The Focus Black History Edition
Feb 2015
Judge George Harris Black History is American History
The Official Magazine of Focused Radio
FocusPoints Who Am I? pg 4 Black History: Hon George Harris pg 6 Beauty and the Beast pg 9 Respect pg 13 Black is Beautiful pg 14 Love: Intense Feeling of Deep Affection pg 16 Editor in Chief: TommyP Story Editor: Lenai Clegg Photo Credits: Facebook Instagram NuFocus Media G. Warner Photography
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What’s going on Everybody? It’s your boy TommyP, with another great issue of The Focus Magazine, VA’s premier Urban Professional Publication. This month we are overwhelmed by love. Love for ourselves, love for our families, and love for our history. We show that love by honoring a true pioneer in the Roanoke Valley. The Honorable Judge George Harris passed away in January, however his full life here with us was one that can’t be replicated easily. Showing us the way to make a difference in one of the areas the urban community is losing in, criminal justice, “The Judge” led by example. He will truly be missed! We also challenge each of you to do some soul searching, by asking the question, “Who Am I?” Though it may seem the answer is obvious, you just may be surprised after reading the article. Pair that with Love and Respect, you will be on your way to #StayingFocusedMyFriends! As always, thank you for your support and continue to listen to Focused Radio as you go about your day. TommyP
Who Am
I?
What a thought provoking and piercing question. At some point in our lives, we all look deeply into the mirror and ponder the thought. In order to come to some conclusion we must all find some point of reference. For most, those reference points are a culmination of what we’ve been told, our family character traits, and mistakenly enough, the things we’ve done and currently struggle with. As a single black mother, I’ve always made a fervent effort to expose my son to the rich history from which his forefathers originated. I want him to know that his past includes much more than what’s been etched in his mind, year after year, in his history classes about slavery and one man named Dr. Martin Luthur King Jr. Don’t get me wrong, both are very important to know and they exemplify our strength in the face of adversity and how together, through blood and tears, power and fears, we as a people are overcomers. I find it equally important for him to know that our past includes the often overlooked truths that we ruled as kings and queens, dynamic mathematicians, astrologers, inventors, doctors, I could go on and on. Knowing our past and where we’ve come from is vital to understanding who we are. Now, while the history of our forefathers is one reference point, so are the things that we’ve heard and seen from external sources. Those sources may include family members, friends, people who have hurt us, media, what we are exposed to in our environment, as well as other influences. If we are a part of the fortunate few, our family members told us that we are special, loved, powerful, talented and can do anything in life we put our minds to. Unfortunately for most, this is not the case. Additionally, when we include the ways we are portrayed on TV, movies, videos, songs, the news….. it’s a wonder that we aren’t all walking around lost, acting like aliens who have no control over our own destiny’s…… or do we find ourselves responding this way? Some may consider this a valid argument when we look at the way we treat each other; divide rather than unite, retreat rather than progress. I believe it all goes back to first understanding Who We Are. The Focus Feb 2015 4
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We must also understand that what we do is not necessarily who we are. Many of the things we do, is out of ignorance of who we are. One might say if you steal you are a thief, if you lie you are a liar, if you drink uncontrollably, you are an alcoholic. If we really were what we do, we wouldn’t have one upstanding, loving person in the world, because every day we all face personal battles, which may or may not be visible to others, but exist nonetheless. In my search of understanding who I am, I filtered through all of the information listed above, plus a few other things. Of everything I gathered, I found that who I am, is a direct reflection of who my God is. We are created in God’s image. If that is the case,
then everything else that infiltrated my mind, positive or negative is all superseded by who God says I am. He says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, that I was made righteous, and that I was formed out of love. Anything else is not the truth. It’s so liberating and empowering to know that I am a supreme being, full of love, power, wisdom, truth, and patience. I am not who the world says I am, nor what I’ve done, I AM who GOD SAYS I AM! Take the time to do some real soul searching and determine who God says you are. It will affect every step and decision you make in your life. Learn your history so you don’t repeat the mistakes of the past but rather to be encouraged. Recognize your challenges, not to use as a label for yourself and permission to act accordingly, but to allow your creator to help you where you are weak so that you (your mind), will be transformed into His image. And then you will walk in the understanding of knowing, THAT’S who you are!
