POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd PO 4/27/2012 www.afampointofview.com 1:58 PM Page 1 INT OF Our Community Newspaper V I E W may 1, 2012 AN APT REPLACEMENT FOR THE “THRILL” OF RAISING KIDS By Frederick A. Hurst 688 Boston Road resisted going on a European vacation to Scotland, Ireland and England so adamantly that when my wife A COMMUNITY BANQUET finally tricked me into acquiescence, as intelligent as I HALL WITH ELEGANCE “Although advance reservations must be made, might be, I couldn’t figure out how she did it, and I they are known for inviting the public to their scratched my head repeatedly during the flight over the I successful, bi-monthly (every two months) �lobster and seafood feasts’.” By Zelmon (Zee) Johnson – 8 SELECTIVE SERVICE: ARE YOU REGISTERED? “When a male reaches his 18th birthday, he is required to register for the selective service, and failing to register for the selective service is a felony that carries penalties of up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.” By Larry Martin – 8 �REVERSE RACISM’ DOES NOT EXIST, THE “RACE CARD” IS Publisher Rick Hurst and Glen O’Connor, NOT IN THE DECK AND “POST owner of O’Connor’s Pub RACIAL AMERICA” HAS NOT Atlantic and wondered how in the hell anyone could have BEEN BUILT YET “If we don’t discuss race then it’s allowed to fes- convinced me to spend my valuable vacation time in ter and grow unchecked like an untreated Celtic Europe. malignant tumor. Race is an issue every citizen I had been programmed to believe that the weather must care about. It’s not a black issue; it’s not and the people were equally wet and dank and would repa white issue; it’s not a Puerto Rican issue. It’s resent the worst of the residue of their immigrant anceseveryone’s issue.“ tors who migrated to America and enslaved my ancestors. By Rev. Talbert W. Swan – 13 READING ROCKS! “Many of our children have little to no control over any aspect of his/her life. Families divided. Jobs unavailable. Food limited. Streets unsafe. No control. What they do have control over, however, is their desire to learn. The choice to read. Be a rock star.” By Gianna Allentuck – 17 OVERCOMING SHAME “One of the ways some people cope (with shame) is to act out roles that disguise their shame; it serves a useful purpose of protecting their ego or pride. It may even help them to save face. These pretenses act as a defense against the feelings of shame. But even though they may think they are skillfully defending themselves against the shame, it can be seen by others when they hang their head, slump down, avoid eye contact or apologize for having needs and desires.” By Dr. Sweets S. Wilson – 23 GO, MAYOR SARNO! By Frederick A. Hurst – 24 I figured they still might not have recovered from the Revolutionary War debacle that sent them scurrying, and from the War of 1812 where the burning of the White House left them with puffed up egos but, to the delight continues to page 5 A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE AGES By Kevin McCaskill chool partnerships have been around for decades. Small and large businesses, local community organizations, and local city governments have partnered with local schools to assist in providing resources and support of educators and students in their respective communities. The city of Hartford is no different; countless numbers of entities have provided their services to help improve the lives of students and families here. I would like to highlight one — the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN). CPBN is Connecticut’s only locally owned media organization producing television, radio, print, and Internet content for distribution throughout the state. In 1962, S CPBN partners with Hartford Public Schools Connecticut Educational Television in its state-of-the-art facility at 1049 Station started in the basement of the Asylum Avenue. CPTV and WNPR’s Trinity College library in Hartford. In community-supported, statewide 1978, Connecticut Public Radio public broadcasting networks are (WNPR) joined the network, form- committed to serving diverse coming Connecticut Public Broadcasting, munities in Connecticut with a mix Inc. (CPBI). Today, the organization of educational, news, public affairs, has evolved into CPBN and is housed continues to page 7 POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 2 african american point of view may 1, 2012 page two 25 all in. $ Unlimited talk & text. PINNACLE PRESTO 8530 PRESENT AND RECEIVE PRESTO 50% OFF Nationwide> No annual contract> ANY ACCESSORY ® $30 mail-in rebates areLimited via MetroPCS Per month. time offer. Visa Prepaid Card While supplies last. New activation or new phone purcase required. Value up to $20. Only at participating location(s). Expires 6/30/2012 Follow us on Twitter @MetroPCS_CT See ormetropcs.com metropcs.com details. Seesales sales associate associate or forfor details. Find us on Facebook at MetroPCS 888.8metro8 Visit www.metropcs.com/storelocator for a MetroPCS store near you! MetroPCS Retail Stores MetroPCS Authorized Dealers Hartford 1200 Park St. 860-951-7804 Bloomfield 415 Cottage Grove Rd. 860-206-3737 Hartford 1162 Albany Ave. 860-724-0315 Hartford 808 Maple Ave. 860-890-0047 West Springfield 235 Riverdale St. (The Riverdale Shops) 413-733-1215 East Hartford 1227 Burnside St. 860-216-5607 250 Main St. 860-890-0024 879 New Britain Ave. 860-263-7100 1261 Main St. 3281 Main St. 860-206-3737 915 Main St. 860-560-9507 655A Blue Hills Ave. 860-904-5150 Manchester 435 Main St. 860-890-2372 Middletown 668 Main St. Meriden 162 West Main St. 203-639-4899 New Britain 130 South Main St. 860-826-0317 Hamden 1315 Dixwell Ave. 203-691-7391 2300 Dixwell Ave. 741 Park St. 860-246-7947 Meriden 470 Lewis Ave. (Inside Meriden Mall) 203-639-4899 612 East Main St. 203-237-5290 978 Broad St. 860-788-6303 New Britain 292 Main St. 860-890-0046 976 West Main 860-505-0836 New Haven 128 Grand Ave. 203-891-5637 1314 State St. 294 Foxon Blvd. 203-821-7314 407 Howard Ave. 475-238-8976 New Haven 80 Church St. West Haven 163 Boston Post Rd. metropcs.com Springfield 135 Boston Rd. 413-301-5308 Springfield 455 Sumner Ave. 413-342-4116 1356 Boston Rd. 413-301-6031 500 Armory St. 413-285-8370 38 Saw Mill Rd. 39 Elm St. 577 Campbell Ave. 203-437-8371 Springfield 1131 State St. 413-363-0002 1365A Liberty St. 1380 Main St. 413-363-9052 1655 Boston Rd. 413-455-2690 296 Cooley St. 413-783-9900 Unlimited international calling not available with certain rate plans. Unlimited international calls are limited to selected countries, destinations, technologies and carriers. Consult a MetroPCS associate or metropcs.com for details on specific countries and destinations. Specific unlimited international calling countries, destinations, technologies and carriers are subject to change without notice, as are terms and conditions of international service. Certain restrictions apply. Visit metropcs.com or a MetroPCS store for Terms and Conditions of Service, coverage and details. Domestic nationwide long distance available only to continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. Coverage MPCS-3014ti/03-12 and services not available everywhere. Rates, services and features subject to change. MetroPCS services for personal use only. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 3 african american point of view A N A FRICAN A MERICAN POINT OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN Point of View may 1, 2012 page three COVER VIEW AN APT REPLACEMENT FOR THE “THRILL” OF RAISING KIDS Point of View is a monthly news journal with an African American orientation. It is distributed free to select locations in Hampden and Hampshire counties and in Connecticut. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the newspaper reflect the opinions of the contributors and do not constitute an endorsement by POV and are subject to editing. POV assumes no responsibility for photos, articles, letters, press releases or unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of material are based on space availability and the discretion of the publisher and editor. Distribution locations are listed on our web site. POV assumes no financial responsibility for failure to publish an advertisement, incorrect placement or typographical errors in its publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertising and claims and offers contained within their advertising. POV reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. PUBLISHER: Frederick A. Hurst EDITOR: Marjorie J. Hurst CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: THIS ISSUE Black Businesses Zelmon Johnson Life’s Challenges Black Sports International Melvin Wm. Bell, Editor Mama’s Boyz Charles Lightfoot Men’s Fashion Business & Workforce Dev. Larry Martin Call to the Cause Kirk Smith Children’s Book Corner Terri Schlichenmeyer Dr. Sweets S. Wilson Jerry Craft Jeffrey S. Clemons Sr. Op-Ed Brenda Douglas Parent & Community Patricia Spradley Pen & Ink Brenda’s Child Community Focus Trevis Wray Community Perspectives Rev. Talbert W. Swan II J. Roscoe Hurst Education & Hope Gianna Allentuck Juanita Torrence-Thompson Financial Cents Walter D. Woodgett Religious Point of View Rev. Dr. W.C. Watson, Jr. Financially Yours Samuel N. Wilson Jr. The Urban Cook Rhonda Jones Hartford Public Schools Kevin McCaskill Urban Gardening Zaida Govan Health Matters Doris Harris, Editor Anika C. Johnson Inhale Music < Exhale Life Heshima Moja PRODUCTION Artistic/Layout Dir. Marie Zanazanian Marjorie J. Hurst Inspirational Thoughts Willette H. Johnson Marketing Director Latin@ Groove Magdalena Gómez Photographer Edward Cohen Website Designer Marie Zanazanian Leadership Pioneer Valley Lorenzo Gaines LOCATE OUR ADVERTISERS Affordable Airport Car Service --------------------15 Alden Baptist Church ------------------------------27 Baystate Medical Center ---------------------------11 Bethel AME Church --------------------------------27 Branford Hall Career Institute --------------------17 Bytebak Computers---------------------------------34 Camp Atwater---------------------------------------21 Canaan Baptist Church of Christ------------------27 Connecticut Real Estate Management ------------32 Family Church---------------------------------------27 Freedom Credit Union------------------------------9 Fresh Anointing Ministries COGIC---------------27 Gentle Smiles Family Dentistry -------------------12 Hall & Hall Siding----------------------------------14 HCS Headstart--------------------------------------7 Holyoke Community College----------------------7 Home Inspections by Marco, LLC.----------------15 Jeffrey’s Suit Rack ----------------------------------30 Jesus Christ Enlightened Christian Bible Seminary 27 Who’s On My Side? Stage Play -------------------16 Lewin’s Boutique------------------------------------15 Lyle Legal Services ----------------------------------13 Macedonia COGIC ---------------------------------27 MBC Realtors ---------------------------------------15 MetroPCS--------------------------------------------2 Mount Calvary Baptist Church--------------------27 New Life Calvary Baptist Church -----------------27 OG1Gold ----------------------------- 9 , 20, 22, 36 Progressive Community Baptist Church----------27 Roberta B. Johnson/Real Living Real Estate -----15 Shiloh SDA Church ---------------------------------27 Solid Rock Community Baptist Church ----------27 Soul Purpose-----------------------------------------3 Springfield Dept. of Health & Human Serv. -----10 Springfield Neighborhood Housing Serv.---------15 Springfield Pediatrics, LLC -------------------------12 Springfield Technical Community College -------6 St. John’s Congregational Church-----------------27 The SHINE Program-------------------------------21 Third Baptist Church-------------------------------27 Third Baptist Church - Musician------------------26 Trinity United Methodist Church -----------------27 United Bank-----------------------------------------5 Vibrations --------------------------------------------15 Wesley United Methodist Church-----------------27 Western Massachusetts Electric -------------------35 Westfield State University -------------------------16 X-Bankers Check Cashing -------------------------15 YMCA of Greater Springfield ---------------------34 SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE AGES BUSINESS & FINANCE Black Businesses ...............................................................................8 Business & Workforce Development .................................................8 Financial Cents .................................................................................9 Financially Yours...............................................................................9 CLASSIFIED ......................................................................................32 COMMUNITY C O N T E N T S 688 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01119 Phone: (413) 796-1500 Fax: (413) 796-6100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.afampointofview.com Call to the Cause...............................................................................14 Community Focus.............................................................................16, 34 Community Perspectives ...................................................................13 Congratulations Corner.....................................................................34 Events...............................................................................................33 Latin@ Groove.................................................................................14 Leadership: Pioneer Valley.................................................................13 EDITORIAL AF-AM Newsbits .............................................................................4 From the Publisher’s Desk ................................................................24 Letters to the Publisher.....................................................................24 Op Ed...............................................................................................25 EDUCATION Education & Hope ............................................................................17 Hartford Public Schools ....................................................................Cover Parent & Community Engagement ...................................................6 FEATURES Superintendent Screening Team ........................................................6 Scenes and Songs from Fannie Lou....................................................21 A Service of Remembrance: Garian Bernice Robinson Caulton..........26 FOOD & FASHION A Gentlemen’s Fashion Sense...........................................................30 The Urban Cook..............................................................................30 HEALTH Health Matters................................................................................10, 12 Urban Gardening ............................................................................12 LIVING Inspirational Thoughts .....................................................................23 Life’s Challenges ...............................................................................23 PHOTO GALLERY ..........................................................................18-19 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ...........................................................15 RELIGION Religious Point of View .....................................................................26 Religious Directory ...........................................................................27 SPORTS Black Sports International ...............................................................31-32 THE ARTS Children’s Book Corner.....................................................................28 Inhale Music < Exhale Life...............................................................28 Mama’s Boyz ....................................................................................3 Pen & Ink .........................................................................................29 Feeling Fabulous With Soul Purpose!!! * Soul Purpose Is A Beauty & Wellness Company Offering Botanical, Natural and Organic Body & Bath Products For Women & Men, Where We Care About Our Customers! * Exquisitely Fragranced and Fragrance-Free Shower Gels, Shea Butter Balms, Sugar & Salt Scrubs, Therapeutic Salves (for aches & pains), Hair Products, and Much More!!! * To Pamper Yourself With Our Fabulous, Healthy, Uplifting Products Or To Start Your Own Soul Purpose Business, Please Contact Me! Stacey Bond-Regional Marketing Director (413) [email protected]~~www.stacey.soulpurpose.net Join Our Journey Of The Senses!....We Are A Different Kind Of Company! POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 4 AF-AM NEWS b i t s By Frederick A. Hurst THE INVISIBLE (BLACK) MAN hat’s one of the great frustrations of African-American life, those times when you are standing right there, minding your business, tending your house, coming home from the store, and other people are looking right at you, yet do not see you….They see instead their own superstitions and suppositions, paranoia and guilt, night terrors and vulnerabilities. They see the perpetrator, the suspect, the mug shot, the dark and scary face that lurks at the open windows of their vivid imaginings. They see the unknown, the unassimilable, the other….They see every d—n thing in the world but you….And their blindness costs you. First and foremost, it costs your sacred individuality. But it may also cost you a job, an education, your freedom. If you are unlucky like Trayvon Martin, it may even cost your life. (Leonard Pitts Commentary published in The Republican, March 20, 2012) “T THE CHANGING FACE OF HARLEM he only perfectly reliable constant is that things change. And the political face of New York’s Harlem neighborhood is no exception. The voting age population of Harlem is now a third African-American and more than 50% Latino. And Harlem’s besieged 82-year-old Congressman, Charlie Rangel, is feeling the difference as Adriano Espaillat, a Dominican-American launches a substantial challenge for the seat. Over the last 15 years Espaillat rose from community organizer to the state’s Assembly to its Senate. He has a natural base and, if he wins, it would be the first time since before Adam Clayton Powell Jr.’s election in 1944 that Harlem’s congressman isn’t Black. (The Wall Street Journal, March 24, 2012) T MCDONALD’S CEO AFRICAN-AMERICAN cDonald’s chief operating officer, African-American Don Thompson, has been selected to become the company’s chief executive beginning July 1. M may 1, 2012 page four african american point of view THE REPUBLICAN ON THE BROWN/WARREN CAMPAIGN hile it is still early in the game, it appears to us that Brown’s campaign is heading for a home run with fans cheering in the stands while Warren’s campaign still doesn’t seem to know how to swing the bat….If Warren doesn’t get better advice, start showing up a lot more in Western Massachusetts and working harder to relate to the average voter, she’s going to have a tough time unseating Brown.” (Sunday Republican, March 25, 2012) Amen! “W SO FAR THE SERVANTS HAVE BEEN INDICTED .S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz announced indictments in the state’s probation scandal against former Springfield deputy probation commissioner William Burke III, former probation commissioner John J. O’Brien and former second deputy probation commissioner Elizabeth V. Tavares. The three are accused of operating a sham hiring system that favored politically connected candidates for probation jobs who were sponsored by current and former state legislators. The quid pro quo is that the state legislators would give favorable budget treatment to the officials doing their bidding. The only problem is that those indicted are the servants. It is difficult to conceive of how the U.S. attorney can avoid indictments against the legislators involved, although the question of where it will all end is open ended and goes way beyond probation. The types of relationships involved in the indictments are routine throughout government. U WAR IS THE UNFOLDING OF MISCALCULATIONS couldn’t help but think about some people I know when I read the opening quote in a Wall Street Journal article by Ron Prosor (March 22, 2012) where he wrote, “War is the unfolding of miscalculations.” While Prosor was referring to those in the international community who “stand idle” while terrorism in the Gaza Strip is rising to I levels that threaten regional stability, the quote is just as useful in describing those everyday folks who deliberately start unnecessary “wars” they can’t win