Lifestyle

Community Members React to Contee’s Appointment as MPD Chief

Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer

In just a matter of minutes, Robert Contee became chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) during a Jan. 2nd swearing-in ceremony.

The action came less than two weeks after D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) revealed Contee as her choice for the police department’s top spot, touting the District native’s experiences as a youth and police officer as vital in curbing violent crime.

Among some residents however, there remains some skepticism about Contee’s ability to, not only reduce crime, but embrace the deep-seated institutional changes that local grassroots organizers coalesced around in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death last year.

“Acting Chief Contee has been with MPD for 31 years. Why would I expect him to act any differently?” Black Lives Matter DC (BLM DC) Core Organizer Anthony Lorenzo Green told The Informer.

In its public statement released the day following Bowser’s announcement, BLM DC condemned Bowser for ignoring the D.C. Police Reform Commission’s recommendation for an open, transparent police-selection process.

BLM DC organizers also criticized Contee’s stewardship of the Investigative Services Bureau, under which the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division has been alleged to employ police jump outs and stop-and-frisk tactics much like what spurred protests in the Deanwood community nearly three years ago.

“I wouldn’t expect Contee to say that what he describes as community policing is creating more trauma, violent incidents, and lives lost on the streets,” Green continued. “His entire record [involves] using police to lock up as many people as possible to keep the streets safer, but the streets aren't safe and haven't been for 31 years.”

On Saturday, hours before officially becoming acting police chief, Contee

5 Anthony Lorenzo Green, core organizer for Black Lives Matter DC (Courtesy photo) arrived on the scene of the police-involved shooting along Georgia Avenue in Northwest. Officers recovered a handgun at the scene. Contee later reaffirmed his commitment to tackling gun violence, and reducing the volume of illegal guns on the streets.

With 167 homicides at the end of 2020, the District’s murder rate reached levels not seen since 2008. The mayhem carried on into the new year when, on Sunday morning, MPD officers found a 22-year-old woman on Wahler Place in Southeast suffering from gunshot wounds and surrounded by dozens of shell casings. She would later succumb to her injuries under circumstances that have yet to be determined.

Contee’s predecessor Peter Newsham often clashed with the D.C. Council about the best means of curbing violent crime, and the degree to which police activity is scrutinized.

In years past, while the council embraced holistic means of crime prevention, such as the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results Act, Newsham often touted the need for gun recovery and to focus on repeat offenders. Had he stayed on the force, Newsham would’ve been up for review this year under legislation passed by the council amid last summer’s racial justice protests.

During those protests, MPD faced criticism for officers’ alleged mistreatment of protesters. Meanwhile, Newsham and Bowser continued to combat any notion that MPD should be defunded, even after the police-involved shooting death of 18 year-old Deon Kay in Congress Heights and a police chase and fatal shooting by officers in Northwest of 20 year-old Karon Hylton-Brown.

Given these circumstances, longtime Ward 8 community member and anti-crime stalwart Sandra Seegars recommended that Contee, if approved by the D.C. Council, should be able to carry out his job without any interference from who she described as overzealous legislators.

“None of the council members have been on the police force. They don’t know the job; they just know what they see,” said Seegars, founding member of Concerned Residents against Violence, or CRAV.

“Anyone could sit back, nitpick and play Monday morning quarterback,” she added. “Police have a dangerous job and every council member who’s complaining about the police should spend a weekend in Congress Park, Woodland or Fourth Street. Let’s see what they say after that.”

The Informer unsuccessfully attempted to acquire details about the police chief confirmation process from D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen, chairperson of the council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety.

Since joining MPD as a cadet in 1989, Contee rose through the ranks of the department, serving various roles within the First, Second, and Sixth District. He most recently acted as assistant chief of the Investigative Services Bureau.

Hailing from Carver Terrace in Northeast, Contee was no stranger to the societal ills that plagued District residents during the 1980s and 1990s.

