BLACK Carl Maxey: New Minister’s Finance 101: Valentines IN THIS A Fighting Life Fellowship Wealth Building Day HISTORY Documentary President Workshops Tributes ISSUE MONTH Page 6 Page 12 Page 14 Page 20

February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com Vol. 2 Issue No. 2 Spokane’s Black Community News Source

SaysSPOKANE Officers “Not PROSECUTOR: Criminally Responsible” “NO In Lorenzo CHARGES” Hayes Death The Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office Hayes during the May 13, 2015 response, to the hospital where he later died. Lorenzo has determined that Spokane officers and his trip to the jail, and those actions taken Hayes was 37 years old and the father of jail staff are not criminally responsible in while Hayes was at the jail, were not crim- seven children. the death of Lorenzo Hayes. In a statement, inally responsible for the death of Lorenzo issued on January, 11, 2016, the prosecu- Hayes.” The Spokane County Medical Examiner tor’s office said: “The Spokane County classified Hayes death a homicide, - deter Officers from the Spokane Police Depart- Prosecutor’s Office has determined that mining that he was high on methamphet- ment responded to a report of “domestic Spokane police officers, jail corrections amine when he died and attributing his violence” just before 6am on Wednesday, deputies and staff that contacted Lorenzo death to “choking on vomit while restrained May 13, according to the police report, and in a prone position.” An investigation was determined that there had been a no contact conducted by the Spokane Investigative order in place. As a result Lorenzo Hayes Regional Response(SIRR) Team with the was taken into custody for violation of that Washington State Patrol is the lead agency. order. The report stated that while in route to the jail to be booked for “unlawful pos- Based on the SIRR report and other evi- Lawrence H. Haskell session of a firearm, and felony violation dence, the Prosecutor’s Office decided not Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney of a domestic violence no contact order”, to move forward with charges, stating, Mr. Hayes became “uncooperative” and “Under these circumstances, the evidence avoided had jail staff and officers on-scene “appeared to be high”. shows that SPD officers and jail correc- been properly trained and supervised.” The tions deputies and staff acted in accordance family is seeking between $6.5 million and Jail staff were notified, according to the with their policies and procedures with a $9.5 million in damages. report, “to prepare for an uncooperative good faith belief that their actions were male”. They met the patrol car and escorted correct. The evidence demonstrates they The death of Loreanzo Hayes mirrors an- Mr. Hayes, still handcuffed, into the book- acted without malice, or evil intent. There- other death that recently occurred in Den- ing area. The report continues, “because fore, criminal charges will not be pursued.” ver, Colorado. An article titled, “Denver he continued to be uncooperative, jail staff Jail Death Puts New Light On Common prepared to place him in a restraint chair to The Spokesman Review reported in an Restraint Tactic”, published January 24 keep him from hurting himself or others. August 6 article that the family of Loren- on the Huffington Post website, details the During that process he had a medical emer- zo Hayes has filed a wrongful death claim November 2015 death of fifty year old Mi- gency.” Jail staff tried to resuscitate Hayes against the County, writing in their claim chael Lee Marshall in a manner eerily sim- and Spokane Fire Medics were called to that Hayes’ death was “completely un- ilar to the death of Lorenzo Hayes. the jail. An unresponsive Hayes was taken necessary” and “could have been easily Continued on Page 18

