Urban Pro Weekly

UPW

MARCH 26 - 31, 2015 • VOL. 4 NO. 28

SAVE OUR SONS NIGHT

Friday, March 27, Paine College H.E.A.L. Center

URBAN PRO WEEKLY

Augustans talk about EMPIRE the new hit tv series

The Lyon family comes together to record a legacy album in an episode of EMPIRE. Pictured L-R: Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smollett, Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. ©2015 Fox Broadcasting Co. Photo by Chuck Hodes/FOX

Eddie Bussey 706-772-9800

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

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HAPPENINGS: Save Our Sons Night • Friday, March 27

SAVING A MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE

3 UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31,

COMMUNITY

2015 MEMBERS OF THE CATALYST LEAGUE, a non-profit organization that facillitates programs to empower the community, pose for a photo in front of Dapper & Company Men’s Grooming Lounge. The organization is sponsoring a “National Save Our Sons Night” at the Paine College HEAL Complex on Friday, March 27. Pictured are (L-R) Tabitha Hollimon, Daryl Rolle, Devette Green, Walter Tankersly, David Avery Jr., and Keith Edmondson.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs People are finally beginning to realize the value of the human resources represented by our youth. Why is it important to you to become engaged in their personal development?

I have a great council of thinkers and innovators that encompass me in the Catalyst League. It was someone before us that understood the fight ahead and took the time to invest in our individual greatness. The youth in

our communities are next up, therefore it’s our turn to teach them how to compete, survive and challenge the status quo in today’s society.

What is The Catalyst League and what are some of its goals?

We are a group of change agents working in the community to empower tomorrow’s leaders. Dedicated to building bridges over barriers. We use our resources according to the way we

understand the problem — ­­­ employment empowerment, technical education, mentoring, and the promotion of responsible fatherhood. Our response to these problems include our Suited In Success Program, Barbering Education Enrichment Program and Fatherhood Programs.

How did the idea for the First Annual National Save Our Sons Night come about?

In the wake of the protests and activities around the country involving Black males, we thought it was time to show a different type of protest — one that reveals the engaging and active relationships between fathers/men and son/boys.

The organization Fathers Incorporated framed the problem, but left the planning and implemenContinued on page 5

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

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COMMUNITY

HAPPENINGS

Augusta Premiere of CRU at the Kroc Center On Saturday, April 4, join writer Oliver W. Otley III and actor Keith Robinson for the Augusta Premiere of CRU. CRU is the award-winning film about a tight knit group of young high school athletes tht experience a terrible crash after winning the state championship — a catastrophe that wil shape all their lives. They come together,

15, years later for a reunion that will open old woundw, exlpose long hidden secrets — and pave ther road to forgiveness and redemption.

The event will be held at the KROC Center on April 4 at 6:15 and 8:30 p.m. For tickets visit International Formal Wear, the Paine College Business Office or online at www.aquariusvision.

Augusta seeks input for Parks Master Plan If you could design the city park of the future, what would it look like?

Would it be large and centrally located, or small and tucked away in your neighborhood?

Would it have playgrounds?

What programs should be offered and where should the priorities of city dollars be spent?

City residents are invited to attend public meetings held as part of the Recreation and Parks Master Planning designed to build a flourishing future for our park system.

Meetings will be from 6-7:30 pm on the following dates: Monday, March 30, at the Julian Smith Casino, 2205 Broad Street Augusta, Ga 30904

UPW

URBANPROWEEKLY.COM

Published by

Urban Pro Weekly LLC 3529 Monte Carlo Drive Augusta, GA 30906 Executive Publisher BEN HASAN 706-394-9411 bzhasan54@yahoo.com

Tuesday, March 31, at the Diamond Lakes Community Center, 103 Diamond Lakes Way Hephzibah, Ga 30815 In addition to public meetings, the Project Team will be mailing a statistically valid survey to households throughout the City, conduct interviews and focus groups with the public.

The assessment and action plan are expected to be complete by December 2015.

