Hugine on Significance of Voting, p. 8 FREE Friday September 18, 2020 Vol. 7, No. 2 On Being Spiritually Ambidextrous, p. 2 ValleyWeeklyllc.com Butch Damson, p. 2 “Democracy is not just the right to vote, it is the right to live in dignity.” - Naomi Klein POSITIVE-INSPIRATIONAL-EDUCATIONAL Colleges Get $72M from CARES Act

Festifall at the Garden Begins with Scarecrow Trail

Festifall at the Huntsville Botanical Garden show- Meredith Culver cases the annual Scarecrow Tuskegee University Main Entrance Trail through October 5! The Scarecrow Trail is a Last Thursday, Septem- tions in the three broad College, $514,090; Selma Council’s District 5 Runoff family tradition featuring ber 10, Alabama Governor categories of state-funded University, $210,521; and fun, scarecrows created by awarded over two-year institutions ($27.3 Talladega College, $30,178. Set for October 6 local community members. $72 million in CARES Act million), state-funded Other Valley-area The Scarecrow Trail is in- funding to higher educa- four-year institutions ($25 institutions receiving fund- The Huntsville City for City Council District 5. cluded with Garden admis- tion institutions in the million) and independent ing were: Alabama A&M Council canvassed and Voters will choose between sion. For more informa- state. colleges ($20 million). University, $2.96 million; certified the results of candidates Will Culver and tion, visit hsvbg.org. The money will allow Five private Alabama AAMU-Miles Consortium, the August 25 municipal John Meredith on October the schools to purchase HBCUs received funding: $1 million; Athens State election and declared the 6. Madison County additional technology and Tuskegee University, $1.9 University, $2 million; following candidates re- Meredith, son of the infrastructure related to million; Oakwood Uni- UAH, $3.3 million; and elected for a term to begin well-known civil rights Absentee Ballot providing remote instruc- versity, $1.5 million; Miles UNA, $2.7 million. on November 2, 2020: icon James Meredith, has Application tion and distance learn- Tommy Battle – Mayor said that education and ing, according to a press Devyn Keith – District 1 quality of life will be a pri- release. City Council Member ority. He is a retired owner Physical Address: 100 Northside Square, “COVID-19 has ex- Michelle Watkins – of the Meredith Advocacy posed deficiencies in our District 1 School Board Group. Huntsville, Alabama, 35801 remote learning capa- Carlos Matthews – District Culver was first elected bilities, and I am pleased 5 School Board Member to the Huntsville City Mailing Address: to award our institutions of INSIDE THIS ISSUE! In a separate action, Council in 2008 and served higher education the criti- Spotlight on Elders, Page 2 having opened and counted as President of the City 100 Northside Square, cal funds to enhance their H.C. Blake Art & History Center, Page 4 provisional ballots with Council for one year in Huntsville, Alabama, instructional experience,” Real Talk, M’Brothers, Page 6 City Clerk-Treasurer 2015-2016. He previously 35801 said Governor Ivey. PowerShot, Page 7 Ken Benion, the Council served as Chief Magistrate. The funding supported declared a run-off election Phone Number: A&M Hosting Virtua Hackathon, Page 7 (256) 532-3684 higher learning institu- Why You Should Vote, Page 8 2 September 18, 2020

Spotlight on Our Elders ... Featuring Mrs. Butch Damson

Mrs. Butch Kohler Dam- committee member for numer- son was born in Pittsburgh, ous organizations. Pa., and moved to Huntsville, Some include: Chairman of Alabama, in 1953. She is the the Board, Burritt Museum; daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Founding member, Greater Otto Philip Kohler. Huntsville Humane Society’s Mrs. Damson attended Advisory Council; Member, Huntsville High School and Huntsville Hospital Founda- graduated in 1957. She pur- tion; President, Botanical sued her college education at Gardens, Board of Directors, the , Cancer Society; Board of Di- graduating with a Bachelor of rectors, The Land Trust; Board “Being a typical teenager isn’t easy. When you have Arts degree in 1961. of Directors, City of Huntsville In the Huntsville-Madison Beautification Board; and autism, it can be extra difficult. We need more