Lenai Clegg- Inspirational Speaker
Black History Is American History!
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The Honorable Judge George Harris was the first black judge appointed to any court of Roanoke, VA in 1985. Though we said goodbye to him last month, his legacy will never allow us to forget him!
by
TommyP
“O..,oh, Okay” accompanied by his unforgettable smile,”We will do it.” That was the response I got from Judge George Harris a few months ago when I let him know The Focus wanted to cover him for the Black History Month edition. Obviously God had better plans and called this pioneer home before we were able to sit down and talk about his accomplishments. Probably because Judge Harris didn’t go around flaunting or looking for opportunities for someone else to blow his horn. You wouldn’t see ceremonies and events in his honor. Not that he wasn’t worthy of them, he just wasn’t having it. Instead his actions have made their way into our minds and the history books forever. George W Harris Jr, of Lynchburg, VA was a man that made his time here on earth count. In 1955, University of Virginia School of Engineering had 3 black students enrolled, a first for the university. He was one of them. He was also one of UVA football team’s first black players. He eventually graduated from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), Virginia Union University. He was a part of the Richmond 34. This group made a huge impact in the civil rights movement by staging a sit-in at a Richmond restaurant in 1960. The 34 was arrested for trespassing, however later had the ruling overturned by pushing it The Focus Feb 2015 8
all the way up to the US Supreme court in 1963. He later received his Juris Doctorate Degree and passed the bar in 1967. Starting a private law practice in Roanoke later that year, he ultimately made more history 18 years after. In 1985, The Honorable Judge George Harris was sworn in and became Roanoke, VA’s first black judge of any court. Studies show that blacks barely make up 12% of America’s population, however 40% of Americans incarcerated are black. If more young black men followed the path of Judge Harris, those numbers would be totally different. We are praying for Judge Harris’ family. I am personally praying for his wife Helen. A long-time educator in the Roanoke City Public Schools, Principal Harris is the one responsible for sending me to an accelerated learning program when I was in elementary. This let me know I was smart and aided in my decision making to not be one of the 40% of blacks incarcerated. Judge Harris thank you for all of the history you made. You will be missed, however your life and legacy will live on forever.
We truly appreciate
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Beauty Brie Jackson Reporter/Anchor, Channel 10 News
As the most prominent African-American in the field of blood transfusion medicine, Dr. Charles Drew protested against the practice of racial segregation in the donation of blood, as it lacked scientific foundation, an action which cost him his job. #BlackHistoryMonth
Those Making it Happen
Beast
Micah White Comedian, Entreprenuer, RVA Has Talent
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Respect We all view things differently and we also have different morals and values. How one person may view a certain thing, may be viewed totally different by someone else. When I think of values, I think of honesty, integrity, courage, and respect. Every one of us has the choice to have integrity. We can decide whether or not to be honest or courageous. We can also individually decide to be respectful to others and to ourselves. Let’s talk about respect. Do you respect yourself and others? Do you respect yourself enough to live a better life by eating healthy and exercising daily? Respect yourself enough by thinking positively and get rid of the vices of thinking low about yourself. Surround yourself around people who have respect for themselves and who respects you. I challenge you to
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by Will Speaks
stay away from toxic, negative people because they will drain you. According to Anderson (2014), “Not all relationships are built to last, no matter how badly you wish they would.” Would you prefer to stay in a relationship that fills your heart with pain or find a new relationship that fills your heart with love and joy? When you learn to value yourself, you will attract people who know your worth and deter people who want to chip away at your happiness. You have to respect yourself in order for other people to respect you. You also have to give respect in order to receive it. When you are respectful to others you can build positive relationships. So, be considerate of others and make some type of contribution.