after making the miscalculation that they can. cantly more economically rigid than many other developed countries. How did our perception of ourselves end up so far out of sync with reality?” (The New Republic, March 1, 2012) Myths die hard. THE PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IN THE U.S. ONE OUT OF EVERY FOUR BLACK he U.S. has 760 prisoners per HOUSEHOLDS HAS NO 100,000 citizens. That’s not just ASSETS OTHER many more than in most other develTHAN A CAR! T oped countries but seven to 10 times as many. Japan has 63 per 100,000, Germany has 90, France has 96, South Korea has 97, and Britain – with a rate among the highest – has 153. Even developing countries that are well known for their crime problems have a third of U.S. numbers. Mexico has 208 prisoners per 100,000 citizens and Brazil has 242. As Robertson pointed out on his TV show, the 700 Club, “We here in America make up 5% of the world’s population but we make up 25% of the world’s jailed prisoners. (Fareed Zakaria, Time, April 2, 2012 explaining how the failed war on drugs has led to a dramatic expansion in incarceration at an annual cost of $45,006 as opposed to the $8,667 annual cost for college) SOUTH AFRICA HONORS KENNEDY acob Zuma, President of South Africa, recently announced he will be honoring the late Senator Ted Kennedy for being “a tireless campaigner for the introduction of sanctions” against the former White racist apartheid regime that was eventually toppled when Nelson Mandela was released from his South Africa prison and eventually elected the new government’s president. J THE PERCEPTION AND THE MYTH ommenting on the loss of economic mobility in America (movement from a lower to higher economic status), The New Republic’s Timothy Noah wrote, “Most of Western Europe today is both more equal in incomes and more economically mobile than the United States. And it isn’t just Western Europe. Countries as varied as Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and Pakistan all have higher degrees of income mobility than we do. A nation that prides itself on its lack of class rigidity has, in short, become signifi- C “…the Great Recession has left blacks in a worse-off position than whites by virtually every measure. The numbers are startling. Based on the latest Pew study, released in 2011, median white wealth is now 20 times that of black households, the highest since the survey began. If a roof collapses, a car breaks down, a scholarship falls through, a job is lost, a child gets sick, property taxes go up, the basement floods, a breadwinner falls ill, or any combination thereof, white households can draw on $92,000 to get through it, while black families must figure out how to weather life’s storms on $4,900….One out of every four black households has no assets other than a car, compared with one out of 17 white households. African Americans’ cars were of lesser value ($3,000) than those of whites ($5,960)…. Blacks are less likely than whites to own a home (46% for blacks versus 74% for whites), less likely to own stocks (7% versus 27%), less likely to have equity in a business (6% versus 12%), and less likely to own interest-earning assets (5% versus 16%).” (“Race to the Bottom,” Isabel Wilkerson, The New Republic, March 1, 2012) THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT IS IN THE CELLAR he graduation rate for Black NCAA athletes at the University of Connecticut is 14%, the second lowest in the league. And it has lingered at such low levels for years. It is shameful and disgraceful that UCONN is on the verge of being sanctioned by the NCAA under its new rules. The only worthwhile sanction is to ban it from playing until it sees its players as students first. T POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM african american point of view Page 5 may 1, 2012 page five AN APT REPLACEMENT FOR THE “THRILL” OF RAISING KIDS continued from page 1 of President James Madison, ended their intimidation of the New World once and for all. Given what I recalled about their history, I figured they would still be a bit angry and, as so often happens in America, I figured Black folks on the continent might be their scapegoats. I couldn’t have been more wrong as the front page photographs illustrate. What lovely people! I was especially pleased to see that, William Wallace, who we all know as the actor Mel Gibson, is honored in Scotland right alongside the nobleman, Robert Bruce, whose namesake sweaters I used to sell from my counter at the late Steiger�s department store without the slightest idea who he was. And it was a pleasure to visit Edinburgh Castle where Mary Queen of Scots (poor, unlucky soul) hid out and gave birth to King James (VI of Scotland and I of England). And it was pleasant to see that the precise-speaking, cool, tiltnosed English people portrayed in our media do not represent the open-armed, warm folks that we met. But our biggest surprise came in Ireland where we spent the bulk of our trip. The people were so funny and friendly. They embraced us wherever we went in their hotels and in their many pubs, the proliferation of which made our vacation that much Our Scottish guide who got us into St. Andrews for lunch! more special. We ate one of our meals in O’Connor’s Public House in Blarney in County Cork, Ireland and were surprised to learn that the owner, Glen O’Connor, was born in Boston where his family restaurant started and now has very popular pubs in Brookfield, Connecticut and Brewster, New York as well as in Ireland. He agreed to take a photograph with me which adorns the left side of the front cover. That other fella’ in the right hand photograph, I don’t know from Adam. He approached me from behind as my wife was taking a picture outside of the O’Connor pub after we had finished eating (and drinking, of course) and insisted on being in the picture…on his own terms, as you can see. We laughed with him and his Irish friends as they made their way into the pub. It was all fun but our trip to Cobh (originally called Queenstown), the last port of call made by the Titanic before it sunk exactly 100 years to the day after our visit, was educational and sobering. The timing of our visit to Cobh reminded us of our timely visit to Saint Peter�s Square at the Vatican where we held vigil with anxious throngs of others as Pope John Paul II was dying. Kudos to our cousins, Cathy and Moe, for convincing us to become world travelers. The experiences – Sicily, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, China, South Africa and more have been thrilling and invaluable and an apt replacement for the “thrill” of raising kids. Look what’s changing at the Big Banks. Don’t look now, but some banks are now charging fees for services that used to be free. Others are making you jump through even more “hoops” to qualify for free services. Maybe it’s time for you to make a change. Switch to United Bank, the home of FREE for Life Banking. At United Bank, when we say Free for Life, we mean it. Our customers enjoy a whole package of free services— with no “hoops” to jump through. And only United Bank gives you your own Personal Banker—no charge! Our Free for Life Banking includes: Free Checking with no catches! Free checks - every order! Free savings Free ATMs Free debit card Free online banking & bill pay 413.787.1700 • bankatunited.com Receive $100 for opening a free banking package with direct deposit.1 Facebook.com/bankatunited Member FDIC 1. $100 cash bonus, credited at account opening, subject to 1099 reporting and must be deposited into an interest bearing account. To receive the $100 bonus, a Free for Life Banking Package must be opened which includes a linked checking and statement savings account, online banking and direct deposit. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the savings account is 0.15% as of 7/20/11 and subject to change after account opening. The minimum balance to open each account and to earn the APY on the savings account is $10. • Other banks may charge a fee when non-customers use their ATMs. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 6 may 1, 2012 page six african american point of view E D U C A T I O N PARENT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Patricia Spradley is Chief Administrator for Parent and Community Engagement, Springfield Public Schools (413) 787-6597 other’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in our lives. It is a time to reflect on our mothers as well as ourselves as mothers. We recall the things they did or said, and find ourselves agreeing with them more and more even perhaps repeating some of their famous sayings to our own children! And then there were those things that we wished we’d paid closer attention to, now knowing what a powerful foundation of information they had to offer! Motherhood is incredibly rewarding but can also be very challenging. Many women move from full-time work into full-time motherhood in a M MOTHERS WITH MOMENTUM short period of time. Most often, no matter how fast paced their work life was, motherhood caused one to pick up the momentum, if only even slightly. How is this possible? Where does this source of energy come from to handle caring for the family, the house, the husband and life at-large? The complexities of dealing with children—married or as a single parent—are compound and complex. Support networks like family and close friends are important to stay afloat but not everyone has them. Some mothers feel overwhelmed by the parenting experience and find it very challenging to effectively manage their day-to-day roles and responsibilities. Many women have expectations of themselves and the type of mother they want to be. These expectations are based on childhood experiences and the type of parenting they received. If SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING TEAM By Marjorie J. Hurst Marjorie J. Hurst is an attorney, former member of the Springfield School Committee and editor of POV s an informational follow-up to my article in our April issue, “We Must Act Now or We Will Lose Again,” here are the names of the Springfield residents who were unanimously selected to serve on the Superintendent Screening Team by the Springfield School Committee: A Nancy Cavanaugh - Parent Jose Claudio - New North Citizens Council Communications Director B. John Dill - Colebrook Realty President Heriberto Flores - New England Farm Workers Executive Director and President of Paramount Theatre Rev. Mark E. Flowers - Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church Burt Freedman - Teacher Sherann Jackson - Teacher Sharyn Kakley - Community Member Thomas O’Brien - Principal of Boland Elementary School Charles H. Rucks - Springfield Neighborhood Housing Services Executive Director Kenneth Stahovish - Student Rev. Talbert Swan - NAACP Executive Director and Pastor of Spring of Hope COGIC Thaddeus Tokarz - Principal of Central High School If you know any of these persons, you might want to contact them and make your feelings known about the selection of our next superintendent. They will be responsible for nominating three to five finalists from which the school committee will select the new superintendent. Although initial interviews, which will take place May 5, May 10, continues to page 35 By Patricia Spradley initial experiences of becoming a parent are different from those expectations, this can cause stress, anxiety or even depression. For many women these issues can result in feelings of inadequacy, while others take on these issues as challenges that actually fuel their adrenaline. What a contrast. So what or how do mothers with an aggressive, persistent momentum, get and keep up this pace? And how is it that they do it in the face of adversities like the lack of financial, practical or emotional support—left to fend for themselves and/or their families and even extended families? Mothers with Momentum refuse to let anything or anyone deter them. They are on a mission that is focused, strategic and intentional. Their eyes are constantly on the prize. Mothers with Momentum are strong-minded, blocking out negative thoughts and noises they are bound to encounter. Mothers with Momentum know where they are going and have figured out how to get there or seek help from the experienced! Mothers with Momentum are relentless at repeating that which works and letting go of that which proves fruitless! Paraphrasing Proverbs 31— which says that we are to give the honorable (virtuous) woman the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the city gate—clearly Mothers with Momentum have earned and will continue earning this honor. So please accept this as my small tribute to mothers whose work is immeasurable; whose value to her children, husband, family, and to her culture cannot be calculated. What a special creature God has made! He miraculously created mothers—and in most cases, Mothers with Momentum! Need Summer Classes? Register Now! Online: www.stcc.edu Walk-in: Registrar’s Office, Garvey Hall South/ Bldg. 15 Phone: (413) 755-4321 Session I June 4 - July 6 Session II July 9 - August 9 Online June 4 - August 9 Springfield Technical Community College Exceptional Education. Proven Results. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 7 page seven african american point of view may 1, 2012 E D U C A T I O N HARTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Kevin McCaskill is Director of School Secondary Education, of Hartford Public Schools A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE AGES continued from page 1 children’s and entertainment programming and services. CPBN provides programming through a variety of multi-media platforms, in addition to traditional television and radio broadcasting. to enhance their learning and open the doors of opportunity for post-secondary and career options in the field. The Journalism & Media Academy (JMA) at Weaver High School is the school linked to this partnership. Commencing for the 2013-14 school year, JMA seniors will spend their final year of high school at CPBN headquarters. Students will be housed on the fourth and fifth floors of the facility, utilizing the 20,000 Hartford Public Schools (HPS) and CPBN have forged a monumental partnership that will expose Hartford students to the field of multi-media, as well as providing these students with access to resources square foot allotment to the program. The space will include classrooms, production studios, an auditorium, production facilities, and media workstations. Students will be taught by JMA faculty in core content areas SAVE THE DATE! mployers and all interested Veteran services representatives and workforce specialists are invited to a June 6 summit in Springfield on The Veteran Workforce. E he summit will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rivers Memorial Hall at Western New England University and will include panels of experts from government and the business sector. This is a community event sponsored by the City of Springfield Veterans Services Department, Department of Veterans Affairs, Western New England University, and Springfield College along with other partners. T ur purpose? Share ideas and discuss the many support resources available to hire, retain, and promote Veterans. Go to http://vetsroi.com at VetsROI.com to register and for more information. O while CPBN professionals will provide their expertise to enhance students’ knowledge and interest in the multi-media field. CPBN President and CEO Jerry Franklin is the biggest supporter of this venture. Mr. Franklin states, “No other public broadcasting institution in the country is taking a third of its facility and building a school there. It’s a trailblazing educational project, and we couldn’t be more proud to partner with Hartford Public Schools on it.” In addition to the JMA project, CPBN has launched an elementary school program at the America’s Choice at SAND Elementary School. In its second year of programming, SAND seventh and eighth grade students are exposed to the field of multi-media with the assistance of CPBN professionals who work collaboratively with SAND teachers to not only give students a glimpse of the field, but to enhance their academic performance. We at HPS are truly ecstatic about this partnership and the endless positive outcomes that will come from it. Hartford students will benefit from the rich experiences gained from this unique partnership. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 8 african american point of view may 1, 2012 page eight B U S I N E S S & F I N A N C E WHERE ARE THE BLACK BUSINESSES? Zelmon Johnson, Owner Olive Tree Books-n-Voices 97 Hancock Street, Springfield, MA 413-737-6400 A COMMUNITY BANQUET HALL WITH ELEGANCE hall business?” They replied how it was difficult to find a comfortable place to host celebrations within their ith the spring season upon community, so they decided to OWN us and the summer season THEIR OWN. Here’s their story. approaching, it is a good Ivin, a Marine Corps Veteran and time to think about preparing for former Springfield police officer, was graduation parties, baby and bridal showers, wedding and anniversary born in the Virgin Islands. He has receptions, and other private gather- been a Head Chef, and has owned ings. If you have a need to celebrate catering, photography, and floor covCharlesetta, a with 100 guests or less, Brown Stone ering businesses. Springfield native, is a Special Banquet Hall and Meeting Place is an Education Springfield school teacher, excellent choice to consider. Brown Stone Banquet Hall and with a MBA in Business Management. Meeting Place located at 1482 State With their complementary backStreet, Springfield, Massachusetts is grounds, they share the responsibilities owned by Ivin Rennix-Smith and of day-to-day operational manageCharlesetta Rennix-Smith. When I ment. Ivin and Charlesetta purchased asked “How do you describe Brown Stone Banquet Hall?” They were the building in 2007, renovated it quick to say, “Although, we are fully from 2007-2009, and celebrated their licensed, it is not a bar. It is a commu- first customer in 2009. Since that nity banquet hall with elegance.” time, birthday parties, fundraisers, Then I asked, “Why own a banquet holiday parties, etc., have been held at [email protected] W By Zelmon Johnson the Brown Stone Banquet Hall. Although advance reservations must be made, they are known for inviting the public to their successful, bimonthly (every two months) “lobster and seafood feasts.” Because, I was so excited about their business and ownership, I wanted to know more. Can one’s own food be brought in? Does the hall provide food catering services and staff? Is the hall available every day? Is outside entertainment allowed with an event? Will other “food themes” in addition to lobster and seafood feasts be offered? Are there any specific long-term goals? Ivin and Charlesetta chuckled with a definitive “Yes” to all my questions. They also mentioned that a long-term goal is to expand the building to accommodate more than 100 guests. Mr. and Mrs. Rennix-Smith were gracious hosts as I learned about their banquet hall. It is evident that they are proud of their business. While interviewing them, I was offered a delicious “non-alcohol, mystery drink.” When I inquired about its contents, Ivin would only say, “It is a recipe from the Virgin Islands.” Although it was tempting to accept another drink due to the banquet hall’s comfortable environment, I declined their offer. In other words, I was so relaxed in the setting that I could have stayed for many more hours. For an elegant and spacious atmosphere, reserve your event at the Brown Stone Banquet Hall by calling (413) 732-1122 or (413) 4780093/(413) 218-5716. You will not be disappointed with their rental rates, service, and their reinvestment in their own community, AND, OF COURSE, be sure to ask for “Zee’s drink!” BUSINESS & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Larry Martin, Editor, is Business Services and Special Projects Manager at Regional Employment Board of Hampden County Inc. (“REB”) [email protected] www.rebhc.org f you are a male born after December 31, 1959, there is an important registration process you need to be aware of that could significantly impact your life. It is the Selective Service registration. When a male reaches his 18th birthday, he is required to register for selective service, and failing to register for the selective service is a felony that carries penalties of up to 5 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Male students who fail to register with the Selective Service before turning age 26 are ineligible for Federal student loan and grant programs, including Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, and Stafford