UPW
Reparations: If not now, when?
KEN MAKIN
COMMENTARY
URBAN PRO WEEKLY
AUGUST 10 - 23, 2017 VOL. 6 NO. 20
Photo by Vincent Hobbs / Sports Journal
They’re back . . .
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL CAMPAIGNS BEGIN Westside’s Taylor Lewis (center) hits the ball over the net as Evans’ IsRayelle “Izzy” Russell (L) and Abagail Williams (R) attempt to block during a game held at the Patriot’s gym. The Lady Knights defeated Westside 2-0 in their first volleyball game of the season.
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AU Augusta native shares big screen with Oscar winner Rege Lewis lands supporting role, Ernie Ryans, in upcoming feature film, Monster AUGUSTA They first shared the silver screen in the official White House Movie of 2013, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, years later, Oscar-winner, Jennifer Hudson and Augusta native, actor, entrepreneur and humanitarian, Rege Lewis will cross paths again in the new feature film, Monster. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by award winning author, Walter Dean Myers, which tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention on trial. Rege Lewis, native to Augusta, now living in Brooklyn, New York, and former T.W. Josey graduate and Glenn Hills High School student will be playing the supporting role of Ernie Ryans. Opposite hip hop legend and recording artist, Naz, and new comer Kelvin Harrison Jr., as Steve Harmon. Mr. Lewis states, “Coming from a city with almost no opportunities to succeed in the realm of tv and film, then attend an inner city high school, with no theater or film department, to being apart of this monumental film, is a groundbreaking achievement. Chorus was about as close as one could get to the performing arts at Josey, and I cannot sing! That’s where my former English teacher, Mrs. Diane Gilyard and the Augusta Mini Theatre come in. I thank God for them. I thank God overall.” The film centers around Steve Harmon (Harrison), a young, 16-yearold honor student and aspiring filmmaker who prosecutors deem a “monster” after being charged with a felony for the murder of a Harlem drugstore owner, a crime he says he did not commit. Steve copes by writing a movie script based on his trial, but as Steve’s world comes crashing down around him, we witness his journey from a smart, likable young
UPW Urban Pro Weekly Hephzibah, GA 30815
Rege Lewis man from Harlem attending an elite high school through a complex legal battle that could leave him spending the rest of his life in prison.
The film is slated for a late fall 2017 release. Filmed in New York City, John Legend’s Get Lifted Film Company partnered with
Bron Studios [Fences] and Tonik Productions [Tonya Lewis-Lee] to co-produce and finance this feature.
Divante Jones to fight for state title in Augusta at Laney on September 2 Rucker Production LLC and Brilliant MusiQ Presents....“PRIDE OF AUGUSTA” on September 2nd 2017 at Laney High School featuring Divante “The Dominator Jones”. K. Rucker Production has partnered with Daniel Sapp of Brilliant Musiq to construct
and promote professional boxing events with musical performances by professional artists. The promoters have announced they will be donating some of the proceeds back to Laney High School. Watch for UPW’s feature on Rucker Production in next week’s edition.