A crowdsourcing platform will be established by the end of March which will serve as the one-stop shop for all information related to the project including meeting details, technical reports and all relevant contact information. So visit us at www.planaugustaparks.com

Executive Managing Editor FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com Sales & Marketing 706-394-9411 Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media View Urbanproweekly on Facebook

En Pointe Plus with Karen Brown - http://www.kareninaballerina.com

Celebrated ballerina, Karen Brown, to offer workshop, scholarship opportunity for aspiring dancers Karen Brown, master teacher, dance coach, professor of dance, and former Artistic Director of Oakland Ballet and former principal ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem, is sharing her remarkable talents with elite dance artists. As founder of the new En Pointe Plus (EPP) Refining Institute, Ms. Brown will conduct a lecture demonstration to show how she utilizes computerized motion analysis (CMA) technology to train elite dance artists. After the demonstration students will have an opportunity to audition for scholarships.

EPP Technique Accelerator Lecture Demonstration Augusta Ballet School 2941 Walton Way, Augusta, GA Wednesday April 1, 2015 beginning at 5:30pm. Light Refreshments will be served Ms. Brown successfully introduced the EPP Refining Institute’s dance technique accelerating workshops in Augusta, Georgia

and Collegeville, Pennsylvania during the summer of 2014.

The EPP Refining Institute, a Karenina enterprise, is geared toward assisting exceptional dance students in its dance technique refining CMA workshops. A true blending of arts and science achieves optimal performance in dance, AND the CMA workshops integrate the specific knowledge and skills needed for technical mastery.

Ms. Brown combines her acute ability to observe and analyze technical deficiencies in dance with the science of computerized motion analysis to diagnose, correct, improve and refine the dancer’s technical range.

Only $10* for a chance to win a scholarship to the 2nd annual Technique Accelerator Workshop with Computerized Motion Analysis (CMA) June 29, 2015 through July 3, 2015 Workshop Location: Jessye Norman School of the Arts 739 Greene St, Augusta, GA

Who would you like to see turn out at the H.E.A.L. Center this weekend and what are some of the activities that will be going on?

We would love to see everyone — fathers, mentors, churches, businesses, media, community organizations and schools. The activities will include gourmet sandwich building, fencing, Mix Martial Arts, drone building and finger painting just for starters.

Is it true that the activities can be viewed online in case you can’t make it to Paine College?

Yes it is. Just long on to http://www. ustream.tv/channel/national-saveour-sons-night-csra-edition.

You are a local business owner.

Are you seeing other businesses get involved in this type of community involvement?

District 6

Augusta Municipal Building 535 Telfair Street Augusta, GA 30901

Gracewood Community Center 2309 Tobacco Road Augusta, GA 30906

April 1, 2015 - 6:00 pm

March 30, 2015 - 6:00 pm

District 8

March 26, 2015 - 6:00 pm McBean Community Center 1155 Hephzibah-McBean Rd. Hephzibah, GA 30815

Amos Hoffman to play in Augusta on Saturday, March 28.

In 2006 Hoffman played on a World Music album that won a Grammy.

The event begins at 7:30 PM. All presented with state-of-the-art sound and lighting in a beautiful, historic building.

The Jessye Norman School is located at 739 Greene Street, Augusta, Ga.

SAVE OUR SONS from page 3 tation to each partnering organization across the country.

Perhaps the most important aspect to the Catalyst League is the creation of community collaborations and our willingness to encourage fathers/men to plan significant time, creating fun, teachable moments with the boys in their charge.

District 1

Community Meeting Transportation Vision 2040 Georgia Saturday, March 28, 9:30 - 11:30 AM Oak Point Community Center 730 East Boundary, Augusta, GA

Are there any events planned for the rest of the year?

May 9, 2015 the Regional Mentoring Symposium will celebrate mentoring across the southeast region by showcasing innovative mentoring partnerships, practices, programs and research and by setting the stage for mentoring in the future. This conference on mentoring will focus on the unique contributions provided by mentors. Topics of focus include the well-being of children and youth, community concerns, working with volunteer mentors and learning about other mentoring communities across the southeast. Also highlighted will be innovative partnerships, promising practices or programs and the state of the art statistical data about mentoring.

If someone wants to volunteer or work along with your organization, who should they contact?

Please visit www.catalystleague. org or contact us at (762)233-7187

For more information, contact the Augusta Planning & Development Dept. at 706.821.1796 or visit www. augustaga.gov/arts

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2015

The monthly Soiree: Jazz+Wine will be Saturday, March 28 at the Jessye Norman School.

This month’s featured artist is Israeli guitarist Amos Hoffman.

Hoffman is an Israeli Jazz Guitarist known worldwide as a pioneer in fusing the rhythms and melodic themes of the Middle East with Modern Jazz.

