I Messenger by Cheryl Smith

IMessenger VOLUME 8

FEBRUARY 22, 2019

PURSUIT OF

JUSTICE Colin Kaepernick

ISSUE 27

IMessenger An IMM LLC Publication MAILING ADDRESS 320 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway Suite 220 Dallas, TX 75203 WWW.TEXASMETRONEWS.COM 214-941-0110 Cheryl Smith PUBLISHER - EDITOR news@texasmetronews.com Nina Garcia Marketing/Sales Manager EDITORIAL TEAM Lajuana Barton Eva Coleman L. Diane Evans Dorothy J. Gentry Vincent Hall Richard Alexander Moore Betheny Sargent Dr. Felicia N. Shepherd Monique P. Stone Dareia Tolbert Andrew Whigham III MARKETING TEAM Carlton McConnell Terry Allen PR DESIGN/LAYOUT WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Alana King

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Established 2011 CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person, the Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

February 22, 2019

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INSIDE

COMMENTARY

LIFESTYLE

SPORTS

WHITE PRIVILEGE AND BLACK POWER: Ilhan Omar checks Elliott Abrams for lack of respect during recent interrogation.

The Valder Beebe show invites Josiah and Lauren Duggar of new TLC series Counting On, to share about their experiences and adjustments to faith, family, love and marriage.

Dirk Nowitzki enjoys his final NBA All-Star Weekend representing the Dallas Mavericks. Dirk Nowitzki holds the record for the most seasons played (21) in NBA history.

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February 22, 2019

March 8th, 9th & 10th Fair Park • Dallas, Texas www.NTIF.org • (214) 821-4173

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February 22, 2019

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MY TRUTH Cheryl Smith, Publisher

Lie to People and You Teach Them to Lie to You I’ve talked a lot about lying lately. Lying is wrong and I’d rather someone not say anything before they lie to me. But, that’s wishful thinking because as sure as we breathe, we are going to lie. There’s just something wrong with going through life and not knowing the truth about certain things, however. Someone I met recently said she had to deal with a difficult situation and I really don’t know any body who would want to be in her shoes. She said she was finally confronted by her two daughters, asking for the truth about their father. You see, for years she had told them that their father moved away and died while serving his country in the military. Well, the girls were old enough to

begin asking questions. They knew they weren’t getting any benefits and something didn’t seem right to them. They didn’t know his side of the family and no one talked about “daddy.” All the girls wanted to know was the truth. Sadly the truth was not pretty. The mother felt the truth would hurt her girls and make them think less of her and so she justified her lie. Which brings me to my truth. Just last week, I told a lie. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I felt like the scum of the earth. During an out-of-town trip, I had just entered a hotel elevator. As the door was about to close, a man walked up and attempted to enter with a dog on a leash. Immediately I cringed and noticing my hesitation and wrinkled

forehead, he began explaining, “She’s harmless, she won’t bite.” You know how most dog lovers are. And here’s where the lie comes in. I responded, “I’m allergic!” Just the thought of that untruth repulses me. Does the end justify the means? All I wanted was for the man to be gone with his dog. It seems you have to lie to get people to respect your space. As I reflect, this is one lie I have been telling for decades, simply because many animal lovers are not respecters

It seems you have to lie to get people to respect your space. of others’ boundaries, fears or desires. I say I am allergic because that seems to resonate for them. Actually if I were telling the truth, I would say something like, “I don’t care if your dog doesn’t bite. I don’t want it licking, sniffing or touching me, either.” Or I would ask, “She has teeth doesn’t she?” Whatever the case, I shouldn’t have to lie to avoid an encounter with someone’s loved one. Yes, people do treat their pets like members of the family, and that’s their reality. I’m cool with that. News flash: Everyone does not love dogs or cat, or any animal. But folks who do are becoming more blatant with their need to bring their pets into any space. Just go to a Black College football game, especially homecomings! You’re sure to see myimessenger.com

someone walking around with a put bull, or just as frightening for me, a snake! I shake my head, because that is all I can do aside from making sure I keep my distance. I wish I could explain my fear of animals, but I can’t. I don’t recall a dog biting me or anything like that. I don’t know what has traumatized me but I do know that my mother never gave me grief when I was late coming home from school because I walked out of my way to avoid an encounter with a dog. And yes, I have had to deal with the numerous people who tried to make light of my fears. But I am so appreciative of those who are compassionate and sensitive. I do have those who would never test our friendship by subjecting me to an

encounter with their pet. Years ago, I read where Dear Abby, or her sister Ann Landers, said it was rude to go to someone’s house and expect them to put their pets up because you are scared. I kind of agreed so I said I wouldn’t ask folks to put their animals away while I visited. Instead, I wouldn’t visit. I was not trying to be nasty, just wasn’t trying to be rude either. Sadly, I think that this is one lie that is going to continue for the rest of my life. When you consider that folks are becoming more and more inconsiderate when it comes to others feelings, I can’t expect someone to have empathy for me and my “issues.” Instead, I need to “get over it!” Oh well, forgive this one lie. February 22, 2019