BLACK HOLLYWOOD DOESN’T NEED TO BOYCOTT THE OSCARS By Jasmyne Cannick White Liberal Hollywood Does www.jasmyneacannick.com COMMENTARY one out and refrain from walking the red “Sometimes being an ally carpet or attending the event. Maybe Rev. Rev. Al Sharpton is calling on blacks to means actually Sharpton doesn’t know this, but most Ameri- boycott the Academy Awards and not watch having to do something.” cans watch the Oscars for the red carpet first the broadcast after the mostly white and and then for the actual ceremony. male voting members of the Academy nom- -Jasmyne Cannick inated 20 white actors as giving the best Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Will every black in the country with a television performances of 2015. Smith missing in action on the red carpet tuned out, it wouldn’t make one bit of differ- is not the same as Cate Blanchett, George While I’m not trying to rain on Sharpton’s ence. Why? Because when was the last time Clooney, and Brad Pitt not walking the red parade, as an African-American I have to ask you saw a commercial during the Academy carpet. If you take away the people who all the question, What would be the point? Awards that was targeted toward black peo- of America tunes in to see what they’re wear- First, blacks as a whole don’t watch the Os- ple? Exactly. ing, you send a message while affecting the cars. That’s not really our thing. Sure, some No, a better call, a much more thoughtful show’s ratings and advertisers — and I be- of us do, but not in the numbers that would call to action would be to put Hollywood’s lieve at the end of the day that’s the point — matter. If anything, we usually digest the liberalism to work by calling on black Hol- to effect change. recap online the morning after. And even if lywood’s white Hollywood friends to sit this Continued on Page 16

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CSM THOMAS E WILLIAMS QUESTION OF ONTHOUGHTS MY FROM MIND THE EDITOR by Sandra Williams I’m Still Black From THE MONTH March Through December Which One is “I had no idea history was being made, I was just tired of giving up.” -Rosa Parks Black Owned?

I always have conflicting feelings during the months of January and February. From the lead up to Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday in mid-January through the end of February, every where you look there is Black this and Black that. Stations run marathons of Black tv pro- grams and dust off old Black movies that you can’t find any other time of the year. Colleges host African American focused events and lectures and speaker series. Libraries put up Black displays. Schools put on plays and programs where smiling faced children act out Rosa Parks sitting down or sing Black focused songs. And Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” is everywhere. For a little over a month every year, it’s like Black folks all of a sudden become the Kardashians for people, and like the Kardashians they are overly interested in everything about us. It’s like we really matter. It’s like in every corner and nook and cranny of this country, people really care about us. About who we are. About where we came from. About what struggles we’ve been through. About how much we’ve accom- plished. And to be honest, it kind of feels nice. But then March comes.... and things go back to normal. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not bashing Black History Month. I absolutely do not fall into the same category as people like Stacy Dash, who use their public platform to showcase their unfortunate ignorance about the reason that there was a need for a Black History month in the first place. You don’t have to look any further than the recent controversy sur- rounding the movie industry’s inability in the year 2016 to be able to find a single person of color worthy of an Academy Award nomination for their performance in a major motion picture, to understand why there was a need to create the NAACP Image Awards. Or to under- stand why, despite the social media frenzy over how “racist” it was to air a show like “The Wiz” that had an all black cast, there was a need in the first place to create a show like “The Wiz”, to give young Afri- can American children who watched the Wizard of Oz year after year after year, something that they too could identify with as well. No, I am not bashing Black History Month. Not even close. My con- flicting feelings, however, come from having noticed for far too many years than I care to count, that with few exceptions, all of whoopla surrounding my Blackness, doesn’t seem to last much once the month is over. It’s as if we stop being Black in March. As if the issues, the history, and the images, that are so enthusiastically addressed and free- ly discussed in January and February, melt back into the much more Answer: None of them! comfortable notion of not seeing color, or as Raven Symone likes to Who is speaking for us? Who decides what we know? say, “being human,” not to be talked about again....until January. Source: “7 Things You Thought Were Black Owned; http://allblackmedia.com But the impact of disproportionate suspension rates on African Amer- ican students does not go away the day after we celebrate Black His- tory month. The overrepresentation of Blacks in the criminal justice system, throughout the country, and right here in Spokane, does not go away the day after we celebrate Black History Month. Neither do the econominc disparities. But I understand the need to box the awareness into a six week win- dow. I mean, talking about disparities, and racism, and structural op- pression every day of every month would become exhausting, and we can’t have that, can we? But imagine having to live it. Now-time for a nap!