Hoffman started playing guitar at the age of 6, and oud a few years later. He studied guitar privately, and later attended the prestigious Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. His search for new musical experiences led him first to Amsterdam, and then to New York City, where he played jazz with both established musicians.

Hoffman has recorded 4 solo albums, The Dreamer (1999), Na’ama (2006), Evolution (2008) and Carving (2010).

He has also contributed on dozens more for artists in Israel and worldwide including Avishai Cohen, Kiko Berenguer (Spain), and Jan Mlynarski (Poland).

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UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31,

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UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

6

EMPIRE

‘Empire’ Soundtrack Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart, Madonna Arrives at No. 2.

Empire is also the first soundtrack of any kind to hit No. 1 on Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums since 2010, when the soundtrack to the film Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” spent its fourth (and final) week at No. 1 on the chart dated Feb. 13, 2010.

Empire sold 110,000 copies in the week ending March 15, according to Nielsen Music.

By Vincent Hobbs AUGUSTA “Don’t call, text, or try to chat with me when I’m watching Empire. You will be ignored.”

This has been a common message seen on a lot of Black folks’ social media pages when 9 p.m., Wednesdays rolls around. Empire, the hit TV show, has swept through a drama-loving viewing audience with a broom the size of 17 million fans.

Augusta is no exception.

Empire is the bold narrative of a rags-to-riches music industry family (the Lyons) crafted through a “King Lear” dynamic where murder, deceit and jealously is the order of the day.

At the heart of the drama is the struggle for control of the family business.

Elements that sweeten the pot include original hip-hop music, R&B grooves, storylines ripped from today’s headlines and the obligatory gratuitous violence and sex.

If you have not yet seen an episode of Empire, all that you have missed is the hottest show in television history.

Empire’s viewership increased every week during its 12-episode arc, the first TV series in at least 23 years to accomplish this feat for its first five episodes.

Viewership increased from 9.9 million at its debut to over 17 million for the season finale, making the show the number one broadcast show in the nation.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “It will end the season as the top show on the broadcast networks, having officially passed The Big Bang Theory in the key demo, and second only to The Walking Dead on all of TV.” The local Augusta-Aiken TV market includes 94,000 Black households, according to the latest figures from The Nielson Company, ranking Augusta as number 46 in the nation (Black households with TVs), out of 210 markets. Fox affiliate WFXG reports that the series Empire is ranked #1 in the Augusta metro market with an average audience that tops 31,000 viewers.

Fans from across a multi-ethnic spectrum are tuning in to the hit

Love it or hate it, the new hit tv program is charting a new path in primetime programming

series These are the sort of ratings that could usher in new TV development projects, featuring all-Black casts, at other networks. The power of Empire became evident when the soundtrack to the TV show was released on March 10th and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, winning the top slot over Madonna’s new album Rebel Heart, which settled into the number two position.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director and producer Lee Daniels (The Butler, Precious, and Monster’s Ball) said he “wanted to make a Black Dynasty.” With Empire’s Cookie Lyon (Taraji P. Henson) serving up some of the best lines on network TV (“The streets ain’t made for everybody. That’s why they made sidewalks”), Daniels may have accomplished that feat.

Deanna Brown Thomas, daughter of the late ‘Godfather of Soul’ James Brown, is enamored with the show.

“I enjoyed the first season. It definitely had me hooked when Cookie called my dad ‘Uncle James’ in the first episode! It’s very crafty how the show is creating new music, while showing the audiences the drama in the process of producing music,” she told UPW. The show also paid homage to

‘The Godfather’ with the inclusion of Brown’s Third World Enterprises’ logo, switching Brown’s face with the face of the Lucious Lyon character, portrayed by Terrence Howard.

Victory Productions CEO Karlton Clay is excited about the first season.

“I love Empire!” Clay said. “I think it’s a well-rounded cast with very provocative and thought-provoking storylines. I love the complexity of the characters.”

Cookie Lyon and her arch-nemesis Anika Calhoun (actress Grace Gealey) have also infused a captivating fashion style to the corporate boardroom, adding another must-watch element to the Empire appeal.

“I love the fashion,” Dee Griffin told UPW. “I also enjoy the twist and turns. The acting is superb, especially by the lead characters.”

There is already discussion in Hollywood of an Emmy nomination for lead actress Taraji P. Henson.

“I’m truly enjoying scripted television shows that peak curiosity while holding my attention with plots that delve into many dimensions,” Griffin shared. “My only criticism of Empire is the inclusion of a fight among women during the season finale. The fight was unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the overall plot or theme.