Loans. In addition, if you were required to register and you did not, you will not qualify to participate in I SELECTIVE SERVICE: ARE YOU REGISTERED? By Larry Martin many federally-funded workforce training programs. In addition, most state department of motor vehicle agencies provide the list of individuals applying for licences to the selective service agency to check for compliance with the selective service requirement. We all understand the reasons a person would prefer not to register: religious, moral or other personal reasons too numerous to mention in this article; however, you still have to register. I personally take no stand for or against selective service, but it is the law and those of us that are in workforce development have seen the repercussions of non-compliance with this law. During the worst economic downturn since the great depression, individuals who need retraining are turned away from good job training programs because they did not register for selec- tive service. The problem with not registering usually will not impact a person in their youth unless they are going to college, then they can just go sign up and that is it. The problem begins when you turn 18, and you don’t register for whatever reason, and move it to the “I’ll do it sometime later” category which never happens. Then you work and get comfortable and before you know it, you are 30 years old, may have a couple of children and a mortage, and you just lost your job. It is too late to register for selective service since you are past 26 years old, and now, many training programs have closed their doors to you. Student loans are hard to get at reasonable rates, and you cannot apply for any type of federal job. High schools inform students of the selective service requirement, but it is not a consistent process. If their parents or guardians don’t inform our young men about this responsibility, and they don’t have plans for college, then many don’t register. The attitude of “they will have to come find me because I refuse to register” has consequences. I have a better idea. If you are the parent or friend of a young man who is 18 years old but less than 26 years old, encourage them to register for selective service so they do not lose out on any services. There is nothing in the law that prohibits you from being a conscientious objector if a draft were to be instituted. The chances of a draft are slim; the chances that you may need the services denied to you for not registering for selective service if you are unemployed or get laid-off are high. For more information visit http://www.sss.gov/default.htm . POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 9 page nine african american point of view B U S I N E S S & FINANCIALLY YOURS Samuel N. Wilson Jr., Certified Public Accountant, owns an accounting firm in Bridgeport, CT and is an investment advisor. He can be reached at samuel_wilson_cpa@ sbcglobal.net or 203-368-6086. FROM BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT IRS NOTICES: WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE ONE By Samuel N. Wilson, Jr. fter you file your tax return, the last thing that you want to see is a notice from the IRS questioning your return. But if it happens to you, here are a few things to keep in mind. A MAINTAIN YOUR RECORDS. Your records are your ultimate defense against any type of adjustment that the IRS might propose. Keep good records and maintain them long after the return is filed in order to prove DON’T PANIC. Many of these your deductions to the IRS. notices ask only for additional inforHowever, if you do find yourself mation to clarify the return that was in a jam with the IRS, make sure to filed. You likely have received the engage the services of a qualified tax notice because something on the tax professional who can represent you return doesn’t match IRS records. before the IRS in order to help you out REVIEW THE NOTICE. Don’t just with your tax problems. F I N A N C E FINANCIAL “CENTS” assume that the IRS is correct in what they propose in their notice. Many of these notices are simply incorrect for any number of reasons. Make sure that what the IRS is asking for wasn’t reported on another part of the return. And be sure that you protest the notice if you believe it to be incorrect. RESPOND TIMELY. Don’t ignore the notice under any circumstances. The IRS will generally deal with you fairly as long as you respond to the notice in a timely fashion. However, if you ignore the notice, you can expect the IRS to become more aggressive in future letters, even to the point where they will institute collection actions. Most issues can be handled through the mail, without the frustration of a telephone call. may 1, 2012 Walter D. Woodgett can be reached at 413-827-8383 or talkincash@ comcast.net CAN YOU TURN “BE A MILLIONAIRE DAY” INTO REALITY? By Walter D. Woodgett • TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX DEFERRAL. When you invest in tax-deferred vehicles, such as a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan, your money has the opportunity to grow faster than it would if placed in an investment on which you paid taxes each year. Of course, when you start taking withdrawals, presumably at retirement, you’ll have to pay taxes, but by then, you may be in a lower tax bracket. And since you’ll have some control over your withdrawals, you can help control taxes, too. f you look hard enough, you can find • BUILD SHARE OWNERSHIP. As an many obscure holidays, but few of investor, one of the best things you them can instantly capture people’s can do to build your wealth is to interest as much as Be a Millionaire Day, increase the number of shares you which is “celebrated” on May 20. While own in your investments. So, look amassing a million dollars may not be as for buying opportunities, such as significant a milestone as it used to be, when prices are low. Also, consider most of us would still feel pleased if we reinvesting any dividends or districould someday attain “millionaire” stabutions you may receive from your tus. While there are no perfect formulas investments. or guarantees, here are some steps to consider when working toward any • DON’T BE OVERLY CAUTIOUS. For your money to grow, you need to investment goal: put a portion of your investment Put time on your side. The earlier dollars in growth-oriented vehicles, you begin saving and investing, the such as stocks. It is certainly true better your chances of reaching your that stock prices will always fluctufinancial goal. You can’t expect to ate, sometimes quite sharply, and “strike it rich” immediately with any you may receive more or less than single investment, but by investing your original investment when sold. year in and year out, and by choosing But if you avoid stocks entirely in quality investment vehicles, you have favor of more stable vehicles, you the opportunity to achieve growth run the risk of earning returns that over time. may not keep you ahead of infla• PAY YOURSELF FIRST. If you wait tion. As you approach retirement, until you “have a little extra money and even during retirement, your lying around” before you invest, you portfolio will probably still need may well never invest. Instead, try some growth potential. Work with to “pay yourself first.” Each month, your financial advisor to determine move some money automatically the appropriate approach for you. from a checking or savings account I into an investment. When you’re first starting out in the working world, you might not be able to afford much, but as you advance in your career, you can increase your contributions. • CONTROL YOUR DEBTS. It’s easier said than done, but if you can keep a lid on your debt payments, you’ll have more money with which to invest. • THINK LONG TERM. By creating a long-term investment strategy and sticking to it, you’ll be less likely to take a “timeout” from investing in response to perceived negative news, such as market downturns and political crises. Following these suggestions may someday allow you to reach the point when your financial goals become a reality for you. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 10 page ten may 1, 2012 H E A L T H HEALTH MATTERS Doris Harris, Editor Prevention Specialist Caring Health Center, Inc. Doris can be contacted at [email protected] 18th Annual Community Baby Shower Saturday, May 19, 2012 12:00PM-3:00PM High School of Commerce 415 State Street Springfield, MA 01105 FREE EVENT FOR PREGNANT, PARENTING WOMEN, MEN & FAMILIES ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS, RAFFLES AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION his event is sponsored by the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services Maternal Child Health Commission, numerous local community health agencies and businesses. The mission of the Community Baby Shower is to promote healthy birth outcomes by providing important maternal child health educational information to pregnant/parenting women, partners and families in a fun and interactive way. It is our belief that family education and support help to nurture and protect children by strengthening the families who are responsible for their care. It also strengthens the community in which they live. The Department of Health and Human Services partners with many community based organizations. Our collaboration allows us to educate and inform families and the general public about maternal child health issues and also provides linkages between health and other community family services. The Maternal Child Health Commission is comprised of over 60 community health agencies along with T “CELEBRATING FAMILIES” major medical centers: Baystate Health Systems, Baystate Medical Center, Boston Medical Center Healthnet Plan, Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Women’s Health Services. Listed are just a few of our community partners: Thom Infant Toddler Services, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC), Square One, New North Citizen’s Council, Springfield Women’s Infant and Children(WIC) and the Mass. Department of Public Health which includes the Sudden Infant Death Foundation (SIDS). The Community Baby Shower as an event has been sustained through the Department of Health and Human Services and through contributions from our generous Grandparent Sponsors: Mercy Medical Center, Mercy Women’s Health Services, Partners for a Healthier C o m m u n i t y, Baystate Health S y s t e m s , Baystate Medical Center, Boston Medical Center Healthnet Plan, Health New England and Cherish Every Child, an initiative of the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation. The city of Springfield’s Maternal Child Health Commission is the only group in Springfield that provides this unique service. Each year we host over 300 participants who are able to gain valuable information and services from at least 50 healthcare and social service vendors. We also provide nutritious refreshments and raffle wonderful baby shower gifts that are donated by our vendors and local businesses. This year’s baby shower will also bring awareness to “Safe Sleep Environments” for your baby. An interactive harm reduction display will provide alternatives to bed sharing and co-sleeping. According to Springfield’s infant death data in 2010, eight (8) babies died in unsafe sleep environments or positions. The 2008 Massachusetts birth data records 2,458 births in Springfield with 27 infant deaths. The Infant Mortality Rate that year was 11.0. The harm reduction ABC’S of Safe Sleep are ALONE, ON HIS BACK, IN HER CRIB. If you would like further information about this exciting event, please contact Sandra Johnson RN at (413)787-6739 or email [email protected]. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 11 african american point of view page eleven may 1, 2012 Wishing All Moms The Best From Day One One of life’s most precious, amazing moments is the birth of your baby. That’s why our hospitals provide special, personalized care with a range of birthing options, highly skilled experts, individualized nursing care, and comfortable, welcoming environments. We want your experience to be the best possible, for all of you. To learn more, sign up for our free Parent Care E-Letter customized for your week of pregnancy or baby’s age through age three, at baystatehealth.org/babymail. For a free tour of our birthing units or a referral to an experienced obstetrician or certified nurse-midwife on staff at Baystate Medical Center or Baystate Franklin Medical Center, please call 1-800-377-4325. B a y st a t e M e d i ca l C e n t e r B a y st a t e Fra n k l i n M e d i ca l C e n t e r b a y st a t e h e a l t h . o rg/birthing POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 12 african american point of view may 1, 2012 page twelve H E A L T H HEALTH MATTERS Anika C. Johnson, PhD (c), MPH, CLC Hill Health Center WIC Manager -Your Health Is My Wealth- CLUB CLEAN PLATE By Anika Johnson any times parents are dismayed when a child does not eat all the food on his plate. When we were children, many of us may have heard, “You have to eat all your food because there are starving kids in other places.” Thereafter a parent would hover over said children to ensure all food was consumed. As parents ourselves, we must realize there are countless reasons why children are not members of the “Club Clean Plate” or simply may not want to eat. Occasionally, kids refusing to either eat or eat a substantial amount of food served to them could mean illness. Be mindful that at the onset of some illnesses and during or after an illness, a child’s appetite may shrink. For example, when a child has a cold he may ask for more fluids rather than meals. Keep in mind, besides water, mostly all beverages have calories; if enough fluid is consumed through drinks, these calories can easily add up to the same amount that could have come in meals! Another reason for our kids’ nonmembership in the club is that we sometimes set kids up for failure. There are times when we feel kids could be hungry and they truly are not. If illness is ruled out, it is very important not to force a child to eat. Also watch portion sizes. Research shows the act of forcing a child to eat large portions can alter a child’s hunger gauge and could lead to weight issues or simply eating…to eat. M Also keep in mind that the small things count. As discussed above, drinks can have a substantial amount of calories. Snack items too have the same effect. For example, if dinner is served in early evening and a child simply refuses to eat, it may be a good idea to consider other foods the child had prior to mealtime. If a child had a large cup of milk along with a late afternoon snack of crackers or cookies, it is no wonder mealtime can prove to be difficult. Therefore it may be best to limit snacks a hour or two before meals. Lastly, children may not want to eat as a way to declare their independence even if they are hungry. They may whine and cry for specialty items like chicken nuggets or a burger. Without the specialty items on their plate, there will be a fight. Once again if illness has been ruled out, parents should be watchful not to regularly give in to such demands. Adhering to a well balanced diet daily based on the food guide is important. Dear Robust Reader, s parents, it is our job to offer foods to our children and it’s a child’s job to decide if he wants to eat the foods offered. Children need food items introduced and then reintroduced many times before they decide whether they like the food item. Let “Club Clean Plate” be a thing of the past, as our goal should be aimed at proper nutrition. Next month we will be discussing another nutrition-related topic. Please forward your thoughts, comments and ideas, as they are important to me to: [email protected] attention: Anika A URBAN GARDENING LET’S GET STARTED! By Zaida Govan, MSW, LCSW pring is here and the gardening itch has gotten to me. Zaida Govan My friend, Peter Merzbacher, is my urban gardening guru. He says “grow food anywhere”. So with his help last year a community garden was started on Bay Street in Springfield. A group of us got together and we said we want a garden. Some of us knew nothing about gardening, like me. Others of us were S that we can have more community gardens. Community gardens have many benefits including, of course, bringing the community together and helping people eat more vegetables. It is a scientific fact that people who participate in community gardens eat more fresh fruits and vegetables than people who grow food in their own personal gardens and even more than those who don’t have gardens at all. For the health of our community Community residents participate in ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of a community garden in front of Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services on Bay Street in Springfield (June, 2011 file photo) pro’s at gardening. All of us had a plot and the people who live in it, I am to garden and we grew, among other pleased to start this column and I things, tomatoes, eggplant, onions, invite you to join me and many others basil, even corn. It was amazing! The in our city in being a part of a commugarden is called the Bay Street nity garden. Maybe you want to start Community Garden and is located at one in your neighborhood. Call me at 365 Bay Street. 413-301-2533 or email me at zeerIt is time to begin sowing our [email protected]. Although I am not seeds for this year�s community gar- an expert, I know someone who is. I den. This year we are inviting even hope to hear from you all soon. See more members of the community to you next month or sooner at a comjoin us and share in our efforts to grow munity garden. food everywhere. Community gardening is SPRINGFIELD PEDIATRICS, LLC becoming a trend in our Maria Ethel Evales, MD, FAAF fair city of Springfield. By the time this article (413) 747-KIDS (413) 747-5437 appears, the Springfield Fax: (413) 747-5433 Food Policy Council will 299 Carew Street, Suite 126 have presented and, hopeSpringfield, MA 01104 fully, had approved by the City Council a community N e w b o r n s t h r o u g h A g e Tw e n t y gardening ordinance so POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 13 page thirteen african american point of view may 1, 2012 COMMUNITY COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES Rev. Talbert W. Swan, II is Pastor of The Spring Of Hope Church Of God In Christ (This is Part 4 of a 4-part series that began in the February 1st issue of Point of View and concludes in this issue. You can read Parts 1, 2 and 3 in our online paper by going to our website at: www.afampointofview and clicking on POV Archives.) DEAR PIONEER VALLEY, he election of Barack Obama ushered in the silly term “postracial” and emboldened the existing notions of “reverse racism” and “playing the race card;” however, they are all concepts that do not exist. They are mythical ideas that should be as painful to the mind’s ear as fingernails on the chalkboard are to the outer T �REVERSE RACISM’ DOES NOT EXIST, THE �RACE CARD’ IS NOT IN THE DECK AND �POST RACIAL AMERICA’ HAS NOT BEEN BUILT YET ear. Unfortunately, widespread use of these terms seems to lend credence to the idea that they are true. Therefore, I suspect that I’ll be called a “racebaiter” across the Valley over and over again and I will continue to be accused of “playing the race card” each time I take a stand against racial discrimination. I also suspect that the NAACP will continue to be labeled as a “racist organization” by those who either deny history or subscribe to the fantasy of a “post-racial” America. Race is like weather — we only talk about it when it’s extreme but it’s always there. If we can convince ourselves that we live in a “post-racial” era, race no longer matters; therefore, we no longer need to think about race or take the discussion of it seriously. This way the concept becomes a shield By Reverend Talbert W. Swan, II against the uncomfortable but necessary discussion, which allows people to say or think, “Why are they complaining about racism again?” This barrier to honest and open dialogue is dangerous in a community where race and racism still matter very much. A place where black unemployment is far higher than white unemployment, where profiling and institutional racism and white privilege and myriad other forms of racism still shape so much of life in the Pioneer Valley. If we don’t discuss race then it’s allowed to fester and grow unchecked like an untreated malignant tumor. Race is an issue every citizen must care about. It’s not a black issue; it’s not a white issue; it’s not a Puerto Rican issue; it’s everyone’s issue. It’s relevant and important because we all live here together and