public County community, she has Board of Directors, the Master Plan for Burritt awareness about these hurdles as well as compassion been actively involved in Voluntary Action Center. City. volunteering her time and While serving as a member In recognition of her contri- towards these young people.” - Holly Robinson Peete talent with various organiza- on many of the organizations’ butions to the community and tions for over 45 years. I Peter boards, she was the initiator of service to humanity, she has 4:10 states that, “As each has many programs and activities, received scores of awards and received a gift, employ it in such as the City of Huntsville honors. serving one another, as good Beautification Awards in 1975, Mrs. Damson is married to managers of the grace of God The Clean Community Pro- Mr. Jerry L. Damson, and they in its various forms.” gram now called The Green are the proud parents of two As a volunteer in the com- Team, the Botanical Gardens’ (2), Deke and Susan Park, and munity, she serves and has Welcome Center, The BMW they have six grandchildren. served as a Board member and Brunch, Burritt’s Barnyard and

SEPTEMBER 18 - HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE - Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is most well known for her television roles on the crime series 21 Jump Street from 1987 to 1991, Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper from 1992-1997. - BlackinTime.info

self-righteousness or in a trust in the Omniscience that lets us know that we place of despondency and and Omnipotence of God. can struggle and trust at Called by Pastor/Founder Preach Michael D. Rice 2 defeat. The struggle is both Thank God for Jesus’ the same time; we can be Grace Gethsemane Mission Church real and regular, but Jesus example from the Garden spiritually ambidextrous. shows us from the Garden “On Being Spiritually Ambidextrous” of Gethsemane, that the Matthew 26:43-46; the life of a growing be- struggle is not an absence Philippians 4:6-7 liever involves struggles. of faith. There is no time when a In His prayer He asked Being ambidextrous believer’s faith remains for the cup of suffering to means being able to use unchallenged, therefore, pass from Him but added one’s left and right hand waiting on that season is that adamant adverb of with equal “dexterity.” a waste of time. However, nevertheless to express That means one can Jesus and Paul have some while at the same time a deeper desire for the write with both hands leg- holy hints in the above- trusting God. Without this Father’s will rather than ibly or a baseball player mentioned texts that helps understanding, a believer His own. Paul teaches that can hit from the right or us to be spiritually am- ends up in one of two anxiousness is a sign of a left side of the plate. The bidextrous, meaning, ac- places. Either they settle predilection for a premedi- Bible is clear that living knowledging the struggle into a mindset of arrogant tated outcome rather than September 18, 2020 3 nia wildfires. He then went to the measure this week. York Mayor Mike Bloomberg The U.S. Department of Phoenix, Ariz., for a campaign 4. The House Subcom- has committed to spend at Labor (DOL) Strengthening Washington in One Minute event. On Tuesday, he hosted mittee on Government least $100 million in Florida Community College Training a ceremony at the White Operations on Monday held to help elect Joe Biden over Grants (SCCTG) submission House, where the United Arab a hearing on Postmaster Gen- the next 7 weeks In other deadline is October 8, 2020. Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain eral DeJoy’s alleged conflicts news, the Post also reported This new program provides a signed agreements to recog- of interest and his leadership’s on Saturday that the Senate funding opportunity for work- nize the State ++of Israel. On possible impacts on mail- Homeland Security Commit- force education. Wednesday, the President in voting. On Tuesday, the tee will soon release a report Hamm Consulting Group spoke at a National Republi- House Civil Rights Subcom- criticizing Hunter Biden’s role 400 North Capitol Street, NW can Congressional Committee mittee held a hearing on the on the board of the Ukrainian Suite 585 