Still, I like Cookie for her candor,

tenacity and spunk.”

Some critics believe that the show embraces Black stereotypes.

Political hip-hop artist and co-owner of QP’s Dollhouse, NYOIL Sharpton, has been an eyewitness to the plot twists and turns of the hiphop music business — both as an active participant and as an observer.

He believes that Empire has grown in popularity “because folks like drama.” His love-hate relationship with the show revolves around the image portrayal of Blacks.

“It’s a strong Dynasty, Falcon Crest, Dallas-type show and it features Black characters,” NYOIL expressed.

“Now granted, it emphasizes some of the very worst stereotypes in the Black community. It glorifies things about us that should not be glorified — drug dealing, murder, and all sorts of foul aspects of our community that don’t speak to greatness, but glamorize and edify negative traits.”

Sharpton still supports the show for its entertainment value – with concerns. “Yeah, it’s a fun show - if you’re mature enough to enjoy it for what it’s worth. My concern with this joint is the images it portrays. Blacks have enough crappy images to last us a generation or six.”

Author and educator Earl Grey Summers is also troubled by the imagery in the show. “It’s a culturally reckless venture; culturally aware - but culturally reckless.

There are a lot of agendas built into it, both positive and negative.” He does not agree with its premise, but he appreciates the high production values and impressive acting skills displayed.

Political pundit and author Dr. Boyce D. Watkins recently stirred up controversy with his venomous condemnation of Empire during a CNN interview, where he was quoted as calling the hit TV show “ghetto-fied hood drama”.

Not all Empire fans are taking this denunciation in stride.

Karlton Clay believes Blacks in the entertainment industry, as well as others, need to support Black Continued on next page

7 UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31, 2015 THE LYON FAMILY Portrait. Pictured (L-R) Bryshere Gray, Jussie Smollett, Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Photo by Chuck Hodes courtesy of Fox Broadcasting Co.

EMPIRE from page 6 endeavors such as Empire. “I am just upset, that we as Black people don’t allow each other to succeed. There are a lot of African-Americans who don’t like the show, and I say, if you don’t like it, don’t watch it — but don’t constantly criticize those who choose to watch and enjoy. Let’s let everyone have an opportunity to eat and be great!”

Empire fan Markess Williams expressed, “I love the depiction of a multi-million dollar Black-owned company on network television.

Meetings, mergers, boardrooms, stock options – people of color handling their business. When was the

last time you saw that on TV? Never!

No one complained about stereotypes in The Sopranos - can we just have this moment?”

Deanna Brown Thomas shared her insightful assessment of critics who worry about negative stereotypes in the show. “The stereotypes are real. People want to see realness, not something fake.”

That realness might be the magic formula that producer Lee Daniels has tapped into, creating a mega-hit TV show that has drawn the interest of media heavyweight Oprah, rapper Common and other entertainment royalty who will be appearing in the second season of the hip-hop soap opera. Stay tuned.

Empire dominated the Augusta airwaves during its first season Telecast

Episode

Station

Day

Time

AA

TELECAST RANKER 02/11/15 TO 03/11/15 Prime Time 8pm - 11pm Source:Rentrak Stationview Essentials

Rating

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

8

SPORTS Day SPORTS Game FOCUS

An Augusta Tax Commissioner’s Office employee waits for the pitch during a inaugural charity softball game against Augusta Utilities employees at Diamond Lakes Park. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

An Augusta Tax Commissioner’s Office employee fields the ball. Photo by V. Hobbs.

Tax Commissioner gives back with charity softball tournament

By Farrell Brown It was a day of fun, sun and softball Saturday at Diamond Lakes Regional Park for Richmond County Tax Commissioner, Steven Kendrick’s, Inaugural Charity Softball Tournament.

The idea came after Kendrick and his staff at the Tax Commissioner’s office participated in a charity softball tournament for Toys for Tots last November, Kendrick said. His office had such a good time they came up with the idea to hold their own tournament.

“Mr. Kendrick puts on a family and friends day each quarter for his staff,” Levy Officer Matt Tindell said. “At the same time, we also do multiple charities throughout the year where he gives to local charities, most of them are involving children. We were coming up with ideas for our friends and family day and we also wanted to do a charity event and we were going to do a golf tournament. A couple of us in the office were talking and said we could incorporate more teams more

friends and more revenue in terms of what we can do for local charities if we put on a softball tournament.”

