The Lincoln Echo Newspaper

HAMILTON NAKI HEART TRANSPLANT SURUGEON IN SOUTH AFRICA

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:38:40 +0000

Hamilton Naki, a laborer who became a self-taught surgeon of such skill that Dr. Christiaan N. Barnard chose him to assist in the world’s first human heart transplant in 1967, but whose contribution was kept secret for three decades because he was a black man in apartheid-era South Africa, died on May 29 at his home in Langa, near Cape Town. He was believed to have been 78. The cause apparently was heart trouble, according to African and British newspapers, which reported the death. The transplant, which took place on Dec. 3, 1967, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, made medical history. It also made Dr. Barnard, who was young, handsome and white, world famous. Dr. Barnard began to acknowledge Mr. Naki’s work only after the end of apartheid in 1991. In an interview shortly before his death in 2001, he called Mr. Naki “one of the great researchers of all time in the field of heart transplants.” Mr. Naki, who left school at 14 and had no formal medical training, spent five decades working at the University of Cape Town. Originally hired as a gardener there in about 1940, he acquired his formidable surgical skills through years of silent observation and covert practice at the university’s medical school. He retired in 1991. In 2003, the university awarded Mr. Naki an honorary master of science degree in medicine. Although South Africa’s apartheid laws forbade blacks from performing surgery on whites, Mr. Naki’s skills were so esteemed that the university quietly looked the other way. He worked alongside Dr. Barnard for decades as a lab technician, perfecting his craft and assisting in many operations on people. Operating on animals, Mr. Naki also taught surgical techniques to generations of medical students During his years at the university, Mr. Naki lived on the outskirts of Cape Town in a one-room shack without electricity or running water.

SAMUEL WHITE – A MAN ABOUT TOWN

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:30:11 +0000

By Evelyn E. Tonia Holleman

Samuel White was born a Slave in Clay County, Illinois. His enslaver was George McMann. Samuel visited Van Buren with his owner before the Civil War and traveled on Steamboats which docked at the natural rock wharf in Van Buren, Arkansas. On January 28, 1864 he enlisted in the 57 United States Colored Infantry and was in Company H where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He mustered out of the 57 USCT on December 13, 1866 in Leavenworth, Kansas. As soon as he was mustered out, he returned to Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas. Samuel’s pension file gives an insight about the people who lived in Van Buren [white and black]; many men who were USCT Soldiers in the Civil War and soldiers who joined the Union. Green Bean, who own the land and sold it for $70 dollars to Rev. Samuel White to build a church in 1870 in Babylon on Sycamore Street. The Dr. James A. Dibrell, Samuel’s doctor. Thomas Dodson, another neighbor and fellow Solider. Ben Johnson, Ross Frock, Green Harris who also served in the Civil War with Samuel. Dr. James A. Dibrell remarks were found in Samuel White’s Pension Record. “November 9, 1886, Dibrell states he was 69 years old and a physician and a Surgeon in Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania, class of 1839. He met Samuel while in Little Rock during the progress of the Civil War. Samuel White, 57th USCT, was patient of his in Little Rock 1864 and connected with St. John’s Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas.” In 1840, Dr. James A. Dibrell was recruited to practice medicine in