Black Is Beautiful
In Honor of Black History Month, Madam C.J. Walker seems fitting for this occasion. Madam C.J. Walker, also known as Sarah Breedlove was a hard worker, philanthropist and civil rights activist. During her life, she experienced hair loss from a scalp ailment and tried home remedies and finally created her own hair care products. She promoted her product by traveling around the country giving lectures and demonstrations and eventually establishing her own laboratories to manu fa c t u r e cosmetics and train sales beauticians. She became the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Even today, her products are still sold in the black community to aid ‘black hair.’ In addition, many of her products help to aid natural hair and scalp to restore the beauty that’s within. She embraced her culture and created products that supported her culture instead of covering it up. She was proud of her heritage and wanted to improve it. Today, the natural hairstyles are becoming popular. Everyone’s starting to embrace their culture and cutting their hair off and allow their kinks and coils to show. Society
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tells you that black hair isn’t beautiful or doesn’t hold the same respect as Caucasian hair but that is changing. Many styles are surfacing and bringing back the beauty that was once lost. Today natural hair is making a BIG comeback. People are shedding relaxers and chemicals and taking on their natural textures and styles again. Madam C.J. Walker is one of the pioneers in the black hair care market with her Walker System. She wanted us to have a product that could protect and help our hair and scalp because of what she experienced. We don’t feel beautiful when we lose hair because of improper care. Even today people have hair loss problems because of a variety of things but most of the time it’s because of chemical use. We chemically straighten our hair to lose our natural looks and fit the mold. It’s time to stop being afraid of the beauty that God gave us and love what we have. Finally, embrace who you are. Walker set the bar in history for being the first self-made American woman to become a millionaire while just embracing who she was and look at what she accomplished! Through trying to change our appearance to match the norm, it has caused us to forget where we come from. We shouldn’t feel like being black or natural is a bad thing. We were born who we are for a reason. Let your ‘natural’ shine through, kinks, curls and all. We as black people can finally start embracing our culture again. Remember, your ‘Black’ is beautiful. Crystal C.
From chicken wings and fish shacks to upscale establishments across the nation, “soul food” has evolved from being the least desirable of meals served during slavery, to being widely enjoyed across the nation. Cities with larger black populations such as Chicago, New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. are known for marketing the Southern Cuisine that best represents the African American Culture. In honor of Black History Month, The Focus Magazine wants to share one of our own personal favorites.
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1/2 Cup Flour
Cracker Crumbs 1 Can Pink Salmon 1/4 Cup Chopped Onion 1/4 Cup Chopped Green Pepper 1 Large Beaten Egg 3 Tbsps. Mayo Salt Pepper
Salmon Croquettes (Serves 4-5)
Combine Flour and Cracker Crumbs and Set Mixture Aside Open Salmon, Drain Thoroughly, Debone and Flake Evenly With a Fork Add Chopped Onion, Chopped Green Pepper, Large Beaten Egg, Mayo, Salt and Pepper Blend Together Well Shape Mixture into 4 oz. Patties Coat Patties in Flour and Cracker Crumb Mixture
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook in oil over Medium Heat until brown before turning.
Cook time: 20 mins Serve and Enjoy!
LOVE
Love: An intense feeling of deep affection As we ease into the month of February, it’s not just Black History Month, but as many like to consider it, it’s also The Month of Love. Let’s take a few precious moments and reflect on ‘natural’ love. Ladies, on Valentine’s Day we’re most likely anticipating a gift, preferably something that sparkles and shines. Men, you’re probably expecting to spend some quiet time with your lady and doing whatever puts a smile on her face, whether that entails dinner, movie or just quality time. All of that is nice, but now let’s talk about the real, true source of love. – ‘Spiritual Love’. We’ve all heard the statement, “God is Love” and truer words have never been spoken. The Bible says, “For GOD so loved the world that He gave His only son.” (John 3:16) Love is an action word and what better way for God to show His love for us than to give His son to die for our sins. God is also there if you are feeling lonely and need someone to talk to. He is patiently waiting for you to spend time with him. Psalm 116:1 says “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.” It’s a fantastic feeling and great assurance to know that God hears your voice. Love is a strong and powerful emotion. It has the capacity to ‘heal’. Ever noticed when you show love or when love is shown toward you, how it has the ability to change the atmosphere and just simply brighten someone’s day? THAT IS THE POWER OF LOVE!! I challenge you during this month and the months to follow, to do all you can to express love. Extend a smile, lend a helping hand, or just simply let someone know that you love them. I guarantee it will warm your heart and put a smile on someone’s face. When Valentine’s Day approaches, whether you’re spending it with a spouse, a significant other or maybe even alone, remember God loves you and He’ll never leave you because GOD IS LOVE! ~Love, Peace and Blessings~
Denise A. Kelley The Focus Feb 2015 16