Washington D.C. 20001 fundraiser and on Thursday infiltration of police depart- company Burisma at the same T: 202-596-8384 he hosted a credentialing cer- ments by white supremacists. time the firm was lobbying the [email protected] emony for newly-appointed 5. According to The Wash- Obama Administration’s State www.hammconsulting.com Here are the happenings in ing federal judges and other ambassadors. ington Post, former New Department. Washington, D.C., this week: Trump Administration nomi- 3. According to The Hill 1. The House and Sen- nees this week. Last week, the newspaper, House Democrats ate are in session this week, Senate failed to get 60 votes to are currently split on whether although there will be no bring its $500 billion corona- to accept a temporary FY2021 Albert’s Flowers votes on Friday in observance virus relief bill #5 to the floor spending bill that goes into Located Downtown in Medical District; Closest Florist to Huntsville Hospital of Rosh Hashanah. The (on a mostly party line vote of December 2020 (a timeline Free Delivery to Huntsville Hospital and Local Funeral Homes House will consider 35 bills 52-47), which would have pro- supported by Republicans) or 716 Madison Street - Huntsville, AL 35801 on the floor, including a bill vided additional unemploy- push for a measure that would to ban discrimination against ment benefits and a plus-up go into early next year, when FLOWERS, GIFTS, pregnant workers, requiring for the PPP loan program. they hope they will have more EXOTIC FLOWERS that employers make reason- 2. On Monday, President control of the government. Graduate of able accommodations ... The Trump traveled to McClellan The current federal fiscal year House will also vote on a Park, a former air base just ends on September 30 and American Floral Art School resolution condemning anti- outside of Sacramento, Calif., the stopgap bill will keep the 256-533-1623 Asian prejudice pertaining to for a briefing with Gov. Gavin federal government open. 256-536-6911 the COVID-19 disease. The Newsom and emergency re- Neither the House nor the Senate will continue approv- sponse officials on the Califor- Senate is expected to turn to www.albertsflowers.com Champion Game Plan for Life Huntsville “MORE THAN ENOUGH” jobs require more by Preston Brown Council Meetings effort, more pro- Matthew 6:33 says, But duction, and more will always be this Huntsville City seek ye first his kingdom and time. Even in the insatiable appetite that Council Regular Meet- his righteousness, and all church, we need cannot be filled. That’s ings are held in the these things will be given to more members. why we all need to be City Council Cham- you as well. Let’s face it--we live in a looking for that well that bers of the Municipal won’t run dry, and we can You know, it is amazing time of never enough. Many Building on the 2nd to me that depending on times when we wake up only find it when we partner what “season” you are in as in the morning, we say, “I with Jesus and let him take and it pertains to your spiritual didn’t get enough sleep,” or, control of our lives. Also, 4th life, how this scripture will when we go to bed at night, let him take control of your Thurs- affect you. we say, “I didn’t get enough finances. We do it by asking day of In other words, you can done in the day.” It’s always God to supply us with the each read something one year never enough. And then, so discerning wisdom to take month and then the next year it often we may have enough control of what really mat- at 5:30 seems to take on a differ- money, but not enough ters, and that comes when p.m., we seek first his kingdom ent meaning. This year, time to enjoy it, or we have Downtown Huntsville. this scripture speaks to me time but not enough money. and his righteousness, and a message of “more than That’s why Ecclesiastes says, his promise to us is that Watch the meetings enough.” When we seek Whoever loves money never all other things, significant live via HuntsvilleAL. God first in our lives, we has enough, whoever loves things, will be added to our gov/HSVTV or on will realize that we have wealth is never satisfied with lives ... Stay encouraged, my the City of Huntsville more than enough. their income. So what is the brothers and sisters, and Facebook page (@ Today, we seem to live in answer? make sure you purchase huntsvillecity). a time when there is never I believe that until we a copy of “ A Champion For more informa- enough. There is always the seek God first in our lives Game Plan For Life” at tion, call (256) 427- amazon.com, this book is a need for more, never less. we will always feel like we 5011. For example, many people’s don’t have enough. There “life changer.” 