend.

Let me begin by saying I enjoy your newspaper but never thought I would be writing to you. I have always been a very private man. I’ve never shared my problems with outsiders, not even close family members, but I saw you the other day looking vibrant and I felt compelled to share my story with you.

I am not sure what advice you can give me, because my marriage is already over. I have been divorced for two years now. I have concluded that it was the biggest mistake I have ever made in my entire life. I didn’t realize it then but I was living the American dream. Now I am alone. Don’t get me wrong, I hang out with the fellows and I see a sista or two, but I am still very much alone in my soul. This life I am living now is nothing in comparison to the life I had.

I had a beautiful wife, a nice home, two cars and happy healthy children.

Now I am alone in an apartment. We were either always arguing or not speaking at all for weeks at a time. One day she told me to get out and I did.

Looking back, I realized that was the beginning of the end. The divorce was quick. The house went into foreclosure, my wife gained weight, my son’s grades plummeted and my daughter almost stopped speaking to me. At first, I blamed my ex for trying to turn her against me but later I asked my son what his mother says about me and he replied in a mocking voice “Your daddy loves you very much and what is going on between me and your daddy has nothing to do with you.” I later heard her trying to coax my daughter into going with me but she generally chooses to stay with her mom.

I guess I just want to say if you have a family, keep them together. Somehow we lost our way, arguing about petty things. I’ll admit I cheated. Then she retaliated and cheated., but that was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. That was just too much for my ego.

I have been with quite a few women since but I realize that I am still in love with my wife and if I could do it all again, I would have never walked out of that door. If I could turn back the hands of time, I would gladly be a much better husband and father.

Dear Divorced, When I read your letter, I cried. I thought about some friends who are not together that had power and greatness in their union. I believe somehow the devil got in their relationship. I still wish I could talk to them privately together. My door is open, if any couple would like to talk with me.

What are you waiting on? Don’t be proud, make an honest effort to get your wife back. Court her! Send her flowers. If you can’t afford much, send a rose through the children. Tell her you miss her. Send her cards. Tell the children you love their mother and miss what you all had very much. Even if this does not get your wife back, it may save your son from making the same mistake.

I have always felt that divorce was such a selfish decision when children are involved. Me Me Me! What about me? NO! What about the children?

Who is going to be there to protect them while you are both dating, starting your new relationships. Momma can’t catch everything and daddy can’t either. But together you will surely have a better chance of watching them. You weekend dads that say you take care of your children, that’s bullsh#t. I had four children and I know what it takes and weekends are not enough. Some of you will find out later, when you are visiting them in jail or bailing them N-Touch News

out. Some of you will regret your actions, when your children are making babies all over the city, not committing to any woman because of what they observed about you growing up. Then, you will realize the damaging impact you made. I don’t care if you get mad, get mad enough to change. I write this because this is the truth and sometimes the truth hurts but if it saves your family, I did my part.

You two stood before God looking beautiful and made a vow, but when times got hard, you gave up and gave in to your personal desires and temptations.

You were supposed to strive to be like the Cosby’s, or like the Obama’s and if that is too high to reach, strive to be like the Johnsons. We never gave up!

I’ve learned that men and women are a lot alike. They both have feelings and needs. They both get tired and they both run out of money. Everyone wants love and attention. Everyone wants sex, some more than others. Everyone wants to be complimented and bragged about. No one wants to be put down. Everyone wants to have a good time and they should be able to have their best time with you, their spouse.

Please STOP discussing your marriages with people who are not married, listening to what they would not take. If you take a closer look, you’ll find they are taking things everyday off men and women who are coming and going, not helping, not paying nor staying. So please don’t listen to them. You have people out here who have never married and never lived in a complete family unit, telling you how your wife or husband should act and respond.

Don’t listen to them either.

At some point you are going to have to stop talking about who did what and give each other a clean slate of forgiveness and get about the business of enjoying and celebrating each other. I believe with prayer, most relationships can be repaired. If you loved them enough to marry them, more than likely the love is strong enough to carry you through. Hold up now! Don’t get stuck on stupid, if your spouse is beating your butt or if you can’t say anything in your house and you are living in fear, I am not talking about you because your azz needs to leave....today!

