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www.newpittsburghcourier.com Vol. 115 No. 42 Two Sections
OCTOBER 16-22, 2024
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION — LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY
President Obama challenges Black men: Don’t sit out; vote for Kamala Barack Obama makes special visit to group of African American men and women in East Liberty by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
Standing six feet, two inches tall, and even taller with dress shoes on, the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, walked into a room full of African American men and women at a de facto Harris/Walz campaign headquarters in East Liberty, Thursday, Oct. 10, and immediately got to work. He wasn't necessarily there to take selfies with everyone. He wasn't there to shoot hoops. He was there to directly address Black men. It's do or die time now. It's put up or shutup. Less than 21 days away from the Presidential Election that could, could have the U.S. swinging in one direction, or swinging in another direction. Which direction does President Obama want it to swing? In Kamala Harris' direction, of course. He endorsed her, the woman he's known for over 20 years. "We know she can do the job," Obama said. "Kamala has made us proud." But when polls across the country suggested that African American men weren't, as a whole, too enthusiastic about
voting in this election, or even desiring to vote for Harris' opponent, former president Donald Trump, Obama came to East Liberty with his Kendrick Lamar face on, in effect saying that Trump is "not like us." "When you have a choice that is this clear..." Obama began, speaking directly to Black men, of which there were about 20 in the actual East Liberty room; however, Obama knew he was being recorded and that his commentary would make it around the country in an instant to all Black men. "On the one hand you have somebody who grew up like you, knows you, went to college with you, understands the struggles and pain and joy that comes from those experiences, who's had to work harder and do more and overcome and achieves the second-highest office in the land, and is putting together concrete proposals to directly address the things that are vital in our neighborhoods and communities, from housing to making sure our mothers and fathers and grandparents can afford medicine... and making sure that we SEE OBAMA A6
FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA GREETS ABOUT 50 PEOPLE INSIDE A HARRIS/WALZ CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS IN EAST LIBERTY, OCT. 10, 2024. (PHOTO BY KRISTINA SERAFINI/POOL PHOTO)
‘You’re thinking about sitting out or even supporting somebody who has a history of denigrating you? Because you think that’s a sign of strength? Because that’s what being a man is? Putting women down? That’s not acceptable.’ - Barack Obama, in a message to Black men
Incomparable Roger Humphries gets street named after him on the North Side by Rob Taylor Jr. Courier Staff Writer
In some online biographies of Roger Humphries, it states first that he is "an American jazz drummer." "Just" an "American jazz drummer?" Ask the great sculptor Thaddeus Mosley, and he'll tell you, "that's the greatest drummer in the world." Pittsburgh City Councilman Khari Mosley, son of Thaddeus Mosley, told the story on Sept. 27 to all in attendance where Arch Street meets East Jefferson Street, North Side, just off Federal Street. Khari Mosley's father found out that Khari's best friend was the nephew of Humphries, and when Humphries’ nephew said Humphries
was just "alright" on the drums, that's when Thaddeus Mosley had to correct "Nephew Kevin" and give Humphries his ultimate “props.” The City of Pittsburgh gave Humphries his ultimate "props" too, as all were there to see East Jefferson Street be renamed "Roger Humphries Way," for all of his decades of contributions to the world of jazz, music in general, and the people of Pittsburgh. "Life is wonderful; I couldn't write this script, but by the grace of God, you all are writing it," were Humphries' first words when he took the microphone. "I always tell everybody, be nice to people, you never know. SEE HUMPHRIES A4
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ROGER HUMPHRIES, HIS WIFE AND OLDEST SISTER, HOLDING THE HONORARY STREET SIGN. EAST JEFFERSON STREET IS NOW KNOWN AS “ROGER HUMPHRIES WAY” ON THE NORTH SIDE. (PHOTO BY J.L. MARTELLO)