On the morning of Dec. 22, a fully uniformed Contee, flanked by Bowser and other city officials, highlighted that point as he revealed intimate details of his upbringing, and what he hoped to accomplish.

“We will be laser-focused on crime in our communities,” Contee said. “I know the feeling of being a survivor of violent crime. My father was stabbed on Minnesota Avenue [and] we never caught the person. MPD will be relentless in our pursuit of suspects. I will listen intently in our communities and stakeholders.” WI

@SamPKCollins

Baseball Legend Helps Rebuild Africatown

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Africatown is considered a dying municipality in Alabama that sits along the Gulf Coast and three miles north of Mobile.

At its peak, Africatown had about 12,000 residents. Now, about 1,800 people call it home. It is famous – or infamous – for the Clotilda, the last slave ship that landed in the United States in 1860.

It is the home of some of the last survivors of the transatlantic slave trade and the birthplace of legendary New York Mets outfielder Cleon Jones, who caught the final out in the 1969 World Series that clinched victory for the Miracle Mets.

Through their charitable “Last Out Community Foundation,” Jones and his wife of more than 50 years, Angela, help repair storm-damaged homes in Africatown and assist the small community in rebuilding efforts.

Jones, 78, actively participates in the efforts.

“Like I tell my wife, I’m old, but I’m not dead. I can walk up the ladder and do what needs to be done,” Jones remarked. “In my younger days, I could walk up the ladder, but ported, Warnock defeated his opponent, 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent while Ossoff turned back Perdue 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent, according to CNN projections.

The razor-thin margins of victory by both Democrats would be summarized by veteran Black journalist Roland Martin who has been reporting from Atlanta for the past month and posting to his podcast, “Roland Martin Unfiltered.”

“We say it like it’s just a passing thought but it’s true, ‘every vote counts,’” he said as Warnock’s victory appeared imminent. The projected wins also sent a resounding message from Georgia to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky): “You’re fired!”

The victories mean that McConnell and the Republicans no longer control the Senate. It also puts an end to McConnell’s moniker as “The Grim Reaper” – a title indicating his propensity for ensuring that vital legI could jump off the house getting down. I can’t jump off the house anymore. Now I walk down the ladder. I have to be careful.”

The “Last Out Community Foundation” was formed to raise funds to refurbish and build affordable homes, combat blight and provide youth programs in Africatown.

Growing up in the small community during the 1940s and 1950s left a mark on him, stated Jones, who credits greats like Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron and Billy Williams to form the person he became – one who, despite his success, never forgot his roots. “We service the community by painting houses and restoring houses,” Jones told the New York Post.

“And since the storms (Hurricanes Sally and Zeta), we’ve had a lot of roof problems in which the storms blew the roof off.

“When I grew up in this community, we had 12- to 14,000 people. Now we are looking at 1,800. That says we are a dying community. I know I can’t replicate the community, but we can still fight to restore it as best we can and preserve the history of the community.”

Jones is best remembered as a vital

ELECTION from Page 1

member of the 1969 Mets. islation passed by the House would routinely die in his “graveyard.”

“Because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else’s cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator,” Warnock said, a reference to his mother made during a victory speech early Wednesday.

“I stand before you as a man who knows that the improbable journey that led me to this place in this historic moment in America could only happen here,” he added.

“What happened last night was stunning,” Warnock said in his first interview on Wednesday with CNN.

Warnock said he plans to return to his pulpit on Sunday morning.

“It’s the people who teach you how to be an effective pastor . . . and an effective senator,” he said. “I don’t plan to become a politician.”

He also said that he’s proud of the people of the Georgia and his colleague Ossoff who was mentored by

ELECTION from Page 30

During the 1960s, the Mets had a reputation for frequent losses, suffering a record 120 defeats in their debut year of 1962.

In their first six years, the Mets lost an average of 108 games. But, in 1969, the underdog Mets launched themselves into the 1969 World Series and the history books when against all odds, they miraculously defeated the mighty Baltimore Orioles.

