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Volume XVII- Issue 221 MAY 15-31, 2012 Published 1st & 15 Each Month Phalconstar.com Greenville, TX Phone (903) 450-1393 Fax (903) 450-1397 1 Year Subscription $45.00
POINTVIEW
K AESNDOLYN S! E GW N I BA MY WIFE WANTS A NEW HOUSE FOR OUR RETIREMENT! Dear Gwendolyn: I am retiring in six months. My wife and I have been married for 42 years. We have had a beautiful marriage except for some ups and downs as in most marriages. This is the problem: My wife wants a new house. Ladies in her social club are buying new houses. I told her those ladies are younger, and some of them recently remarried. Therefore, they would want another house, even if they were awarded their current house in the divorce. My wife of 42 years now treats me badly. Gwendolyn, our house is paid for, including our car, furniture, and we have money in the bank. I am too old to get into debt. I want to spend my retirement traveling and enjoying life. Robert
Ask Gwendolyn, News, Issues, Perspectives and Editorials
WORDS WITHOUT ACTION BLACKONOMIC$
JIM CLINGMAN
I often quote famous Black people, as I am sure most of us do. We refer to their writings and their speeches, citing their words of wisdom and deriving inspiration from their knowledge. I often think about how we recite the words of famous Black people after they have passed away. It’s sad to think that the treasure-trove of so many important and enlightening things stated and demonstrated by our predecessors have not been heeded, and long after they have died their words ring hollow among Black folks. I hope my words are not merely quoted and used simply to stir the emotions - now or after I have left this earth. Too often we let opportunity slip away because we fail to act upon information when we receive it; we’d rather wait and use the words to temporarily satisfy and soothe our pains. Let’s look at some examples. The phrase “By any means necessary” has been used millions of times by our brothers and sisters. Had we followed some of Malcolm’s words at the time he was saying them, imagine where we would be today. Still many Black men and women quote him and use his words to stir the emotions, but few are willing to incorporate the words into their daily lives. How many of
us are willing to have economic strength by any means necessary? Marcus Garvey is another brother who is quoted quite often. How many of us actually live by his words? How about Mary McLeod Bethune? She told us what to do economically before she died, and we just love to hear her words today. Have we turned her words into action? Martin Delaney, T. Thomas Fortune, William Wells-Brown, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, and many more have told us what we must do for ourselves in order to have a strong economic foundation. Are we following the principles they espoused? Let us not forget about Booker T. Washington, who practiced what he preached and demonstrated the results of his words. And probably the most quoted of them all, Frederick Douglass, who told us what to do and how to do it more than 100 years ago. We love to talk about “Power” and how it concedes nothing, and we rejoice in his notion of agitation. Are we merely interested in feeling good about economic empowerment? Do we just like to hear the words of these and more famous Black men and women? Or, are we willing to act upon those words as well? Speakers can Continued Next Page
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Dear Robert: You are correct in feeling it unwise to start debt all over again. Couples are losing their houses in foreclosure – not to mention some are sleeping in their car until the car is repossessed. Times are hard. It is unbelievable your wife is not appreciating what most couples never accomplish. Take note – This is the time for you to reap the fruits of your labor. Many people don’t live to age of retirement. You are blessed. Do not give in to the desire and wishes of your wife. To purchase a new house or old house at your age, especially since your house is mortgage-free, makes no sense at all. Let me tell you this: I suggest you strongly consider getting a divorce and use your retirement money --- to enjoy the good life alone.
***Do you have a son or grandson age 10-17? Help him to choose college not jail. Order DECISIONS In The Life Of A Growing Male Youth. For ordering information write to Gwendolyn Baines at: P. O. Box 10066, Raleigh, NC 27605-0066 (to receive a reply send a self-addressed stamped envelope) or email her at: gwenbaines@hotmail.com or visit her website at: www.gwenbaines.com
Page 2
May 15-31, 2012
Ryan McCurdy
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Contributing Writers: Gwendolyn Baines Ruby Grant Ryan McCurdy Patricia McCurdy Erin McCurdy Kuumba (koo-ummm-bah) is a swahilli word that means: to be creative. African Americans in the past and, to a great extent, in the present has had to derive and improvise special recreative ways to strive for the right to exist. Therefore, Kuumba represents the blood, sweat, tears and joy we have shared as we grew to know and love our new found land.The Kuumba Heritage News is published by Phalconstar Communications, LCC and reserves all rights to accept or refuse any articles to be printed in any issue of the newspaper. Views and opinions expressed by writers are not necessarily those of the publisher or our advertisers. The Kuumba Heritage News is published bi-monthly (1st & 15th, each month). Letters to the Editor are welcome. Only signed letters will be accepted. The Kuumba Heritage News assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Any use or reproduction in part or whole is forbidden without the express written consent of the publisher. Used under license agreement IDN 13-6401495.