4 September 18, 2020 A Visit to the H.C. Blake Art & History Center William Hampton is a guru when it comes to the African-American contribution to the history of Huntsville, Alabama. You get a feeling that he could maneuver the intricacies of the H.C. Blake Art & History Center within centimeters in his sleep, as he tosses out one historical fact after another about Black Huntsvillians. Connect with Hampton on any weekday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the plaza situated in the northwestern quadrant corner of Oakwood and North Parkway. You’ll definitely be glad you did! Also: Visit www.huntsvillerevisited.com or e-mail [email protected]. (Photos by Jerome Saintjones) September 18, 2020 5 Tennessee Valley huntsville.standuplive.com

Publisher alley Deaths The Valley Weekly, LLC V Calendar of Events NELMS MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME - 2501 Carmichael Avenue NW - Huntsville, AL 35816 - Editor-in-Chief September 15-17 (Please Bring Photo ID) (256) 824-6880 (256) 539-8189 Dorothy W. Huston, Ph.D. Seminole Boys & Girls Club Rare Illnesses During the 9-11 a.m. Funeral service for MR. TOMMY L. RICE (b. 1955) was ______125 Earl Street SW Pandemic held Saturday, September 12, at Hope Community Church Jamal’s Helping Hands Huntsville, Ala. October 8 Editorial Consultant/ with Bishop Dr. Charles Rodgers officiating. Senior Editor HodgeTwins Live September 18-19 Black Jacket Symphony Pres- YouTube Stars Jerome Saintjones, Ed.S. Graveside service for MR. BILLY JOE MALONE (b. 1956) ______Comedian Eddie Griffin ents Pink Floyd’s The Wall Stand Up Live Huntsville Stand Up Live Huntsville Von Braun Center Mark C. huntsville.standuplive.com was held Saturday, September 12, at the Hatchett Cem- Editorial Assistants huntsville.standuplive.com Smith Concert Hall etery (Tanner, Ala.). Linda Burruss 700 Monroe Street October 22 Phyllis Chunn September 19 Huntsville, Ala. Master Artist Workshop Graveside service for MR. TIMOTHY LAMAR FLETCH- William Huston, Sr. Car Boot Sale 5 & 9 p.m. Lian Quan Zhen ER (b. 1984) was held Saturday, September 12, at Valley Gary T. Whitley, Jr. Lowe Mill Art & Entertain- “East Meets West: Chinese & View Memorial Gardens. Advertising Associate ment September 27 Watercolor Painting” Phyllis Chunn 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Docent-Led Tour: Art Deco Huntsville Museum of Art ROYAL FUNERAL HOME - 4315 Oakwood Avenue - Glass from the Huchthausen $525 Non-members Huntsville, AL 35810 - (256) 534-8481 - Contributing Editors - Escape To Margaritaville Collection – Closing Day 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Funeral service for MS. MARION BARBEE (b. 1962) was tim allston Von Braun Center Huntsville Museum of Art held Saturday, September 12, at New Hopewell Mission- Lamar A. Braxton, Jr. Mark C. Smith Concert Hall 2 p.m. October 26-30 Minister Preston Brown ary Baptist Church (11479 Dogwood Flat Road Tanner, Huntsville, Ala. City-Wide Revival Ron Hamm Ala.). Pastor Michael D. Rice 8–10 p.m. Thru September 30 First Missionary Baptist Purdy Butterfly House Church Graveside service for MRS. MARGIE PEOPLES (b. 1951) September 23 Adults, $14; Students and 3509 Blue Spring Road, NW Website Administrator was held Saturday, September 12, at the Meadowlawn Calvin Farier Alabama A&M University Military Personnel, $12; Huntsville, Ala. Garden of Peace (450 Mount Lebanon Road Toney, Ala.) “Start and Go” Podcast Children 3-18, $9 Mailing Address: Featuring William Barnes, Huntsville Botanical Garden November 15 with Reverend Leon Grays officiating. The Valley Weekly President & CEO, Birming- Sunday Jazz Lunch Brunch 415A Church Street - Suite 100 ham Urban League October 2-4 at Stovehouse featuring Josh Graveside service for DEACON ROBERT LEE JEFFER- Huntsville, AL 