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Mother’s Day Weekend

Convenient Locations

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You Heard It From ME Daryl Johnson CEO

BLUE ON BLACK CRIME

Tap, tap, tap! The meeting will come to order, said the Club President. First, let’s get down to business and welcome our newest member with her first kill. Please welcome, Officer XYZ! Applause and cheering!

With the frequent killing of Black men by law enforcement officers, it appears that perhaps they belong to some kind of club and entry into the ‘secret society’ is their first kill of a Black man. As grim as this sounds, this could be more likely true than false, with the historic knowledge of sheriffs in the Klan I imagine most Black men believe the men in Blue almost ALWAYS provoke the situation when it comes to us. What should be a routine traffic stop usually escalates to police brutality and even death.

A couple of years ago, I was picking up my wife from the airport in St. Petersburg. It was 10:30 at night

and my car was literally the only car picking up. It was late and I was late.

She was seated and I passed her up.

Seeing her waving in my rearview mirror, I put my car in reverse to retrieve her from the curb. As she was walking towards me. A sheriff’s officer standing near his parked vehicle in the median, sounded his siren and hollered out approaching me aggressively with his hand on his weapon ordering me to get out the car, to cut it off and was screaming at the top of his lungs. I thought to myself, what the hell is wrong with him. While holding my steering wheel at 10 & 2.

Sadly, these are just ordinary stops for Black people. Our civil rights are violated on a daily, yea even hourly basis. My actions did not warrants that type of intimidation, Neither does other Black citizens.

So what the hell do we do? Talking about it hasn’t changed it, writing hasn’t changed it, showing video

hasn’t changed it, appealing to higher authority hasn’t changed it and protesting hasn’t changed it.

Is it time to police the police? After all the deaths, we damn sure can validate the need for police to be policed and held accountable. That was what body cams were put in place for. However, most of the time the cameras are conveniently not on.

Which should be grounds for immediate termination. How many police supervisors actually write up their subordinates?

Let’s think about this, most protests that we encounter in this country, usually involves police brutality and the death of unarmed men. We protest ...peacefully and even then we get an unfairness in treatment. Rubber bullets and smoke grenades smolder the non violent protesters choking out our rights to assemble. An even bigger crime being perpetrated by the Blue on all of us is the cost involved

in getting their asses out of hot water, constantly!

Millions of dollars are being spent Instead of correcting the police behavior, our system has decided to spend millions of dollars on training, funding riot gear and paying for the killing of Black people through lawsuits which eventually land on the backs of taxpayers.

Our dilemma as Black men is are we supposed to continue to seek justice through the court system? When we don’t get justice are we supposed to just take it and move on? My dad always said, “Son, don’t get even, get ahead.” Well dad, I’m sorry to say, this wisdom has not worked for us. Individually it may apply but collectively it has not. Now another unarmed Black man killed by Police.

20 year old Daunte Wright is dead!

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The Southern Border Crisis Anybody who has been watching the news over the last few weeks can tell you- we have a problem on our southern border and the politics of it all are unavoidable. The Obama Administration didn’t fully address it or fix it. The Trump Administration didn’t fix it and in many ways exacerbated it with some harsh language and even harsher actions taken. Now The Biden Administration is struggling to come up with some happy medium of humanity and restraint while also holding onto a sense of Law and Order.

What to do? Here’s what you do.

See, the problem with how The U.S. tends to deal with these kinds of problems too often is we want to always save face, always approach these kinds of problems unilaterally and always worry about what the other political party will make of it in the news cycles to come. What we have to do is realize that very often the answers, at least in the way of an approach anyway is to do just

like corporations would do… call in a consultant.

The United Nations should be brought in immediately. This is not a sovereignty issue, it is a Human Rights/ Human Dignity issue.

Just like so many of those we see on the news somewhere over there.

But if we brought in the UN, set up

meetings with them and Mexico primarily, and then including the other members of The Central American Northern Triangle- Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, we could work to address what’s going on and how it looks… to both our major political parties and the rest of the world.