Jones closed his glove on the final out, a flyball by the Orioles’ Davey Johnson that sent all of New York into a celebration.

Now, Jones wants to celebrate giving others in his beloved community a second chance.

“It takes money and manpower and materials, all of those things,” Jones said. “What I’ve been doing is reaching

5 Africatown entrance (Courtesy Amy Walker via Wikimedia commons) out to businesses in the area seeking materials and help to do certain things. The people, they reach out to you — maybe not as much as you would like or hope, but they hear you. With the pandemic, it just adds fuel to the fire. You don’t get a chance to shake hands with people and reach out to them where you can make things happen.” WI

Twitter: @StacyBrownMedia Facebook: StacyBrownMedia

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T-Pain’s Search for ‘Hood’ Recipes Begins and Ends with Ramen Noodles

Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A $600 check and Ramen Noodles trended on social media, thanks to lawmakers’ agreement on a new stimulus package and a tweet by hip-hop superstar T-Pain.

As many lashed out at members of the House and Senate over what’s considered a paltry $600 and one-time direct payment to struggling Americans – France and Germany, by comparison, provide its citizens with more than $7,000 per month in direct stimulus payments during the pandemic – T-Pain posed an intriguing question to his more than 1.2 million Twitter followers.

“What’s some hood recipes y’all do with random [stuff] in the house that I can try?”

While the responses included “hot sauce sandwiches,” “Queso dip” and “tuna noodle casserole,” T-Pain’s timeline was filled with various meals that featured Ramen noodles. The responses also arrived with cooking instruction for the wheat-based instant noodles that are a staple of Japanese diet.

“Ramen noodles cooked Hot flaming Cheetos crunched up Bologna 3 Cheese slice Tortilla Layer: tortilla, two cheese slice, ramen noodles, cheese slice, Cheetos, bologna, roll up like a burrito, grill on each side till crunchy,” offered Twitter user @3BlueStarMom.

“This was my go-to when I was in law school & dirt poor.”

Twitter user @electricmonae offered her Ramen noodle suggestion: “Ramen noodles with Conecuh sausage cut up in it.” sentiments, saying that DCPS has sufficient resources to adequately support special-needs children, including her daughter.

In the spring of 2019, River Terrace reported an incident to MPD involving a teacher who allegedly pushed Jones’ daughter in her abdomen, pulled her ear and locked her in a cabinet in a classroom. Much to her chagrin, when the youngster returned to River Terrace at the start of the next school year, the staff member was still employed there.

Jones said that incident compelled

5 T-Pain (Toglenn via Wikimedia common)

Not to be outdone, @JoannaSimkin added:

“Ingredients: Ramen packet ground meat (I do turkey). Frozen green veggie; brown the meat and season with 1/2 the ramen packet (it’s salty to use it all). Boil the noodles and frozen veggie together. Drain and dump in browned meat pan, add a little butter, and sauté for a minute.”

Lawmakers agreed on a $900 billion stimulus package that is far lighter than the more than $2 trillion CARES Act, which was signed into law earlier this year and provided direct payments of $1,200 for individuals who made $75,000 or less and $2,400 for couples who earned $150,000 or less.

The CARES Act also provided an additional $500 per dependent child.

The latest bill, which many expect President Donald Trump to sign, contains direct payments of $600 per adult and $600 per dependent child. her to seek psychological treatment for her daughter.

These days, Jones’ daughter is a student at St. Coletta of Greater Washington, a Capitol Hill-based charter school designed to help children and adults with intellectual disabilities fulfill their potential and become recognized as contributors to society.

If not for the pandemic, Jones said she would allow her daughter to return to the school, primarily because of the social atmosphere and staff members’ passion for helping youth, what she described as the total opposite of what River Terrace provided.

“I really want River Terrace to be

The new round of checks is based on the same provisions of the CARES Act.