Van Buren, Arkansas by David Thompson and John Drennen. He returned with them by boat to Van Buren. Samuel was the founder of three churches in Van Buren. The New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was founded in 1870.Five of the Deacons were members and in the Civil War serving as United States Colored Troops, Juber Russell [83^rd Kansas Colored] , Thomas Dotson [Co. H 57th USCT] , William Moore [11^th United States Colored] , Isaac Trice [Co. A. 57th USCT] and Joseph Bain [11th USCT] . New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was founded by ex-slaves and Union USCT Soldiers in 1870 is still in existence in 2012. Of course the congregation does not worship in the original building but a new one located on 18 South 14th Street in Van Buren. When the Railroads were built, the tracks were near the church and the noise of the trains disturbed the worship and the congregation voted to move the church. The church was moved to 1320 East Main Street in 1903. St. Mathew in Newtown as the community once was called. Now south of Kibler, Arkansas, St. Mathew is still in existence. Again Samuel called upon his fellow Union Soldiers to help in establishing St Mathew Baptist Church- Anderson Graves 57th US Colored Troops along with Washington McClain who was in the 57^th US Colored Troops, Co. A. In the Oak Grove-Catcher Community, St. Paul’s Baptist Church was also founded by Robert Lyons, 57^th US Colored Troops , Allen Bobo, and William Holland 57^th US Colored Troops. After organizing the Churches, Samuel became active in the public affairs of Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas. In 1871, he was elected Chairman of the delegates who were attending the County Convention. He was the first Black man to serve on a Petit Jury on February 3, 1874. On August 1871 he help organized a county barbeque. “. On Friday last the colored people of this county gave a grand Barbecue, at the beautiful grove just this side of Flat Rock Bridge. The day opened fine, was dry, warm and dusty, but nevertheless a large turnout was had; in fact we have never seen so many of the colored people of Crawford County assembled together at one time; a fair estimate of the number present would be from 400 to 500. “ Most of the political candidates were in attendance and gave political speeches. In 1866, Sam organized a Negro Military Company which he was elected Captain of the organization. Probably one of the first Veteran Post for Black Soldiers ever formed in Crawford County, Arkansas. With the formation of a military company, proves many Black Soldiers lived in Crawford County, Arkansas. In reading one pension file, the information led to other USCT Soldiers in Crawford County. Many have been documented in Crawford County, Arkansas. Eight USCT Soldiers are buried in Fairview Cemetery, Van Buren, with Military Headstones. Many will follow at a later date. Samuel White married Lucy Smith in January 1867 in Crawford County, Arkansas. They adopted Annie, their only Child. Annie and Lucy are also buried in the family plot in Fairview Cemetery. When donations were taken to buy the Court House Clock, one will find Samuel White’s name among the list of citizens of Van Buren. He was a minister and married many, many couples from 1868 until his death on February 8, 1908. Throughout the research on Samuel White, I found he was very literate, could read and write which his skills were seen on documents when he was a Notary Public. He gave many affidavits for other USCT Soldiers in their applications for Military Pensions. Van Buren, Arkansas is rich in history of African American Soldiers, ministers, Deputy Marshalls, and many, many strong family units and their descendants still remain in the area.