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February 22, 2019

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COMMENTARY Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson

President Trump is Wrong President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to secure funding for a wall on our nation’s Southern border is without merit, and could lead to a Constitutional crisis. Members of his own party have joined Democrats and the majority of the American people in their belief that the president’s action is not in the best interests of our country. Even the president himself suggested that he was on the wrong track when he stated “I didn’t need to do this” during a press conference in the Rose Garden when he announced his intention. Court challenges have already been filed after the president said that his administration would use funds that Congress had appropriated for other purposes. President Trump took this action after Congress passed a spending bill that did not include the money that he had requested to construct the wall that he promised his supporters during the presidential campaign. Now, he simply does not want to appear weak to his base, even though a Fox News poll found that a majority of its respondents opposed his action. The president and his advisors need

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to revisit our Constitution and read it provisions on separation of powers. They also need to develop a greater appreciation for the congressional budget process. One Republican Senator, Susan Collins of Maine, said that the president’s action undermined the appropriations process, and the will of Congress. In addition to facing court battles, the president will be opposed by Democrats in the House of Representatives whose majority is against his state of emergency declaration. It remains to be seen what the Republican controlled Senate will do even though some of its Republican members, like Senator Collins, are uncomfortable with the president’s overreach. The president argues that problems at the border that we share with Mexico constitute a national emergency. That is simply not the case. The number of people taken into custody in recent years attempting to enter our country illegally has actually decreased. According to the government’s own figures approximately 400,000 people were taken into custody in 2018 at the Southern border after they attempted to enter into the country illegally. That is down from 1.6 million

that were apprehended in 2000. Even the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, counseled President Trump against declaring a state of emergency, but was rebuffed by a chief executive who has created a crisis for himself that many believe will further damage his presidency. Five years ago president Trump, responding to an executive action by President Obama, wrote “Republicans must not allow President Obama to subvert the Constitution for his own benefit because he is unable to negotiate with Congress.” Perhaps the president should revisit the words that he wrote five years ago. They have now come back to haunt him! *Congresswoman Johnson represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives. She also chairs the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

February 22, 2019

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COMMENTARY Dr. Julianne Malveaux

WHITE PRIVILEGE AND BLACK POWER: Ilhan Omar checks Elliott Abrams Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is a member of Congress. Let me repeat that. Ms. Omar is a member of Congress. So how dare Elliot Abrams, 45’s nominee as Venezuelan envoy presume to interrupt the Congresswoman as she made a statement and interrogated him? He was relatively docile when white people questioned him, but was angry and ignorant in his response to the Congresswoman. His behavior was disgraceful. He said he “would not respond to a personal attack,” although he was the one who pled guilty to withholding information from Congress and was later pardoned for his perfidy. I must commend Congresswoman Omar on her focused and poised interrogation. I must condemn Mr. Abrams for his rude defiance to the Congresswoman. Their exchange is illuminating because it encapsulates the change in tone and tenor in Congress. Old white men can hold onto their privilege, but younger women, some women of color, aren’t’ having it. They are doing what they need to do to provide for the people who elected them. Congresswoman Omar’s interrogation of Elliot Abrams has a back-story. Last week she tweeted that the blind Congressional support of Israel is “all about the Benjamins.” Jewish people were disturbed that her remarks were anti-Semitic (I don’t necessarily think so), and she apologized in the face of pressure. But now the deranged “leader” in the White House has called for her resignation (despite his own hateful, racist, anti-Semitic and other statements) and Vice-President Pence said there should be “consequences” for her comments (although no one has ever experienced consequences for genital grabbing). There have been calls for Omar to lose her seat on the House Foreign Relations Committee. myimessenger.com

She prevailed, with dignity, in her questioning of the corrupt Elliot Abrams. She is to be applauded. Again, let me say, how dare that man! How dare he disrespect a member of Congress, something he would not have done if a white man were questioning him! How dare he interrupt her, how dare he talk over her, but thank you, Elliot Abrams, for projecting the many experiences that Black women and other women of color have had in corporate boardrooms and in other places where our voices are not valued. Abrams, you are a pardoned liar. You are a shady scandal. You ought not to be walking out among free folks, but 45 has pulled you out of the disgraceful slush pile (yes, Hillary was right when she called some folks “deplorables”) to help our country interfere in yet another free nation, Venezuela. You needed to sit at that table and behave humbly, but humble is not in your vocabulary when your white privilege collides with the Black power of a Congresswoman who has the right to interrogate you. I get it; you didn’t like it not one bit. So here’s a message you need to send back to your circle of aging troglodytes – get ready for it! Here’s the deal and here’s the bottom line. There are 110 women in Congress. There are congressional committees co-chaired by women on both sides of the aisle. These are women who are not planning to put up with your over talking shenanigans. These are women who are out of time regarding you. And while democratic and Republican women aren’t always on the same page, the fact that of the 110 women in Congress, only 13 are Republican speaks to the failures in your party. With 435 members in the House of Representatives, equity means that at least 217 are women. On the Democratic side, this increasingly means women of