The proceeds from the tournament are being given to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Augusta, Child Enrichment, Inc., and the YMCA Wilson Branch.

The goal of the event was to raise $5,000. Kendrick and his staff had raised over $6,000 before the event even started, Tindell said.

“The charities that we identified have some connection to our office,” Kendrick said. “Either myself or someone on staff works with those charities. So we felt like it was important to try to give them some financial support and my office likes to play softball so the two combined was a win-win for everybody.”

The tournament was sponsored

by DTS, Inc.; Frails & Wilson, LLC; Klosinski Overstreet, LLP; Cape Augusta, LLC; John Manton, PC; Heery International; Taylor BMW; Georgia Bank and Trust; E-Z-Go; Augusta Cartridge; Augusta Blueprint; Phoenix Commercial Printing; Amerigraphics; AA Vending; Augusta Coca-Cola and

Augusta Recreation, Parks & Facilities.

“We didn’t have to look real hard (to find teams to participate),” Tindell said. “We opened it up to all county facilities and then we reached out to some of our corporate sponsors. It wasn’t real hard to find teams because whenever you’re dealing with kids and charities, they come out of the woodworks. We also had a GoFundMe account and raised a little over four grand on that just through local donations.”

The participants in the tournament were the Richmond County Tax Commissioner’s Office, Jim Hudson Lexus, Holiday Inn Express, Augusta Utilities, Amerigraphics, ADP and Hunters Run Pet Camp. The tournament was won by Hunters Run Pet Camp. All of the teams made a donation as part of their participation in the tournament.

The tournament also held a Home Run Derby. The male winner was Tindell, from the Richmond County Tax Commissioner’s Office team. The female winner was Ashley Brodhecker, of the Hunters Run Pet Camp team.

“Being that we make our living in the CSRA, we want to try to give back to the CSRA,” said Michael Oglesbee Co-Owner of Hunters Run Pet Camp.

“We agree in giving back to the committee instead of always taking. We make our living from the community so we want to give back to the community and this is a way we can do it.”

Jim Hudson Lexus representatives also brought cars from their dealership to display at the field.

“We’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time,” said Angela Maskey, Public Relations Manager for Jim Hudson Lexus. “I know Steven Kendrick. I know if he outs on an event, it’ll be well run and for a good cause. So our team was excited because it’s good morale and team building for us as well as helping charity.”

Kendrick plans to continue having these tournaments annually. He is also planning a Fall tournament for October. Some of the teams from this tournament have already agreed to participate in the October tournament, Kendrick said.

9 UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31,

IMAGES H.S. SPORTS

2015

(Above) Aquinas High School tennis player Stephanie Munie returns the ball during a non-conference match against Westside at Newman Tennis Center on Tuesday, March 24.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

(At Right) Soccer players from Laney and Westside High Schools try to gain control of the ball during a soccer match at the Laney field on Wed., March 24.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

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Tabernacle to host Resurrection Service at Augusta Convention Center Gospel artist Anita Wilson will be featured performer AUGUSTA Tabernacle Baptist Church will host a Resurrection Service on Sunday, April 20 at 10 a.m. at the Augusta Convention Center located at 901 Reynolds Street Augusta, GA. This ser vice will feature a performance by Gospel Recording Artist Anita Wilson and the Tabernacle Baptist Church 100 Voice Choir as well as a special message from The Rev. Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr., Senior Pastor/ Teacher of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

“We are excited to have the

opportunity and resources to be able to live out our Christian mission, which is to share the Good News of the Gospel with everyone,” Goodman said. “The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will be celebrated on this special Sunday. We invite everyone to be our special guests and to come as you are, to worship with us on the greatest day on our Christian calendar,” he said.

In 2013, Tabernacle Baptist Church moved to three worship services to better accommodate its then 5,000 plus congregation. The

*Property Owners and Agents* The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia is currently seeking property owners and landlords in the Augusta-Richmond County area for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. If you have property that you are interested in renting, please attend our Owner’s Briefing on April 1, 2015.

Augusta Housing Authority J. Madden Reid Administration Building 1435 Walton Way Augusta, Georgia The Augusta Housing Authority is offering three (3) sessions for your convenience. Please select one of three sessions to attend on April 1, 2015: Session One - 9:00a.m. to 10:30a.m.