35801 SON (b. 1939) was held Saturday, September 12, at the (256) 651-9028 NASA Space Apps Challenge Couts & Friends www.valleyweeklyllc.com September 25 Hackathon-Greater Huntsville Stovehouse Madison Memory Gardens (100 Hughes Road Madison, Copyright 2019 Friday Night Art Walks [email protected] 12 p.m. Ala.) with Pastor Jeffery Jefferson officiating. Downtown Huntsville Items for consideration for publica- Courthouse Square and Adja- Sinbad November 22 Funeral service for MRS. ANNABELL MARSHALL (b. tion in The Valley Weekly should cent Streets Stand Up Live Huntsville Pre-Thanksgiving Service 1923) was held Saturday, September 12, at the Royal Cha- be submitted at least TWO weeks 5-8 p.m. huntsville.standuplive.com Rev. Tramaine Snodgrass pel of Memories (4315 Oakwood Avenue NW, Huntsville, in advance to above address or by Blackburn Chapel CPCA e-mail to info@valleyweeklyllc. Ala.) with Dr. James Strong officiating. com. Items do not necessar- September 26 October 7 507 Plummer Road, NW ily reflect the views ofThe Valley Drive-up Voter Services 2020 SBDC: DCAA Incurred Huntsville, Ala. Graveside service for MRS. JACQUELINE HOLDEN Weekly, LLC. The Kids of Rocket City Cost Submissions WESLEY (b. 1964) was held Saturday, September 12, at Huntsville Madison County Register to Bote, Apply for December 18-20 Northside Cemetery (1715 Jordan Lane Huntsville, Ala.) Submissions to TVW do not Chamber of Commerce Absentee Ballots, Absentee Arnez J with Superintendent Johnny Hughes officiating. necessarily reflect the belief of Ballot Witnesses Contact: Michelle Kloske, Stand Up Live Huntsville the editorial staff and TVW is not responsible for the authenticity of Funeral service for MR. JOSE PARENT (b. 1957) was held submissions. Saturday, September 12, at the Royal Chapel of Memories The Valley Weekly (4315 Oakwood Avenue, Huntsville, Ala.). Ad Rates Single Issue Because it’s a colorful world... Back Cover 10x10-inches $1,000 Graveside service for MRS. DORIS PARKER RATLIFF Full Page 10x10 inches $800 (b. 1948) was held Friday, September 11, at Hatchett 3/4 Page 7.5x10 inches $600 Half Page Horizontal Cemetery (15948 Goode Road Tanner, Ala.) with Pastor 5x10 inches $400 Charles Simmons officiating. Vertical 10x5 inches $400 Fourth Page SERENITY FUNERAL HOME - 2505 University Drive 5x5 inches $200 NW - Huntsville, AL 35816 - (256) 539-9693 Eighth Page 2.5x5 inches $100 Funeral services for MS. TONYA “T-LOVE” MINOR (b. Sixteenth Page 1964) was held Tuesday, September 8, at Serenity Funeral 2.5x2.5 $50 Classified 1 col.x1 inch $6 Design • Print • Mail • Promotional Home Chapel, with Pastor T. C. Johnson, officiating. (4 col. in. minimum=$24) 256-539-1658 www.xcelprint.com 6 Month/1 Yr.-10% & 20% Discount! 6 September 18, 2020 7 Signs of a Toxic Relationship Real Talk, M’brothas: Can We Handle Over- In most cases, how an example of this includes a COVID-19 achieving High-Profiled Black Wives? (Part 2) individual approaches a person expressing that they Assistance “Just as iron sharpens iron, a person sharpens the character of his romantic relationship is “cannot live without” their friend” - Proverbs 27:17, Complete Jewish Bible deeply rooted in how they partner. They may even UNITED WAY were raised. It’s grounded threaten to do something COVID-19 Here, King Solomon illustrates that both blades are more in what they grew up see- drastic to their partner or Assistance Fund effective, as one blade sharpens the other; left alone, each ing, feeling, believing, or themselves if the relation- remains duller and more useless. Donate: experiencing. sonably jealous and may ship ends. In our September 4 column, https://bit.ly/3hjVfNf we www.uwmadison- Some may take their try to isolate their partner 6. Intimidation. In- looked briefly at uber-achieving and -profiled Senator county.org positive experiences and from his or her friends and timidation in a relationship Kamala Harris and Dr. Susan Rice, and their across-the- Get Assistance: Call 211 railroad-tracks marriages. hold on to them, while family. is when a person tries to I then asked brothers: Can we handle overachieving, high- others may remember bad 2. Hostility. Now, this control aspects of their profiled Black Wives? experiences and try to one may be a little