because the issue hurts everyone. The concepts of “post-racial” and “race card” and “reverse racism” have run amok like gremlins across the Valley, dissimulating race and making discussions about it harder. Our community still has so much work to do regarding race and racism and false concepts are only making that work harder to do. Only through being aware of racial disparities and talking about race can we have any chance of forward movement. The notions of “post-racial,” “playing the race card,” and “reverse racism” are enemies of communication, understanding and progress. They only pervert and distort the discussion of race and give people who wish to disrupt the conversation a place to park their ideas. vitality of the region. The regional approach of the program is also unique and has been quite a learning experience for me. I have slept in a convent, toured Holyoke on a bus, and am part of a group who all want to talk about a place called Gill. We have had diverse trainers who have shared their experience and expertise in an open and safe environment where questions are welcomed and encouraged. I have gained new personal relationships and connections that will last a lifetime. Working so closely with a group of people over a long period of time trying to address and resolve some of the most pressing concerns in the region is challenging. However, being the given the tools and the resources to create solutions and ultimately presenting a sustainable solution relative to the Plan for Progress by helping to “shape a successful and competitive 21st century region” is creating a legacy. I am not a skeptic anymore. I firmly believe the LPV is a game changer and will connect people who are committed to positive social change and equality for all regardless of background or circumstances. LEADERSHIP PIONEER VALLEY REACHING BEYOND y experie n c e w i t h Leadership Pioneer Valley Lorenzo Gaines (LPV) has been one of “reaching beyond” in many senses of the word. When I first heard of LPV, I was skeptical. What is this endeavor about? What would I learn from it and how could I apply the skills gained to myself, my organization and my community to become a better leader? This experience has opened my eyes up to the values leaders must demonstrate on a regular basis— including model the way, inspire a shared vision, and challenge the process. These are not new concepts to me; however, the opportunity to explore different leadership pedagogies with others excited me. I believe that better understanding yourself affords you the opportunity to better understand others, ultimately making you a more empathetic and effective leader. I have learned that leadership is M By Lorenzo Gaines an Art and not a Science. There are many ways to lead and many different types of leaders and leadership. Both LPV and I firmly believe that you can lead from anywhere. As Gandhi said, “Be the change in the world that you wish to see.” I am enjoying being part of the inaugural class of Leadership Pioneer Valley and understand the high expectations many of the stakeholders have in our success. Being a member of LPV I have been inspired to meet other individuals like myself who have made the commitment and desire to be more effective leaders. Some of the highlights of my experience include the collaborative nature of the program, the diverse array of speakers and the wide range of workshop topics. By working together in large and small groups, we hear a range of voices with different experiences and perspectives, which adds richness and has allowed us to get to know each other better and on a deeper level. This has fostered networks and relationships that can be leveraged in the future to increase the POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 14 may 1, 2012 page fourteen COMMUNITY CALL TO THE CAUSE Kirk Smith is President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Springfield 413-739-6951 www.springfieldy.org he splashing and laughter coming from the swimming pool…The sizzling of the backyard grill…The happy squeals of kids chasing down the ice cream truck…Ahhh, the sounds of summer! In a few short weeks, we’ll be hearing lots of them. We all know that summer is meant to be a carefree time, but hidden behind the smiles and fun is a looming issue that for too many kids goes unnoticed until the damage is done. I’m talking about summer learning loss. Think about the feeling you get T LIVE AND LEARN ALL SUMMER LONG when you make a trip to the gym after taking a hiatus from exercise for a while. Your muscles feel weak, you struggle to breathe and you feel somewhat defeated. Now, imagine returning to the classroom when your brain has been on hiatus for two months. Think about the challenge this presents to our students, parents and educators, who now have to re-learn and re-teach much of what was already taught during the prior school year. On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade-level learning equivalency in math skills during the summer months. It’s worse for students living in low-income communities, who also experience a loss of more than two months of reading achievement. Couple these statistics with our region’s disparaging educa- By Kirk Smith tion standings and Springfield’s 47 percent graduation rate, and we have a real problem on our hands. So, what can we do? As the father of three boys, I appreciate what summer break means to kids and their families. I’m not suggesting that our kids attend school year round. What I am suggesting is that we encourage families to enroll their students in summer enrichment programs. The same research that points to the loss of learning during the summer months, also demonstrates marked gains in cognitive and effective achievement for students when they participate in learning outside the classroom through enrichment programs. High-quality summer learning opportunities, such as camp, keep students engaged in learning, teach new skills, foster creativity and positively impact their self-esteem and confidence. Add to the mix that these programs keep kids physically active in a safe, playful environment with kids their own age and you have a perfect summer break. And, students return to school in the fall ready to continue their studies. As the school year begins to wrap up, think about registering your child for a summer enrichment program. It could be the best thing you do for their education. Even better – consider sponsoring a child who could benefit from summer enrichment but doesn’t have the means to pay for it. Answer the call to the cause – our kids are depending on you! LATIN@ GROOVE Magdalena Gómez is the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Springfield’s first and only Latin@ theater, Teatro V!da. Ms. Gómez has been a teaching artist for over 35 years. “GREEN THE GHETTO” By Magdalena Gómez n March 23rd, I had the honor of attending the Bay Path College Leading with Compassion conference. The event featured keynote speakers, Sister Helen Prejean, Ms. Ashley Judd and Ms. Majora Carter. There were 1,500 people in attendance, mostly women. The opportunity to hear ecoentrepreneur, Majora Carter, who had been my theater student at the East Harlem Music School when she was a teen, and is now on the advisory board of Teatro V!da, was inspirational beyond words. Majora, who coined the term, “Green the Ghetto,” is one of the most prominent and world renowned activators in the sustainability movement O worldwide. Born in the South Bronx, Majora chose a path for her life that brought her back home after getting her Master�s from New York University. From 2001-2008, Majora was the Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx. A visionary of passion and relentless commitment, Majora turned a $10,000 seed grant into $3.5 million dollars and according to her bio, “pioneered green-collar job training and placement systems in one of the most environmentally and economically challenged parts of the U.S.” A MacArthur Genius Award recipient, she is now president of her own economic consulting firm, the Majora Carter Group, LLC. Please look her up—you will be inspired by how one person was and can be the catalyst of a major movement from impossible to possible. As a result of meeting at the conference, Majora is now in dialogue with Ms. Sarah Page, Associate Executive Director of HAP Housing, regarding the possibility of getting on board as a consultant for the rebuilding of posttornado Springfield. A collaboration with Majora Carter would be a great boon to Springfield. When I said to Majora, “You would transform Springfield into the jewel of New England,” her response was, “Magdalena, you know that what I would do is provide the tools so that all of you can make it happen—it isn’t about me. Springfield will make it happen.” Several areas in Massachusetts recently received the coveted Cultural District designation: Boston, Pittsfield, Gloucester, Lynn and Rockport. Why not Springfield? We can become a cultural and green mecca—there are plenty of visionaries living in Springfield and the region, our assets are many and Majora’s expertise would be another profoundly effective tool with which to rebuild. I grew up in the South Bronx when it was the arson and homicide capital of the U.S. My playgrounds, like Majora’s, were building rubble and discarded mattresses. We had to ride trains to see beautiful green spaces. Now there are beautiful parks, Magdalena Gómez and Majora Carter gardens, and green spaces where children can go to imagine greater possibilities for their lives. Springfield, with so many beautiful parks and assets already, has a jump start. Let’s make Springfield into the Jewel of New England it is ready to become and has been for a long time. For information about Majora Carter’s vision, visit: www.majoracartergroup.com Specializing in Siding, Repairs on siding, Insulation, Windows, Roofing, Drywall, Flooring, Painting and much more! We will save you money in the cost of having your home sided. Compare our prices with our competitors. You will see that our prices are the lowest. 413-273-4022 Call Today, Do Not Delay. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 15 may 1, 2012 page fifteen african american point of view PROFESSIONAL SERV I C E S SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING THESE ADVERTISERS LEWINS BOUTIQUE Scitico Plaza Enfield, Ct 585 HAZARD AVE. (Rt. 190) Exit 47E off I-91, 3.25 miles from the first McDonalds www.lewinsboutique.com 860*749*2877 PRODUCTS: SERVICES: Mother of Bride and Groom gowns Dress making Bridesmaid-orders of 5 or more, hems are free! Expert Alterations available Prom gowns Homecomings Pageants Shoe dying Quinceñeras Sweet sixteens Eastern Star Professional Bra fittings Social occasions Tuxedo Rental We specialize in Plus and Petite sizes "Personal service is our style" Always a sale on in stock samples Hair Care Center “Where Beauty is in Motion” 120 Boston Road Springfield, MA (413) 731-7001 Tuesdays - Saturdays 9:30am - 9:30pm BEAUTIFUL BROWN WEDNESDAYS Give yourself a BLAST of Color Free Color with Relaxer Relaxer ($45.00) FABULOUS WEDNESDAYS WEAVES - $85.00 C A R I N G, PER S ON A LI ZED R EA L ES TATE S ERV I C ES MBC R E A LT O R S Maher & Migdalia Khatib Owners Hablamos Español Office: (413) 886-0010 Fax: (413) 886-0011 925 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 [email protected] X-BANKERS, Inc. Bridgeport, CT Locations 875 East Main Street 966 Main Street 1245 Main Street 1358 Boston Avenue Other CT Locations 31 Church Street, New Haven 60 S Main Street Waterbury 135 Connecticut Ave., Norwalk POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 16 may 1, 2012 page sixteen COMMUNITY FOCUS “PURPOSED FOR PERFECTION” DEBUTING MAY 19th t. John’s Congregational Church is pleased to announce its 2012 Anna E. Hatchett Christian Debutantes & Gentlemen’s Cotillion. The Cotillion will be held on May 19th at the Springfield Sheraton, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The theme for this year’s event is “Purposed for Perfection,” which reflects our vision for a promising group of Debutantes and Gentlemen participants. The St. John’s Anna E. Hatchett Cotillion is designed to guide youth participants over a yearlong journey to young adulthood. The “Debs” and “Gents,” as we refer to them, begin by completing a thorough application inclusive of high school transcripts, recommendations, and resumes. This helps ensure participant commitment to the rigorous course of lectures and workshops to follow. Students are informed on a variety of subjects, such as personal image, health and wellness, and cultural awareness. They are further schooled in proper social etiquette around formal dining, public engage- S By Trevis Wray ment, and public speaking. College engage in the preparedness is a highlight, involving process and a instruction in college admissions inter- commitment to viewing, college writing, and on site see it through. The need college tours. Participants further for a modern day engage in community leadership and volunteerism and receive lectures on cotillion remains faith and Christianity to round out quite clear. There are harmful their journey. Cotillions started as exclusive, social elements upper-class European affairs, rooted in that young peoFrench culture as evidenced by the ple need to be word “cotillion.” They were comfort- mindful of and Participants of the 2012 Anna E. Hatchett ably adopted into African American shielded from. Christian Debutantes & Gentlemen’s Cotillion “high society” and maintained exclu- For instance, in sivity as a means for socially elite Springfield we have witnessed our his- quency. For this St. John’s cotillion African Americans to create tight knit torically warm and inviting “City of undertaking, there is no better time networks for the protection and Homes” experience some of the most than the present. We look forward to May 19th and advancement of their offspring. This significant declines in quality of life in was acceptable, considering the chal- recent history. A disproportionate per- hope you are able to join us at the lenges for African Americans in cli- centage of our young people of color Springfield Sheraton for a wonderfully elegant evening, showcasing our young mates of intense racial hostility. In are experiencing unprecedented levels people as they make their debuts as modern-day communities of color, the of at-risk involvement: teen pregnancy, young adults through the Anna E. cotillion has evolved to become a rite of STDs, truancy, high school drop-outs, Hatchett Christian Debutantes & passage for participants from all social disparate on-time four year graduation Gentlemen’s Cotillion. classes. Participants need only a will to rates, gang activity, and general delin- TERRELL HILL ’92 Principal of High School, Inc. Avid gardener We are Westfield. We are explorers and scholars, builders and innovators, artists and athletes, dream seekers and care takers. We are a community of possibilities — onsite, online and in touch. P R I VAT E Q U A L I T Y. P U B L I C VA L U E . WeAreWestfield.com POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 17 may 1, 2012 page seventeen E D U C A T I O N EDUCATION & HOPE Gianna Allentuck is an Adjustment Counselor at Elias Brookings School, Volunteer, Wife and Mother. For questions or comments on uniting in hope, call (703) 930-0243 n March at Elias Brookings Elementary School, we celebrated the power of reading with a Reading Rocks! Celebration, wherein I assumed the identity of an 80’s Rock Star and chatted with every classroom regarding the benefits of reading. I donned a crazy, spiky purple wig and fishnet gloves and zebra-striped pants with a white t-shirt adorned with silver stars and Reading Rocks! logo. For their participation in the celebration, the children each were given his/her own set of Reading Rock Star glasses. There were lots of giggles and “so cools” from all, but everyone was strictly business when we started our discussions around reading. From Pre-K to 5th grade, we conversed on why reading rocks. We asked: What is your favorite book? Why do you like to read? Who are your favorite characters? Why is reading important? Answers ranged from 2nd Grader I READING ROCKS! By Gianna Allentuck Rudy, who noted that “reading is important because if you are lost in a car somewhere with your dad and you don’t know where you are going, you can read a map.” Or, Jessica, who offered that “reading let’s me visit faraway places.” Some of our 5th graders had college on their mind and stated “reading will help me get into College.” Another student mentioned a love of animals and wanting to be an “animal doctor” so she likes reading books about turtles. From pee-wee to preteen, these children were excited and engaged—reaching their hands to the sky to be chosen to share his/her thoughts on reading. To support the reading discussions, we had a table displaying several different levels and genres of books. These books sat next to a bucket of bright, shiny, colorful Rock Star glasses. Interestingly, though the children were excited by the glasses, they were more enthusiastic by the prospect of taking home a book. And though we were in the Gym where the children run and play in learning games and activities, for this time in the Gym, JUDEO-ISLAMIC RELATIONS: WOMEN’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOVE AND PEACE these children were most eager to hear a book read to them. To laugh and be silly and get lost in the story. No little eyes darting Reading Rocks! Celebration at Elias around for the Gym Brookings Elementary School Teacher or cues for a new activity. Just focused eyes waiting for a life. Families divided. Jobs unavailable. chance to share with and learn from Food limited. Streets unsafe. No coneach other about Dinosaurs, Diaries of trol. What they do have control over, Wimpy Kids, Loraxes, and Magic Tree however, is their desire to learn. The Houses…The recall of funny charac- choice to read. To be a Rock Star. Author’s Note: There are 350 ters, sad situations, and unsolved mysstudents ages 3 to 11 at Brookings. We teries was impressive and demonstrative of these children’s desire and abili- would love to collect enough books ty to learn. To soak up what we give from the community to send one home them. From books to newspaper comic with each student for the Summer. If strips to the back of cereal boxes to site you have gently used or new books you word flashcards, what we provide is would like to donate to Brookings for what they seek. Words. Knowledge. this goal, please call Gianna at 703.930.0243 or 413.787.7390 to Power. Many of our children have little to arrange a drop off. Thank you and no control over any aspect of his/her rock on…! THE SMART CAREER MOVE Branford Hall Career Institute can get you started on the path toward a New, High-Growth Career! CLASSES FORMING NOW FOR: HEALTH CLAIMS SPECIALIST MEDICAL ASSISTANT MASSAGE THERAPY COMPUTER NETWORKING MANAGEMENT* PROFESSIONAL FITNESS TRAINER* HVAC/R* CULINARY ARTS* Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr. Shirin Ebadi (center), received an honorary Doctoral degree from Westfield State University during an event entitled Judeo-Islamic Relations: Women’s Contributions to Love and Peace. From left: Waleska Dejesus, Westfield State University President, Dr. Evan Dobel, Kaveh Khala, Dr Shuba Sharad Rajgopal, Dr. Kamal Ali, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Amadou Talla, Lawana Hood, Elise Young and Galeet Dardashti who sang a PersianJewish version of a song for peace at the event. Call or Click Today! 112 Industry Ave. 781-2276 189 Brookdale Dr.* 732-0546 branfordhall.edu Career placement assistance | Day & evening schedules | Financial aid available for those who qualify POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 18 page eighteen may 1, 2012 Around Town & . . . Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services Black College Tour students and chaperones The Carl Walker-Hoover Foundation Scholarship Committee and Recipients. From left: Senga Fulton, Founder Gwynnetta J. Sneed, Recipients Carrie-Ann C. White, Lawanda S. Ross, Rushawn A. Walters Michael K. Ames, Monica E. Czausz, Tess G. Domb Sadof, Patricia Johnson-Housey, Melanie N. Gomes, Dominic J. MondonPoirier, Jessica Fournier, Brianna Carter, Raul Centeno Pedraza, Brianna Hartford, Sirdeaner Walker, mother of Carl Walker-Hoover, Recipients Bianca Couture and Corey Allen Rapa, Regina Jeames, Nick Sneed and Eileen Kirk. MA and CT Cosmetologists at the Dudley Beauty Products training held recently at the Springfield Sheraton as part of the company’s anniversary celebration Western Mass. Black Nurses at their Annual Scholarship Brunch The Springfield Dept. of Health and Human Services held its Public Health Month Kick-Off on April 2. From left: Magda Rodriguez, Mable Sharif, Award Recipients Johnetta Renee Baymon and Jeanette Rodriguez; Deputy Director Bettye Anderson-Frederic, Keynote Speaker Gamaria Amtul-Wadud, Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, School Committee Member and Public Health Month Kick-Off Event Chairman Barbara Gresham and Rev. Rosa Lopez Dr. Carolyn L. Bledsoe, Regional Vice President of the Association of Ministers Wives and Ministers Widows recognizes MA Chapter President Ambrozine Snowden, First Lady of Progressive Community Baptist Church, at the annual Northeast Regional Conference held at the Springfield Marriot POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 19 page nineteen may 1, 2012 . . .In The Community Bishop Bryant Robinson, Jr., Pastor of Macedonia COGIC and Prelate of the Greater Mass. Jurisdiction (left) with Bishop P.A. Brooks, First Assistant Presiding Bishop of the COGIC at the Annual Spring Conference of the Greater Massachusetts Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the COGIC The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art featured the exhibit opening and book signing of “We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball“ by Kadir Nelson and “Testing the Ice“ by Sharon Robinson. From left: Kari Njiiri, Dr. Ruth Njiiri, Sharon Robinson, daughter of Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson, author and artist Kadir Nelson, and Rachel Robinson, wife of the late Jackie Robinson St. John’s Congregational Church�s pastor Rev. Dr. Calvin J. McFadden and first family with national recording artist Vanessa Bell Armstrong (center) after Easter Sunday Resurrection service held at the MassMutual Center The Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Baystate Health and Stone Soul Festival honored several individuals at a pre-concert reception. From left: Steven Bradley and Suzanne Hendery, Baystate Health; Joyce Davis and Jay Griffin, Stone Soul Festival; Awardees Cynthia Scott-Mitchell, Frank Robinson and Bettye Anderson Frederic, and Springfield Symphony Executive Director Michael Jones Contestants in the 4th Annual Sen. Edward Brooke III Oratorical Scholarship Competition are pictured with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Theta Iota Lambda Chapter members Joe C. Long, Jr. owner of Fabulous Cuts Barbershop recently held a grand opening of his second location at 373 Worthington Street in Springfield. From left: Joe C. Long Sr., Richia Barklow, Lynn Orr, Sydney Barklow, Lynise Barklow, Joe C. Long Jr. and wife Yvette Long with son Jalen, Kamari Long, son Jordan, Rev. Dr. Brett Snowden and First Lady Ambrozine Snowden POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 20 may 1, 2012 page twenty SPRINGFIELD NATIVE DR. STANLEY F. BATTLE TO ADDRESS BETA SIGMA BOULÉ’S W.E.B. DU BOIS PUBLIC POLICY SERIES ADDRESS TO COVER GROUND-BREAKING WORK WITH COMEDIAN interim president of Southern Connecticut State University, will deliver a public policy address on education and literacy. Dr. Battle’s topic, “Educating Our Children – Do We Really Care?” reflects the urgent need to establish break-through programs, particularly in reading development, to enhance learning skills among school children. His collaboration with comedian Bill Cosby on efforts to bridge the achievement gap through a range of educational initiatives has received national attention. One literacy initiative in particular will target third and fourth Dr. Stanley Battle graders by leveraging a new line of pringfield, MA – Beta Sigma Cosby books of the “Little Bill” series. Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Prior to serving as interim presiwill host its 2012 W.E.B. Du Bois dent at Southern Connecticut State Public Policy Series on Thursday, May University, Dr. Battle was president of 10, at 5:30 p.m. at The Community North Carolina Agricultural and Music School of Springfield, located at Technical State University in 127 State Street in downtown Greensboro (2007-2009) and Coppin Springfield. Dr. Stanley F. Battle, a State University in Baltimore (2003Springfield native and immediate past 2007). His previous administrative S BILL COSBY TO CLOSE ACHIEVEMENT GAP positions also include vice chancellor for academic and multicultural affairs at the University of WisconsinMilwaukee and associate vice president of academic affairs at Eastern Connecticut State University. Earlier in his career, Dr. Battle was a member of the faculty at the University of Connecticut, Boston University, and the University of Minnesota. This fall, he will begin his appointment as professor of sociology and social work at Central Connecticut State University. “The W.E.B. Du Bois Public Policy Series is all about elevating the relevancy of Du Bois’ work across many social areas, including education, where there is a significant achievement gap in urban, lowincome communities,” said Willie Hill, Sire Archon of Beta Sigma Boulé. “We are especially delighted to have such a noted and accomplished scholar as Dr. Battle come share more about his platform for addressing educational disparities.” Balise Lexus is a major sponsor of the 2012 W.E.B. Du Bois Public Policy Series. “We are thrilled to have Balise Lexus involved with Beta Sigma Boulé,” said Michael D. Balise, vice president of Balise Motor Sales. “At Balise, we strive for excellence at every level of our dealerships. Our commitments to education and to the communities we live in closely mirror those of the Boulé. At Balise, we provide quality cars and exceptional service at great prices. We believe the Boulé is exceptional as well.” Tickets to the W.E.B. Du Bois Public Policy Series are $100 each and may be purchased by contacting Vince Jackson (972-489-7191) or any other member of Beta Sigma Boulé. Proceeds from the event benefit the Boulé Scholars Program and the annual Howard L. Edmonds Academic Scholarship—a four-year scholarship award to a local high school student in the Greater Springfield area. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 21 african american point of view page twenty-one may 1, 2012 “Scenes and Songs from �Fannie Lou’” The full cast and crew oint of View has proudly followed free-lance journalist Felicia Hunter since our article on her in June, 2010 in her efforts to fund and bring to the off-Broadway stage her original work, a musical about the late, grassroots activist Fannie Lou Hamer. Along her way to Broadway, Felicia presented a concert presentation of selected dialogue and musical numbers from the show in Stamford, CT in P Local Voting-Rights Resistance Leaders are played by Robert Rice, Josh Rothberg and Paul Fraccalvieri Local civil rights leaders were portrayed by, from left: Lucinda Carr, Tiffani Coleman, Chris Gwynn, Cheri Hunter, Vincent Filliatre, Brittane Rowe and Victor Arnez October, 2011. Needless to say, we were excited when we learned of the New York premiere which took place March 24, 2012, at the mid-town Producers Club, located at 358 W. 44th Street. The opening matinee was sold out. The staged reading consisted of selected dialogue and music from the upcoming “Fannie Lou,” an original play inspired by the life of voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, which will be presented in full this fall. “Scenes and Songs from �Fannie Lou’” performers consisted of more than a dozen actors and singers; several parts were double cast and some actors played more than one role. For ticket and other information about the upcoming fall production of “Fannie Lou,” please email [email protected]. Tiffani Coleman as Fannie Lou and Brittane Rowe as Laura share a light moment Diane Parker as Fannie Lou and Paul Fraccalvieri as The Reporter debate the merits of fighting for the vote POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM african american point of view Page 22 may 1, 2012 page twenty-two CONNECTICUT BITS BRIDGEPORT MAYOR FINCH CELEBRATES MRS. which would have put him in line to become a New London, CT firefighter. The report called for the termination of the fire school recruitment coordinator William NETTIE YOUNG’S MILESTONE BIRTHDAY riends and relatives gathered at Walters A.M.E. Zion Social Hall at 12 Gregory Street, on April 21 to celebrate with Mrs. Nettie Young as she marked her 100 birthday. Mayor Bill Finch, at left, with Mrs. Young, and the Rev. Carl McCluster, read a proclamation in her honor and brought good wishes on behalf of the City of Bridgeport. F DeFord and others and was accompanied by a demand that Mayo be hired by the New London fire department, which has so far not responded. DOWNTOWN BRIDGEPORT’S DEVELOPMENT MOVES ON ayor Bill Finch announced that the city has chosen three developers to move forward the planned Downtown North Village District project, a six-acre parcel spanning six city blocks. The developers include Spinnaker Real Estate Partners, Navarino Capital Management, and Schipper & Co. USA. The proposals include mixed-use, residential and commercial development on the parcels they will acquire. “All three of the developers which we’ve chosen have proposed L’AMBIANCE PLAZA DISASTER RECALLED unique and exciting projects that will bring more people to downtown to live, ity, state and federal dignitaries, union leaders, family members and the pubwork and visit,” said Mayor Finch. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter lic gathered in Bridgeport on Monday, April 23 to recall the day 25 years ago that the partially constructed L’Ambiance Plaza building collapsed, killing 28 in downtown development.” The amazing revitalization of downtown construction workers and injuring many others. The L’Ambiance Plaza tragedy Bridgeport continues! attracted international attention and is considered one of the state’s most tragic RECREATION FOR DOWNTOWN construction accidents. The apartment complex was being built with the “lift-slab” BRIDGEPORT’S WATERFRONT construction method, in which concrete floor slabs were poured on the ground and ayor Bill Finch announced that the city of Bridgeport will be partnering with raised into position. Following the accident, and subsequent investigation, lift-slab Connecticut Community Boating (CCB) to bring boating, sailing, kayaking construction fell out of favor and has not been used since. and other outdoor activities to Downtown Bridgeport’s waterfront. The city has NAACP INVESTIGATION OF CONNECTICUT granted CCB permission to open a gate into the dock that sits below the FIRE ACADEMY SHOWS RACISM Bridgeport Train Station at 1 Stratford Avenue. “Today’s announcement is anothew London State Representative Ernest Hewitt and Scott Esdaile, president er victory in our city’s waterfront recapture initiative. We are already making great of the Connecticut NAACP announced the findings of its investigation of the progress on this front with the opening of a waterfront park on Knowlton Street, state fire academy that pulled Black fire recruit Alfred Mayo from the academy and the reconstruction of the dock and procurement of vessels to bring the people days before he was to graduate after he had scored 90% on his certification exam, of Bridgeport back to Pleasure Beach,” said Mayor Finch. M C M N POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 23 african american point of view page twenty-three may 1, 2012 LIVING LIFE’S CHALLENGES Dr. Sweets S. Wilson is a Christian life purpose coach, motivational speaker and CEO of Inspire ME, LLC. wilson.sweets@ gmail.com or 860-869-8067 FROM HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT OVERCOMING SHAME By Dr. Sweets S. Wilson hame is a feeling we get when something brings censure or reproach. Most people experience it. Shame is universal. None of us measure up to the countless standards of perfection that exist. When we do not measure up to a standard that is important to us, we feel a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt or a condition of humiliating disgrace; we feel shame. Guilt is a bad feeling we experience when we do something wrong. While guilt can be dealt with quickly and easily, we seem to get stuck with our shame since it is perceived to be who we are. Though that perception may be inaccurate, there is no way out until we choose to change our beliefs about self. Even though we attempt to hide our feelings of shame, we usually believe that others can see through our façade and into our defectiveness. Shame leads to hopelessness, thoughts that no matter what we do we cannot measure up. We tend to isolate ourselves and become lonely. We feel alone with our shame, cut off from others. What is worse is that we may say, “I can’t stand hearing how bad I am,” or “I’m afraid to tell you about S my shame because if I do, you will think I’m bad and I can’t stand hearing how bad I am.” So not only do we keep it to ourselves, we often block it out or pretend it’s not there. One of the ways some people cope is to act out roles that disguise their shame; it serves a useful purpose of protecting their ego or pride. It may even help them to save face. These pretenses act as a defense against the feelings of shame. But even though they may think they are skillfully defending themselves against the shame, it can be seen by others when they hang their head, slump down, avoid eye contact or apologize for having needs and desires. Those with shame may occasionally feel nauseous, cold, withdrawn and at times alienated. But no matter how well we may defend ourselves against it, the shame will not go away, unless we learn what it is, confront the source and choose to dismantle it. Our shame seems to come from what we do with the negative messages and affirmations, beliefs and rules that we heard as we grew up. We hear these from our parents, guardians, older relatives or other people in authority, such as teachers and coaches. Even friends may put us down and cause us to have feelings of inadequacy. These messages basically tell us that we are somehow defective or unworthy, that we are not acceptable. But the fact is, we are all worthy. God created us to be worthy. You have control over what you believe and what you think about. You do not have to feel shame; it is your choice, shame or no shame. INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHTS . . . Willette H. Johnson a Retired Springfield Public Schools Educator AN INFLUENTIAL BODY By Willette Johnson or the past few months, I have taken a hankering to watching Dr. Oz. For those of you who don’t know him, he’s a television medical doctor who Oprah Winfrey launched into fame during her reign as queen of talk show hosts. Since doing anything for twenty-one days makes it a habit, I suppose I’m a habitual viewer. I like his program because his daily topics focus on self-help ideas. How to lose weight, improve your diet, exercise for more energy, or how to enjoy your life by staying in the moment were probably subjects broached during his hour-long program. So much of what he highlights centers around getting people in tune to their bodies and allowing their bodies to influence what they do. During the month of May, while nature is in full bloom in New England, we can’t help but think about how this time of year affects decisions about our appearances. Even though our winter was relatively mild (Thank God), we still experienced a season of clothing coverings that concealed our bodies and allowed us to freely travel throughout the community without exposure to public scrutiny or adverse stares. These days, the nail salons and spas are crowded with F Check us out online at: www.afampointofview.com people seeking mannies, peddies, facial waxings, and massages declaring that their bodily appearances are influencing decisions they make. Hair is another area of the body that claims a major influence on decisions we make. I attended a forum on a college campus some weeks ago where young collegiates were discussing the topic “How your hair speaks to you.” The forum participants were African American females and males who expressed opinions about why hair commands so much attention within our culture. I listened as these young scholars delved into an arena of endless public opinion. The conversations included soft expressions of personal favorites and “what works for me” to vehement disdain for what others do with and to their hair and why they should or shouldn’t. Some concluded that even though they may prefer a certain hair style, they are acutely aware of the impact, negative or positive, that a hair decision could have on their overall appearance, their frame of mind, and how others receive them. Their youthful exuberance fascinated me, but I had to admit to myself and to them that this particular topic is truly a rerun. My contemporaries and I used to have these same conversations over thirty years ago. Nothing was resolved then, either. An influential body could have great controls over who we are and become. When individuals can’t find a place of acceptance about their appearance, they will continue to fret about what changes they should make to fix what’s broken. Spending money, precious time, and energy listening to our bodies can be beneficial. I believe self- improvement is always in order. Being the best we can be is a lifelong strategy. I caution all who allow your body to influence your decisions not to limit your actions to cosmetic demands, but include those annual check-ups and health issues that regularly need our attention. Condition your brain to address what’s vital to overall healthful living. Never forget that it is, and will always be, mind over matter. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 24 may 1, 2012 page twenty-four E D I T O R I A L Frederick A . Hurst MY POINT OF VIEW FROM THE PUBLISHER’S DESK he first thing that came to my mind when reading that the Greater Springfield Council of Churches (“Council”) had decided to oppose a casino in Springfield and other places in Western Massachusetts just after Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno came out publicly in support of one was, “How strange!” I wondered where this religious powerhouse had been for the last decade when local promoters were relentlessly pushing for a Palmer casino up to the point of securing the land, winning local approval, gaining the partnership of a Connecticut Indian tribe that is operating a well-used casino in Uncasville which is well attended by Springfield residents (some of whom travel there by church-sponsored bus trips). And where was it when these same folks were actively petitioning our legislature for a law legalizing casinos that finally passed last year under the stewardship of a pro-casino House Speaker, whose anticasino predecessor landed out of office and in jail for what some will always believe was that he ran afoul of the powerful casino interests? Where was the Council of Churches when the final vote was taken on legislation that guaranteed Massachusetts will have at least three casinos, one of which was clearly being planned for Western Massachusetts? Where was it when the Holyoke casino proposal was under active consideration, and the Brimfield proposal? Where was it when the private casino developer was buying up acres of vacant land on Page Boulevard and boldly publicizing its intent to bring the Western Massachusetts casino to Springfield? What specifically did the Council of Churches find in Mayor Sarno’s public commitment to fight for a casino for the city he leads? What did he say that woke up the Council of Churches from what can only generously be labeled its Rip Van Winklelike “moral slumber on the issue of casinos?” T GO, MAYOR SARNO! By Frederick A. Hurst Generously put, for most of us, the Council’s protests rung hollow! There is no nice way to say it! “The dye has been cast.” “The horse left the barn long ago!” The race for casinos has been run and won! “Game over!” Including the celebration! So, what is the point? As every person extant in town knows, the only immediate relevant issue is where a casino will be located in Western Massachusetts. And the most immediate relevant question for each community in Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, is which casino location will benefit it the most? So, if the Council of Churches wishes to become a relevant and credible player in the casino debate that is the question it must address because that is the primary question it has left itself to address. And, it is the one question that Springfield’s top elected official cannot responsibly avoid. Is it better for Springfield for a casino to locate in Springfield or is it better for Springfield for a casino to be located outside of Springfield? The mayor seems to think a Springfield location is best as do some major investors who are already financially committed. What does the