Session Two - 10:30a.m. to 12:00p.m.

Session Three - 3:30p.m. to 5:00p.m.

At the briefing, Housing Authority staff will explain the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Owners must have rental property that meets the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Quality Standards (HQS) requirements.

Questions?

Contact: Sirena P. Rogers Director of Administration (706) 312-3112 or srogers@augustapha.org You can also find information on Section 8 and other housing programs at www.augustapha.org or www.hud.gov.

Equal Housing Opportunity The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia By: Jacob L. Oglesby, Executive Director

Anita Wilson: Gospel Recording Artist church now has over 6,000 and a second worship site in Columbia County. With Resurrection Service being sited as the church’s largest crowd, the move to the Augusta Convention Center is both convenient for worshippers and a litmus test for the future. The Resurrection Service can also be

ABOUT ANITA WILSON Grammy®, Stellar, and Doveaward nominated singer Anita Wilson keeps Urban Contemporary music alight with her unparalleled fusion of Gospel and Soul music.

First finding recognition as part of the Grammy-award nominated ensemble Donald Lawrence & Co., Wilson’s beeline to the solo stage – via her debut album Worship Soul– came as a celebrated breakthrough. Recognized by the New York Times’ Ben Ratliff as one of “2012’s top ten albums” across all genres, Worship Soul wielded the memorable hits “Jesus Will” and “Speechless” and introduced the masses to Wilson as a new frontrunner for Urban Contemporary Gospel. viewed via Tabernacle Baptist Church’s LIVE Streaming by visiting w w w.tbcaugusta.org.

For more information, contact Tabernacle Baptist Church at (706) 724-1230 or visit the Tabernacle Baptist Church website at w w w. tbcaugusta.org

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UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31,

2015

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

12

UPW FORUM COMMENTARY by Jay Parini

Does American exceptionalism make us dumb?

(CNN) Talk of American exceptionalism has become headline news, with loud sputtering from Rudy Giuliani, who suggested that President Barack Obama doesn’t love America in the same way that the rest of us do. Giuliani wants to dwell on our exceptionalism — the idea that we’re different from other countries, and much better.

It’s an old idea that Obama took on in the second year of his presidency, when he said: “I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism.”

That comment annoyed those who wished him to say: “America is the best country in the world, bar none!”

Somehow the drumbeat for exceptionalism continues. This month, Oklahoma politician Dan Fisher introduced a bill that tried to ban Advanced Placement history classes in his state because the guidelines for teachers didn’t talk explicitly about American exceptionalism.

The bill passed the House Education Committee in his state by a 11-4 vote but has since been pulled back for a rewrite, the Tulsa World reported last week.

Still, it’s part of a battle that has heated up around the country. Indeed, six states have introduced bills to change the framework of AP history courses to emphasize the idea of exceptionalism and downplay aspects of American history that don›t seem, well, exceptional.

Scholars have studied the concept thoroughly, and one of the best books on this topic is by Seymour Martin Lipset: American Exceptionalism: A Double-Edged Sword (Norton, 1996).

Lipset identifies five features central to the American value system: liberty, egalitarianism, populism, individualism and laissez-faire. He suggests that we look at most trends in American history through the prism of these concepts, and to an extent this is a useful exercise.

The United States is truly remarkable, a nation founded on a set of Enlightenment ideals so beautifully expressed by the Declaration of Independence and codified in the U.S. Constitution. We should feel good about our ideals, even when we don’t quite manage to live up to them.

We are a nation of immigrants, a quilt of many colors, and we’ve managed over more than two centuries to create a way of life that allows for a reasonable degree of upward mobility, that prizes individual liberty, promotes freedom of religion and genuinely values equal rights for all citizens.

At certain times in history — World War II is a fine example — we have joined forces with those on the side of freedom, willingly sacrificing our young men and women in a war that secured the defeat of fascism.

Yet our history is, like every national story, a complicated one, and American students deserve a balanced view. Should we really ignore the fact that Native Americans died in massive numbers (mostly from diseases carried to these shores by the earliest European invaders)? In the 19th century, the West was “won” at considerable expense to those who actually lived on the land. Students need to know about the Trail of Tears, Wounded Knee and other sad episodes in American history. This is

part of our story.

We need to talk openly about slavery. In doing so, it’s useful to look at the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database and see that more than 12 million Africans were kidnapped and shipped to the New World between the 16th and 19th centuries. The vast bulk of slaves, in fact, went to the Caribbean and South America. The Harvard scholar, Henry Louis Gates Jr., has written honestly about this.