The bill also provides $300 of weekly enhancement in unemployment benefits – down from $600 in the CARES Act.

The arguably paltry sum in the new legislation has angered many who noted that Americans are losing jobs by the millions, and evictions are soaring.

T-Pain’s desire to find a cheap meal, intentional or not, reflects many others trying to make ends meet.

It also highlighted an obsession with Ramen noodles.

“Crush up some Ramen, dump it into a microwave safe bowl, grab a can of those little canned sausage things chuck em in it,” @Qtpop wrote. “Can of veggies, chuck em in it, juice and all. nuke for a bit [and] stir.” WI

Twitter @StacyBrownMedia

LAWSUIT from Page 19

Facebook/StacyBrownMedia held accountable for what they’re doing,” said Jones, whose daughter’s multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy and epilepsy, prevent her from independently carrying out a wide range of daily activities.

“I want them to utilize the resources they have,” Jones continued. “There’s no way that D.C. Public Schools can tell me that they don’t have the resources. They’re just not using it appropriately. The aides and all the other staff members need to care. At Coletta, the staff was compassionate, and they care. It wasn’t about money, but about service.” WI @SamPKCollins

wi book review horoscopes

JAN 7 - 13, 2021

"Cheeky: A Head-to-Toe Memoir" By Ariella Elovic c.2020, Bloomsbury $26.00 / $34.99 Canada 256 pages

By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

You hate your eyebrows.

Or maybe that should be "eyebrow," singular. It's like a six-inch caterpillar crawling above your nose, just one long unibrow and you hate it. You're not in love with your hair on your head, nor on your legs or underarms. You could stand to lose a few pounds, buy new clothes, or find a new deodorant or, as in the new book "Cheeky" by Ariella Elovic, you could learn to love your body.

When she was six years old, Ariella Elovic was perfectly comfortable in her skin. She danced and played and ran without considering how she looked; wore swimsuits and comfortable, loose-fitting, unfashionable clothing without worry; and she barely even noticed her unibrow. But though her family never gave her reason to be ashamed, at some point during her preteen years, Elovic learned to hate her body.

Her mission two years ago: "to reclaim at least some of [the] confidence, feistiness, and joy" she felt as a child.

Mirrors were once a place to make funny faces until they "became the meeting place for myself and my inner critic," says Elovic. She has a "round face" that she was self-conscious about, and she wasn't happy with her smile. The evening she forgot to wax her brows before a date gave her a smidge of courage.

On a hot, humid New York City night, her "Yentas" (best friends) helped her realize that her hair was beautiful. She started developing in fourth grade and still can't quite get over the fact of wearing bras every day for life; she was inspired by a Yenta to stop shaving her armpit and leg hair; and she has made her peace with food. There's no shame in passing gas or using the bathroom, she reminds readers, and no need to be a "contortionist" anymore. "Your body is yours to feel at home in," she says and to, "enjoy, take care of, and love."

While "Cheeky" is a fun book to read, and it's message should resonate with any woman who hates shaving, wearing heels, hates tight clothing, tweezing and waxing, it's not a book for just anyone.

It's true that anyone can read what's inside here (and many will benefit from doing so), the sweet spot, it seems, is an audience of women who are between the ages of roughly 16 and 30. Author Ariella Elovic speaks to that group with a sort of serious-fun manifesto for self-love, self-acceptance, and an end to senseless embarrassment that doesn't dissolve into cutesy little-girl language or things we can't talk about. Openness, honesty and a no-secrets tone, in fact, are the main thing, making this book feel as if you're reading a long, illustrated letter from a BFF or wise big sister you haven't seen for a while.