URBAN PRO WEEKLY Publisher URBAN PRO WEEKLY MEDIA 706-306-4647 urbanpromedia@yahoo.com
CEO / Sales FREDERICK BENJAMIN SR. 706-306-4647 editor@urbanproweekly.com
Contributors VINCENT HOBBS Photography & New Media KEN MAKIN contributing columnist
WESTSIDE • EVANS • AQUINAS • SEE ACTION
(Above) Evans volleyball players Kierstyn Bechtel (L) and Lexius Jeffcoat (R) take defensive positions during a game against Aquinas at the Westide Patriots’ gym. The Lady Knights defeated Aquinas 2-1 in the final score. (August 8, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
The Evans Lady Knights celebrate after defeating Westside in the first volleyball of the season, during a game held at the Patriot’s gym. The winning score was 2-0 after two sets. (August 8, 2017 - Augusta, GA) Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal (At left) Westside’s Jayla Conner (L) and Lizzy Bernier (R) watch the gameplay on court during a volleyball game against Evans at the Patriot’s gym. The Lady Knights defeated Westside 2-0 in their first volleyball game of the season. Photo by Vincent Hobbs/Sports Journal
The new Murphey Middle School MURPHEY MIDDLE SCHOOL, HOME OF THE MAVERICKS, recently opened their doors to students for the school year in a new location at 1921 Eagles Way. The school, situated on the T.W. Josey campus, hosts an average of 750 6th-8th grade students each year. Students will share a cafeteria and bus loop with Josey students, but on different schedules. Photo by Vincent Hobbs
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STUDENT WATCH: VOLLEYBALL CAMPAIGNS BEGIN ANEW
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MAKIN’ A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin A CONVERSATION ABOUT REPARATIONS
A feasible plan to put $ in black hands A
few weeks ago, my dad told me about a conversation he heard on the radio. The topic — reparations for Black people. The conversation, he said, ended with a white man’s comments about how Black people have already received reparations through “handouts.” If I would’ve talked to that silly man myself, I would have explained to him that nationally, most of the people who receive SNAP benefits and food stamps are white. According to 2013 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 40 percent of food stamp recipients are white, while just over 25 percent of food stamp recipients are Black. I would have also outlined why Black people deserve reparations right now. • The country’s economic foundation was built on slavery. Black people built this country with free labor. • After slavery, America denied Black people economic freedom and flat-out stole from Black folks at every opportunity through measures such as land grabs and exorbitant housing rates. Those bullet points are two of the main reasons why economic disparities are so great.
Over time, these disparities have gotten larger. THAT’s why reparations are needed. Reparations aren’t “entitlements” or “handouts.” They are payment for services rendered and freedoms denied. Glad we got the easy part out of the way. Now, all we have to do is find a feasible way to pay every Black man, woman and child in this country. Not “people of color.” I mean, BLACK FOLK. How many Black people are in America, you ask? The 2010 Census says 42 million. So, what’s a respectable amount to pay everyone? For the sake of argument, let’s say $100,000 per person. For a family of five, that’s half a million dollars. This lump sum accomplishes a number of things. For the working adult, it could mean severe debt reduction or a chance to invest. For the aging adult, it could represent a shot at a much less stressful retirement. Personally, I don’t think that lump sum is enough. Remember, there’s the matter of interest for lack of payment over 400 years. How could American possibly make up that deficit? It can’t. What America CAN do is start with a formal apology to Black people. It can
follow up its formal apology with no taxes for five years and a free college education. I’ll take that deal every day of the week and twice on Sunday. So, I can already hear the haters. “How do you pay for something like that?” The number is $4.2 trillion. That’s how much it would cost to pay $100,000 to every Black person in America. Believe it or not, that’s not a lot of money for our government. How do I know? Because there was a Reuters report that came out last August about how the U.S. Army “fudged its accounts by trillions of dollars,” according to an audit: “The Defense Department’s Inspector General, in a June report, said the Army made $2.8 trillion in wrongful adjustments to accounting entries in one quarter alone in 2015, and $6.5 trillion for the year. Yet the Army lacked receipts and invoices to support those numbers or simply made them up.” If the government has money to blow, then it has money to pay off its debts, especially to Black people. Some of you still have heartburn about this, I understand.
Want change? It starts with you
Truth is, you’re scared. You’re scared of how white folks will respond to this. Well, in case you haven’t noticed, white folks already think Black folks receive “entitlements.” Despite wealth and welfare numbers, white folks still think “the Blacks” get everything for free — college, food stamps and all! Here’s my take on it — I don’t care what white OR Black detractors think about reparations. Some Black people will say it’s a bad idea because “all we’ll do is blow the money.” Speak for yourself! I know what I can do with $100K and five years without taxes. I just wish we had the courage to send the invoice.
Ken J. Makin is the founder of “Makin’ A Difference,” which includes a radio show, social media features and commentary. The podcast is available at soundcloud.com/makinadifference. Updates on the show are available at facebook.com/ makinadifferenceshow. Ken can be reached via email at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com or via text at (803) 270-2331.