CLOTILDA: LAST AMERICAN SLAVE SHIP

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:27:50 +0000

Africatown (also spelled AfricaTown and African Town) is a small Mobile neighborhood establishedby many of the people who arrived on the Clotilda, the last documented slave ship to reach the United States. Cofounder Cudjo Lewis achieved notoriety when he was interviewed about his experiences in Africa, his journey to Mobile on the slave ship, and his life after he regained his freedom. The Africatown settlement (formerly called African Town) is located north of the city on a hill by the Alabama River in the area known as Plateau and Magazine Point. The Clotilda was the last ship to deliver Wreck of the ClotildaOn Sunday July 8, 1860-52 years after the United States had abolished the international slave trade the Clotilda, captained by shipbuilder William Foster, sailed into Mobile Bay with 110 African men, women, and children between the ages of 5 and 23 on board. He had selected them in a barracoon (a prison where captives were held before being sent across the Atlantic) in Ouidah, in presentday Benin. Some of the people on board the Clotilda were Yoruba traders abducted in eastern Benin; others came from the mountainous Atakora region in the west; there were also Nupe and Dendi peoples among them as well. The largest group-mostly Yoruba of the Isha subgroup-had been captured in a dawn raid led by Ghezo, the king of Dahomey, in the Banté region of Benin. After their secret arrival-in 1820 the introduction of Africans was declared an act of piracy punishable by death-about 25 young people were sold upriver to slave brokers, but the majority remained in Mobile. Thirty-two became the property of Timothy Meaher, who had financed the expedition, and his brother James enslaved eight others, including Cudjo Lewis; twenty were sent to Burns Meaher’s plantation in Clarke County; between five and eight went to William Foster as payment for the trip; and others were bought by plantation owner Thomas Buford. The young Africans were employed as deckhands, field hands, and domestics. After emancipation following the end of the Civil War in 1865, those formerly enslaved on Burns Meaher’s plantation joined the others in the area north of Mobile known as Plateau. They hoped to return to Africa and their families but were unable to do so for lack of money and thus decided to remain where they were, albeit on their own terms. In 1866, they established the settlement of African Town as the first town founded and continuously occupied and controlled by blacks in the United States. The men, who were employed in shipyards and mills, and the women, who Timothy Meaher organized the last slave shipment to Timothy Meaher sold vegetables in Mobile, worked hard, saved their money, and were able to buy land from their former owners and others. African Town consisted of two sections: a large one of about 50 acres and a smaller one of seven acres located two miles west of the other. The smaller section, was called Lewis Quarters, after Charlie Lewis (Oluale was his Yoruba name), one of the founders of the compound. In the 1890s, African Town consisted of about 30 houses set in a clearing in the middle of a pine forest. The residents appointed Gumpa, a Fon relative of King Ghezo known as Peter Lee or African Peter, as their chief. They also established a judicial system for the town based on their own laws, which were administered by two judges, Jaba Shadewell versed in herbal medicine-and Ossa Keeby. They also built the first school in the area to provide their children with better opportunities. Their school teacher was a young African American woman. Although the residents of African Town owned land, had become U.S. citizens in 1868, and enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy, they never ceased to long for their families and homelands back in Africa. They became aware of subsidized passage to the West African nation of Liberia (established by prominent U.S. political leaders and others for the purpose of creating a homeland for Free Blacks) through the American Colonization Society (founded in 1816 to send Free Blacks to Liberia) and requested passage in 1870. Their appeal was unsuccessful, however, and they remained in African Town. In 1869, the residents, who thus far had continued to practice their traditional religions, largely converted to Christianity. They built the first church in the neighborhood, Old Landmark Baptist Church, in 1872 (it was rebuilt in bricks in the early twentieth century) and opened a graveyard in 1876. Over time, several couples, including Cudjo and Abile Lewis, and Ossa and Annie Keeby, bought additional land, and the settlement expanded. Beginning at the time when they were enslaved, some of the young Africans had intermarried with African Americans, but there had also been tensions from the first days on the plantations between the two groups. The Africans complained that some of their neighbors ridiculed and shunned them. The African shipmates were a very tight-knit community who, even in servitude, remained defiant to whomever threatened or disparaged them, whether white or black. These tensions with some Americans continued after emancipation and in part explain why the Africans felt the need to establish their own settlement, church, school, and graveyard. Cudjo Lewis (ca. 1841-1935) was a founder of Cudjo Lewis By the 1880s, African Town was home to a second generation that had never been to Africa, but had been told repeatedly by their parents that it was a land of abundance and beauty. Many of the youngsters had both an American and a West African name, knew the geography of their parents’ homelands, and those who had two African parents, also spoke their indigenous languages. Many of these second-generation residents lived into the 1950s, and thus some African Americans whose origin was in the international slave trade spoke African languages well into the twentieth century. The men and women of the Clotilda lived in African Town as much on their own terms as they could, but many also played a larger role in U.S. history. Some men were forced to work for the Confederacy and some voted in the elections of 1874. One female resident, and perhaps others, belonged to the Freedman’s Bank and the National Ex- Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Association, which led the first reparations movement by African Americans. Cudjo Lewis and Gumpa sued major railroads after suffering injuries in accidents, and Lewis’s case went all the way to the Alabama Supreme Court, and one of his sons was a victim of the infamous convict-leasing system. Several of the former shipmates were interviewed by the local, regional, and national press and spoke with celebrated figures, including Alabama native and noted author Zora Neale Hurston, Tuskegee Institute founder Booker T. Washington, and Pulitzer Prize-winner Roark Bradford. Thus despite their deliberate insularity, the Africans were directly involved, more so than many of their contemporaries, in the significant events of their times. The last survivors died between 1912 and 1922; Cudjo Lewis, the very last, died in 1935. Their descendants now number in the thousands and carry with them their ancestors’ legacy of pride and distinctiveness, attachment to Africa, and sense of place through their belonging to a small town that has no equivalent in this country. The descendants of the founders of African Town are unique among African Americans in that they know who their African ancestors were, what their names were, where they came from, and for some of them, what they looked like. Some still live in the settlement that is now called Africatown. The log cabins built by their ancestors no longer exist and have been replaced by modern houses; but the trees and bushes planted by the men and women of the Clotilda are still there, as are their graves.