color, who are staring down your white privilege and eviscerating it. So that man who occupies the People’s House has the temerity to call for Rep. Ilhan Omar’s resignation oblivious of his own moral depravity. She had the right response in a tweet, “You have trafficked in hate your whole life— against Jews, Muslims, Indigenous, immigrants, black people and more. I learned from people impacted by my words. When will you?” The fact is that 45 doesn’t learn. If he did, he would stop tweeting. As Omar has noted, “Anti-Semitism is real.” At the same time, it is important to note that criticism of Israel is not anti-Semitic. The Israeli occupation of the West Bank is simply wrong and violates every notion of human rights. The backlash against Angela Davis, Marc Lamont Hill, Tamika Mallory, and Alice Walker is also wrong. While we must address Anti-Semitism, we must also address the ways that Israel has been oppressive to Palestinians and the ways that Israel advocates have, especially, attempted to shut down Black voices that embrace the human rights of ALL people, including Palestinians. We must also address the ways that a white male criminal was allowed to behave badly and arrogantly when an elected member of Congress made a statement and asked reasonable questions. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is to be commended for her work. Elliott Abrams is to be condemned for his rude and futile clinging to his sick white privilege! February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019

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February 22, 2019

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COMMENTARY Vincent Hall

QUIT PLAYIN Reconstruction II = Donald Trump There is no book at Barnes and Noble called “Reconstruction for Dummies,” so let me offer this mini novella that explains how we got to the second Reconstruction and Donald Trump. Four weeks and four days after Dred Scott was decided, the Civil War began. Dred Scott was the 1857 Supreme Court decision that said that “A black man had no rights that a White man was bound to respect.” Don’t tell Massa’ n’em I said it, but that law ain’t never really changed. In 1861, the Civil War, a bloody war fought over ideals, began. As the Civil War drew to a close, the United States Congress and President Lincoln realized that the newly-freed Black men and women needed assistance. The transition to freedom after cruel slavery was obvious. Lincoln’s enactment of land grants and other elements of the Freedman’s Bureau Act included a Freedman’s Bank. The aim was to establish a financial plan to help guide their path to independence. It was the financial literacy program of its day, but we still ain’t taught our dollars no sense; we need another one. The plan was launched and Black commerce was in orbit. The Freedman’s Bank maintained 37 offices in 17 states, including the District of Columbia. At its height, the Bank had over $57 million in deposits (adjusted for inflation) and 70,000 depositors. Five weeks after the creation of the Freedman’s Bank, President Lincoln was assassinated. Always remember, that messing with White folk’s money is a dangerous enterprise. Seven years later, In June of 1872, the U.S. Congress voted to permanently close the Freedman’s Bureau. myimessenger.com

The Bank, however, remained operational and in 1874 Frederick Douglass was asked to run the Freedman’s Bank as the D.C. branch relocated to a new home across from the U.S. Department of Treasury, in a grand building that cost $260,000 to construct. In 1866, Congress passes first Civil Rights Act declaring freed Blacks U.S. Citizens. In 1868 - Congress passed the 14th Amendment, granting equal citizenship and civil rights. That’s right. There had been a Civil Rights Act, 100 years before LBJ signed

the 1964 act with Martin King standing over his shoulder. Parenthetically, when I was a kid, if someone gave you something and took it back, we called them an “Indian Giver.” History teaches us that Native Americans have gotten a bad rap, just like us. In 1870 Congress passes enforcement acts to control the KKK and guarantee federal civil and political rights. That same year, Rev. Hiram R. Revels becomes the first African American Senator and Joseph Rainy is seated as first Black House Rep; five other black men were elected to U.S. House of Representatives. By 1875, the effects of representation were being felt. Congress passes the Civil Rights Act of 1875, giving equal treatment in public places and access to jury duty.

But by 1883, the full “Whitelash” (White Backlash) began. The Supreme Court overturned the Civil Rights Act of 1875. I’m guessing there were some Indians on the Supreme Court? In 1896- Supreme Court approves segregation with “separate but equal” ruling in Plessy vs. Ferguson. Jim Crow followed. Now for those of you who are confused or dismayed about Virginia and its sudden outbreak of “Blackface,” Jim Crow’s origin holds a lesson. “Jump Jim Crow” was among the earliest “Blackface” routines. It was a song-and-dance and an overwrought caricature of Black people performed by Thomas D. Rice, a White actor. His act was born in 1832, but it really gained popularity after Reconstruction. Jim Crow laws were followed by years of fighting to get to the Acts of 1964 and 1965, which granted minorities civil and voting rights. Barack Hussein Obama was elected in 2008 and the noise and nostalgia of the Tea Party turned into a rally to “Make America Great Again.” White folks looked for the toughest-talking, meanestsounding whip cracker they could find and succeeded. And that’s how Reconstruction II gave us Donald (LittleJohn) Trump!!