In crime today, our city is at an all time high. We as a community, as a people have to learn to rise above together and individually to be the difference. We have been so influenced by social media, for example whenever there is a problem or an issue that occurs we instantly pull out our phones to be the first to capture the
moment instead of going to aid the situation. However, to break this mindset we must start with our adults first, therefore we will impact our youth significantly. There is so much fear to “Be The Difference” or “Do the Right Thing” because of what our peers may say or think. How long are we going to allow these actions to be looked down upon? There must be someone to take
a stand and step out to be a leader and the example, so others will eventually follow. Who wAAAAill it be? It’s a time, age, and an era where we are scared for our family, friends, and loved ones. Today, it is considered more of a risk to attend local events, common gatherings and even activities for children. Of course resulting from recent deadly crimes and terror-
istic attacks throughout our nation we have become more cautious and alert. Look within our own community, the increase in crime worries us. We have to stand up and protect our children and our families. YOU can be the beginning of the difference! It starts with you! Be the positive.
There is nothing good in the flesh of humanity. We struggle because many of us don’t have an understanding about having a personal, spiritual, relationship with God. God is showing us the power of sin through reality; which is the worldly mess and corruption of today’s society.
There is too much strife and division amongst ourselves. Why? Sin is the root cause. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.” (Romans 7: 15, 18). Sin is defeated by Jesus Christ.
The heart is our control center. God looks into our hearts. We are a result of ourselves. It could be a taste of conviction,confession, indignation,or redemption. God alone has the answer to every aspect of our lives. Why would you want to forfeit that? Often times, situations may get
the best of us. Life is full of trials and tribulations. You don’t believe it? Just keep on living. Our strength comes from God. I encourage you to establish an everlasting personal relationship with him today. Your life will change. — Thurman K. Brown
Struggles within ourselves
— LaFrance Hudspeth
By Carol Anderson White resentment put Donald Trump in the White House. And there is every indication that it will keep him there, especially as he continues to transform that seething, irrational fear about an increasingly diverse America into policies that feed his supporters’ worst racial anxieties. If there is one consistent thread through Mr. Trump’s political career, it is his overt connection to white resentment and white nationalism. Mr. Trump’s fixation on Barack Obama’s birth certificate gave him the white nationalist street cred that no other Republican candidate could match, and that credibility has sustained him in office — no amount of scandal or evidence of incompetence will undermine his followers’ belief that he, and he alone, could Make America White Again. The guiding principle in Mr. Trump’s government is to turn the politics of white resentment into the policies of white rage — that calculated mechanism of executive orders, laws and agency directives that undermines and punishes minority achievement and aspiration. No wonder that, even while his White House sinks deeper into chaos, scandal and legislative mismanagement, Mr. Trump’s approval rating among whites (and only whites) has remained unnaturally high. Like on Christmas morning, every day brings his support-
ers presents: travel bans against Muslims, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Hispanic communities and brutal, family-gutting deportations, a crackdown on sanctuary cities, an Election Integrity Commission stacked with notorious vote suppressors, announcements of a ban on transgender personnel in the military, approval of police brutality against “thugs,” a denial of citizenship to immigrants who serve in the armed forces and a renewed war on drugs that, if it is anything like the last one, will single out AfricanAmericans and Latinos although they are not the primary drug users in this country. Last week, Mr. Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions put the latest package under the tree: a staffing call for a case on reverse discrimination in college admissions, likely the first step in a federal assault on affirmative action and a determination to hunt for colleges and universities that discriminate against white applicants. The intensified war on immigrants comes, not coincidentally, at the moment when Latinos have gained visible political power, asserted their place in American society and achieved greater access to schools and colleges. The ICE raids have terrorized these communities, led to attendance dropoffs in schools and silenced many from even seeking their legal rights when abused. Opposition to affirmative action is no different. It, too, requires a narra-
tive of white legitimate grievance, a sense of being wronged by the presence of blacks, Latinos and Asians in positions that had once been whites only. Lawsuit after lawsuit, most recently Abigail Fisher’s suit against the University of Texas, feed the myth of unqualified minorities taking a valuable resource — a college education — away from deserving whites. Although you will never hear this from Mr. Sessions, men are the greatest beneficiaries of affirmative action in college admissions: Their combination of test scores, grades and achievements is simply no match for that of women, whose academic profiles are much stronger. Yet to provide some semblance of gender balance on campuses, admissions directors have to dig down deep into the applicant pool to cobble together enough males to form an incoming class. In the end, white resentment is so myopic and selfish that it cannot see that when the larger nation is thriving, whites are, too. Instead, it favors policies and politicians that may make America white again, but also hobbled and weakened, a nation that has squandered its greatest assets — its people and its democracy. Carol Anderson is a professor of African-American studies at Emory University and the author of “White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide.”
