2008 “Eyes Open With Men of Substance Tony Brown” has a Awards Dinner new home See Page 12 See Page 5 July 1-14, 2008 Vol. 2 Issue 10 Free Percussionist camp teaches more than beats to young men Youth from Louisiana and Texas recently participated in the HEROES Arts Camp held at the Wesley Center in Woodworth. The five-day summer camp gave students an opportunity to discover and or enhance their art skills. HEROES, a nonprofit organization based in Columbia, La., hosted the camp, which is “percussion focused, highly-structured and worthwhile,” according to the camp’s brochure. During the camp, participants are immersed in music, dance, visual arts and drama. Participants in the music class that focused on percussions began their day at 4:30 a.m. with stretching exercises. The music class focused on grip techniques, sticking, stroking, music theory, showmanship, sound control and other topics. The dance class focused on learning choreographed routines that focused on technique, presentation and confi- dence. In the visual arts class, participants developed techniques in drawing, crafting and painting, while the drama class focused on communicating ver- Photo by Sherri L. Jackson bally and physically. DISCIPLINE — Kevin Johnson, a band teacher at Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet School, stands HEROES receives funding from the guard over participants of the HEROES Arts Camp percussionist group. Johnson said the camp Louisiana Department of Education stressed the importance of discipline, education and good choices. The camp was held June 16-20 and the Department of Social Services at the Wesley Center in Woodworth. to conduct the camp. Read Page 6 for more of this story. PAGE 2 THE LIGH T – JULY 1-14, 2008 Do we really need a queen? I was extremely sadden to open the money to another bank in order to beautiful if they work in favor of the daily newspaper to see a story about a avoid the appearance of wrongdoing. participants and not the organiza- debutante ball gone bad. Janet allegedly did not do so. tions’ coffers. I know that for many I was so hoping that I would not The organization also claimed that social organizations, these functions have to hear about such in Central Janet had access to the area in which are major fundraisers for which the Louisiana. Yet, I recalled that this the tallying was done “although for- money is used to offer great commu- kind of debacle happens all of the bidden to do so; . and used her po- nity services. time when it comes to Cotillions and sition as treasurer in order to procure Just in case it matters to someone, Beautillions. an unjust advantage for her daughter.” here’s my suggestion about any and It never fails. When money is the Those are tall allegations that I’m all debutante balls and such: Get rid determining factor of who becomes praying are not true. If they are, of naming the queen of the ball. Make queen of the ball, there’s always going shame, shame, shame on all parties every girl the queen of the ball. to be problems, which leads to hurt for not having the necessary safe- Since every girl is raising money, feelings and anger among family and guards in place. I believe that Janet why not give each girl a percentage of friends. To make matters worst, these should have been removed as treasur- what they bring in to the organization. feelings can last a lifetime. er for the entire year that her daughter That way each girl will walk away The latest upheaval regarding a deb- Well, apparently the mother-daugh- was an active debutante participant. with something. That way, the com- utante ball involves the Ebony Elite ter team, Janet and Jaleesha Rundell, It was not smart for her to continue petition goes away and girls and their Civic and Social Club Inc., a nonprofit claimed the social organization broke in that role. Maybe, some of these leaders can focus on making sure the social organization whose mission the rules by naming Tekedra Martin allegations could have been avoided girls have the necessary skills needed is to “promote character, develop- queen when Martin didn’t raise the altogether. to maneuver in an ever-changing ment, poise, scholarship, self-esteem, most money. The Rundells believed How do we move beyond this black world. confidence, self-respect, and respect Jaleesha should have been named eye and continue the rich tradition It is all about the girls, isn’t it? to others and the desire to help others queen because she raised the most of “coming out” balls for our young Got a comment about what I had to among the general citizenry of the money. Thus you have one heck of a women? say or what I didn’t say, go to www. cenlalight.wordpress.com, click on this City of Alexandria and its members,” mess surrounding an event that is sup- Cotillions and Beautillions are column and leave your comments. according to the legal records in- posed to be a defining, life-changing volved in the case. event in a young woman’s life. For 19 years, the organization has In the organization’s defense, the been working its mission through the organization admits “participants are annual debutante cotillion in which “it encouraged to raise money for the invites and encourages young women Debutante Cotillion, but denies that who are seniors in high school to raise it is the sole criteria for participation money for Ebony Elite, some of which in the Cotillion or being awarded the Subscription Card will be given back to the participants honor of serving as queen. by the club as part of the debutante Personally, I have no idea what it cotillion; in fact, these young ladies takes to be the queen of this Debu- Name:________________________________________ are encouraged to raise as much tante Ball. However, I would venture money as possible for the club.” to say that money may not have been Address:______________________________________ The above quote was taken from the the sole criteria, but I’ll bet my bottom civil lawsuit, “Jaleesha Rundell and dollar that money plays a big part of City_________________ State____________________ Janet Rundell vs. Ebony Elite Civic and capturing the title. Social Club Inc.” The lawsuit was The social organization also claims filed March 5, 2007, following the 18th in its response to the civil lawsuit that Telephone ____________________________________ annual Debutante Cotillion that was Janet, who was the group’s treasurer, held Feb. 17, 2007. also worked at the same bank where What happened? What went wrong? the club’s money was deposited. The One Year: _________ $35 Why the need for a civil lawsuit? organization asked Janet to move the Two Years: ________ $60 Send form to : What is the UEMBA doing? The Light, 1429 Third St., Alexandria, LA 71301 (318) 487-9254 The answer is on Page 4. “If You’re Not Reading The Light, You’re in the Dark” Sherri L. Jackson, Publisher Phone: (318) 487-9254 1429 Third Street Or drop us a line at Alexandria, LA 71301 Email: [email protected] THE LIGH T – JULY 1-14, 2008 PAGE 3 Blacks can vote for a competent black man — this time For the first time in our lives, history blacks, Democrats, and Republicans. is black. That decision is going to be has presented us with a person of If you really think about it, this is a made even more difficult for some color, a black man, Barack Obama, fair question given that past history of us who followed Martin Luther who has achieved what no other has shown that, when a black King Jr., who spoke of his four little black person, man or woman, has person (qualified or not) ran for an children not being judged by the color ever accomplished. He is the nominee elected office, blacks usually voted of their skin, but the content of their of one of the two major political for that person only because he character. If blacks vote for Obama parties for president of the United or she was black. That was clearly because of his skin color and not his States. He is the Democratic Party’s indicated when both Jesse Jackson character, then, in a way, they will be nominee after successfully securing and Al Sharpton ran for president of going against everything that Dr. King the spot over his rival, Hillary Clinton. the United States. Neither had the stood for. Barack has touched blacks, experience, political background, Here’s the thing though. Sometimes especially black Democratic voters. or qualifications to be president. we have to go against the grain for He has given them hope that he will However, that didn’t stop black the betterment of something, and be America’s first black president. He people from voting for them. Hell, I’m in our case, it is for the betterment is, as they say, “the talk of the town” black, and there was no way that I of a people. If we vote for Obama around the country among blacks. would have voted for either of them – just to put him in the White House Right here in Central Louisiana, black president begs me to ask this absolutely no way. because he is black, no one should black people are talking about him. question: Will blacks vote to elect We have had elections here in scold us for doing so because this I know that by listening to all of the Barack Obama for president because Alexandria where several blacks have will be our very first time to have positive comments that they have to they feel that he is the best person to run for elected offices who really the opportunity to vote for a black say about him.