75 CENTS
OMAHA STAR
Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but NOTHING can be changed until it is faced.”
Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper
~ James Baldwin
THE
Proudly Serving Our Community for Over 80 Years
Vol. 82 - No. 11 Omaha, Nebraska
Friday, May 29, 2020
75 cents
North High’s Leadership Transitions Create New Pathways to Success
Family of the Week
By JoAnna LeFlore Principal Gene Haynes retires, leaves a legacy of sharpening students & families Not many educators can say their influence spans five decades of Omaha families like Gene Haynes, who retires this year as Principal of Omaha North High Magnet School. He’s been an educator since 1967 with an easy talent for recalling the names of thousands of students and the family members who preceded them. Before he began his tenure at North High, Haynes’ love of athletics and education led him to become the first African American basketball coach at Omaha Technical High School while teaching there. At first, Haynes didn’t expect his journey would turn into a 50-year career with Omaha Public Schools. “I filled out two applications, one was in Miami, Florida and the other was in Omaha,” Haynes explained. “They sent some recruiters to Rust College to recruit educators. So, I decided that since my parents lived here, I would come [to Omaha] and stay with them for a year to save some money. I’ve been here ever since but I haven’t saved any money!” As a young person, hardships during the civil rights movement and the positive influence of mentors laid a strong foundation for Haynes’ leadership as an educator. He grew up in De Kalb, Mississippi, just a two-hour drive from the Alabama border. Even when segregation was deemed illegal, schools in De Kalb still hosted segregated classrooms within the same building. It was Haynes’ first mentor, his 10th grade biology teacher and football coach, who encouraged him to leave his hometown in pursuit of an education and growth. Mr. Haynes graduated from Rust College with a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies and Economics in 1967 and later earned a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. It was during college that he met his wife, Annie. Mrs. Haynes was an elementary educator who retired in 2010. Mr. Haynes endearingly See North High continued on page 6
From the iPublisher’s Pen
James (Jimmy) Johnson COVID19 in Omaha James (Jimmy) Johnson, 51, decided to stay in the house March 13 to be healthy and safe from the Coronavirus. Jimmy is/was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and a friend to everyone he met. Jimmy lived in the state of Nebraska where the governor NEVER had a shelter in place order but advised everyone to be safe. Daily briefings are given by the governor and the city’s mayor that were televised daily. Jimmy stayed home. He even celebrated his birthday in March at home. On April 28, Jimmy visited a friend’s store and served as security and made delivery runs between stores. He worked until Thursday, May 7, he felt weak and could not stand up comfortably, so he went home. He also had no appetite. He was not hurting, Johnson just did not feel “good.” By Sunday, May 10, after talking to his mother, she urged him to go to the emergency room. He went to the local university’s hospital emergency room, his wife was not allowed to enter with him, so he was in the emergency room, feeling weak, having not eaten since Thursday with no one to be a voice for his weakened state. He was given an IV drip, a pill for nausea, the COVID 19 test and discharged to go home. Monday, May 11, he received a call that the COVID 19 test was positive and he was told to self-quarantine for 14 days. His wife and 10-year-old daughter were also advised to self-quarantine in their home. At this time, he felt no worse and no better, he kept moving around while in the house, walking in the bedroom. Tuesday, May 12, he felt the same.
Wednesday, May 13, he drank tea and sipped soup, his first nourishment in days. He would call his wife via cell phone and she would check on him hourly. When she had not had a call from him, she called him, and he did not answer. She went to the bedroom to check on him and he had no pulse. James (Jimmy) Johnson, succumbed to COVID19 after being discharged from the hospital just 3 days earlier, being notified he was positive and passed away at home with his wife and 10-year-old daughter. He never had an elevated temperature (98-99 degrees). The question that his family has is why he was not admitted to the hospital, he had insurance. Who gets to receive hospital treatment and a chance for survival? What is the standard that is used? Jimmy was not an old person, he was 51 years old, a Black man. Did he not meet the criteria? While these questions are unanswered, the family wants to know answers for the next family. For people across the country who think that the “Heartland” is minimally affected by this pandemic and that it is OK that our government has not closed our state but asks you to stay home, but not required, a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend is a victim of the 2020 pandemic. We remain to think that his discharge was not RIGHT, but the question unanswered is WHY? Not to question God’s hand, but to question the medical decisions made by the system for this man without the voice of an advocate on his behalf. WHY?
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” ~ Malcolm X
Barry and Sherie Thomas have been married for 15 years and will celebrate their sweet 16 this September. They are the parents of Trinity (24), Brea (14) and Sierra (12). Barry has worked at the Omaha Public School District for the past 18 years and is currently the Director of Equity and Diversity. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. The Thomas Family Barry loves basketball. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, on the weekend you could find Barry coaching his daughter, Sierra’s basketball team or reffing basketball games. Barry is actively involved voter registration efforts throughout the city. Sherie is a 21 year veteran with the Omaha Police department. She is currently the Lieutenant overseeing the Public Information Office. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Sherie enjoys volunteering her time doing community service projects. Trinity is passionate about helping adults with intellectual disabilities and also enjoys investing time with family. Brea recently graduated from R.M. Marrs Magnet Center and will be attending South High School in the fall. Brea enjoys dancing and playing volleyball. Brea is a member of National Junior Honors Society. Sierra attends R.M.Marrs Magnet Center and will be a 7th grader this fall. Sierra is bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish. She enjoys playing basketball and baking. She is launching a Cake Pop business soon. Brea and Sierra are both honor roll students and favorite subject for both girls is Math. Brea aspires to be an attorney and Sierra would like to be a pediatrician. The Thomas family attends Eagles Nest Worship Center and have been actively involved in different ministries.
Covid-19 rages on. The Coronavirus has changed many lives and altered our plans for living. A dear friend Jimmy Johnson lost his life to Covid-19. When you have always known someone and their family, it seems surreal that Covid19 has entered their world and halted their timeline. UNBELIEVABLE. At the last Omaha Days Celebration I saw him and we chatted. His daughter and my daughter have been friends since K at Sacred Heart. His wife, his son and youngest daughter, Mother, Father, Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends all mourn this loss. Jimmy Johnson you were one of the “real” ones who believed in family and supported everyone with your smile, laughter and positive presence. Covid19 has claimed the celebratory lives of the 2020 Graduation class from preschool to professional school. No family gatherings, no shouting of names as loved ones cross the stage, no stories to share. The brighter side to this memory, photo credit: StableGray President Obama addressed all the graduates on a national level and continued to share his life mantra of HOPE. Locally graduates have been adopted by community members and they have been showered with gifts and established new relationships with people who care and started lifelong friendships, some with total strangers. Caring demonstrated by our community. On a personal note: I celebrated the release of my daughter’s book, No You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America. Those who know me on social media know that this was a #madremoment. I encourage all to get a copy. She acknowledges that she grew up in Omaha, but more importantly she shines the light on all of her rich experiences growing up in North Omaha. What a coincidence that her book was released on the same day that TimeOut reopened. Side note she worked at TimeOut while in college. Masks, masks, masks … It is very important that we do not relax and go unmasked, forget to wash our hands, hug everyone we meet or shake hands. I want to live a long time and I am not trying to meet my Maker by being careless with my social distancing and hygiene. Feeling a little different? Get tested. The Charles Drew Clinic has drive through testing. Call and make an appointment. Be safe and stay well.
Next edition Salute to “Success doesn’t come to you… 2020 High School and you go get it.” College Graduates June 12, 2020
~ Marva Collins