Council of Churches think and why? We would all be interested in some clarity on that issue. The Council’s protest cannot fairly be labeled an “Ann Gear moment” as was suggested by its spokesperson. I knew Ann Gear. She was a personal friend and a warrior who fought tirelessly to prevent casinos in Massachusetts and in the Springfield area in particular. And she paid dearly for her convictions. What stands out is that Ann Gear went all-in from the beginning of the fight and won what she saw as her moral battle. There are people among the status quo who never forgave Ann for her bold and successful efforts and who, thereafter, froze her out of their circles of power. But whether you agreed with her or not, you had to agree that her motives were clear and pure, her battle plans timely and transparent, and her moral authority uncompromised. I cannot say the same about Ann Gear’s successors. It is arguable, as Ann believed and as, I’m sure, current Council of Churches’ members also do, that God may disapprove of casinos. But it is hilarious to suggest that He might want His moral battle waged over such clearly political and relatively unholy trivia as location—that He would prefer Page Boulevard in Springfield or Interstate 91 in Palmer, or the woods of Brimfield or a golf course in Holyoke or anywhere else. To think that God would embrace such distinctions in a moral context is utter nonsense. These are the petty issues to be decided among men and women in the political and economic arenas, although God might be as puzzled as we mortals by the Council’s cloudy reasoning. As my grandmother use to say about cloudy arguments, “Somethin’ ain’t right.” The lobbying by Western Massachusetts interests for casino support, which has been taking place long before passage of the casino bill, has been as thorough as it has been subterranean. Commitments have been made and given. Put in old fashion political terms, folks and groups have made deals. For whatever price we will never know because that’s not how the system works. But what we do know is that many deals were made before Mayor Sarno’s announcement. And some people and groups are caught “out there.” We would hope that the Council of Churches is not among them. Most of us are pleased that old fashioned American competition is shining some light on what had heretofore been too close to a monopoly. We don’t yet know what site is the best site for a casino in Western Massachusetts. But it is reassuring to know that the mayor of Springfield will compete as vigorously for Springfield as the elected officials in Palmer will compete for Palmer, just as we hope those elected officials in other towns that emerge as potential sites will do. And may the best team win! That’s the age old value of honest competition, which, whether you are pro- or anti-casino, is the best we can all hope for. Go, Mayor! LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER W hat an excellent issue—Point of View’s (March 15, 2012) “Diversity Matters”! The articles and pictures truly carried that spirit. I was especially impressed with the beautifully written article by St. John’s Congregational Church’s Senior Pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin J. McFadden, Sr. (“Can’t We All Just Get Along?”) . . . Sincerely, Paula Gallup W e so appreciate you recognizing Anaia’s accomplishments on the front page of the POV! (April 1, 2012, Springfield Public School Students “Light Up The Stage”) God Bless you and she thanks you for the support. Love you, Anne Dixson Letters to the Publisher and other content MUST be sent electronically to: [email protected] (Please reference a subject matter or e-mail is automatically deleted.) POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:58 PM Page 25 may 1, 2012 page twenty-five O P - E D A TALE OF TWO CITIES By Brenda Douglas Lennie Brown s I attended the 1,000 Hoodies Walk on March 31st in support of Trayvon Martin and looked around, I couldn’t help but think that while it was very organized, peaceful, and well attended, I would have liked to have seen many more participants and more support from our community leaders. This is what compelled me to want to publicly share my story and express to others in this area, especially on the heels of the recent, significant case of a police officer being convicted of severely beating a citizen during an arrest in Springfield, why we all should have an interest in and awareness of what happened in Sanford, Florida, because it has also happened in Springfield, Massachusetts. I, too, had a son who died in a questionable way. While the circumstances of how my son died were very different from how Trayvon Martin died, there are many similarities that make the incident in Sanford relevant to what is happening right here in Springfield. My son, Lennie Brown, (DOB: 07/31/79) was arrested due to a traffic violation on October 10, 2008. At approximately 2:30 a.m. the officers drove away from the scene of the arrest and stated Lennie would be able to get out of jail on bail in a couple of hours. At 5:16 a.m. the telephone rang and on the other end of the line was Baystate Medical requesting that I come to the hospital right away concerning my son, Lennie Brown. As I proceeded alone to the hospital that dark morning, my nightmare began. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was directed to that room—you all know that room—and I sat silently knowing but waiting for an explanation. A Initially, I was met by the attending physician and a nurse who explained that they could not revive my son upon his arrival and basically announcing his death to me as the next of kin. I was then approached by a detective who informed me that he had been notified of my son’s death and needed to take pictures and ask me questions about his date of birth, where he lived, etc. I was then taken to the emergency room area behind a curtain where my deceased son lay, from what I could see, completely dressed, with some kind of apparatus supporting his neck, and wrapped very tightly in hospital blankets. As I stood there looking at my first born son, who I had jokingly chased out of my house just a few hours before, lying dead on the hospital bed, I was immediately jolted from grief to suspicion as I lay my face on his and it was so very cold. Just like what Trayvon’s family experienced, initially I did not receive any support or answers from the police department about what I perceived as a questionable death. I did not receive a Chaplin for any emotional or spiritual support. In addition, I did not receive any official visit from the police department, even though my son expired in their custody, explaining what happened or giving me any indication of what the follow-up investigation and the department policies or procedures would be. In fact, there was very limited dialogue and no follow-up. I experienced just what the Martin family experienced—all information was discussed and shared with others, but not with us, the parents of the deceased sons. All of my questions and concerns were either dismissed or ignored. Regardless of what the outcome of the Florida case is or even what the circumstances end up being, one must take notice that whether it is in Sanford, Florida, or miles away in Springfield, Massachusetts, the commonality is the feeling of unfairness. It feels unfair when it appears certain cases are not investigated using stan- 1,000 Hoodies Walk participants on Springfield City Hall steps dard protocol or procedure and are not responded to due to a lack of concern. You are made to feel like you are not privileged to receive any information nor do you have the right to receive it; you are made to feel you shouldn’t have the audacity to ask any questions. The whole message leaves you feeling devalued, whether it is communicated explicitly or implied, and it is clear the lack of worth that is felt about you. In addition, the attitudes, predisposition, and stereotypes that are applied to people of color and, specifically, young black males certainly give the impression that they are discounted and easily disposable. For me personally, while these misconceptions and beliefs are communicated daily by city officials, the police and media, it was very disheartening to hear the same sentiments from some citizens of the community and some community leaders. During my own experience, this occurred when I reached out to the community for guidance and support as evidenced by the unwillingness people had to even want to get involved. I believe some felt paralyzed while others did not want to rock their boat or compromise their status. I actually had one “community leader” ask why I had called him. It is very ironic that some of the same people at the march who spoke in support of the Martin family and the injustice that their family was experiencing were some of the same people who did not even question or request answers to what seemed a questionable issue that affected our own community. On the other hand, I must also say that there were others who were very supportive, who listened with compassion and empathy, and were instrumental in assisting me to meet with key officials to share my story. But the real lesson I learned is that the world is not fair. Finally, while both cases share many qualities of what could be considered injustice based on the lack of concern and obvious unequal inquiries of the public officials involved which appear to be based on who the victims were, the bottom line is that one is left to seriously question the investigative process when other cases are handled much differently. Whether it turns out to be in-your-face as the Trayvon Martin case has become, or more subdued (and much more commonplace) as my son’s case was, people would like to know and should insist on the same protocols, policies and procedures being followed no matter who the victim is. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 26 african american point of view may 1, 2012 page twenty-six R E L I G I O N RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW Dr. Brett Snowden, Editor Pastor, Progressive Community Baptist Church 599 State Street Springfield, MA 01109 Pastors, Ministers, Professors and Theologians, please submit your articles for this page to Dr. Brett Snowden at [email protected] HAVE YOU BEEN CALLED TO TAKE A STAND? By Rev. Dr. W.C. Watson, Jr. ost of us have an innate drive to do something significant and profound in this world. We are wired with a drive to try and make the most of ourselves. That is actually a blessed mindset to have, when you consider that the alternative is to live a life of meaningless existence and mediocrity. Who wants to be satisfied with merely being born, existing for a time, and then dying? Isn’t it true that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by an Awesome God, and that we are made in His image, and for a purpose? On the other hand, too many have lived a frustrated life of dashed dreams and hopeless aspirations. They always wanted to be something when they grew up —but it just never came together for them. Hence they settled for existing in the shadows of what they thought were more interesting and accomplished people. I would ask of these people, “Have you considered that your greatest calling in this world may be M something that you once did instinctively without much fanfare?” Or, it may be something that you are yet prepared to do whenever the right circumstances present themselves? Perhaps your calling has been to simply take a stand on some compelling issue, or for some worthwhile cause? Your greatest accomplishment may have been to stand as that dedicated parent in spite of some painful difficulties you faced. Your claim to fame may have been to stand for your marriage, your family or your community when everything else said bail out, tuck-tail, and run. Your signature achievement may have been to stand on a principle or endure a great sacrifice for a cause that only God fully appreciates, and only He will fully honor someday. I have often thought about the unanticipated heroes and sheroes of life and the bible who took a stand. Rodney King became both a tragic and heroic figure because he endured an infamous beating by police, but then stood to challenge the whole nation with this question: “Can’t we all just get along?” Dr. Martin Rev. Dr. W. C. Luther King probably did not Watson, Jr., grow up thinking that he would Pastor, Canaan Church change the world as a Baptist Baptist of Christ preacher and activist. But when fate tapped him on the shoulder in Montgomery, Alabama, he committed himself to take a stand, mentally and spiritually, for civil and human rights —no matter what the cost. A Jewish woman, Esther, in the Bible, emerged as a beautiful and beloved queen in the Persian Empire, but she could not have known that divine fate had called her to the kingdom “for such a time as this.” Her destiny, it turns out, was not to be just some pretty showpiece on the arm of King Xerxes. Esther had been positioned to stand as an intercessor and redeemer for the whole race of her people. Who knew? But, then, who knows what simple, profound and honorable stand you have been called to take. A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE: GARIAN BERNICE ROBINSON CAULTON (February 24, 1947—April 5, 2012) By Marjorie J. Hurst attended a service of remembrance on Saturday, April 21st for Garian Robinson Caulton who passed away suddenly on April 5th. Her obituary appeared in The Republican while we were away and my husband, who knew her family well (and who, without fail, reads every local newspaper he missed the day we return from vacation), cut out Garian’s obituary and left it for me on the kitchen counter. I read Garian’s obituary with great sadness. Not just because she was my age and her death was obviously so unexpected. And not because I we were close friends. There was just something about reading the notice of her death that unexpectedly triggered memories of our occasional encounters and brief, but delightful, conversations over the years. I could picture her face and see her smile and I felt a warmness of her spirit. Rick, who was far closer to the family growing up than I was, had returned from our vacation with a nasty cold and thought it better that he not attend the service, but I felt compelled to go. People attend funerals and services of remembrance for many different reasons but it was unquestionably clear that all of the people who attended Garian’s service were there for the same reason, for Garian. Despite their obvious pain, the family members who spoke deliberately endeavored to keep the service light as they recounted stories about Garian, some funny, some poignant—all revealing, that spoke of Garian’s strong independence, her love of family and friends, her love of entertaining and travel, her love of art and photography, her love of the color “purple,” and her total unselfishness. The positive feelings that I had g{|Üw UtÑà |áà V{âÜv{ about Garian were confirmed at that service of remembrance. She was truly a person who genuinely cared about others, a person who loved unconditionally, and a person who was loved. She will be missed. MUSICIAN , located in Springfield, Mass., has an opening for a Musician who will report to the Pastor of the Church, and be responsible for directing the Third Baptist Church Choirs to include: Sanctuary Choir, Children’s/Youth Choir and the Male Chorus. Must be available weekly to rehearse with the various choirs. The Musician must be able to play the piano and/or the organ. The Musician must be able to play various types of music: gospel, hymns, spiritual and anthems. Must have a minimum of three to five years of experience directing, playing and working with church choirs and must be able to read music. If interested in applying for this position, please forward a cover letter and resume to: Rev. Nathaniel Smith, Sr. Third Baptist Church P. O. Box 91166 Springfield, MA 01139 POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:58 PM Page 27 african american point of view may 1, 2012 page twenty-seven RELIGIOUS DIRECTORY BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 27 Pendleton Avenue Springfield, MA 01109 (413) 734-7611 Rev. Angelo S. Dawson, Pastor Rev. Donald A. Thomas, Associate Minister g{|Üw149UtÑà |áà V{âÜv{ Walnut Street PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 599 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts (413) 736-8844 “A Church Determined To Follow Christ” P.O. Box 91166 Springfield, MA 01139 413-734-4143 Join us for our Worship Services Sunday School Sunday Worship Service 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Reverend Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Nathaniel Smith, Thursday 6:00 p.m. Sr., Pastor Âg{x YÜ|xÇwÄç V{âÜv{Ê f|Çvx DKIL Where all who enter may be blessed Rev. Amelia Eddy, Associate Minister James D. Bullock, Minister of Music Pastor’s Bible Study Sunday 8:50 am Sunday Morning Divine Worship 10:00 am Bible Study/Prayer Church School Saturday 11:00 am & Class Meeting Wednesday 7:00 pm Wesley United Methodist Church 741 State Street Springfield, MA 01109 413-734-3233 Dr. Brett Snowden, Pastor Sunday Worship - 10:00 a.m. Sunday Bible School - 9:00 a.m. Bible Study - Wednesday - 6:30 p.m. Sundays Sunday School (all ages) 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service 10:45 a.m. Rev. Joyce Whetstone Wednesdays Bible Study 6:00 p.m. •Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors.Ž New Life Calvary Baptist Church A N EW Alden Baptist Church 649 State Street Springfield, MA 01109 413-788-9910 B EGINNING Sunday School 9:00 AM Morning Worship Service 10:00 AM Rev. Jesse E. Prayer/Bible Study Williams Sr., Wednesday Pastor/Teacher 6:00 & 7:00 PM Rev. Karen Rucks, Associate Minister 981 Wilbraham Road Springfield, MA 01109 (413) 796-1600 “We believe God has called us to be a vital sign of faith at work in the community. This vision is actualized through our Ministries.” Rev. J. Willard Cofield, Jr., Pastor Sunday School 9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Prayer Service Monday 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Noon & 6:00 p.m. Bible Study Monday & Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Friday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. SHILOH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Canaan Baptist Church of Christ The Church in the Heart of the City Sabbath Services (Saturday) 1430 Carew Street Springfield, MA 01104 413-739-5053 Sabbath School - 9:00am Divine Worship Services - 11:00am Adventist Youth Services - 5:30pm Community Service Center - Mon. & Tues. 10:00am - 1:00pm Joseph F. Aaron, Prayer Meeting - Wednesday - 7:00pm Pastor Church School (SSAJA) Monday - Friday 797 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109; Tel: 413-734-0103 e-mail: [email protected] Solid Rock Community Baptist Church 821 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA 01104 Telephone (413) 734-5441 Fax (413) 734-5438 Transportation (413) 575-4035 Sunday Morning Worship 10:30 am Weekly Bible Study/Prayer Service Tuesday 7:00 pm Bishop Curtis L. Shaird, Pastor Reverend Harold P. Dixson, Assistant Pastor JESUS CHRIST ENLIGHTENED CHRISTIAN BIBLE SEMINARY ACCREDITED 141 Union Street Springfield, MA Fridays 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Saturdays 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Contact Bishop Emanuel Brown, President Rev. Dr. W. C. Watson, Jr., Pastor Sundays Sunday School (all ages) ------9:15 a.m. Morning Worship Service ----10:45 a.m. Church Life Wednesdays Worship, Prayer, Mid-day Prayer & Praise- 12:00-1:00 p.m. Bible Study --------7:00 p.m. Praise & Study POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:59 PM Page 28 may 1, 2012 page twenty-eight THE ARTS CHILDREN’S BOOK CORNER INHALE MUSIC < EXHALE LIFE The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books. Heshima is an internationally recognized vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter/composer whose music can be heard at www.myspace.com/he shimaiam and facebook. “JUST AS GOOD: HOW LARRY DOBY CHANGED AMERICA’S GAME” AN ARTS SCENE IS MORE THAN ARTS By Chris Crowe and Illustrated by Mike Benny c.2012, Candlewick Press $16.99 / $19.00 Canada 32 pages Reviewed by Terri Schlichenmeyer verybody loves being first. E You know how great it is to be the kid at the head of the line. You like being first to speak up, first to finish your assignments, and it’s even fun to be the first kid on the playground or ball field because you get first choice for the equipment. But not everybody can be first. Somebody has to be second and, as you’ll see in the new book “Just as Good” by Chris Crowe, illustrated by Mike