LETTERS
Jail bonding process too inefficient
The Charles B. Webster Detention Center (CBWDC) bond and release process does not pass the smell test. To say the CBWDC is tragically slow and inefficient in releasing an inmate once bond has been accepted is an s understatement. The process is so e slow a person could twice fly from h Augusta to Chicago, have lunch, and u return to the CBWDC and the inmate l still would not be released. e For example, on August 3, 2017, three different visitors posted bond on three different inmates. Two vis-
itors posted bond at approximately 1:00PM and the other visitor posted bond at approximately 5:00PM. The inmates whose bonds were posted at 1:00PM were not released until after 11:00PM (10 hours). The inmate whose bond was posted at 5:00PM was not released until well past 5:00AM the next day (more than 12 hours). In addition to the lethargy and inefficiency of the bond and release process, there is a noticeable lack of respect for the bonding visitors
and the inmates. Yet, without the bonding visitors and the inmates, the employees of the CBWDC would not have a job. Furthermore, the many contractors who are allowed to benefit from the misfortune of the inmates would cease to make a profit. That is why the leaders of the CBWDC must step up and do what is necessary to streamline the bond and release process. The public deserves better. — Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA,
Historic Spring f ield Baptist Church, t he oldest A f r ican A merican Baptist Church in America organized in 1787 and still standing at the same location, will celebrate its 230th A nniversar y on August 13, 2017 with Pastor Karlton Howard and The Noah’s Ark Baptist Church, Keysville, Ga. Springfield Baptist Church has had many milestones in it’s 230 years of histor y: The founding of Morehouse college; the establishment of the Georgia Education Commission, which pressed for public education for black children in the late 1800s; and the formation of the Georgia Equal Rights Association, which marked the beginning of the Republic Party in Georgia. The celebration will begin with our memorial Worship on Sunday, August 13th at 10:00 a.m.; at the close of service Pastor Hardy S. Bennings, III will lead the Laying of the Wreaths Ceremony honoring former pastors. The Anniversar y Celebration will continue at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Karlton Howard del iver i ng ou r A n n iver sa r y Celebration message. Pastor Hardy S. Bennings, III, the Pastor of Springfield Baptist Church since 2009 once said that “A fter all these years, Springfield stands tall. It proves Springfield is a resilient people. I think histor y will look back on us and say we were a small group of people who envisioned big things” At times, we can become a bit “over whelmed” with our own sense of importance and accomplishment, yet be assured that during our time of celebration we will look to bring honor to Christ as both the “head builder” and “chief cornerstone”. Springfield Baptist Church is located at 102 Springfield Way, Augusta, Ga. 30901. For more information call 706.824.6888 or go to w w w.sbcaugusta.org
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White resentment in the Trump era
Bulletin Board Springfield Baptist Church celebrates 230 Years of continuous service
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Raymond Hurst, Catelyn Howard, Moesha Mosley, Corey Lawrence and Desty’Ni Herrington. Funds for scholarships are raised from the Mini Theatre’s annual Sunshine’s Roast and Toast. This year, roasted were Deanna Brown Thomas, Barbara Gordon, Sylvia Cooper and Lessie Price and the roast netted $8,000. The Augusta Mini Theatre Arts & Life Skills School is located at 2548 Deans Bridge Road, Augusta, GA 30906.