Of course slavery, wherever it occurred, was a brutal system, and it set in motion a great deal of bad karma, not helped by the sad period after Reconstruction ended in 1877, when an impoverished South put into effect Jim Crow laws that effectively subjugated blacks for many decades, creating a segregated society that — to a degree — continues to plague us.

(I recommend Eric Foner’s history of this era, Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution.)

But the United States has worked hard to recognize and right its wrongs, passing major legislation on civil rights over the years, and we continue to work at this problem.

It’s a long and winding road, as the Beatles might have put it.

As for America’s military adventures, there are lots of wrinkles. The American Revolution is an inspiring moment, well worth dwelling on with students. But the MexicanAmerican War was a disgrace, “one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation,” as President U.S. Grant said in his memoirs. It was this war that (in part) caused Henry David Thoreau to refuse to pay his taxes.

World War II may have been an American triumph of will and cour-

age, but the Korean War is confusing, and students should consider its odd dimensions. Vietnam and Iraq are also complicated, and yet it’s important for students to know that our interventions in both countries led to a great deal of death and destruction. At the very least, 133,000 Iraqi civilians died as a result of our “war of choice” in Iraq.

This number should never be forgotten, as it set in motion a wave of violence that continues to this day, and it helps to explain anti-American feeling in that region. The war in Afghanistan is ongoing, and it may take decades to know what happened there and why and whether or not it was worth the effort. But it surely doesn’t help anyone to push these questions under the rug.

Obama loves the United States, and he upholds its values proudly.

He speaks about its history in clear, rational terms, without pumping up the good side or trying to erase the darker sides.

We should never forget that Americans continue to advocate for individual liberty, equality and self-governance. We often step in when it’s necessary to help countries in need. But our history needs no whitewashing. To attempt this does us a terrible disservice.

American politicians who dwell on American exceptionalism only dishonor us by suggesting we play dumb to our past.

Jay Parini, a poet and novelist, teaches at Middlebury College in Vermont. He has just published “Jesus: The Human Face of God,” a biography of Jesus. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

LETTERS Tiger Woods has yet to complete his masterpiece Tiger Woods was not born to be a great golfer, but the greatest golfer. At age 39 his list accomplishments are unrivaled. Woods has won 79 official PGA Tour events, second only to Sam Snead with 82, and six ahead of Jack Nicklaus with 73.

He has 14 majors, second all-time behind Jack Nicklaus. In addition, he holds a number of significant golf records.

Tiger Woods has been the PGA Tour Player of the Year a record eleven times, PGA Tour Money

Leader a record ten times, Vardon Trophy winner a record nine times, and Byron Nelson Award recipient a record nine times. Woods has the lowest career scoring average in PGA Tour history; he is the only player to have won all four professional major championships in a row. In addition, he has the all-time record for consecutive cuts made with 142, and he is the only golfer to have won the U.S. Amateur three consecutive times (1994-96). The list goes on.

Paraphrasing the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Tiger Woods has played golf as Michelangelo painted, as Beethoven composed music, and as Shakespeare wrote poetry. Tiger has played golf so well that one day all the host of heaven and earth will pause to say, there goes the greatest golfer of all time who did his job well. Tiger Woods has yet to complete his masterpiece.

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA

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WORSHIP

UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31,

CHURCH

Restoration Ministries SINGLES’ MEET & GREET NIGHT

2015

Friday, MARCH 27, 7:30pm Join Drs. Michael & Bernita Mitchell on Friday, March 27th at 7:30pm in the Cove for our Singles’ Meet & Greet night. It will be a time of food, fun, and fellowship. The cost is only $10 per person. Payments can be made on line at rmicf.org. Please contact our church business office at 706-796-1400 if you have any questions.