February 22, 2019

COVER STORY

Pursuit of Justice NFL Settles Collusion Case with Kaepernick Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent

Colin Kaepernick’s more than two-year battle with the NFL has come to an end. The former NFL quarterback and the league have reached a financial settlement in Kaepernick’s collusion complaint against football’s owners. The settlement comes just one day after it was revealed that the former San Francisco 49er, who led the team to a Super Bowl in 2013, turned down February 22, 2019

a contract offer to play in a new developmental league. Terms of the settlement, which also included a payout to Carolina Panthers star safety Eric Reid, were not made public. Kaepernick was effectively blacklisted from the league after kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and other social ills. Yahoo Sports reported that Kaepernick and Reid would only settle the complaint if a lucrative financial agreement was reached between the players and the NFL.

The league and Kaepernick’s attorneys released a statement Friday saying the matter had been resolved confidentially. As part of that confidentiality, it is believed both sides signed a nondisclosure agreement agreeing not to speak publicly about details of the case or settlement. “For the past several months, counsel for Mr. Kaepernick and Mr. Reid have engaged in an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the NFL,” the statement said. “As a result of those discussions, the parties have decided to resolve the

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pending grievances. The resolution of this matter is subject to a confidentiality agreement so there will be no further comment by any party.” The agreement comes as Kaepernick’s case against the NFL was to set to be heard before arbitrator Stephen Burbank later this month. Kaepernick had alleged that since 2016, the league conspired to keep him out. Multiple NFL players adopted Kaepernick’s protest in 2017, hoping to draw attention to social justice and racial inequality issues. The actions sparked a political firestorm from President Donald Trump and the furor became such a central issue for the league for nearly one year that it instituted a rule that banned protests during the national anthem. That rule has since been shelved by the NFL and now appears to be dead, according to the Yahoo Sports

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report. The NFLPA also released a statement Friday, supporting the settlement between the league and players. “Today, we were informed by the NFL of the settlement of the Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid collusion cases,” the NFLPA said. “We are not privy to the details of the settlement but support the decision by the players and their counsel. We continuously supported Colin and Eric from the start of their protests, participated with their lawyers throughout their legal proceedings and were prepared to participate in the upcoming trial in pursuit of both truth and justice for what we believe the NFL and its clubs did to them. “We are glad that Eric has earned a job and a new contract [from the Carolina Panthers], and we continue to hope that Colin gets his opportunity as well.”

February 22, 2019

All Star Weekend Charlotte, North Carolina

Miles Brown

LeBron James

Blake Griffin

Kyle Kuzma

Van Jones February 22, 2019

Joel Embiid myimessenger.com

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February 22, 2019

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February 22, 2019

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SPO RTS Dorothy J. Gentry

Dirk enjoys final NBA All-Star Weekend representing Mavs Charlotte – It was a family affair for Dirk Nowitzki in what was likely his last-ever NBA All-Star appearance. “My wife is here, my friends. The whole crew is here one more time. I was on the stage for the last time, so it’s been great. My brother-in-law is here; he came to support,” Nowitzki said of NBA All-Star Weekend held in Charlotte, North Carolina. “So I had fun. I look forward to closing out this weekend out on a high. Then go back home and finish the season strong.” The 40-year-old Nowitzki kept a busy weekend in Charlotte – serving as coach of the World Team for the Rising Stars Challenge – in which he coached teammate Luka Doncic – participated in the 3-point contest and participated in the All-Star Game on Sunday night as part of Team Giannis. The NBA paid homage to the League legend, with large signs and posters in hotels and all over the downtown area near the site of the Spectrum Center where All-Star festivities took place. He scored 17 points in the 3-point contest but did not make the finals. He won the contest in 2005-2006.

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In Sunday’s All-Star Game - he drained 3, 3 pointers in 4 minutes – a performance that had the bench and crowd at Spectrum Center on its feet. He finished with nine points for Team Giannis during their 178-164 loss to Team LeBron. During the 3rd quarter he and Dwayne Wade - who has already announced his retirement from the League this year -were presented with honorary framed All-Star jerseys. After the game Dirk was swamped by players, fans, media and more offering handshakes, hugs and well-wishes. He and they knew it would probably be his last All-Star Game. “I wanted to just play a few minutes and hoist up a three and that’s exactly what happened. The first one, I was a little deep. But it’s the last time on this stage, I’m going to go for it, and it went in,” said Nowitzki, who was the oldest All-Star in attendance in Charlotte. “The second one I thought, Let me step back a little more and see what happens, and it went in too. It was a fun all around weekend for me. It was a pleasure to compete with these guys one more time on this stage. We

got honored in between the third and fourth quarter and that was emotional. It was great weekend for me.” Nowitzki acknowledged that when things quiet down, he’ll take time to reflect. “Yeah, I think all that is going to be emotional once I sit back and get some time to think. But this weekend, I was just out there competing,” he said. “It was fun and the whole week was great. They had me running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Friday, I was coaching. Saturday, I was shooting [in the 3-Point Contest]. And then I was competing. It was fun. “I’m going to soak it all in. I think I’m going to get more emotional later when it is all said and done.” Nowitzki said he appreciates the support and love from fans as well as athletes and knows decision-time is coming. “The fans have shown me a lot of love already on the road, even though I obviously haven’t announced that this is going to be it. I want to see how my body feels the last couple of weeks. If I get to see any improvement, if it’s still fun, and I guess we’re going to make that decision later.”