By Andre’ Jackson Houston Correspondent I think if you set up a demarcation zone of say a mile from both sides of the river and patrol it with UN forces, who are instructed to detain, house and transport all these migrants, you get to a workable solution more quickly than simply trying to go it alone. It would also be a way to hold everybody- The US, Mexico and the other Triangle countries accountable by putting them on center stage and having them regularly report on their individual processes and progress.

The ultimate goal is going to have to be establishing and supporting governments that can support, house and defend itself so that the migrants don’t want/need to leave. Until then, there’s got to be an all hands on deck approach to get to that.

Attorneys

The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisement.

Before you decide, ask for FREE written information about our qualifications and experience.

Barbara J. Pittman

Law Offices of Barbara J. Pittman, P.A.

(813)269-9706 Fax (813)960-0601

1409 W. Thonotosassa Rd. Plant City, Fl. 33566

(813) 719-6605

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One on One Consultation From Start to Successful Conclusion

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Remembering the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr. in Plant City

To Advertise Call DJ CEO (813)404-5287 or Tampa Bay Tammy (813)842-3212 Page 8

N-Touch News

Remembering the Dream of Martin Luther King Jr. in Plant City

N-Touch News Serving the Bay Area Since 1996

The Official Limousine of Tampa Bay Tammy Page 9

Spike Lee named Head of Cannes Film Festival African American director Spike Lee was named the head of the largest film festival dedicated to premiering new films in the world the Cannes Film Festival. Expected to take place July 6-17 2021, The “Do the Right Thing” creator will be the first Black person to head the festival and will preside over the 74th edition of the Festival.

Lee has premiered seven of his films there beginning with “She’s Gotta Have It” in 1986, which won the youth prize at Directors’ Fortnight. Lee attributes the trajectory of his global film career to the fes-

tival.

“I’m honoured to be the first person of the African diaspora to be named president of the Cannes jury and of a main film festival. I’m shocked, happy, surprised and proud all at the same time,” Lee said.

Many of the most prominent film festivals have faced criticism in recent years for their lack of diversity, on and off camera. Thierry Fremaux, the Cannes festival director said ..Spike Lee’s perspective is more valuable than ever. In addition to his appointment as President, Lee is also set to receive a Palme d’Or, the festival’s lifetime achievement award.

The Urban League of Hillsborough County’s

2021 Summer Reading Contest

The mission of the Urban League of Hillsborough County (ULHC) is to bring about and assist with the achievement of economic equity.

One has to know their history in order to plan and execute an effective plan for positive growth and results.

It is also paramount to “Know the Game” in order to “Play the Game”.

The ULHC is hosting a Book Report contest for the reading of “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson.

Who is invited to compete: Rising High School Seniors, graduating Class of 2022 How will the Winner be chosen The reports will be submitted to the ULHC and judged by several Community Leaders and Journalist

What is the Prize: $1,000.00 to be paid directly for college (Books or Tuition) or postsecondary training related cost The contest will start: Upon notification to the ULHC that you want to compete for the scholarship Your submitted interest must be made to info@ulhc.org. by May 15, 2021 Upon your notification for participation you will be given the questions that you must address with your submission.

When will the contest be completed: On or before August 1, 2021 Ssubmit your intent participate by May 15, 2021 to: Info@ulhc.org or via mail to ULHC, P.O. Box 130303, Tampa, Fl 33681

Ask IRiS

Naaman Johnson Jr. 19820 US 19 Clearwater, FL 33764

813-244-9127

At N-Touch News, we support those who support us.

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Spiritual Guidance

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N-Touch News: Keeping Small Businesses in Business N-Touch News

Child Abuse Prevention Month April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month recognizes the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child abuse and neglect. Hillsborough County already leads Florida in confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect - and with the financial strain, isolation, and anxiety caused by COVID-19, children are now more vulnerable than ever.

Unfortunately, as the world begins to recover from the pandemic, not all families will recover equally. That’s why four local nonprofits are working together to ensure that at-risk parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to promote children’s social and emotional wellbeing and prevent child abuse and neglect.