Be aware that that takes readers into dressing rooms and bathrooms and it doesn't hold back, neither in word nor illustration. This book lives up to its name for the right reader – but for one who's unprepared, "Cheeky" might raise eyebrows. WI ARIES Visions and dreams are possible today as you walk the dividing line between the past and the future. You can send your mind out on your timeline to see yourself in five or ten years in the future. Today's a good day for journaling, dream interpretation, remote viewing, and astral projection. Lucky Numbers: 2, 4, 26

TAURUS Today, you are a dog with a bone, unable to let go until you get what you want. This could mean getting a refund from a company, straightening out a billing error, getting a professor to change your grade, or getting a city official to listen to your complaint. You're digging in your heels. Hopefully, your opponent is not a Taurus as well or else the standoff may last the entire day. Lucky Numbers: 21, 27, 42

GEMINI Today, you are absorbing information like a sponge. You might be able to learn by sleeping with the book under your pillow. Concepts flow into your head and suddenly make sense. Of course, everything else is flowing into your head, too. News, podcasts, songs, and silly videos are there, too. Today's a good day to shut off electronics for a 24-hour dopamine detox. Lucky Numbers: 6, 28, 55

CANCER Consider the rules and guidelines you have chosen to live your life by. Look at their origin, especially ones you picked up on a whim. Everyone lives by a set of rules, but today, you could realize there are particular rules that are keeping you financially hamstrung. Time to break a rule. Like a river overflowing beyond its banks, you too can exceed the boundaries you've given yourself. Lucky Numbers: 16, 23, 58

LEO Your desire to be grounded is thwarted by the floaty energy today. You may want to confab with a business partner, but it's impossible to concentrate, and you may end up doing Jell-O shots by teatime. You may want to sit down with your sweetheart to talk finances, but instead of budgets, you binge Netflix. Don't be hard on yourself today Lucky Numbers: 30, 32, 43

VIRGO You may love your sweetheart, but today you're at cross purposes. You may have announced you've given up sugar, and then your partner spends the afternoon baking coffeecake from scratch. Or your partner may decide to stick to a budget as you are filling an online shopping cart to the brim. Today, supporting each other is paramount for keeping the peace. Lucky Numbers: 17, 34, 38

LIBRA Risk assessment may go a little haywire today, and Libra natives should be aware that your judgment may not be quite as focused as usual. It's easy for the scales to tip and go overboard, especially in the areas of work and business investment. Lucky Numbers: 10, 33, 44

SCORPIO Fertility energy is strong today, so keep that in mind as you are planning your schedule. There are also possibilities of activity with kids or younger relatives. And this is an excellent day for doing art projects, painting, sewing, or woodworking, though keep in mind precision may be difficult. For projects needing exact measurements or skillful cuts, put them off for another day. Lucky Numbers: 10, 31, 48

SAGITTARIUS Today, you might do some baking or make a big pot of soup filled with root vegetables and herbs. Lay a puzzle out on the dining room table and gather some family members to put it together as you talk and laugh. In the evening, in front of the fireplace or candles, you may want to pull some Tarot cards and look at the year to come. Lucky Numbers: 8, 36, 45

CAPRICORN Ambitious Capricorn native, you are likely ready to jump on projects, but this aspect is not helpful for making business decisions. Time to look at the bigger picture, long-term goals, and to visualize yourself on that path. Today, create a virtual vision board of words and pictures you can use as your screensaver for your phone and computer. This will keep your goals in the forefront of your mind and help you stay motivated. Pleasing others is not possible today. Lucky Numbers: 24, 32, 54

AQUARIUS Today, your ability to attract abundance is strong. Start with some Feng Shui by dusting off your lucky money cat or putting stacks of coins on the windowsill in the kitchen. Sit down with your journal and write 20 ways money can come to you. And if you can't think of 20, then think of 50 sources. By the time you finish this exercise, you'll recognize that money can come to you from all directions. Lucky Numbers: 21, 44, 50

PISCES Today's a day to access information from the Universe. This is a good day to sit in meditation or with your journal and look for answers to questions about life purpose and finding love. You may hit muddy waters at first as you stir up the energies with your questions. But as you sit quietly, the water clears, and your angels and guides begin to whisper to you. Lucky Numbers: 1, 5, 11