February 22, 2019

March 8th, 9th & 10th Fair Park • Dallas, Texas www.NTIF.org • (214) 821-4173

Discount tickets $14 for saturDay anD sunDay at tom thumb/albertsons

February 22, 2019

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February 22, 2019

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LIFESTYLE Valder Beebe

That Celebrity Interview: Josiah & Lauren Duggar Each day is amazing for me as I live each day in joy and abundance. I continually send good vibes to the watchers, listeners and readers of the Valder Beebe Show that their lives are lived abundantly. I would be remised if I did not jog your memory with …..TLC 19 Kids and Counting series being rocked by sexual molestation scandal. The Duggar’s and their 19 kids were the center of the show. To return to television, TLC repackaged 19 Kids and Counting into TLC series, Counting On. Something about the Duggar’s just seems to make people want to watch. Newlyweds Josiah and Lauren Duggar are returning to their popular TLC series, Counting On. Valder is catching up with Josiah and Lauren Duggar, as they are opening up about a recent miscarriage in season four of their

TLC series Counting On. In addition to catching up with the Duggars, Seewalds and Vuolos, viewers will witness Josiah and Lauren as they adjust to newlywed life, go on a romantic honeymoon in Austria and later experience the joy of finding out they are expecting, followed by the difficult realization of Lauren’s miscarriage. Moments such as these underscore the importance of faith and family, and test the strength of love and marriage. As Josiah and Lauren open up to Valder and share their story for the first time, audiences will get an honest and emotional look at their journey so far. VBS: Lauren, tell us about your series Counting On and sharing your life in public. LD: We’ll have our honeymoon shown on TV. This next season of

Counting On, a lot of things are happening. VBS: Josiah, how long have you two been married? JD: Seven and a half months. VBS: You both have a lot going on. You’re on a series on TLC, you’ve just gotten married, you have this huge family. That’s a lot. JD: The show, back in the day focused on the entire family. Counting On focuses on us the younger family members. It’s really hard because the show captures the intimate and the tense members. It’s really hard after losing…… Interview continues On-Demand video: ValderBeebeShow.com ValderBeebeShow.com, 411RadioNetwork.com, Youtube.com/valderbeebeshow, 411RadioNetwork.com; Podcast audio: Soundcloud.com/ valderbeebeshow, Soundcloud. com/kkvidfw, 411RadioNetwork.com, PChatman Streaming TV Network and VBS affiliate broadcasters. Now available on 411RadioNetwork APP

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Angie Thomas

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February 22, 2019

ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE REVIEW

by Hollywood Hernandez

HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U Happy Death Day 2U

day wouldn’t be so bad

is the rare “Comedy/

except for the fact that

Thriller.”

she dies at the end

It’s

not

slapstick over the top

of every day.

comedy

Scary

reminiscent of the movie

Movie. It has some real

Ground Hog Day where

Boogeyman in the closet

Bill Murray had to live

scenes that will keep you

the same day over and

on the edge of your seat;

over again.

picks

she and her boyfriend

a good time. The movie

movie delivers plenty of

up where the original

are not together in this

is rated PG-13 and has

laughs during all of the

took off and now the

world and in the sequel

a run time of 1 hour

scary stuff.

nerdy clique of college

her mother is back from

and 40 minutes. On my

students

the dead.

“Hollywood

while

meanwhile,

The

lead

the

actress,

The

sequel

It was

has

caused

But still, in

Popcorn

plays

Flower’s current situation

the alternate universe,

Scale” I give this movie

The

in an alternate universe

someone wants to kill

a LARGE.

movie is set on her

with a lab project that

her.

birthday and she relives

transfers

that one day over and

another reality.

Jessica

Rothe,

Flower Gelbmans.

over again in a parallel universe. your

Celebrating

birthday

February 22, 2019

every

them

all

There are a lot more laughs

than

thrills

In the new universe,

Happy Death Day 2U.

a lot of things have

It wasn’t exactly what I

changed.

expected but it was still

For instance,

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AROUND TOWN IN REVIEW: LA LLORONA