According to Dr. Amy Haile, Executive Director of Champions for Children, “As the only local agency focused exclusively on child abuse prevention, we have a unique role in our community’s recovery from the pandemic. We help build families’ resilience by equipping them with resources, support, and coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress.

Although Champions’ mission is unique in the Tampa Bay community, many other local organizations play an equally crucial role in providing families the tools and resources they need to build a strong family foundation and prevent child abuse and neglect. Among these indispensable institutions are The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Feeding Tampa Bay, and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, who join Champions for Children in striving to increase awareness about child and family well-being. Together, during the month of April, these organizations will work to raise awareness about how our community can prevent child abuse and neglect.

According to Clara Reynolds, President & CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, “One way to help

prevent child abuse is to be certain at-risk families have access to the community resources and emotional care they need to assist them through life’s struggles. By making a confidential call to 211, and speaking with one of our specialists, families can connect to a gateway of support 24/7.

In agreement, Thomas Mantz, President and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay says, “Our children are the future of our community. At Feeding Tampa Bay we know the emotional and psychological damage children experience when they are without reliable and stable food sources. By eliminating barriers for our children today through a collaborative and collective approach, we can thoughtfully care for and cultivate these young minds so they can reach their full potential and realize their brightest of futures.”

Gordon L. Gillette, CEO, Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County states, “It is the commitment of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County to collaborate with other like-minded and like-purposed organizations in our County to ensure the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual health of children in our community is a primary focus through providing support for childcare and early learning resources to the most at risk and vulnerable children in our community. To achieve this, we must ensure families have the resources necessary to promote good parenting and early learning educators are trained in social-emotional learning. We appreciate the opportunity to unify and amplify raising awareness of preventing child abuse and neglect alongside our partners.”

The Executive Directors quoted in this press release are available for media interviews and guest columns, individually or as a group. For more information contact Champions for Children’s Marketing and Communications Associate, Kiela Bentley (kbentley@cfctb.org), or visit www. cfctb.org.

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The Good News publication

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Go Ahead and Get your Laugh On Hospital Rules

Hospital rules state that patients checking out must have a wheelchair.

One day a newly graduated nurse assistant came into the room to find an elderly man fully dressed. He was sitting on the bedside chair, with a piece of packed luggage at his side, all ready to go.

When he was shown the wheelchair, he was adamant that he was fully capable of walking himself to the parking lot.

But the assistant told him rules were rules, so he relented and let her wheel him out.

In the elevator, the assistant asked the elderly man if his wife was coming to meet him.

“I don’t think so,” he replied. “It takes her awhile to change her clothes, so she’s probably still upstairs in the bathroom taking off of her hospital gown and getting dressed.”

Siblings

Jack’s mother ran into the bedroom when she heard him scream and found his two-year old sister pulling his hair. She gently released the little girl’s grip and said comfortingly to Jack, “There, there. She didn’t mean it.

She doesn’t know that hurts.”

She was barely out of the room when the little girl screamed. Rushing back in, she asked, “What happened?”

“She knows now,” Jack replied.

Sleeping Advice

FIVE Best Things to Say When Caught Sleeping at Your Desk 5. “They told me at the Blood Bank this might happen.”

4. “This is just a 15 minute power nap they raved about in the time management course you sent me to.”

3. “Whew! Guess I left the top off the Whiteout. You probably got here just in time.”

2. “Did you ever notice sound coming out of these keyboards when you put your ear down real close?”

And the NUMBER ONE best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk...

1. Raise your head slowly and say, “...in God’s’ name, Amen.”

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PayRoll

Over the past several months, my company has shorted my paychecks several times, anywhere from $75 to $300.

Each time this has happened, the payroll department made me wait two weeks before they corrected the error.

Last payday the situation reversed.

Everyone with direct deposit was paid twice.

I quickly withdrew every dollar from my bank account before the mistake could be corrected.

When payroll called about the mistake, I grinned from ear to ear. I said, “Yes, I noticed the mistake. I will correct it in two weeks.”

