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Happy 10th Anniversary

Garland Journal

GarlandJournal SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher

Did you do what I asked? Last year when I attended the inaugural Arlington Showdown, where the Southern Jaguars and the Texas Southern Tigers took to the Gridiron, I talked about the importance of supporting HBCUS. I just love it when I see folks out supporting HBCUs because I love all HBCUs. I also told you to get ready to support the Classic games in 2023. It was a message specifically for folks within a 300 mile radius of the two HBCU classics coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex; however the message is good for any and everybody, especially you sports fans and those who say they support higher education! Which brings me to my truth. I have a few tips for alums who are not supporting their schools. And yes there are more ways to support than attending a football game; however, support is support. HBCU alums, here’s what I want you to do for me! • Start saving two dollars a week — then you can buy tickets for two to least one game (anything over, donate it, or put toward your alumni dues • Even if you only attended one semester, join the alumni association • If you feel compelled to ask for donated tickets, make an outright donation to the school • If you can, buy tickets for some high school students • Get your company/corporation to sign on as a corporate sponsor • When you purchase tickets from Williams Chicken, at least get a two piece and a pepper or some corn fritters • Support the vendors who purchase booths and travel annually to these classics • Attend the games even if your teams are not playing! • Support Black-owned businesses • Support those businesses that support HBCUs • Call out the hotels and businesses that practice price gouging And Go out, have a good time, be safe and start the process all over again! Do this every year, increasing your savings by a dollar each year. This is just a simple way to begin a process that could be so beneficial for so many!

Wear the masks, wash your hands and show love!

NNPA to Honor Four African American Trailblazers with Leadership Awards

VOLUME X

Social Security Money Talk By Rodney A. Brooks

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

Keith Ellison emerged as more than just a figurehead during his first term as Attorney General in Minnesota. The “People’s lawyer” displayed a firm and steady hand guiding the state through Covid restrictions, settling multi-billion-dollar drug cases with opioid distributors and Johnson & Johnson, and protecting tenants’ rights in landlord disputes. James Winston, President of the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB), has earned the distinction as the voice representing Black-owned broadcasters. Together with the National Newspaper Publishers Associa-

might view her differently than the adoring throng mourning outside of Buckingham Palace. The longest-reigning British monarch’s history on race will forever exist as part of her legacy. “Reminder that Queen Elizabeth is not a remnant of colonial times. She was an active participant in colonialism. She actively tried to stop independence movements and keep newly independent colonies from leaving the Commonwealth. The evil she did was enough,” Twitter user @YaaAsantewaaBa wrote. While her role in colonialism and its devastating impact on Black people continue to gnaw at

Deciding when to take Social Security is a huge issue, and a very complicated one. A wrong decision can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. That decision can be critically important for African Americans. You need a plan for retirement that includes at least some savings other than Social Security. First, a couple of facts. • Three quarters of minority beneficiaries rely on Social Security for at least half of their retirement income. That’s true for only half of whites. • 45 percent of African Americans relied on Social Security for 90 percent of their income compared to only 29 percent of whites. • A third of Black Social Security recipients depend on Social Security for all of their income, compared to 16 percent of whites. Keep in mind that the average Social Security check in 2022 is only $1,614. If nothing else, these numbers should point out that before deciding on Social Security, you must have a plan. Here’s the basics. The earliest you qualify for Social Security is 62, and 37 percent people take it at that age. The problem is that by taking it early, instead of waiting for full retirement age, you lock in a 30 percent reduction in your benefits for life. Every year you wait between 62you’re your full retirement age your benefit will increase by 8 percent. (Full retire-

See QUEEN ELIZABETH’S LEGACY, page 7

See SOCIAL SECURITY, page 3

On Thursday, September 29, Rev. Dr. William Barber II, Dr. Glenda Glover, James Winston, and Keith Ellison will receive NNPA National Leadership Awards.

tion (NNPA), Winston and NABOB are working to encourage the media and advertising industries to become more proactive and committed to diversity from the C-suites to the decision-making managers. Winston believes more is

needed to increase and enhance the ownership of media businesses by African Americans and other minorities. President of the historically Black Tennessee State University since 2013 and the internaSee LEADERSHIP AWARDS, page 8

Queen Elizabeth’s Legacy Through the Lens of Colonialism and Black Lives By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Senior National Correspondent

Queen Elizabeth

Immediately following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, notable media personality Jemele Hill urged her peers to put the monarch’s passing in perspective. “Journalists are tasked with putting legacies into full context, so it is entirely appropriate to examine the queen and her role in the devastating impact of continued colonialism,” Hill tweeted. Elizabeth’s legacy isn’t necessarily complicated, but filled with enough ambiguity and action and inaction, that it might be easy to understand why people of color

An open letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on CRT and ‘wokeness’ I Was Just Thinking... By Norma Adams-Wade Dear Gov. Ron DeSantis: Earlier this year, you signed Florida’s HB 7 Individual Freedom Bill, said to be the nation’s first of its kind and commonly called the “Stop WOKE Act.” Media coverage has kept the public informed about raucous support and challenges to the bill, including a federal judge saying the bill may violate First Amendment rights to free speech.

Of course, the whole matter started with the volatile debate about teaching the controversial critical race theory and The New York Times’ 1619 Project in schools. Conservative backlash exploded, including influential research by activist Christopher Rufo of the conservative Manhattan Institute think tank. Critical race theory is an academic framework dating to the 1970s that centers on the idea that racism is systemic in the nation’s institutions and that those institutions maintain the dominance of white people. The theory is a way of analyzing American history through the lens of racism. Critics say the it divides society by defin-

Republican gubernatorial incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaks to supporters on Aug. 23 in Hialeah, Fla. DeSantis' effort to place candidates fully aligned with his conservative views on school boards throughout the state is helping him expand his influence. Of the 30 candidates endorsed by DeSantis in the Aug. 23 elections, 19 won, five lost and six are headed to runoffs. Photo: Gaston De Cardenas / ASSOCIATED PRESS

ing people as oppressors and oppressed based on their race. They call it an attempt to rewrite Ameri-

can history and make white people believe they are inherently racist. See AN OPEN LETTER, page 3

City of Wilmer’s 38th Annual Pioneer Days promises Camaraderie and Entertainment

Wilmer Mayor Sheila Petta Photo: City of Wilmer

WILMER, TX – This year marks the 38th annual Pioneer Days that will continue to bring the community together. This year’s celebration will include family fun, carnival rides, live music entertainment, and several vendors at City Hall Square, located at 128 N. Dallas Avenue in Wilmer. “We are poised with excitement to continue to celebrate the founding of this amazing city with the entire community and welcome any citizens to enjoy the festivities,” said Wilmer Mayor Sheila Petta. “This event we will have an entire carnival entertainment, one-day music line-

up, multiply vendors, and an opportunity for a good time with your fellow neighbors. Hope you come out and enjoy this family-friendly event.” The three (3) day celebration will begin with the carnival opening on Friday, September 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. On September 17, the carnival will be opene from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. with live musical entertainment beginning at 11:00 a.m. and performances provided by, Landon Blake, KabaRios, Mersey Men, Tejano Outlaw Band, Grupo Extreme, Thin White Line, and Kadie Lynn who compet-

ed in 2016 on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent, where she received praise from Simon Cowell, and Reba Mc Entire for her unique vocal abilities, and stage presence. The entire community is invited to bring some lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the free music entertainment event. On Sunday, September 18, the last day, the carnival hours will be 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For additional information, call (972) 441-6373 or visit https:// www.cityofwilmer.net/474/Pioneer-Days. As well as on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ pioneer-days-tickets-413849744727