THE BLACK LENS NEWS The Black Lens is a community newspaper, published on the first of each month, and focused on the news, events, issues, people and information important to Spokane’s African American Community and beyond. Contact Information: Square Peg Multimedia, 1312 N. Monroe St, #148, Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 795-1964, [email protected] Subscription: Delivered monthly by mail - $45/year Submission/Advertising Deadline:15th of the month prior to pubication. www.blacklensnews.com; Facebook: blacklensnews; Copyright (c) 2016 The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 3 YOU SHOULD KNOW (Or Things You Probably Didn't Learn In School) GEORGE JUNIUS STINNEY JR. Art and Article by Bertoni Jones ting that at the time in South Carolina law anyone ([email protected]) over fourteen was considered an adult. George Junius Stinney Jr. was the youngest person The case began at 2:30pm and closing arguments in 20th Century America to be put to death. He finished by 4:30 pm. The jury deliberated ten min- was born October 21, 1929 and lived in segregated utes before finding George guilty. The judge sen- Alcolu, South Carolina, 50 miles east of Colum- tenced him to die in the electric chair at Central bia, SC. George was accused of the violent March Correctional Institute in Columbia, SC. The entire 24, 1944 murders of two local Caucasian girls case lasted under three hours. (Betty June Binnicker and Mary Emma Thames), The final assault on George’s Constitutional rights aged 12 and 7. was his attorney’s refusal to file an appeal on be- Suspected of the crimes authorities waited to arrest half of his client, stating that there was nothing to George when his parents weren’t home and then appeal and that his family lacked the funds for a interrogated him in a murder investigation without continuance of the case. Governor Olin D. John- his parents or an attorney present (Miranda laws stone refused to intervene. weren’t in effect in 1944). Police claim he con- On June 16, 1944 at 7:30pm, 14 year old George fessed to the crimes but never introduced a written Stinney Jr., standing all of 5’1 inches tall and confession into evidence. weighing 95 pounds, was led to the execution Stinney’s father was immediately fired from his chamber. Since the chair was not built for chil- job and the family fled Alcolu, abandoning George dren, they placed a stack of books on the seat for for fear of their own lives. Exactly one month af- him to sit on. The guards had a hard time strapping ter the girls’ deaths, a “trial” was under way for his small frame in with the electrodes and his death first degree murder (April 24, 1944). mask didn’t fit properly. At fourteen years and five months old, George Stin- When they threw the switch the force of the elec- ney’s jury of his peers consisted of 12 Caucasian tricity dislodged George’s death mask allowing men. His defense lawyer, Charles Plowden, was the entire audience to see George’s face in his last an ambitious politician who proved overwhelm- painful minutes of life. From the day the girls’ ingly incompetent as counsel. He never asked for bodies were found until George’s execution day, Sources: a change of venue for fear of local prejudice, never was a total of 83 days, an American record. For Carolina Skeletons – David Stout South Carolina Killers: Crimes of Passion (Ch. 5) – Mark R. Jones presented any witnesses in George’s defense, and fear of vandalism, George Stinney Jr.’s family had cnn.com/2014/01/21/us/george-stinney-hearing/index never cross-examined any prosecution witnesses. him buried in an unmarked grave somewhere in 83 days (Movie – Starring Danny Glover) His entire defense hinged on George’s age, forget- South Carolina. Carolina Skeletons (Movie – Starring Louis Gossett Jr.) BLACK PARATROOPERS FIGHT SECRET byWAR Robert L. “Bob” IN Bartlett THEFort Benning, Georgia, PACIFIC home of the 82nd NORTHWEST Airborne. They were all handpicked vol- Late spring 1945, a military troop train unteers, well trained, and exceptionally led carrying three hundred Black Army para- by black officers and noncommissioned troopers arrived in Pendleton, Oregon. officers all eager to prove themselves in Their orders were marked highly classi- combat. Unfortunately, the enemy they had fied. L-5 Spotter planes, C-64 cargo planes trained to face on foreign soil proved not and troop carrier C47s arrived in support to be