The Ass

A preacher went to his church office on Monday morning and discovered a dead mule in the church yard. He called the police. Since there did not appear to be any foul play, the police referred the preacher to the health department. They said since there was no health threat that he should call the sanitation department.

The sanitation manager said he could not pick up the mule without authorization from the mayor.

Now the preacher knew the mayor and was not too eager to call him.

The mayor had a bad temper and was generally hard to deal with, but the preacher called him anyway.

The mayor did not disappoint him.

He immediately began to rant and rave at the pastor and finally said, "Why did you call me anyway? Isn't it your job to bury the dead?"

The preacher paused for a brief prayer and asked the Lord to direct his response. He was led to say, "Yes, Mayor, it is my job to bury the dead, but I always like to notify the next of kin first!"

The Ticket

A motorist was mailed a picture of his car speeding through an automated radar. A $140 speeding ticket was included.

Being cute, he sent the police department a picture of a check for $140.

The police department responded with another mailed photo of handcuffs.

Ankle Deep

Last summer my wife and I met a couple at a restaurant. After lunch, the women decided to go shopping and I invited the man to go sailing.

While we were out on the water, a storm blew up. The tide had gone out, and we were down wind trying to work our way back through a narrow channel. At one point the boat grounded and we had to climb overboard and shove with all our might to get it back into deeper water.

As my new friend stood there, ankle deep in muck, the wind blowing his hair wildly, rain streaming down his face, he grinned at me. With unmistakable sincerity, he said, “Sure beats shopping.”

Proper Pay

A man owned a small farm in South Georgia. The Wage and Hour Department claimed he was not paying proper wages to his help and sent an agent to interview him.

“You just give me a list of your employees and tell me how much you pay them.”

“All right,” said the farmer. “I have a hired man. Been with me for three years. I pay him $600 a week, plus room and board.

I have a cook. She’s been here six months. She gets $500 a week plus room and board.”

“Anybody else?” asked the agent as he scribbled on a note pad.

“Yeah,” the farmer said. “This guy is none too bright. Works about eighteen hours a day. I pay him ten dollars a week and give him chewing tobacco.”

“Aha!” the agent roared. “I want to talk to that man!”

“Speaking,” said the farmer.

The Uber Driver

Driver: Please put on your mask.

Passenger: why should I have to wear a mask if yours works?

Driver: hmmm Damn good point and turns off headlights* Passenger: What are you doing it’s dark Driver: Chill the other cars have them on

The Nuts

On the outskirts of town, there was a big old pecan tree by the cemetery fence. One day two boys filled up a bucket with pecans and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts.

“One for you, and one for me. One for you, one for me,” said one boy.

Several were dropped and rolled down toward the fence.

Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate.

Sure enough, he heard, “One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.”

He just knew what it was. “Oh my,” he shuddered, “It’s Satan and the Lord dividing the souls at the cemetery.”

He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along.

“Come here quick,” said the boy, “You won’t believe what I just heard.

Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up souls.”

The man said. “Beat it, kid, can’t you see it’s hard for me to walk?”

When the boy insisted, the man hobbled to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, “One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.

The old man whispered, “Boy, you, you’ve been tellin’ the truth! Let’s see the devil himself.”

Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of Satan.

At last they heard, “One for you, one for me. And one last one for you.

That’s all. Now let’s go get those nuts by the fence, and we’ll be done.”

They say the old guy made it back to town 5 minutes before the boy.

The Ocean

What did one ocean say to the other ocean?

Nothing, they just waved.

Keep On Laughing...Laughter Heals!

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Honoring Minority Cancer Awareness Month Early detection can help save more lives.

Screenings are critical for early detection of cancer. At Moffitt we are committed to helping you understand your risks, and have the expertise necessary to diagnose and treat all types of cancer.

Together we can make a difference. Your health is a priority. Learn more about screenings. Call 1-888-456-2839 or visit Moffitt.org/Screening

Courageous DURING COVID-19, YOUR SAFETY IS A PRIORITY AT MOFFITT Page 16