Vendor Writing

History Repeating Itself

JOHN H., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

In the Old Testament, the slaves cried for over 400 years and finally God answered their cry. He plagued Egypt with many different plagues and yet Pharoah didn’t want to let the slaves go free. What’s going on here in America is very similar.

All these years of hatred from white Americans. Senseless! Seems as if we, Black Americans, should be the ones who carry the hatred in our hearts. Amazing how many change their story due to many white protestors, people like Drew Brees, Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, etc. I’m a true believer of this verse of scripture, “What is in the heart comes out the mouth, our deeds.” What comes out the mouth of many the first time is practically what’s in the heart. Due to seeing in many major cities more white protestors than black, it’s enough to make a person want to go along with the majority even though their heart may not be there just yet.

Just like God had Moses to lead the slaves out of Egypt, God can change America by reforming all

the bad leaders and the hatred in authority. (I say authority because it’s not just police, it’s our courts (especially judges), District Attorneys, and of course our President and many citizens.) Tennessee is the most racist state I’ve ever resided in. The headquarters of racism. Very sad. I pray for this hatred to end, at least with our government and citizens. I pray that Black people can be more comfortable, have much better chances for better jobs, and most importantly that Black people have equal rights as white people.

I lost many white friends here in Nashville, simply because they didn’t know what it meant for me to tell them that they wouldn’t know how to walk in a black man’s shoes. Many have come and found me and apologized because their hearts just wasn’t there. They took my feelings for granted. Apology is not needed, I need change more. Ask God to take away the hate from your heart. It starts with you. I still love white folks. God told me I had to. Some are bad, not all.

What Tennessee Is Made Of

BY MAURICE B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

History bonds and bounds us together. Let’s take a stroll of the true wonders of life’s history here in this area we call home.

In 1796 Tennessee became the 16th state of the Union. The name, “Tennessee” was recorded by a Captain born in Tobati named Juan Padro. The name derives from the “Tanasi,” river and the two Cherokee villages on it’s banks.

Our seventh president Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaw Settlement, an area near Lancaster in South Carolina and moved to Tennessee in 1798 and acquired land in Davidson County where he acquired the Hermitage plantation where he passed away June 8th 1845.

On June 15, 1934 the Great Smoky Mountain National Park —”The Smokies” — was established and is still holding strong as a place to come and see and admire.

A man born in Tupelo, Miss., known as the KING of Rock, Elvis Aaron Presley, also has a history in Tennessee. An enormous amount of people still visit Graceland — the Elvis Presley complex in Memphis.

The territory south of the River Ohio/Tennessee/ Volunteer State has long been home to the music biz, bringing individuals from far and wide to play, listen and be a part of the scene. Nashville was officially dubbed Music City USA by a WSM announcer named David Cobb in 1950. Memphis also has a prominent music scene with historical blues clubs on Beale Street originating the unique Memphis blues sounds in the early 20th century.

We can also observe the passion of one that was born in Locust Ridge, Tenn., Dolly Parton, who before the financial aid to Dolly she still was rich with things that money couldn’t buy, like love, kindness and understanding. Dolly also opened Dollywood in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

For people interested in Tennessee architecture, the late Crawford Smith’s replica of the Parthenon is located at Centennial Dog Park in Nashville. Tennessee also has many museums like the American Museum of Science and energy in Oakridge Tenn., Alex Haley museum & Interpretive Center in Henning

Tenn., the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, the Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum in Memphis, the Tina Turner Museum and Flag Grove School in Brownsville, Tenn. and the Beck Cultural Center in Knoxville, Tenn.

These are some of the people, places and things people associate with Tennessee. The foundation of this state comes from the blood sweat and tears of individuals with passion.

We have one in our midst that is a precious and passionate warrior/soldier by the name of Robin Kimbrough Hayes. She has gone through many bumps and bruises in and out of the basic training of life. She grew up as a latchkey child in Lexington, Ky.,, and found her way to Nashville.

As the plate of life was presented to her, the delicious foods of life here in Tennessee she set off to eat her fill. First she ate at the well known “Fisk University”, and then tasted and graduated from Emory Law School. Her plate was continually filled by her desires to pursue more and more passionate ideas and dreams. She pursued her legal career alone while taking care of her family as a single mom. Then, she received a larger meal when she was appointed to the Tennessee attorney general, where she has argued cases from East to West Tennessee before the courts of criminal appeals. She also launched into a legal career focusing on social justice issues as an associate general counsel for the Tennessee Coalition to end domestic and sexual violence. Mrs. Robin Kimbrough Hayes also enjoys the taste of volunteering with the NAACP. She is a proven champion for victims of domestic violence and serves as a chaplain for people who are struggling with drugs and alcohol dependency at the Elam Center.

Mrs. Robin Kimbrough Hayes asks your permission to carry her experiences into the US Senator’s seat for Tennessee. Our togetherness brings about the passion that holds this area together. The whole world could use what she has been fed during her time here in Tennessee. The support of all from this area can make a change in the world by allowing Robin Kimbrough Hayes to be a part of and speak for this area.