Benny, coming next in line can be pretty awesome, too. Homer and his Daddy loved the Cleveland Indians baseball team. It was 1947, and they knew that baseball season was going to be great because Larry Doby joined the team that year. Doby wasn’t the first Negro pro ball player – Jackie Robinson was first overall – but Doby was the first in the American League and to Homer, that was miracle enough. Because of some bad news lately, Homer needed a miracle. It started when Coach O’Brien kicked him off the Little League team because Coach said Negro ballplayers weren’t “worth a spit!” That made Homer mad and sad, but now Larry Doby gave him hope. By fall, Homer’s dreams had come true: the Cleveland Indians were in the World Series! Everybody was excited, but nobody was more excited than Homer. On game day, he finished up his paper route and raced home to do his chores. He had to be at Standard Drug to get his spot near the radio, or he’d miss the big game. But Daddy had a surprise: he bought a radio just so they could listen to the action on the field. The sound was crackly but they found the station and they could hear every hit, every run, and every yell from the announcer, Mel Allen. As the game played out, Homer and Daddy paced and danced and urged the Indians to hold on to their one-run lead. And you can bet the Indians did! The morning after the game, Daddy helped Homer fold newspapers for the paper route. That was nice, but Homer knew that Daddy really only wanted to be first to see the newspaper. There, he found a picture of two faces, one black and one white, smiling as big as Lake Erie... Sometimes, it’s hard to remember how much has changed in the past few decades. Your young sports fan, for instance, will never know a color line in any sport, and this book helps to explain why. Based on a true event, this oftenovershadowed tale is spun into an exciting fictional story that kids can relate to, and author Chris Crowe also includes a nice set of historical notes as well as a bibliography that will send you running to the library. I liked that, and I liked the rich illustrations from Mike Benny. I think that, if your 4-to-7-yearold slugger loves a good read-aloud, this is the book to catch. For him (or her), “Just as Good” will be up first. By Heshima Moja n a recent visit to Springfield, I decided to take a walk through the downtown area of the city. I strolled Main Street and then up Worthington to what many know as the entertainment district. I began to think about my first adventures as a musician and a fan of music and art in the city. I reminisced about Sunday afternoons spent at Theodore’s with mentors Billy Arnold and Charles Greenlee in traditional finishing school type jazz jam sessions. I remembered playing for the first time at the Paramount Theatre and stepping onto that historic stage where artists like Katherine Dunham and Tally Beatty had performed. I remember Caffeine’s Night Club where live jazz was featured four to five nights a week. And uptown, at the Network, on the corner of Bay Street and St. James Avenue, there were regular events ranging from Jazz to R & B concerts (featuring local and national talent). I remember talking to the people who were my seniors, and them telling me of the glory days of Springfield when Miles Davis and Charlie Parker would roll through town to play jazz clubs in the city. And, of course, anybody growing up in the city cannot forget the wonder of the Harambee festival every year that united the community. I am O even willing to admit that I was at the first Def Jam Tour at the Springfield Civic Center. There was a strong movement of artists and patrons who attempted to provide a wide range of arts programming in the city. But in addition to all of the great entertainment, the downtown area of the city offered something else in those days, a strong, thriving business community. I remember many Saturday afternoons with my mother and grandmother, eating downtown after being dragged from store to store. I remember, as a teenager, spending many hours and much of my summer job money at Johnson’s Bookstore. I remember a well balanced mixture of affordable family retail stores, side-byside with stores that catered to businessmen/women. I remember hotels which catered to upper echelon clients and families. I remember a downtown that was alive. But somehow, over the years, the viable businesses have been replaced by nail salons, cell phone stores, and fast food restaurants. The downtown area, after 6 p.m., becomes a ghost town, and Saturdays are left to the few who venture out to stroll empty streets. Promoters of live music events and the arts understand something that city planners and politicians still can’t seem to grasp. In order for Springfield to come alive again, it needs a strong, thriving business community to support the incredible amount of rich talent and creativity which can help this city claim its place as a rising star of New England. It doesn’t need another nail salon. It doesn’t need another cell phone store. And it doesn’t need another nightclub that will change its name in six months after a drunken bar room brawl. Because a strong arts scene involves much more than just the arts, it involves the building of a community which thrives, and takes pride in all that it has to offer. Check us out online at: www.afampointofview.com POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:59 PM Page 29 page twenty-nine african american point of view may 1, 2012 THE ARTS PEN & INK JUANITA TORRENCE-THOMPSON Nominated Woman of the Year 2009 by American Biographical Institute Board for International Research. Breath-Life (2009, Scopcraeft Press) nominated for Pushcart Prize. She is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mobius, The Poetry Magazine, which was “best pick” 2007, 2008, 2009 by Small Magazine Review. New York And African Tapestries, (2007, Fly By Night Press) “best pick” by Small Press Review. Reads U.S. & abroad. See her Youtube videos: http://www.Youtube.com/poetrytown. Website: www.poetrytown.com HAIKU EYES PATRIOTS AT THE PARK By J. Roscoe Hurst HAIKU #12 KOTO: THE JAPANES HARP By Juanita Torrence-Thompson Jewel eyes, burnt toPaz observing crocus, peace. Splatter of spring rain. By Juanita Torrence-Thompson HAIKU SERENADE She plays the Koto Softly as a gentle wind Strokes an olive branch By Juanita Torrence-Thompson Sparrows serenade At dawn. Strip silence from Queens’ Maple-shaded street. Copyright 2005, 2010, 2012 by Juanita Torrence-Thompson (Dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Hurst, a soldier, father, husband, brother, a nephew and son) BRENDA’S CHILD has made it her life’s mission to inspire people through poetry and stories and through leading by example with courage, confidence, and integrity. In April 2007, she self-published her first book of poetry, “A Piece of My Mind...Poetic Confessions of a Self-Proclaimed Diva.” Since then she has published four more titles. For more information, email: [email protected] MARGINALIZED By Brenda’s Child Please don’t ask me if my hair is a weave, And if I say that is… No, you can’t touch it! And why do you think it’s okay for you to ask how I wash it? You call it curiosity but I find it rude and demeaning That you are so clueless about me and I have been forced to learn your ways since the day I was born. Your ignorance is not bliss, it just creates animosity and injustice. It’s offensive. You might as well snap your fingers and roll your neck! And I can’t explain why I can do the Beyoncé bounce and you can’t. Anyway, what makes you think ALL Black people know how to dance? No, I don’t know why some of us think it’s okay to use the “N” word, so freely But I still know I better not hear it leave your lips, not in my presence Your ignorance is not bliss, it just creates confusion and injustice. Why do I bother to explain my peeve? Somehow I feel you don’t believe that you are naïve, uneducated and far removed from my people, our culture, who we are. You cannot decipher between what you read in the news and see on “reality” TV; you can’t conceive why your obliviousness irritates me, infuriates me; you’ll never truly understand it, or its significance. For once I wish you would see It’s not all right for you to call me “Girlfriend” Besides the fact that this term of endearment is outdated, your ignorance is not bliss, and it only creates fear and injustice. You’re not familiar with oxtails, But my people have heard of Shepard’s pie. I know Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost, And you may have heard of Maya Angelou, But do you know the flow of Nikki, Langston, and Sonia? You still think Malcolm X was a violent “reverse racist” Don’t you? And because you’ve heard a couple Biggie songs, you think you know about inner city life; now you’re qualified to relate to its youth, right? (3/17/1946 - 4/12/1967) There are some voices who would say We’re at this gathering just to play. But father’s off for a day or two, And mother’s work is never through. On this Memorial Day we celebrate Valor of those who were so great. We use this day to again instill A faithful patriotic will. To have our families born anew And raise them up the way we grew. To be very thankful for what we’ve got It cost some people quite a lot. All these parents fixing meals. Kids on bikes with training wheels. Little tykes scramble everywhere Without a worry nor a care. Tents, campers, vans and cars. Children gathering childhood scars. Oh what a joy it is to see The folks enjoying liberty. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:59 PM Page 30 may 1, 2012 page thirty FOOD AND FASHION THE URBAN COOK Rhonda Jones is a Personal Caterer and a Food Consultant [email protected] LOVING MY POTATOES By Rhonda Jones ’m loving this beautiful weather and I’m about to get ready to celebrate Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a day that commemorates all men and women who have died in military service in the United States. There are those who visit cemeteries and place memorials on this day and there are those, like me, who search for I the perfect cookout to attend. It is said that you can wear white clothes and shoes after Memorial Day. I don’t know if this rule still applies because I definitely see people with white on year round. Usually by now I have my plans in order. I know whose house I will be crashing with my potato salad in hand. It took a long time for me to even eat potato salad but once I ate it, I was hooked and ready to learn and master it for myself. I remember at a very young age that I didn’t like potato salad; it’s not that I didn’t like the taste. It’s just that I couldn’t get the concept in my head of mixing cold potatoes with mayonnaise. The sad thing about it was that my mom made it and I still wouldn’t eat it. Life is funny though because I ended up being placed in a situation where I had to eat potato salad. When I met my mother-in-law, she made dinner for me and, of course, potato salad was part of the meal. I was petrified. I didn’t want to offend her so I ate it and lo and behold, I loved it. I couldn’t believe that this was what potato salad tasted like. In my mind I had imagined something totally different. I went home and called my mom for her recipe and it was just like my soon-to-be mother-in-law’s. There were a few differences but close enough. After I fell in love with potato salad, I began eating it at different functions but soon found out that you can’t eat everybody’s potato salad! Now I only eat my mother-in-law’s or my sister’s and I only eat my sister’s because I gave her the recipe! I hope she doesn’t read this article but her potato salad does taste good. She just has to work on not overcooking the potatoes. Have you ever had potato salad with too soft or too hard pota- toes? If you have, I’m sure you understand where I’m coming from. Watch your potatoes and you too can make good potato salad! POTATO SALAD 2 -3 pounds red potatoes, cubed 1 small onion finely chopped 2 celery stalks finely chopped 4-5 hard-boiled eggs, broken up ½ cup sweet relish 1 tablespoon chopped pimentos 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon sugar Celery salt to taste Salad supreme seasoning or paprika to taste Cook potatoes and drain then cool. In a large bowl add potatoes and remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve. A GENTLEMAN’S FASHION SENSE Jeffrey S. Clemons Sr., Clothier, Owner and Proprietor, Jeffrey’s Suit Rack, 287 East Street, Ludlow, MA 01056 (413) 583-3200 his article is for the many gentlemen who say to me that they are going to come and purchase a suit from me when they take off 20 pounds. Please do not take this as an insult, but please take it as a motivator! Many of you have good intentions about trimming down, but let’s face it, it can be hard for some of us. I’m led to write this article because many men are not in the best shape and we want and wish to be in better shape. I usually do an article close to the beginning of the year regarding this topic. But winter is over and the summer months are approaching soon. Can you feel comfortable taking your shirt off on a 90 degree day to wash your car or do some yard work? Never mind talking about a new suit! Many guys do not want to invest in a new suit when they know that they have put on weight. Here are a few pointers for you. T HOW IS THE 20 POUND LOSS WORKING OUT FOR YOU? By Jeffrey S. Clemons Sr. First, cut out the bread/flour in your food intake. Flour exits the body very slowly and is hard to burn off especially when you are not doing any cardiovascular at all! Second, stretch your meals out over the course of the day. Try to eat something every couple of hours. Good carbs—not the bad ones—and some protein, and please stay away from the fried foods. They will kill you every time! Third, get your body in motion on a consistent basis! I have mentioned this before regarding cardiovascular and some anaerobic exercises. This is a good fundamental start to help you shed those 20 pounds and it is not hard to do; it just takes some motivation and dedication. You can do this. If you have a dog, maybe you can start off by walking your dog for 30 minutes 3x weekly or go for a walk with your wife or girlfriend; it’s quality time and exercise at the same time. Or buy a bike and take a bike ride with your kids. It’s fun. I do it regularly. Whatever it takes to get your body in motion, just do it. For those of you who have tried and gotten away from it, try to get a partner to work out with you so someone can help motivate you and also see the results from your hard work. To the gentlemen who have never had an exercise program, get educated about it so you can understand its importance and ask questions regarding good health because it is more than just working out! For you gentlemen who know what I am truly talking about and have gotten away from a healthy lifestyle, shame on you. Get it back; you have the knowledge so get busy! To the gentlemen who I may have offended with this article, please be advised that it was not my intent and I pray that you find a healthy lifestyle. Remember, the body is a temple, a gift from God! Jeffrey’s Suit Rack When First Impressions Count Prom and Wedding Season is Approaching Let Us Meet Your Formal Needs We Feature Complete Tuxedo Rental Services Jeffrey S. Clemons, Sr. Proprietor EMail: [email protected] Hours: Tuesday-Sat.11-5 Sunday and Monday by Appt. only 287 East St. Ludlow, Ma. 01056 (413) 583-3200 Tel. (413) 583-3208 Fax POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:59 PM african american point of view Page 31 may 1, 2012 page thirty-one BLACK SPORTS BLACK SPORTS INTERNATIONAL GOLF TIPS: CREATE AWESOME POWER ften, golfers who set their shoulder angle improperly at address create reverse pivots and faulty hip slides into their backswing. Many advanced players know how to avoid this reverse pivot hip slide action by tilting their shoulders slightly behind the forward hip to capture a level shoulder turn. Here are two powerful components essential for creating this strong upper body movement when setting up for a conventional golf swing. Upon studying the sequence of motion, there is a slight lateral shift and distinct rotation of the body. One important link that reinforces movements of this type is steady footing with flexed knees during the takeaway into the top of the backswing. Athletically rotating the rear hip back with some resistance in a squatting manner can load balance points to effectively support upper body power accumulations. First, find your center of balance with your head centered and your stance set at 50/50 O Drill: With your right hand, hold the club against your sternum, the center of your chest. Align the shaft to the small rounded hollow on the surface of the stomach. Establish a solid balanced stance, feet shoulders width apart. Tilt forward from the hips toward the ball, and then From the Desk of Charles Lightfoot tilt to the side, away from the target slightly behind the ball. The proper shoulder tilt should improve your range of motion and ability to swing your arms effectively through impact. For the best effect, the set-up attitude should be maintained throughout the backswing into the forward release point. Drill: Set your forward spine angle, bending from your hips and observing your club head equally placed between your knees. Visually check the upper center, forward knee, and rear knee position. When your shoulder angle is level and dynamically set to rotate on the axis of the spine, your angle of attack to the golf ball will improve. A complete shoulder turn with the support of your lower body will extend the swing arc radius reducing the need for compensation or fixes. Drill: Tilting your spine slightly away from the target until the club head nears the inside of your forward knee is a way to measure a position relative to the mechanical type model. Notice the line of sight down and through the target line. The plane is the angle of the shaft relative to the ground; devoid of interruptions, the spine tilt should determine the bottom of the swing arc. This positioning of the spine tilt causes the forward shoulder to set higher than the rear shoulder in natural alignment toward the forward post. You should sense an imaginary vertical line drawn below the center of your chin to the inside position of the forward foot. Improvement of your set-up posture will invariably help you build a better understanding of your swing profile and the mechanical aspects that support it. Reprint permission and photos courtesy of www.bstmllc.com. FOR MORE SPORTS GO TO: www.bstmllc.com PEDRO MORALES 1ST TO WIN ALL THREE MAJOR MEN’S TITLES IN THE WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION edro Morales is a retired Puerto Rican professional wrestler. He began his wrestling career as a teenager in 1959, and continued through to the late 1980s. Morales was the first man in wrestling history to win all three major men’s titles in the P World Wrestling Federation (WWF): the WWF Heavyweight Championship, the Intercontinental Championship and the WWF World Tag Team Championship. He was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment) (WWE) Hall of Fame in 1995. Morales debuted in 1959, at the Sunnyside Gardens, beating Buddy Gilbert. He wrestled on the West Coast in the U.S. during the 1960s, taking on regional stars of the day such as Fred Blassie and The Destroyer, the latter from whom he took the World Wrestling Association’s (WWA) World Heavyweight Championship on March 12, 1965. Morales lost the title on July 23rd to “Crazy” Luke Graham. But, he took it back from him on October 17th. He held the title for nine months before being defeated by Buddy Austin on August 5, 1966. Morales then concentrated on tag team wrestling, co-holding the WWA tag belts four times during 1966-68, with four different partners: Luis Hernandez, Mark Lewin, Victor Rivera, and Ricky Romero. During a stint in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), he held the Hawaiian U.S. Title for two months in 1969. In 1970, Morales joined the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment) on the East Coast in the U.S. He won his first championship in the WWWF in January 1971, when he defeated Freddie Blassie in a tournament final for the WWWF United States Championship. As a fan favorite, Morales could not be expected to feud with fellow fan favorite Bruno Sammartino for his WWWF World Heavyweight Championship belt. Opportunity knocked on January 18, 1971, when Ivan Koloff ended Sammartino’s seven-year reign. Three weeks later, on February 8th, Morales wrestled Koloff for the belt at New York’s Madison Square Garden. He won the match to become the fourth Heavyweight Champion in WWWF history. When he