News, local houses of worship
For as the body is one, and has many members. And all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: So also is Christ. 1Corin. 12:18
Blackonomics From Page 2
recite the words of famous people and bring the audience to a fever pitch, but if the audience goes home and does not act upon those words, they become, as another famous writer and activist said, “Sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.” As we face our collective economic future, we can look at it in one of two ways: As a speeding train about to run over us or as a train we
are about to board and take a nice long trip. What’s it going to be? If we had acted upon a few of the words our mothers and fathers uttered when they walked this earth, I shudder to think how powerful we would be, how together we would be, how truly rich we would be, not only financially but in most other ways as well. Additionally, since we are talking about that train, we certainly would not
have to worry about it running us down - we’d own it! To the thousands of you who will read this column, please don’t sit back after reading it and simply say, “Man, that was right on the money,” or something to that effect. If these words make you “feel good” then allow them to make you “do good” as well. In the 1950’s, Horace Sudduth said, “Economic
freedom is the greatest cause before the Negro today.” In the 1960’s, Martin L. King said, “The emergency we now face is economic.” In 1912, Booker T. Washington said, “Let us act, before it’s too late - before others come from foreign lands and rob us of our birthright.” The key word is ACT. We should live the words of our ancestors, not just repeat them.
Church Baptist Olive Mt. Pilgrim Tabernacle Church of Deliverance, Inc. 4707 Washington Street ~ Greenville, Texas Rev. Robert L. Woodson, Pastor
Sun. Morning 9:30 Sun. Evening 6:30 Wed. Family Prayer 7:30-8:30 pm Fri. Worship 7:30
GOD’S PLAN FOR SAVING MAN
GOD’S GRACE
EPHESIANS 2:8
CHRIST’S BLOOD
ROMANS 5:9
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GOSPEL ROMANS 1:16 SINNER’S FAITH
ACT 16:31
SINNERS’S REPENTENCE LUKE 13:3 SINNER’S CONFESSION ROMANS 10:10 SINNER’S BAPTISM
1PETER 3:21
CHRISTIAN’S WORK
JAMES 2:24
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ROMANS 8:24
CHRISTIAN’S ENDURANCE REVELATION 2:10
Founder, Elder Wesley Pierce & 1st Lady Annette Pierce
3620 Washington Street Greenville , TX Office (903) 454-7144 Striving for Perfection Founded 1972
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~ Ser vice Times: ~ Sunday Sc hool 9:45am Mor ning Worship 11:00am Prayer Meeting/Bible Lesson (Wed.) 6:45pm Youth/Choir/Usher/Mission/”We Care Ministries” Churc h office #903.455.9841
When you are slandered are considered to be peculiar person don’t give up when you are doing a good work for God. Keep to your work like Nehemiah, Paul and the first church you are doing a great work for the Lord. Paul was accused of being deranged by those who did not understand the power under which he acted. No doubt, Festus thought the man was crazy, that “much learning” had driven him mad (Acts 26:24-25). But Paul said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak the words of truth and reason”v25. His Conduct was so strange, so novel, that Festus thought it must be insanity. But the truth simply was that Paul saw the subject so clearly that he threw his whole soul into it. 2 Tim 3:12 “Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” Pentecost: the First baptism of men with the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-21 the effects of the Holy Spirit baptism on the people of the first church, caused a revival at Jerusalem which many people thought the first church had been drinking. Peter stood up and tells the people of Judea and all that dwell at Jerusalem about Joel 2:28 the spirit of the Lord shall pour out His spirit upon all flesh and your sons and daughters shall prophesy let them know that first church were not drunken from wine that day. Nehemiah 5:1-3, Nehemiah 2:19, Philp1:6 He who hath began a good work. Don’t let slander stop your work, let the Lord’s people keep to their work. None of the slander will stop the revival are the move of God while those who are engaged in it mind their own business and keep to their work that has been appointed by God.