March Obituaries

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:11:31 +0000

Arrangements are pending Velma Kursh 75 Fort Smith, AR Died: 1/30/12 Funeral 2/6/12 Rowell Parish Funeral Home Interment: Oak Cementary

Lt Col (Retired) Wayne E. Berger, 65 of Little Rock, Ar., entered into eternal rest Thursday, February 2, 2012. He was born August 12, 1946 in Ft. Smith, AR., and was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, North Little Rock, AR. He graduaed from Lincoln High School in Ft. Smith and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Wichita State University, Wichita, KS., in 1974. Mr. Berger was also a graduate of USAF Air Command and Staff College Seminar at LRAFB, AR., USAF Advanced Communications Officer Training, Keesler, AFB, MS., USAF Air War College Seminar at LRAFB. AR., and the Department of Defense’s Equal Opportunity Management Institute of Race and Human Relations, Patrick AFB, FL. He was promoted to the grade of Lt. Col in 1997 and in November 1999, became Commander of 189th Support Group, Arkansas Air National Guard, L.R. AR.and retired in 2003. Mr. Berger was affiliated with numerous professional and civic organizations including Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Pulaski County. He was a host of the BET/Storer Network TV weekly news show “The Berger Report”. In 1997 he wrote and published a book entitled “The White Right of Heritage”. Mr. Berger is preceded in death by his parents, Jessie Andrew Berger and Lilia Christian Berger; George Eurvin Cade and Evora Christian Davis; and his daughter Angela Barnes, all of Ft. Smith, AR. He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Sheryl Martin Berger; his son, Wayne Eurvin Berger II of Wichita, KS.; his daughter, Robbyn Tonya Robinson of Ft. Smith, AR; 12 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two sisters, Yvonne McGhee and Mary Moreland both of Ft. Smith, AR; and a host of other family members and dear friends. His service was held at Bethel A.M.E. church, NLR, Rev. Tyrone Bloomfield, Officiating.

March Birthdays

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:10:01 +0000

Lance Deas

Bennie M. Gunn

Sue Jeffers

Susie Ransfer

Louise Robinson

Barbara Williams

Hall

Richard Driver

Kristoff Sterling

Aron Smith

Mohammed Matlock

Cleo Hill-Baker

Theodore Dodson

111

Johann Hill

Gloria D. Starks

Rev. J.Y. Williams, Jr.