their direct objective. Their classified of their classified mission. Eight Spotter orders read: planes and one cargo plane and their crews were stationed here in Spokane at Geiger Permanent Change of Station Orders Field and C47s were stationed in Walla HEADQUARTERS 55th PIB Walla and Hamilton Field, CA. The men General Order Number 7, 22 June 1945 of the 555th Triple Nickle (spelled cor- FIRE FLY PROJECT SOP rectly) Parachute Infantry Battalion (PIB) “. . . the destruction or demolition of Japa- hoped they were being sent west only tem- nese balloon bombs and/or the suppression porarily before shipping out to join the war of forest fires . . .” in the Pacific. Seattle. The military called it Operation on how to deactivate, detonate or retrieve Known only to the Military, the Japanese Firefly and the men of the 555th would be these deadly balloon bombs. The men of They had already made military history as had successfully discovered the jet stream sworn to secrecy. the 555th again made history. the first all-black infantry troops to earn and had designed, developed and launched the coveted silver airborne jump wings at thousands of hydrogen filled balloons from The military plan also included keeping Ja- After their training was complete 200 Japan with ex- pan from learning that their balloon bomb would stay in Pendleton and 100 were plosive pay- campaign actually worked. Balloons land- sent to Chico, CA. These black men be- loads. Their ed in 17 US states and as far inland as Iowa came the first and last Airborne Infantry intent was to and Michigan. One balloon landed and firefighters, they became smokejumpers. strike fear into exploded outside the town of Bly, Oregon They would jump forest fires regardless the hearts of killing five and another landed in pow- of their cause. The smokejumper program, Americans es- er lines at the Hanford Reserve causing a which began in 1939, found itself with a pecially those temporary power outage. shortage of young able bodied men during living along Soon after the 555th arrived at Pendleton the war years. The threat of a particular the western Field they learned that they were there to bad fire season in the west combined with coastline. The stay and that their mission was Operation the threat of more balloon bombs in 1945 balloon bombs Firefly. A different kind of training was came at just the right time for the Army to were designed now required and their first trainers were test the men of the 555th. to kill and to smokejumpers with the United States For- By the end of the fire season the men of the start fires. Their est Service out of Missoula, Montana. Af- Triple Nickle fought fires in seven western plan was to ter nine intense days of training in how to states and southern Canada. Most fires they burn the entire jump into and fight forest fires in the heav- jumped were in the mountains of Montana, west coast from ily forested regions of the PNW, they were Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California. Los Angles to taught by Army bomb disposal experts Continued on Page 13 Page 4 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane BLACK NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Local, State, National and Around the World Emergency Declared In Flint, MI After City Is Poisoned (Source: African Globe; www.africanglobe.net) Following a request from Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder that the president declare a federal emergency in Flint over an ongoing and dangerous water crisis, President Barack Obama announced an emergency declaration that would allocate $5 million in federal aid to assist the city. The announcement came after the National Guard was deployed in the city to deliver bot- tled water door-to-door. Obama “ordered fed- eral aid to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions in the area affected by contaminated water,” a White House release states. The ongoing water crisis in the predominately Black city of Flint, Michigan has left thousands of households without safe drinking water. In a cost-cutting effort, the city switched its water supply source from Lake Huron (treated by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department) to Flint River water, a contaminated source that initiated the ongoing scandal. Studies have shown that the majority of chil- dren living in Flint may suffer permanent brain damage from lead contamination.