Sunday School 8:30 am Morning Worship Services: 9:45 am Evening Worship Services 6 pm (4th Sunday) Bible Study: 6pm (Mondays) Midday Bible Study: 12pm (Tuesdays) Prayer Services: 6pm (Wednesdays) Celebrate Recovery: 6pm (Fridays) and 12pm (Mondays) 2323 Barton Chapel Road • Augusta,GA 30906 706.790.8185 / 706.922.8186 (fax) Visit Us @ www.broadwaybaptistaug.org • Join us on facebook Dr. C. William Joyner, Jr. Senior Pastor

Start your calling today! Mount Olivet Certified Academic Institution 706.793.0091 • 706.793.0335 • www.mocai-aug.org

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Rev. Clarence Moore, Pastor 1714 Olive Road / P. O. Box 141 (mailing address) Augusta, GA 30903 706/733-0341- Telephone/706/667-0205 – Fax E-mail address: admin@goodshepherdaugusta.org Web address: goodshepherdaugusta.org Rev. Clarence Moore Church Service: 7:45 & 11:00 a.m.

Church School: 9:45 a.m. / Prayer Service: 11:00 a.m. – Wednesday Bible Study: 9:00 a.m. - Saturday / 7:00 p.m. - Wednesday

Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church

314 Sand Bar Ferry Road Augusta, Georgia 30901 (706) 722- 0553 Church School Sunday 9:25am Morning Worship Sunday 11am Evening Worship 6pm (1st & 3rd Sunday) Midday Prayer 12pm Wednesday Intercessory Prayer/Bible Study 6pm Wednesday

The CSRA Clergy Board of Directors

Board of Coalition Pastors P.O. Box 16013 Bishop Rosa L. Williams, Pastor

Radio Broadcast: Sundays • WKZK 103.7 FM at 7:30 a.m.

Augusta, GA. 30919-2013 Bishop L.A. Green, Sr., Chairman

14

Club re-enacts history at Cedar Grove

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

The Paine College History Club will host its annual Living History Re-enactments on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the historic Cedar Grove Cemetery. This year’s participants will present noted African Americans from the CSRA like Amanda DicksonToomer, one of the wealthiest black women in the late 19th century, and other prominent local figures in African-American history like Rev. Dr. Silas Floyd and Dr. T.W. Josey. “We are excited to host this re-enactment that showcases important figures in AfricanAmerican history,” said Triest Fisher, president of the Paine College History Club. “Each made significant contributions to our community and we welcome everyone to join us for this event.”

Tours are scheduled for 10 a.m., 11

a.m. and 12 p.m. Admission is free.

Cedar Grove Cemetery is located at 120 Watkins St.

Jennifer Norman-Dixon Independent Cruise & Vacation Specialist

ESG Operations, Inc. one of the fastest growing utility management companies in the Southeast. We are conducting a search for Certified Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators at our Augusta, GA location. If you are an experienced, highly motivated professional anxious for career-developing opportunities and challenges please submit a resume.

Responsibilities include all duties associated with the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility.

The ideal candidate will have 2 years or more of experience and possess a valid Georgia Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification. Must have a valid driver’s license, possess good verbal and written communication skills, and have a willingness to work in a team environment.

Compensation is commensurate with experience along with a generous benefits and bonus plan. Full benefits are available including health, dental, life insurance, employer contribution 401(k) plan, paid time off, sick leave, and holidays. Relocation assistance offered.

Hephzibah, GA 30815 Phone 706-925-2929 Toll Free (877-790-6082 Fax 404-601-4492

Beautiful Minds Book Club

The Paine College Beautiful Minds Book Club will meet on Thursday, March 26th at 6 pm in the Paine College HEAL Complex Purple and White Room to discuss Roxane Gay›s novel An Untamed State. The HEAL Complex is located on Druid Park Avenue next to the Gilbert - Lambuth Memorial Chapel. For more information, please call 706-414-5185.

Certified Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators

Email:jdixon@cruisesinc.com www.cruisesinc.com/jdixon

ESG Operations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and a certified Drug Free Workplace.

Send resumes and references to: ESG Operations, Inc. Attn: Brice Doolittle 1820 Doug Barnard Pkwy Augusta, GA 30906 Please email resumes to: employment@esginc.net

Maryland

FRIED CHICKEN Now hiring all positions, all locations.

Apply online at marylandfc.com 12 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 706-722-2051

4465 Washington Rd Evans, Georgia 30809 (706) 496-8632

6001 Clarks Hill Rd Appling, Georgia 30802 (706) 541-0704

UrbanProWeekly • MARCH 26 - 31,

ARE YOU AT RISK?

15

2015

Stress Physical Inactivity Family History of Cardiovascular disease Obesity Diabetes High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Cigarette Smoking HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK East Central Health District Hypertension Management Outreach Program

Richmond County 706.721.5800

UrbanProWeekly - MARCH 26 - 31, 2015

16

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