Lynn Roebuck

Ashlee Cottrell

Andrea Franklin

Betty Wright

Eddie Slaughter

William Madison

Darian Jones

Susie Howard

Shinault

Elizabeth Dodson

Austin

Ella N. Freeman

Jarone Batson

Michael C. Davis

Anthony Atkins

Jewel A. Edinger

James A. Ferguson

18 Carl D. Reed Michael Franklin

19 Loise H. Turner Lynette Turner

20 Trynnel Templeton

21 Shatanna Lee

22 Crystal Eckels Lathel Wise

23 Tyrone Cole Valerie A. Cottrell Jennifer Jones Brianna Wilkins

24 Freddie Harris

25 LaTonya Starks Courtney Starks Robbie Leonard

27 Helen Briggs Priscilla McIver

28 Barbara Cheek Donald Webb

29 Peggy Gary

30 Gina Stafford Connie Alexander Janelle Walker

31 Chelsia Willis Geraldine Williams Marjorie Christian Fields Ratcliff, Kentucky

Napoleon Politically Speaking: DO POLITICIANS THINK WE PAY ATTENTION

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:08:05 +0000

Do politicians think we, the people, are stupid? The short answer is YES. They count on us not paying attention. In this column I am going to give you facts on the salary and benefits of the congress plus examples of lying on their part to get what they want and retain their jobs. The current salary (2011-2012) for rankand- file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year. Those in leadership positions receive an annual salary of $193,500, except for the Speaker of the House who receives an annual salary of $223,500. Members of the House of Representatives are allotted an average of $900,000 per year to hire office staff. Members of the Senate receive an even more generous allotment which averages over $2 million per year. . Using the average numbers, the US taxpayer funds a minimum of $1 billion dollars to pay our elected officials’ office staffs every year. Our elected officials enjoy excellent benefits ranging from paid parking and travel expenses to health insurance and pension. Conduct just a little research and you will find that we the taxpayers are footing the bills for meals, tolls, parking, plane and train tickets and more. This is all paid under the guise of job-related expenses, but I wonder how much of these expenses we should be paying. Elected officials make a choice to run and to serve as members of our government and, as such, they should be picking up some of the load. Congressman and their families are required to repay student loans contrary to popular opinion. Common sense says no one would spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a job paying $174.000 but they do. After they attain the office their job, which is supposed to be representing Joe Public, seems to be representing their own social beliefs or whoever has the most money. It seems every law passed satisfies some self interest group and, oh yes, if it happens to help a segment of the general public that’s a bonus. Members of congress are equal opportunity prevaricators, Republican or Democrat doesn’t matter. Those that are not guilty of deceit are bombastically silent when their peers mangle the truth. They feel what they are doing is condoned because we keep electing them. We elect them even when they don’t have our interest at heart. Most of them are out of touch with the realities of the day to day life of ordinary Americans. History has shown us, power corrupts. We know unanimity on anything is almost impossible. But we watch politicians lie about their own beliefs, forget their morals and values, become obligated to big money supporters, all to attain public office. There are more of us ordinary people than there are big money people and we still have the power of the ballot. When any politician tells you they can bring gas prices down as soon as they are elected they are lying. When they tell you they can repeal some law day one when they are elected they are lying. No one politician can do anything without working with others. Our government is divided by branches and ideology. You don’t have to like someone to work with them but there should be a mutual respect. It is our job to control the congress. We hire them, we can fire them. It has nothing to do with party affiliation and all to do with job performance. Civil debate will bring about civil results and everyone can abide by the ruling. The vision of each party should be to improve upon the foundation we have been given and to learn from the mistakes of the past. It is our job people to see that the politicians, local and national, stay on course helping us reach our destination.

Governor’s Column

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:04:35 +0000

As Arkansas celebrates Black History Month, our thoughts turn once again to heroes. Heroes like Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine, some of the most widely renowned Arkansans in the Civil Rights Movement. Their brave work to integrate Little Rock Central High School had a lasting impact on our State and on the entire nation. They knew that education, like freedom itself, was not only a right, but also a serious responsibility, one that took personal courage and perseverance to achieve. The most fitting way to remember these Arkansas heroes and honor their brave work is to carry it forward through a continued focus on quality education for all of our people. As job competition becomes even fiercer in a global economy, an individual’s livelihood depends more than ever on education. Our celebrated Civil Rights leaders put African-American students on equal footing in the classroom. Now, we must help our students take the necessary steps forward in their educations as quickly as possible. Recently, we’ve seen a significant increase in the scores earned by Arkansas’s African- American students on Advanced Placement exams. In the 2009-2010 school year, African- American and Hispanic students increased their passing scores in math, science and English by 202 percent. Their progress far outpaced that of minority students nationwide. We can all take pride in this success, and it is a testament to those who have dedicated themselves to equal educational opportunities for everyone in every part of this State. Of course, Arkansas still faces educational challenges for all of our students. We have to better prepare them for the demands of the 21st-century economy and the high-tech jobs that will dominate it. In fact, by the end of this decade, three-fourths of jobs available in Arkansas will require advanced skills in science, technology, engineering and math. For that reason, we recently launched a statewide initiative called STEM Works, aimed at making our students more competitive for high-wage jobs in those fields. Despite the promise this education holds, the percentage of African Americans earning STEM degrees nationally has fallenin the past decade. In 2009, African Americans received only one percent of the degrees in science technologies, and only four percent of degrees in math and statistics. African-American students sometimes face discouraging academic environments that deter them from these fields. Often they need role models and mentors to help them realize their potential for the future and to provide them with the encouragement to chase their dreams. Arkansas’s African- American community has come too far in education to let this national trend influence our actions. As education officials prepare our schools for STEM education, so must educators, mentors, parents and community members prepare the minds of all our students. Our kids need to know that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. It is in this way that we can most appropriately honor the efforts of the Arkansas-African American pioneers who worked bravely to secure equal access to education. It’s now up to us all to provide that same opportunity for the pursuit of excellence