Art Cart Call for Artists re-issued
The Public Art Advisory Panel has decided to re-issue the call for artists for the prototype Art Cart design. The new submission deadline set on August 17. New: Email submissions WILL be accepted. Learn more about the Art Cart and view the application and guidelines at augustaarts.com/ art-in-augusta/public-art/
Augusta Mini Theatre Scholarship awardees On Monday, August 7, the Augusta Mini Theatre presented its Mariah McKie Butler Memorial College Book Scholarship to its ten 2017 high school graduates and fourteen past graduates for a total of twenty-four. The scholarship, since 1984, has
been given to students enrolled in Augusta Mini Theatre for four or more, consecutive, years at graduation of high school. The 2017 graduates are Kelsha Martin, Glojohnda Perrin, Christopher Green, Lauren James, Ebony Lane,
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Public Meeting for the Proposed Overall FFY 2018-2020 DBE Goal Session 2 Wednesday, August 16, 2017 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Augusta, Georgia Municipal Building’s 7th Floor Conference Room 535 Telfair Street Augusta, Georgia 30901
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA PUBLIC TRANSIT DEPARTMENT DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE TRIENNIAL OVERALL GOAL & GOAL-SETTING METHODOLOGY REPORT FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2018-2020 In accordance with 49 CFR §26, the Augusta Public Transit Department (APT) has established a proposed overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal on its Federal Transit Administration (FTA) assisted contracts for Federal Fiscal Years (FFY) 2018-2020 as follows: • For federally-assisted transit contracts, the proposed overall DBE goal is 10% with the entire amount projected to be met through race-neutral measures. The goal statement and methodology will be available for review and comments for thirty (30) days from the date of this notice Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm at the following locations: • Augusta Public Transit Department, 1535 Fenwick Street, Augusta, GA 30904 • Augusta Georgia Compliance Department 535 Telfair Street, Suite 710, Augusta, GA 30901 • Clerk of Commission, 535 Telfair Street, Suite 220, Augusta, GA 30901 • Online at www.augustaga.gov The Augusta Compliance Department will accept comments on the goal for 30 days from the date of this notice. The proposed overall DBE goal of 10% may be adjusted by the comments received within the 30 days. Comments must be submitted by August 31, 2017, in writing via mail, fax, or email to: Attention: Kellie Irving, DBE Liaison Officer Augusta, Georgia Compliance Department 535 Telfair Street, Suite 710 Augusta, Georgia 30901 Email address: kirving@augustaga.gov Fax number: (706) 823-4395
Arts in the Heart Festival Badges on sale now The 37th Annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, presented by the Greater Augusta Arts Council and the City of Augusta, announces advanced badge sales for festival admission. Badges became available starting on August 8 at State Bank locations, Vintage Ooollee in downtown Augusta, and at New Moon in Aiken. You can also buy tickets online at www.artsintheheartofaugusta.com, which will be redeemable for badges at festival ticket gates. Badges are good for the entire weekend of the festival and cost $7 in advance, $12 at the gate.
COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 13, 2017, for the following: 1. Request for Qualifications - Charter Bus Service RFQ#17-787 2. Tutt Middle School Softball Stairway RFP #2017-017 Bid specifications may be obtained by contacting Cecilia Perkins in the Business Office at perkice@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us or 706-826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org/bids, or at Richmond County School System, Central Office 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, GA 30901. The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY By: Dr. Angela D. Pringle, Secretary
MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY WE TAKE
• Georgia medicaid • Insurance plans • Charge cards • WIC vouchers
And to: U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration | Region IV Attention: Dee Foster Regional Civil Rights Office 230 Peachtree Street NW Suite 1400 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Festivities will take place at the Augusta Common. The Festival will comprise the Global Food Village with authentic international foods from 25 countries; a Fine Arts and Crafts Market with over 130 juried fine arts and crafts booths; an interactive Family Area; a Young Artists Market where school-aged artists sell their work; five stages stacked with live local and regional talent, and a craft beer garden. Stage schedules, fine arts and crafts market lineup, and global village menus available soon!
Marshall Curtis, Pharmacist/Owner Baron Curtis, Pharmacist
FREE DELIVERY SERVICE
706-722-7355
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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA PUBLIC TRANSIT DEPARTMENT DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE TRIENNIAL OVERALL GOAL & GOAL-SETTING METHODOLOGY REPORT FEDERAL FISCAL YEARS 2018-2020
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ARE YOU AT RISK?
Stress Physical Inactivity Family History of Cardiovascular disease Obesity Stress Physical Inactivity Diabetes Family History of Cardiovascular disease High Blood Pressure Obesity Diabetes High Cholesterol High Blood Pressure Cigarette Smoking High Cholesterol Cigarette Smoking
HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK East Central Health District HEART ATTACK • BRAIN ATTACK • PREVENT ATTACK Hypertension Management Outreach Program East Central Health District Hypertension Management Outreach Program
Richmond County Richmond County Health Department 706.721.5800 Richmond County 706.721.5800 706.721.5800 www.ecphd.com