Nina Garcia

Play at Bishop Arts theatre- Playwright- Kathleen Anderson Culebro Director Adam Adolfo La Llorona is a Mexican folklore that I was told as a young girl from many family members. I have heard many versions of La Llorona and to this day, I am still not sure if it is based upon a true story or if it was a myth to scare us children into obeying our parents. Maybe it is a combination of both. The premise of the folklore is that a beautiful lady drowns her two children to get revenge on her cheating husband. She then dies and her ghost is always in search of her children, continuously weeping. People say that they see her ghost walking around in a white dress asking for help to find her children. Supposedly, all who happen to come in contact with her have some form of bad luck. Others believe that La Llorona is helpful in dealing with pregnancy and children and they look to her for guidance. In this story of La Llorona by Kathleen Anderson Culebro, and directed by Adam Adolfo, La Llorona takes more of a backseat in the play. She is more talked about than being seen. The play focusses on two married couples, from two completely different backgrounds who happen to come into each other’s lives upon life changing decisions. The American couple myimessenger.com

consists of Jeffery, an obvious workaholic for a new Tex-Mex-themed fast food chain and Liz an Anthropologist Professor who is always uprooted from her career to please her husband, move to Mexico by he demands of Jeffery’s job. Liz only agrees to move this time solely on the fact that they agree to have a baby sooner than later. The Mexican couple consists of Carlos, a talented architect who struggles to find a decent job who seems to always be defeated, and his wife Irma, a stay at home soon to be mother who is deeply grounded in culture and tradition. They are struggling financially, and Irma suggests they rent out their home in order to make ends meet. Carlos reluctantly agrees to do so. With this situation both couples are in, they soon find themselves in an unexpected connection. All they want for each other is to be happy, no matter what it takes. La Llorona becomes an influence for both couples and they look to her direction as to what to do and what not to do. It goes as far as Irma coveting Liz and Carlos constantly reminding her that they are just as special or important as the other couple is. Liz is fascinated by Irma, but Jeffery will not

Above: Carlos (Coy Rubalcaba) & Irma (Nicole Romero) Below: Liz (Janae Hatchett) & Jeffrey (Nolan Spinks).

have that and goes as far as to make Liz wear a blindfold during her pregnancy. As time progresses, the couples seem to be imitating each other’s lives. They learn and practice the other’s beliefs and culture but still manage to keep some detachment in looking out for their own. Both couples eventually

face dilemma and tragedy which leads all of them down a path of making irrational decisions. Enthralled by love, they do not realize what is transpiring before them until things take a turn for the unexpected. This play has a twist in the end, leaving me dumbfounded.

February 22, 2019

ASK ALMA The Mother Ghost Dear Alma, I have a friend and we’ve known each other most of our lives. We’ve spent many years together going on family vacations, dealing with marriages and divorce. We had children around the same time and we’ve always been there for each other. We are now at the stage where you take care of your parents. I’m not taking care of my mom, she’s in a nursing home, but my friend decided to take care of her mom at home. Her mother recently died, but before she died, she told my friend that she would come back and visit her. My friend believes that her mother is back in the house. She told me the lights are blinking on and off in one room and she also said there’s one step that squeaks now that never did before. I think that’s crazy and she thinks it’s her mother. What’s the best way to explain to her, her mother cannot come back from the grave? Name withheld Hold up, wait – it could happen…shaking my head, naaawwww, LOL, I don’t think so. If you’ve followed Ask Alma for half a minute, you’d know I’ve lost my mother, father and one and only big sister Kim, so when it comes to grieving, I’m at the head of the line. I never thought my sister was gonna die, even when she was in a coma. I would talk to her and say, “You can open your eyes now, it’s just me in the room.” After she died, I had to pretend she was in the Bahamas, unreachable for the first six years. I remember telling my father, I don’t know what I’ll do without you. He lovingly answered, “Yes you will, you’ll know.” When it came to my mama, don’t you dare speak the words. I could not even entertain the thought. My heart broke, I was broken. Some might call it irrational, but you’ll never know until it happens to you. As far as your friend is concerned, like my mother use to say, if you go looking for it honey, you’ll find it. Well, actually she said, if you keep stirring sh*t, you’ll start to smell it, but we’re a PG publication here, so let’s just keep it moving, LOL. Humans, unlike our furry K-9 friends, don’t go looking for something for the sake of looking. We always have an agenda, an inkling, something that doesn’t sit right in our belly. You know what I’m saying. She’s looking, so just let her look. Yea, she’s stretching, but that’s her broken rubber band to bend. I’m not sure why her mom would tell her something like that, although we’ve all got our “Why did my mama say that?” stories to tell. If she believes her mom can operate her lights from heaven, it’s nothing you or I can say or do to change that. And why should we? When I see a beautiful red bird, I say hello to my grandmother, she loved birds. I don’t think the red bird is my grandmother, just like if the lights are flickering in my house, my first thought is to change the bulb. This, my friend, is not a dilemma you should elect yourself to correct. Let her look for her mama in every twinkling star and tri-color rainbow she can find. As long as she’s paying her electric bill and ain’t breaking any laws, l say, let her grieve her mama as she pleeze. Alma Alma Gill’s newsroom experience spans more than 25 years, including various roles at USA Today, Newsday and the Washington Post. Email questions to:alwaysaskalma@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook at “Ask Alma” and Twitter @almaaskalma.