Senator’s Column: Celebrating National African American History Month

admin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:04:01 +0000

February is a time dedicated to celebrating the achievements, contributions and efforts of African Americans to our nation’s heritage and culture. We commemorate the heroes of the African American community who fought injustice and triumphed in the face of adversity. We honor the sacrifices of the brave men and women who persevered through the challenges and celebrate those who championed equality for all Americans. Established in 1976, National African American History Month is a time to reflect on the people who challenged the system and ultimately broke down the social barriers. This is a special time of year to reflect on the ways the African American community contributes to our country. African American from all walks of lifeplayed an integral role throughout our history. Groundbreaking for the National Museum of African-American History & Culture is scheduled for later this month. This museum will highlight and honor the influences of the African American community. The museum is expected to open in 2015. We must recognize the heroics and accomplishments of people like Dred Scott, Frederick Douglass, Harriett Tubman, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Dubois, Jesse Owens and Langston Hughes. A name familiar to Fort Smith also needs to be mentioned with these influential leaders – Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves. As one of the most well respected lawmen of all time who worked under Judge Isaac C. Parker, Reeves spent more than 32 years in law enforcement arresting more than 3,000 felons. His legacy lives on through the community’s efforts to honor his achievements with a monument. I am excited to see what it looks like in Pendergraft Park in May. Bass Reeves was part of generations that helped lay the foundation for equality and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continued building the dream. Dr. King devoted his life to promoting equality and social justice. His efforts for civil rights and the attention to this important cause was a turning point in the history of our country. His vision and legacy will forever remain in the fabric of our nation. To commemorate his influence on our history we have the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall that was dedicated last year. Booker T. Washington once said “success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.” There have been many bumps in the road to equality for African Americans, but our country is stronger and encouraged because of generations of citizens like him who challenged its ideals. These men and women fought for the promises of our Founding Fathers that all men are created equal. While much progress has been achieved on the front of equality, there are obstacles that remain and we need to continuing building on the actions of the generations who fought to get us here today. We can reach equality but it must take the efforts of all Americans

AROUND AND ABOUT LITTLE ROCK

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 02:37:17 +0000

By Wanda Hamilton

WinthropRockefeller was a remarkable man, and in 1953, he chose to make Arkansas his home. Through his leadership and philanthropy, he transformed the state’s politics, economy, culture, and education for the better. In 1966, he was elected Arkansas’s 37^th Governor and served until 1971. His governorship paved the way for future progressive candidates to hold the office. May 1, 2012 will be the 100th anniversary of Winthrop Rockefeller’s birth. The present Governor Mike Beebe presented a Proclamation encouraging citizens to join him in recognizing the exemplary contributions that Rockefeller made to our people and State.On January 19, 2012, Governor Mikeand First Lady Ginger Beebe welcomed guests to the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. The event was an opening reception to launch the yearlong Winthrop Rockefeller Centennial Celebration. Among those making remarks at the event were event cochairs Christy Carpenter and Deborah Baldwin. Rockefeller’s grandson William also made remarks. Events held throughout the year will be hosted by U of A at Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas Library System, and Winthrop Rockefeller Institute.

LITTLE ROCK TUSKEGEE AIRMAN HONORED

January 20, 2012 was a special time for Tuskegee Airman Milton Crenchaw. His 93rd birthday was January 13, 2012. It was celebrated after an early evening showing of the film “Red Tails”, January 20, 2012 at Little Rock’s Rave Theater. Mr. Crenchaw is the last living supervising squadron commander of the Airmen. Mr. Crenchaw was introduced by Edmond Davis, a history instructor at Arkansas Baptist College. Mr. Davis has written a book which features Mr. Crenchaw. It is entitled: Pioneering African American Aviators Featuring The Tuskegee Airmen of Arkansas. A little known fact is Milton Crenchaw is the son of the late Reverend Joseph C. Crenchaw. Reverend Crenchaw was a Little Rock civil rights activist and helped establish the Arkansas Chapter of the NAACP. He was one of the unsung heroes of the Central High crisis. He was president of the NAACP and worked alongside Daisy Bates and others to bring about desegregation. He was known as a peaceful and humble man of God.