bit more partner’s life by making SMALL Here, Dr. Emerson Miller concludes our two-part inter- avoid making those same subtle at first. You may the other partner fearful or BUSINESSES view: mistakes. dismiss it, initially, but timid. disastercustomerser- On the other hand, some pay attention to the signs. One partner may at- [email protected] Part 2 people may take it to the Examples of this include tempt to keep his or her (800) 659-2955 (The Valley Weekly) Are Kamala and Susan anomalies, or the trend of things to come? extreme. For instance, if a picking fights or antagoniz- partner from friends and (Miller) Kamala and Susan are more than likely anomalies, person never received love ing their partner. This may family or threaten violence COVID-19- based on recent trends and statistics. For example, according and affection while young lead to the victim changing or even a break-up. RELATED their behavior in order to to the United States Census Bureau, 4.6% of married Black it may be something they 7. Physical/Sexual UNEMPLOY- American women and 10.8% of married Black American crave and will do anything avoid upsetting the of- Violence. Physical abuse men had a non-Black spouse. 8.5% of married Black men to get – which may be the fender. in a relationship is when MENT and 3.9% of married Black women had a white spouse. start of a toxic relationship. 3. Dishonesty. Ly- one uses force to get his or Alabama Department White men do not marry black Think you’ve had some ing, stealing, or keeping her way (such as hitting, of Labor women at a high rate. I will be bad romances in your life? information from the slapping, grabbing, or (866) 234-5382 happy to expound on that later. Check out these 7 signs of other comes along with a shoving). They may also labor.alabama.gov (TVW) Is this even a real issue? a toxic relationship: lot of other factors. Some pressure or force their (Miller) Probably not an issue 1. Control. This sign examples of this could be partner into sexual activity MADISON of much concern except when it might not be as obvious drug abuse, infidelity, or against their will or with- COUNTY comes to Kamala. The Democratic to some because it is often illegal activity. out consent. HEALTH ticket will garner a tremendous 4. Disrespect. This disguised as “caring.” In If you feel you are in a DEPARTMENT number of votes; however, because reality, it is manipulation. can come in the form of toxic romantic relationship, of her white husband, she will not Some examples include one partner criticizing the it’s important to know that (256) 539-3711 create the enthusiasm that Presi- one person making all the opinions and interests of you can end things on your dent Obama had when he ran. decisions and telling their the other. Another ex- terms with the help of oth- LATEST President Obama was a racially mixed man, but he was partner what to do, what to ample of this is destroying ers if needed. COVID-19 clear and emphatic about his Blackness. I once heard him wear, or who to spend time something that belongs to by Tia Muhammad INFORMATION say “I never doubted that I was Black; the only problem I had with. the victim. BlackDoctor.org Alabama Department of was with my name.” They are usually unrea- 5. Dependence. An Public Health www.alabamapubli- Also, Obama has a Black wife; had he married a white chealth.gov woman, he probably would not have been elected as Presi- Dedicated To You. dent of The United States. Delivering Results. Centers for Disease Well, whaddyathink? Control and Prevention • Is this a real issue? Personal Injury | Auto Accidents | Probate & Estate Administration cdc.gov • Would Obama have become president without a Black Corporate Law | Real Estate Law Divorce | Criminal Law wife? • Does Kamala hurt or help Biden’s electoral chances TAKEOUT/ without a Black husband? Contact Us www.martinsonandbeason.com DELIVERY Share with me your constructive feedback by Monday, Phone: 256-533-1667 facebook.com/martinsonandbeason RESTAURANTS Sept. 21, at [email protected]. Thanks. Fax: 256-533-1696 https://hsvchamber.org/ [email protected] restaurant-deliveries- tim allston is the author of the free book, 7 Steps to Manage take-out-food-service- Ego Problems: The How-to Guide for “Someone Else,” free and