February 22, 2019

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HOROSCOPE FEATURED STAR: PISCES - The Fish - 02/19 - 03/20 Try not to let lack of friend time get to you, everyone is busy. Inspiration/Influence: Allow yourself some fun and relaxation. Lucky Numbers – 07.45.32.18.44.26 ARIES - The RAM - 03/21 - 04/19 This week should feel like an adventure. Time to shift and do things differently. TAURUS – THE BULL – 04/20 - 05/20 Embrace all those that share even a small portion of your agenda. GEMINI – The Twins - 05/21 – 06/20 Don’t worry too much about family or friend issues. They will get through by end of the week. CANCER – The Crab – 06/21 – 07/22 Put self-doubts on hold for good, they are not helping. LEO – The Lion – 07/23 – 08/22 Keep filling every room with good energy; things only get better for you. VIRGO – The Virgin – 08/23 – 09/22 It’s a great time to make plans. Your mental and emotional state can handle it. LIBRA – The Scales – 09/23 – 10/22 You need new ideas. It shouldn’t be that hard to shake something out. SCORPIO – The Scorpion – 10/23 – 11/21 Now is not the time to be asking people for help. You will need to find new ways. It all gets better from there. SAGITTARIUS – The Archer – 11/22 – 12/21 Make sure your time is used wisely, get the most difficult things out of the way first. CAPRICORN – The Goat – 12/22 – 01/19 You can’t satisfy everyone. Pick and choose, and hope for the best. AQUARIUS – The Water Carrier – 01/20 – 02/18 A quick change brings new things to learn, and see, this is where you’ll shine. Daily Oracle Reading: Ask and it is given: The only way to see a clear day is to get through your “storm”.

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February 22, 2019

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Event Calendar Reggae Sunday Brunch at Hero’s Lounge 3094 N. 35 Fwy. Dallas. 11am. Caribbean Breakfast & Lunch. Black Beauty Glitz and Glamor Designers Patrick Wright and Pucci Lisenbee never before seen fashion at South Dallas Cultural Center 300 Fitzhugh Ave. 6pm. Info: 214-939-2787, 2-2 - 3-23. Comerica Bank Prom Dress Drive Benefitting Dallas CASA & Boys & Girls Clubs until 2-28 at Comerica bank Info: www.Comerica.com/promdress Feeding The Needy Hosted by: Hollywood Hernandez Live 1698 Corsicana St. Dallas. 3pm-5pm. Written & Witnessed Presented by: Andrea Tosten & Jas Mardis at Oak Cliff Cultural Center 223 W. Jefferson Blvd. FREE 10am-8pm. Until 3-29-19

February 20-28 Ustoo: Phenomenal Women at African American Museum 3536 Grand Ave. 11am-5pm.

February 21-23 Hispanic/Latino Media & Marketing International Conference 2019 at University of Texas at Arlington 6pm.

February 21 Judicial Investitures for Criminal Court Judges at Dallas Bar Assoc. 2101 Ross Ave. 3:30pm. Red Alert! Celebrating the Stars Among Us by: Metropolitan Dallas-Alumnae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at The Manderley 2010 N. Hampton Rd. #700, DeSoto. 7pm-11pm. Info: www.mdadst.org

Zan W. Holmes Lunch and Learn Series Expundgement at Frazier House 4600 Spring Ave. Dallas. 11:30am1pm. TBAAL’s CD Release & Listening Series: Niko Preforms at Clarence Muse Café Theatre 1309 Canton St. 7:30pm info: 214-743-2400 Dance Your Pounds Off Dallas at Alpha Midway Dance Studio 13740 Midway Rd. # 174 7pm-8pm. Eventbrite.

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JAMALZ REGINALD PRODUCTIONS presents Apollo Dallas Style at Hall of State at Fair Park. Show Time 7pm. Info. to contest, email: jamalzwanttell@gmail.com. Heritage Oak Cliff Neighborhood Leaders Meet and Greet at La Calle Doce 415 W. 12th St. Dallas. 5:30pm7:30pm. Eventbrite.

February 22-23 15th Annual Weekend Fest. of Black Dance “Rhythm & Soul of a People” TBAAL Bruton Theatre 1309 Canton St. Tickets: $5. Our Journey A Tale of Yesterday and Today- Live Recording at Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church 8702 Eden Valley Ln. 8pm, 23rd 3pm & 8pm

February 22 Dr. Ralph J. Bunch 1st Black awarded Noble Peace Prize in 1950

HBCU Alumni Meet & Greet at Bar Louie 4001 Bagpiper Way, Arlington 5pm10pm. 3rd Annual Ron Bivins “The Peoples Servant” Living Legends & Scholarship Banquet Norma Adams-Wade at Hilton Garden Inn 800 N. Main St. Duncanville 7:30pm. Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Legends Reception at A. A. M. 3536 Grand Ave. 6:30pm-8:30pm. Tickets: www. aamdallas.org Paint N Sip with Kinfolk at The Flying Daiquiri 900 E. Copeland St. Ste. 160 Arlington. 7pm-10pm. Tickets: Eventbrite DBDT at DeSoto High School 600 Eagle Dr. 7pm-10pm. Tickets: www.artsdesoto.com Black History Month Movie Night “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” at FWBC 2020 W. Wheatland Rd. Dallas. 7pm-9pm. “No Cost” Watermelon Woman (1996) Black Filmmakers Series at Texas Theatre 231 W. Jefferson Blvd. 6:30pm-8pm. $1 Reclaim at Tarrant County College South Campus Student Center 5301 Campus Dr. Ft. Worth. 8am-3pm. Register: ww.tccd. edu/professional-conference