TRUE ARKANSAS TREASURES On January 28, 2012, a celebration was held to honor elders at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. It was sponsored in part by a grant from the Arkansas Humanities Council. Agnolia B. Gay is Project Director and Creator. In her opening statements, Ms. Gay pointed out that we as a society have rendered our elders voiceless and invisible. Today we give them back the Mic and we intentionally show-case their talents. We humbly submit to their wisdom, experience and strength; understanding that the sacrifices they have made were for our good. After her remarks, honorees shared their stories. Those not able to attend shared their stories through a documentary presentation. Among the honorees and program participants were Rosemary Collins, Georgia Hudson, Guillermo Monterrey, Ellen Carpenter (posthumous), Nelda Burrow, Samuel Holloway, Charles Smith, Annie Abrams, Mary Louise Williams, Milton Crenchaw, LeeAnthony, Pat McGraw and Rev. Sanford Tollette. H.L. McGill is Executive Director of the Center.

The New Generation of Slaves

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 01:50:04 +0000

By DeNay Burris

Today, we find ourselves fighting for the same rights that were fought for a half a decade ago; the rights of minorities to live and prosper just as their Caucasian counterparts; a right as basic as a woman’s right to control her own body; the right to live freely without religious beliefs of others being imposed; and the most recent right for every American to have affordable healthcare. This is America. Supposedly, the land of opportunity. Opportunity for all. Not just those that are lucky enough to have substantial employment. And now, the fight to decrease taxes for the wealthy and increase taxes for the poor. The last issue regarding taxes has been labeled as “class warfare”. And I say to you, every issue can be considered as “class warfare.” These issues can be considered as the war between those that have and those that have not. Let us discuss the issue of Affirmative Action. There are those that would like to believe or should I say those that would like others to believe that Affirmative Action policies are no longer necessary in this great country of ours. And I say to them dream on. Race plays a major role in most any decision made in this country. And who in their right mind can possibly believe that 40 years of Affirmative Action policies can supersede 200 years of blatant racism, beatings and not to mention slavery? Who in their right mind can say that people are hired strictly based on their qualifications, especially, in the economic environment in which we live? You can’t. People hire people that they would be comfortable around, people that attend church with them and attend similar social functions. People that live in their communities. And let us face it, there are minorities that have done well for themselves. But for the most part, decision making positions are not held by minorities. I am not saying that minorities are not qualified. I am saying that minorities are not employed in such positions. Let’s talk about women and their rights. I thought that this country had evolved past a woman’s right to contraceptives. And today, women are once again fighting for the rights to have an abortion, as well as the right to receive contraception through their healthcare plans. Now, let’s get something straight here. A man’s prescription for Viagra is covered under his healthcare coverage and woman’s right to receive contraception through her healthcare coverage is now questionable. Well it seems to me that there would be less need for contraceptives if the men had fewer operating utensils to work with. I’m just saying. Is the question the cost of covered items by healthcare providers or is the question contraceptives themselves? Or is this the Republicans trying to impose religious beliefs on the masses overtly? If you are poor can you afford to keep having babies? The Republican solution to this is to put a pill between your legs. Or maybe the country should take Bristol Palin’s advice of abstinence after she has conceived at the age of 18. If you are a poor minority, the chances of acquiring employment decrease. Without employment, the chances of you having health insurance decrease. Therefore, the chances of you affording contraceptives decrease. And now you have an even larger population that can not provide for themselves. But this concept applies to everyone, regardless of race. Now once the population grows, who takes care of these individuals? If these individuals can’t get a job, they can not afford healthcare and social programs are bankrupting America, what is this new generation of no income citizens destine to achieve? Is this the new generation of slaves, those that have not, at the mercy of those that have? Now let’s talk about taxes. Republicans have taken the stance that everyone must pay their fair share? And in a fair world, that concept just may work. But we all know that in this world that we live in today nothing is fair. And therefore, the simplest of concepts would not be fair or better yet, this concept would not be humane.