You can write to Ruby Grant at c/o Garland Journal News, PO Box 24, Greenville, TX 75403 or email her at (armstrongfamily3@yahoo.com)
The Kuumba Heritage News May 15-31, 2012
Page 3
AROUND-ABOUT
OLYMPIAN JOHN CARLOS RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE 20 A&M-C Athletes Participate In Spring Commencement Activities
COMMERCE - Twenty A&M-Commerce student-athletes reached the pinnacle of their educational career Saturday, May 12, earning their degrees during the Texas A&M University-Commerce 2012 spring commencement activities. “This is the day that we truly look forward to in the lives of our student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Carlton Cooper. “We enjoy celebrating the victories of these student-athletes on Former Lion sprinter and Olympic bronze medalist John Carlos received his honorary doctorate. COURTESY/PHOTO
the playing fields, but today is the true victory of earning your collegiate degree. We are incredibly proud of all our 2012 graduates.” Draped in the traditional gold studentathlete sashes, five of A&M-Commerce’s 11 intercollegiate athletic teams were represented during the commencement exercises, including four A&M-Commerce athletic trainers and a pair of cheerleaders. It was also a rare occasion Saturday as former Lion sprinter and Olympic bronze medalist John Carlos received his honorary doctorate. Carlos competed for East Texas
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State in 1967, winning both the 100 and 200-meter dashes and was a member of the 4x400-meter relay team as the Lions captured the 1967 Lone Star Conference Championship. Prior to Saturday’s commencement activities, the graduating Lion student-athletes were invited to a reception held at the Heritage House on the A&MCommerce campus Friday evening. There the student-athletes were given their sashes and provided one final opportunity to mingle and serve as representatives for the university.
2012 A&M-Commerce Spring Graduates Michael Adeyemo - Athletic Training Apreia Booker - Women’s Basketball Patrick Britt --Athletic Training Marnice Davis-- Athletic Training Jesus Fajardo-- Football Randi Hafele - Soccer Chelsey Haight - Soccer
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May 15-31, 2012
The Kuumba Heritage News
AROUND-ABOUT
GREENVILLE HIGH GRADUATES RECOGNIZED Reports
Greenville High School 2012 graduates Victoria Asbury and Kadidra Coleman were recently recognized in having participated in Beehive Lodge #105, PHA Scholarship competition. Kadidra went on to be awarded the 2012 Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Texas and Its Jurisdiction, District 2 Essay Scholarship winner and will be participating in the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and
Greenville’s Beehive Lodge #105, PHA senior deacon Will Hobdy, Kadidra Coleman, Victoria Asbury and district scholarship chairman and Beehive Lodge #105 Worshipful Master Johnny Courns. KHN/PHOTO
Accepted Masons of Texas and Its Jurisdic-
tion state-wide contest next month.
The Kuumba Heritage News
May 15-31, 2012
Page 5
CO-ED
Arts & Entertainment, Education, Health, Style
e n i g v Di ivin L LIVING LIFE ON PURPOSE y rd
A
CI RI T PA
Cu c M
GREENVILLE POLICE EXPLORERS BRING HOME SECOND PLACE TROPHY GREENVILLE- Law enforcement agencies from four states met in Waxahachie recently for the Texas Law Enforcement Explorer Advisors Association competition. The event was held at Waxahachie
Are you living your life on purpose? To do something on purpose means to have intentions, to determine, to have an aim or an end. So, as odd as this question may sound, it actually has merit. Many people take much of life for granted. They find themselves caught up in the daily routines of life that includes work, raising kids, housework, school, or getting ahead. They become oblivious to the value of each day and tend to over look the importance there of. Thus, life becomes a mindless series of daily actions. It has been said that “we should live each day as if it were our last since no day is promised.” Therefore, to live life on purpose means to appreciate each day as a new gift. It means to make each day count, to welcome and learn from each new experience that we encounter. Living life on purpose means not focusing solely on self, but looking beyond one’s own circumstances to consider others. In order to consider others, one must have intentions and plan to do so because it doesn’t just happen. In the past I took much of life for granted. This was especially true during my earlier years. Although thankful for each day, the truth is, I was simply too busy with the circumstances of daily life. I considered myself a “good little Christian”, minding my own business. And, that’s exactly what I did. I stayed in my own lane completing my routine of life. Meanwhile, I took each day for granted and made little time to live life on purpose. I rarely planned to go out of my way to help others. In short, I was in my own selfish world. But, praises to God, “When we learn better we do better!” God’s Divine Plan provides that he has purposed our lives for more than being caught up in the daily “rat race” of life. As Christians, our purpose in life is to love and obey God. Through this love and obedience to God we are to concern ourselves with the lives of others. God has commanded that we not be self-absorbed. Scripture reminds us, “Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others.” “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.” “Don’t think of your own affairs, but be interested in others too, and what they are doing” (Philippians 2:3-4). We are to use Jesus as our role model in purposefully living as God requires us to.