William Edward Burghardt Du Bois Writer/Teacher DOB 1868

A K A Sorority Alpha Xi Omega Chapter-Dallas Founder’s day Luncheon Celebration at Hilton Anatole Hotel Dallas 12noon. Event-Dallas

Super R & B Jam Feat: Tyrese, Avant, Ginuwine, Donnell Jones, 702 at The Theatre at Grand Prairie 1001 Performance Pl. 8pm. UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball at Hyatt Regency Dallas 300 Reunion Blvd. Reunion Ballroom 6pm. Info: Kristie Patton Foster dallasinfo@uncf.org

at Concord

African American History Month at South Dallas Cultural Center 3400 S. Fitzhugh Ave. 10am-3pm. Free. Black History Celebration African American Read-In at The Dock Bookshop and Dock Community 6637 Meadowbrook Dr. Ft. Worth. 12pm.

February 24-25 2019 Black History Celebration at East Pointe COC 3029 Handley Dr. Ft Worth. 24th 3pm. & 25th 6pm.

2019 Honors Brunch J. C. Belt, Jr. Awarded to Hon. Helen Giddings at Paul Quinn College 3837 Simpson Stuart Rd. 11am.

Shades of Slay Dallas Host: Slay Magazine at Royal Lane Studios 4843 W. Royal Ln. Irving. 3pm.

Black Girl Magic Tour Dallas by: Boss Women Media at Sugarfina North Park Center Northwest Hwy. Dallas 9am11am.

The Black Bridal Experience Expo at Eventfully Yours Special Event Venue 7640 N.E. Loop 820 #110 North Richland Hills. 11am-4pm.

Flaunt - The Big 1970’s Party 8pm1am Tickets: Eventbrite Location will be provided with ticket purchase.

Southwest Writers Showcase 2019 at Country View Golf Course 240 W. Belt Line Rd. Lancaster. 3pm-7pm. Tickets: Eventbrite.

Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Luncheon at Dallas Sheraton Hotel 400 N. Olive St. 11am. Tickets: www.aamdallas.org/2019/ TexasBlackSportsHallofFame.asp

February 24

Sunday Evening Theatre Stage Readings of African American Classics A Soldier’s Play at TBAAL 1309 Canton St. 5pm.

Coffee & Politics Housing & the City of Dallas at A. A. Museum at Fair Park. 10am-11am.

Obama-Ology Play at Jubilee Theatre 506 Main St. Ft Worth Time and Dates Vary. Tickets: www.jubileetheatre.org

Women Like Us, Painting With A Twist Host: Women Like Us, Inc. 3pm5pm. Must RSVP: www.womenlikeusinc. org/events

La Llorona: A Love Story at Bishop Arts Theatre Center 215 Tyler St.www.bishopartstheatre.org

Erykah Badu at The Bomb Factory 2713 Canton St. Dallas. 8pm. Tickets: ticketfly. com The Exchange – DFW African American Market Showcase at MLK, JR. Recreation Center 2901 Pennsylvania Ave. 12pm. Free. Polk-Wisdom Branch Library Adult events Celebrating Black Culture: Let’s Grove today! 7151 Library Ln. Dallas 11am. Polk-Wisdom Branch Library Adult events Celebrating Black Culture: Dred Scott. By LaRome Armstrong 7151 Library Ln. Dallas 1pm.

February 23

Youth

Church 6806 Pastor Bailey Dr. 7pm. Tickets: unalteredtour.com

Methodist Charlton Heart to Heart at Methodist Charlton Auditorium 3500 W. Wheatland Rd. 10am-12:30pm. HBCU Panel and Scholarship Search Party at Dymensions Academic Center 8105 Rasor Blvd. Ste # 273, Plano. 10am-1pm. Free Eventbrite. Savior’s Day Commemorating

February 25 In 1853 the 1st YMCA for Blacks opens in Washington, D.C.

Fibroid Free Health Wealth & Happiness Mixer Feat Speaker Claudia Jordan at Fibroid Institute Dallas 12400 Coit Rd. #505, Dallas. 6pm7:30pm. Info: 214-382-3200. Fed Listens: Community Listening Session at St Philips School & Community Center 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. 9:15-11:30am. Info: dallasfed.org. Men Stand for Life Breakfast at Dallas Country Club 4155 Mockingbird Ln. 7am-8:30am. Tickets: Eventbrite

February 26 Fats Domino R&B & Rock n Roll Musician DOB 1928

Eco Latino/LULAC 2019 Job Fair at Hilton Garden Inn 800 N. Main St. Duncanville. 10am-6pm. Zan W. Holmes Lunch and Learn Series Cryptocurrency Tokenization at Frazier House 4600 Spring Ave. Dallas. 11:30am-1pm.

February 22, 2019

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