won the WWWF World Championship, the United States Championship became vacant. Morales proved to be a popular champion, especially among New York’s Puerto Rican community. Like Sammartino before him, Morales was continues to page 32 POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:59 PM Page 32 african american point of view PEDRO MORALES continued from page 31 an ethnic champion. He became known for his scientific wrestling ability and endurance, as well as a “fiery Latin temper” that emerged during matches. During his reign as champion, Morales feuded with Freddie Blassie, who was the number one contender for his title. On September 1, 1972, however, he wrestled Bruno Sammartino in the main event of Showdown at Shea (Shea Stadium in New York). It was the first WWWF title match to ever pit two fan favorites against each other. After several near pins, the two men wrestled to a seventy-five minute curfew draw. After the match, the fans were noticeably angry, and some jumped into the dugouts to shake their fists at the wrestlers. During his reign, Morales worked an angle with the then-villain Larry Hennig. After a title reign of almost three years, Morales lost the title to Stan Stasiak on December 1, 1973, at the Philadelphia Arena. He soon faded from the WWWF. Meanwhile, Sammartino pinned Stasiak at Madison Square Garden 9 days later to regain the title. may 1, 2012 page thirty-two After leaving the WWWF, Morales wrestled for other promotions around the United States and Puerto Rico, including returns to NWA regions where he won more tag team Gold with Pat Patterson and then Rocky Johnson. In May 1980, Pedro staged a WWF comeback. He added yet anothth er title to his career on August 9 when he teamed with reigning Heavyweight Champion Bob Backlund to defeat the tag team titleholders, the Wild Samoans, at the Showdown at Shea 1980. Backlund and Morales quickly had to forfeit the belts, however, due to a rule stating that no Heavyweight Champion could also hold a second title at the same time (the decree was abolished in 1994 when Diesel simultaneously held the WWF Intercontinental and the WWF World Tag Team Championships he held with Shawn Michaels). The WWF Intercontinental Championship was now the only major men’s title that Morales had never won in the promotion. On December 8, 1980, however, he became the first man to complete the federation’s Triple Crown with a victory over Ken Patera at Madison Square Garden. Morales feuded with “Magnificent” Don Muraco during 1981, losing the belt to him on June 20th, but reclaiming it on November 23rd. With this win, Morales became the first man to hold the Intercontinental title twice, and he held it for fourteen months, the longest reign up until that point. During his second reign, Morales defended the title against Don Muraco and “Superstar” Billy Graham. It was Muraco, however, who ultimately ended Morales’ second Intercontinental title reign on January 22, 1983. Morales travelled to Puerto Rico and won the WWC North American title from Buddy Landel in June 1983, then losing it to Sweet Daddy Siki in January 1984. Morales regained the title in March of 1984, before losing it to Randy Savage in September of the same year. At this point, Morales moved back to the WWF. He never won another title, and had reached an advanced stage in his career by the time of Vince McMahon Jr.’s national expansion of the WWF in the mid-1980s. He competed in the 1985 King of the Ring Tournament, defeating Johnny Valiant and receiving a bye to advance to the third round before losing to Don Muraco. The following year, he defeated Rudy Diamond, Mike Rotundo and Nikolai Volkoff before losing the final match to Harley Race. Morales made his only WrestleMania appearance in 1986, when he was a part of a 20-man invitational battle royal at WrestleMania 2. He wrestled in a WWF ring for the final time in late 1987. After retirement from the squared circle, Morales became a commentator for WWF’s Spanish-language TV programming. Pedro Morales was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1995. Reprint permission and photos courtesy of www.bstmllc.com. CLASSIFIEDS BUY NEW ENGLAND CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK ROMOTE YOUR PRODUCT, SERVICE OR BUSINESS TO 1.8 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND. REACH 4 MILLION POTENTIAL READERS QUICKLY AND INEXPENSIVELY WITH GREAT RESULTS. USE THE BUY NEW ENGLAND CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK BY CALLING 413-796-1500. DO THEY WORK? YOU ARE READING ONE OF OUR ADS NOW!! VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE WHERE YOUR ADS RUN FREE COMMUNITY PAPERS OF NEW ENGLAND WWW.FCPNE.COM AUTOS WANTED: Travel Entire USA demonstrating “Citrus Rich & Tim. 1-800-494-4533. (Represented VACATION PROPERTY: SELL YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV TODAY! All Clean”. Transportation. Expenses paid. High by Adam Sklar, Esq. 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P POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:59 PM Page 33 african american point of view MAY 2012 may 1, 2012 page thirty-three For Updated Events, go to: www.afampointofview.com/events.htm EVENTS ON-GOING Calling All Graduates of the High School of Commerce Class of 1962 for 50th Reunion Gala Where: Elks Club Lodge, Springfield, MA Info: Larry at 413.782.4632 or [email protected] FOR ADDITIONAL MAY EVENTS, SEE ADS ON PAGES 7, 16 Thursday—3 Revival Time Evangelistic Center W.I.N. Women’s Empowerment Crusade, “Women in the Now” with Dr. Rita Twiggs and Bishop Iona Locke When: 7pm Nightly Where: Marriott, Downtown Springfield, Springfield, MA IInfo: 413.734.4861; www.revivaltimeministries.org Comedians, Dance Teams When: 7:45pm Where: Melha Temple, 133 Longhill Street, Springfield, MA Info: Must be 16 years old; $10 in advance; $12 at door; 413.783.8810 or 413.221.6824 Thursday—10 American Heart Association 2012 Pioneer Valley Heart Walk When: 9am Registration; 10am Walk Kick Off Where: Forest Park, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA Info: 413.827-0400; pioneervalleyheartwalk.org Dr. Maya Angelou When: 7:30pm Where: The Bushnell, Hartford, CT Info: $35 and up; 860.987.5900; www.uniquelives.com Teatro V!da presents “Breaking Silence, Saving Lives” National Book Release Event Saturday—12 When: 5:30—8:30pm World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast Where: City State, One Columbus Center, When: 8—11am Downtown Springfield, MA Where: Main Street, Springfield, MA Info: $; All proceeds to benefit on-going bullying Info: FREE and open to the public prevention initiatives; 413.330.8210; Annual Power to End Stroke Gospel Brunch www.teatrovida.com/events.html When: 9am—12noon Friday—4 Where: St. Anthony’s Maronite Church, St. John’s Congregational Church Seasoned Saints Ministry Island Pon Road, Springfield, MA hosts “Church Women United” May Friendship Day; Info: FREE and open to the public educational event; Theme is “Listen to Our Sisters” Pre-registration is required at 413.735.2102; or When: 8:30am—1pm [email protected] Where: St. John’s Congregational Church, “Who’s On My Side?” Stage Play Based on Novel by 643 Union Street, Springfield, MA Keshawn Dodds, Directed by Keshawn Dodds and Info: 413.734.2283 Benjamin Smith When: 1pm Matinee; 6pm Feature Show Saturday—5 Where: American International College, Griswold Theater, Glickman’s Bazaar/Tag Sale 1000 State Street, Springfield, MA When: 10am—2:30pm Info: $5 Matinee; $10 Feature Show; For tickets contact Where: Glickman Elementary School, Benjamin Smith 413.739.1500; 120 Ashland Avenue, Springfield, MA [email protected]; Info: FREE and open to the public; vendor s [email protected] (See ad on page 17) pace available; [email protected] Union Baptist Church’s All Saints Day: A Wo-Men’s Celebration present South African All-Male Thula Sizwe “A Dress for Success Western Massachusetts presents Capella” Chorus Common Threads, An Evening of Empowerment When: 4pm When: 5:30—8:30pm Where: Union Baptist Church, Where: The Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA 1921 Main Street, Hartford, CT Info: $50 Info: $20; 860.247.0648; www.unionbaptisthartford.org Wednesday—9 Tuesday—8 Saturday—19 18th Annual Community Baby Shower When: 12noon—3pm Where: High School of Commerce, 415 State Street, Springfield, MA Info: FREE and open to the public; 413.787.6739; [email protected] 2012 Anna E. Hatchett Christian Debutantes & Gentlemen’s Cotillion When: 6pm Where: Springfield Sheraton, Downtown Springfield, MA Info: $50; 413.734.2283 Saturday—19 & Sunday—20 The Mt. Calvary Baptist Church celebrates its 93rd Anniversary where Dr. Mark E. Flowers, Senior Pastors, presents Thirst: Because A Dry Church Worships God Desperately When: Saturday Prayer Breakfast at 9:30am; Sunday Worship Service at 10:45 am Where: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Street, 17 John Street, Springfield, MA Info: 413.737.9583; mountcalvarybaptistchurchspringfield.org Tuesday—22 2012 United Way Annual Celebration Luncheon and Awards Presentation When: 11:30am Where: The Log Cabin, Holyoke, MA Info: $20; RSVP by May 14th to [email protected] Friday—25 Memorial Day Ceremony on Steps of Springfield City Hall When: 12noon Wednesday—16 Where: City Hall, 36 Court Street, Springfield, MA White Brook Middle School presents An Evening of Jazz Info: FREE and the public is encouraged to attend with Recording Artist/Multi-Instrumentalist Jo Sallins When: 6:30—8pm Kimdon Productions presents Springfield Talent Exposed Where: White Brook Middle School Auditorium, featuring Springfield’s Best Hot Bands, Vocalists, Rappers, 200 Park Street, Easthampton, MA Comedians, Dance Teams Info: FREE and open to the public When: 7:45pm Where: Melha Temple, 133 Longhill Street, Springfield, MA Wednesday—16 thru Friday—18 Info: Must be 16 years old; $10 in advance; $12 at door; The Mt. Calvary Baptist Church celebrates its 93rd 413.783.8810 or 413.221.6824 Springfield School District announces the Wraparound Anniversary where Dr. Mark E. Flowers, Senior Pastors, Zone Initiative presents Thirst: Because A Dry Church Worships God JUNE EVENTS When: 9:30—11am Desperately Sunday—3 Where: Springfield College, Dodge Ballroom, Richard B. When: 7pm Nightly with different guest preachers Flynn Campus Union, 263 Alden Street, The Women of Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Where: Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Street, Springfield, MA Presbyterian Church will hold their Annual Women’s Day 17 John Street, Springfield, MA Info: Light refreshments; RSVP by May 2nd at Program with Guest Speaker First Lady Jamina ScippioInfo: 413.737.9583; http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Springfield McFadden of St. John’s Congregational Church mountcalvarybaptistchurchspringfield.org WAZRegistration; 617.227.2100x100 When: 4pm Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Presbyterian Friday—18 Wednesday—9 thru Friday—11 Church, 14 Concord Terrace, Springfield, MA Massachusetts Public Health Association 10th Annual St. John’s Congregational Church 2012 Annual Stewardship Info: 413.737.0777 Awards Breakfast Revival with Bishop Victor T. Curry as Guest Preacher When: 7:30—9:30am Tuesday—12 When: 7pm Nightly Where: State Room, 60 State Street, Boston, MA Where: St. John’s Congregational Church, 2012 Western Massachusetts 85th Annual Human Info: $; 857.263.7072x113; 643 Union Street, Springfield, MA Relations Award Banquet http://www.mphaweb.org/breakfast.htm Info: 413.734.2283; www.sjkb.org When: 6pm Reception; 7pm Dinner and Program Kimdon Productions presents Springfield Talent Exposed Where: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield, MA featuring Springfield’s Best Hot Bands, Vocalists, Rappers, Info: $150; 860.683.1039 American Stroke Association presents Pioneer Valley Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Forum with Emcee Chris Tabb When: 9am—2pm Where: MassMutual Center, Main Street, Springfield, MA Info: $5, includes light breakfast and lunch; open to public; educational information, guest speakers; exhibitors; www.heart.org/PVstrokeforum; 413.827-0400 POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:59 PM Page 34 may 1, 2012 page thirty-four african american point of view BROTHER AND SISTER CHAMPIONS WILL COMPETE IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPORTS Aysia Whitely-Sharif n March 25th, Aysia WhitelySharif’s hard training paid off as she won the CT State Championship Level 10 All Around Title in the 13-15-year-old division, with a score of 36.85. To win the All Around Title, your score in all four events is totaled. The championships took place in Southbury, CT at O Pomporaug High School. Fifteen-year-old Aysia is a 9th grade student at Springfield Central High School and trains 20 hours a week in Wallingford, CT at the CT Gymnastics Academy. She is a Level 10 gymnast, the highest level of gymnastics in the USA Women’s Junior Olympics. Aysia is also the Beam and Floor 1st Place Champion and has qualified for the Level 10, Region 6 Championships which will take place in Danvers, MA on April 28-29. If Aysia places within the top 8 All Around scores, she will advance to the Level 10 Nationals in Hampton, VA which take place May 11-13. Last season as a Level 9 gymnast, Aysia was ranked 4th in the country at the Eastern Nationals and was highlighted in the July, 2011 issue of USA Gymnastics Magazine. C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S CORNER years. He wrestles for the Springfield Youth 5A Wrestling Club which is coached by his uncle, Ed Whitley. Hakeem also trains extensively in wrestling, grappling and karate five days a week under his father, Sensi Ahmad A. Sharif, at the School Of The Noble Warrior, in Springfield, MA. Ahmad Hakeem Whitely-Sharif leven-year-old Ahmad Hakeem Whitley-Sharif (Hakeem) is going to the Nationals for wrestling on May 5th in Baltimore, MD after winning 1st place on March 10th at the 2012 Youth New England Wrestling Championship in the 5&6th grade age division,117 lb. Novice weight class. A 6th grader at Zanetti Montessori Elementary School, Hakeem has been wrestling for five E The top five placements in each age division and weight class at the state championships advance to the Youth New England Wrestling Championship Tournament and in the state contest, Hakeem won 3rd place in the 5&6th grade age division, 117 lb. Novice weight class, which was on February 26th, in Northborough, MA. We wish both sister and brother the best of luck in their Nationals competition. CONGRATULATIONS TO TWO OF SPRINGFIELD’S CENTENARIANS! ongratulations to Marjorie Glasgow on the celebration of her 100th birthday on April 3, 2012 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Agawam. She was joined there by her three children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members, friends and her Wesley United Methodist church family. Mrs. Glasgow is the widow of Joseph Glasgow. She has the distinction of being the oldest resident at Heritage Hall and has lived there the longest, for 13 years. Mrs. Glasgow had the distinct honor of receiving birthday congratulations from President Barack Obama. C ongratulations to Lee Ernest Davis on the celebration of his 100th birthday on April 10, 1912. Family came from near and far to celebrate this momentous occasion with him at Chez Josef. Mr. Davis was born in Furman, Wilcox County, Alabama to George and Maybelle Lee Davis. He was married to the late Helen Brown Davis and is currently married to Dorothy Washington Lee Davis. He is the father of 10 children, one of whom is deceased. He has 34 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 19 great greatgrandchildren. Mr. Davis worked for the Alabama Gas Company before moving to Springfield where he worked on many construction sites, including the building of Interstate 291, the Baystate West (currently known as Tower Square) office building and the Berkshire Avenue U.S. Post Office. He loves to play the Harmonica and checkers, sing in quartet groups, is a Red Sox fan and a church member. C 160 1852-2012 AN NIVERSARY )25<287+'(9(/230(17 )25+($/7+</,9,1* )2562&,$/5(63216,%,/,7< -2,186 :(¶5(0$.,1*$',))(5(1&( -2,17+(1(:'81%$5<)$0,/< &20081,7<&(17(572'$< )LUVWPHPEHUVUHFHLYHRQHPRQWKIUHH $OOVHQLRUPHPEHUVKLSVDUHRII 6HHRXUQHZO\UHQRYDWHGIDFLOLW\ ([HUFLVHFODVVHV‡)LWQHVVFHQWHU‡*\PQDVLXP‡6SRUWVOHDJXHV 6FKRODUVKLSVDYDLODEOH&RPHIRUD7RXU72'$< VSULQJ¾HOG\RUJ_ POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 1:59 PM Page 35 african american point of view may 1, 2012 page thirty-five R E S I D E N T I A L E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y Would W ould you you rrather ather ssave ave energy orr m money? e nergy o oney? Why W hy not not both? both? You Y ou w want ant tto o ssave ave e energy nergy and and money money — and and we we can can help help yyou ou do do just just tthat. hat. Thanks tto Thanks o tthe he measures measures iinstalled nstalled in in h homes omes llast ast year, year, ccustomers ustomers w will ill save save 139 139 m million illion kWh kWh o over ver tthe he llifetime ifetime o off tthe he upgrades u pgrades — tthat’s hat’s o over ver $ $28 28 m million illion ssaved aved o on ne energy nergy ccosts. osts. This year This year w we’re e’re investing investing n nearly early $32 $32 m million illion in in a vvariety ariety o off energy e nergy e efficiency fficiency p programs rograms d designed esigned tto oh help elp o our ur ccustomers ustomers rreduce educe e energy nergy cconsumption onsumption aand nd ccontrol ontrol e energy nergy ccosts. osts. T his is is a g reat o pportunity tto od o ssomething omething g ood — This great opportunity do good ffor or yyourself ourself aand nd ffor or tthe he environment. environment. and include include Programs are Programs are o offered ffered tthrough hrough M Mass ass Save Save® and iincentives ncentives o on ne efficient fficient llighting, ighting, h heating, eating, aand nd aair ir cconditioning onditioning ssystems. ystems. O ur ttrained rained p rofessionals will will help help yyou ou make make tthe he Our professionals m ost o these programs programs tto oe nsure tthat hat yyou ou rrealize ealize most off these ensure m aximum savings. savings. maximum F or m ore information information aand nd a ccomplete omplete listing listing o nergy For more off e energy e fficiency p rograms aand nd services, services, visit visit w meco.com efficiency programs wmeco.com o call 1 .800.835.2707. orr call 1.800.835.2707. Investing in a Bright Future For F or energy energy saving saving tips tips and and other other information information follow follow u uss o on nF Facebook acebook aand nd T Twitter. witter. dents — up for failure. Then the cycle starts again, as we search for intendents are confronted. The followthe next prophet whom we can ing facts were taken from a 2011 artianoint and — eventually — cle written by Jonathan Zimmerman destroy.” that appeared in The Christian Science • “That’s why the average length of Monitor. service for an urban superintendent in the United States is just 3.6 • “Urban school districts look to years.” �savior’ superintendents, only to fire them when they fail to fix If we are really serious about everything. Leadership is impor- looking for someone to lead our school tant, but no single individual can system, we need to first eliminate polredeem American’s failing big-city itics from the selection process, then schools. By pretending otherwise, we need to give the person who is chowe set our leaders — and our stu- sen a minimum of a 5-year contract, SUPERINTENDENT SCREENING TEAM continued from page 6 May 12, May 17 and May 19, are not open to the public, final interviews will be. I suggest that you call 413.787.7874 to find out exactly when and where the final interviews will take place. EVERYONE SHOULD ATTEND. Much is being said about the necessity of the next superintendent showing his/her commitment to our school system by living in Springfield. Well, I’d like to share with you the reality with which urban school super- and then we need to give that person our unqualified support to make the changes that are necessary to achieve the result we say we want, while holding him/her accountable, but we cannot not expect that person to walk on water. Additionally, we need to hold the school committee accountable and insist that they put aside individual agendas and function as a body (the definition of a school board) to support the next superintendent in doing the work that must be done to educate our children. After all, that is what we elected them to do. POV_May_1_2012:POV_May_1_2012.qxd 4/27/2012 african american point of view 1:59 PM Page 36 page thirty-six may 1, 2012
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