No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is downloadable now at www.GetEgoHelpNow.org. greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. providers/ September 18, 2020 7 A&M Virtual Host of Regional Hackathon Alabama A&M Uni- versity has been selected to virtually host the 2020 NASA Space Apps Chal- lenge Hackathon-Greater Huntsville Region event October 2-4, 2020. NASA Space Apps Hackathon is an annual international hackathon led by NASA Headquar- minder to participants that The 2020 Space Apps event ters in collaboration with they can make a difference, will be held online via the universities, schools, and even from the comfort and NASA virtual site, and reg- industries. The event is safety of their homes. istration is open now! All organized for coders, scien- Teams engage with graduate, undergraduate tists, designers, storytellers, NASA’s free and open and high school students makers, builders, technolo- data to creatively address are welcome to participate! gists, entrepreneurs, and real-world problems on Registration and more others in cities around the Earth and in space. The info can be received from world. 2019 Space Apps included Dr. Ed Pearson at This year’s theme is over 29,000 participants at [email protected]. “Take Action,” a critical re- 225 events in 71 countries.

Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters. - Abraham Lincoln

“Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all.” - Hypatia of Alexandria

satisfaction visit us online at damson.com 8 September 18, 2020

AAMU President Addresses Summit on Significance of Voting The President of Alabama man Vote Everywhere policies and views that they A&M University (AAMU) Ambassador, AAMU. The support.” on Thursday, September University’s role in the Hugine went on to thor- 10, powerfully addressed two-day project, which oughly explain the often- a national voting summit concluded Friday with a dismal history of voting virtually designed to boost in America and its limited student voter participation citizen participation by a among America’s his- “narrow subset of society,” torically black colleges and along with the other insti- universities (HBCUs). tutional barriers leading up Hosted by the AAMU to the Voting Rights Act of and The Andrew Goodman 1965. Even after that land- Foundation (AGF), the Na- mark act, there have been tional HBCU Voting Sum- attempts to curtail voter mit also aims to increase participation as recently as student access to the ballot 2013, Hugine said, adding box, working in partner- that the U.S. has the lowest ship with the Fair Elections youth voter turnout rate in Center’s Campus Vote larger virtual session from the world. Project and Students Learn 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Central), The Summit is funded by Students Vote (SLSV) can also be attributed a grant through the SLSV Coalition. The two-hour to the ongoing work of Coalition and underwrit- opening activity, which AAMU’s Civic Engagement ten by Facebook. It is an began online at 6 p.m. Task Force and its efforts extension of Foundation’s September 10, marked to ensure that all students commitment to support- the first time HBCUs are registered and engaged ing students of color and from around the country to vote. creating infrastructure were brought together to “We should vote because, to support HBCUs and prepare students to vote in in a democracy, it is voting their students. For more 2020 and in the future. that is the distinguishing information, visit https:// Dr. Andrew Hugine, characteristic that makes andrewgoodman.org/ Jr., was joined by Summit us different from any summit/national-hbcu- hosts Monica Clarke, ser- other country,” stated Dr. voting-summit/ To see the vice and learning coordina- Hugine in his brief address informative, eight-minute tor for AAMU’s Freshman to the Summit. “That is, Hugine address on the Academy; Austin Smith, the people have a way to importance and sig- NOW OPEN! Andrew Goodman Vote logically, without violence, nificance of voting, please Everywhere Team Leader, to express their will by visit https://www.youtube. AAMU; and Amaya voting and electing those com/watch?v=BKvw6- Rearden, Andrew Good- persons that espouse their 42Ick&feature=youtu.be