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May 15-31, 2012
(l-r) Susy Ramirez, Jose Lerma, Eric Arellano, Miguel Ramirez, David Contreras, Frankie Lopez. Knee – Carlos Rivas, Bryan Chacon. COURTESY PHOTO
High School and the Ninth Grade Academy. The Greenville Police Department Explorer Post competed against 125 teams and won a second place trophy in the “Robbery In Progress” event. The explorer program introduces youth to the career of law enforcement allowing them to learn about the roles police officers play in the community and prepares them for a career in law enforcement. “My hope is that our Explorers will be our future police officers and that this experience will benefit them and the Greenville Police Department,” Busken said. For more information about the Greenville Police Department Explorers Program, contact Lt.C. J. Crawford at ccrawford@ci.greenville.tx.us.
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ON TO REPUBLICAN -AND- DEMOCRAT PARTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS Monday was the first day of early voting for the May 29 political party primary elections. Most of the candidates listed are running in the Republican Party primary and only three candidates are listed as running in the county’s Democratic Party primary. Early voting for the Democratic and Republican political party primary elections will continue weekdays through May 25 at the Hunt County Voter Administration Office, 2217 Washington Street in Greenville. The polling place is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Voters will be choosing their political party’s candidates for several
county offices, state and national government officials. Republican party candidates that win in the primary and have no counterparts in running in the Democratic Party primary will simply walk into office come November.
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EDUCATION
L-3 MACHINE ROLLS TO VICTORY IN CITY HALL RACES DAVID ROSS
The mayoral and two city council candidates backed by a half-dozen or so, high ranking executives of Greenville based L-3 Communications Mission Integration group rolled to victory in the City’s May 12 election last week. The L-3 Communications mission integration group develops complex intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems for customers such as the U.S. Government, intelligence agencies and allied foreign governments. It leases and occupies what it calls “world-class facilities” atop city owned property in Greenville and will soon be negotiating an expected 40-year long-term lease agreement. In the mayoral race, banker and L-3 backed candidate, Steve Reid bested Phillip Dukes and Jim Morris by taking 54% of the total vote. Bryan Herrin, the incumbent City Council member in Place 5 lost to Renee Francey by over 30 points. And, in the Palace 6 race, Sandra Linson-Bell rolled over two opponents, Mike Smith and Cedric Dean, by reaping a 10 to- 2 landslide victory. Election campaign reports revealed over $45,000 contributed to L-3 backed candidates. Prior to last week’s election, mayoral and council candidates typically raised and spent $0 - $4,000 on their campaign bids according to observers. Controlling the outcome of the local election was significant because of an ongoing legal battle between L-3 Communications and the city. City Hall observers say that by having its own handpicked elected officials, the company can hold sway over top city staffers. “Seems as if L-3 has decided they cannot win their questionable suits against the city in the courts so they are attempting to stack the city administration with those that will do their work for them,” said Greenville resident Ray McKinney prior to the election. Still, while none of the losing candidates where outright opposed to the company in its legal battles and frosty relationship with the city, the election offered an opportunity for L-3 backed candidates to cast dark clouds of doubt and fear about their opponents in voters' minds. Nowhere was it felt more literally than in the mayoral race where Phillip Dukes could have been the city’s first ever elected African American mayor. The newly elected mayor, Steve Reid, seemed to have placed his thoughts on the controversy behind him before the votes were counted saying he had spoken to L-3’s management team. He said he believes [their] issues are solvable. “I believe L-3 should be paying more than it is-and I have expressed that to members of its management,” he stated in campaign literature.
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May 15-31, 2012
The Kuumba Heritage News