Wells Fargo Donates $1 Million Next-generation Navy Ship to Texas State Trooper Who To The African American be Named After Civil Rights Arrested Sandra Bland History Museum Leader Rep. John Lewis Indicted on Perjury Charges

(Source: Stehen A. Crockett Jr., http://www.theroot.com) (Source: Robert Stitt, http://financialjuneteenth.com) The Texas trooper who arrested Sandra Bland has been Wells Fargo helped found the National Museum of indicted on perjury charges. According to the Houston African American History and Culture which will open Chronicle, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper in September 2016 on the National Mall in Washing- Brian Encinia was indicted by a Waller County grand ton, D.C. The company is striving to inspire diversity (Source: http://www.navytimes.com; Photo: Jacquelyn Martin) jury Wednesday. If found guilty of the Class A misde- in keeping with an 1888 pledge, which says, “Proper WASHINGTON — The Navy has announced it will meanor, Encinia could face a $4,000 fine and up to a year respect must be shown to all — let them be men, women, name a new ship after civil rights leader and U.S. Rep. in jail. or children, rich or poor, white or black.” Joining with John Lewis. them in the tribute to African American heritage is Oprah The perjury charge resulted from a statement in his arrest With Lewis in attendance, Secretary of the Navy Ray Winfrey and the United States Congress, which came report in which he claimed that he pulled Bland from her Mabus on Wednesday named the first ship of the next up with half of the money, making the meseum a joint car July 10, 2015, to continue an investigation. Encinia generation of fleet replenishment oilers the USNS John public-private venture. claimed that after numerous commands for Bland to exit Lewis during a ceremony held at the Cannon House the car to “further conduct a safe traffic investigation, Wells Fargo’s Lisa Frison, Vice President African Office Building in Washington. Mabus says other ships in Bland was removed from the car but became more com- American Segment, noted, “African American history is the class will be named after fellow civil right activists. bative. Bland was placed in handcuffs for officer safety. American history….We embrace the arts as a vehicle to Lewis, a Georgia Democratic congressman, is an Al- Bland began swinging her elbows at me and then kicked highlight history and culture, and feel deeply honored to abama native who worked closely with Martin Luther my right leg in the shine [sic].” support the Smithsonian in bringing the African Ameri- King Jr. He was the first speaker during the 50th anniver- can story to life in such a significant way.” Bland was found hanged in her jail cell three days after sary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march last year. her arrest. Jail officials claim that Bland, 28, who had just The museum is being constructed on five acres next to “As the first of its class, the future USNS John Lewis will moved back to the area to start a new job, hanged herself the Washington Monument. It will stand as the 19th mu- play a vital role in the mission of our Navy and Marine after becoming despondent that her family wasn’t going seum of the Smithsonian. The building has been under- Corps while also forging a new path in fleet replenish- to be able to immediately bail her out. Her family argues going preparation and construction for the last 10 years. ment,” Mabus said during. “Naming this ship after John that she wouldn’t have committed suicide and that the During that time, a collection has been built along with Lewis is a fitting tribute to a man who has, from his woman police have claimed her to be is not the woman the design of “11 inaugural exhibitions covering major youth, been at the forefront of progressive social and hu- they knew. periods of African American history from its origins in man rights movements in the U.S., directly shaping both Africa and continuing through slavery, the civil rights The Bland family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in the past and future of our nation.” era, the Harlem Renaissance, the great migrations north federal court against “Trooper Encinia, Department of and west and into the 21st century,” according to the Net- The Defense Department says a contract will be awarded Public Safety, Waller County and county jailers Elsa work Journal. The museum will be home to more than for the ship this summer, with construction expected to Magnus and Oscar Prudente. A trial date is set for Janu- 40,000 objects telling the African American story. begin in 2018. ary 2017,” the Chronicle reports. The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 5 BLACK NEWS HIGHLIGHTS Local, State, National and Around the World Portland Community College To China Wows African Leaders Black Media Company Host Whiteness History Month at Africa-China Confab in Releases First Animated Series Johannesburg, S. Africa That Teaches Children Authentic African American History

(Source: Andrew Theen; http://www.oregonlive.com) Faculty members and staff on the college’s North (Source: http://www.triceedneywire.com; Special to the Trice Portland campus came up with the idea of a Whiteness Edney News Wire from Global Information Network) History Month as a way to change the climate of racial justice on campus. “The Project seeks to challenge the At the recently concluded Forum on Africa and China Cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping appeared to master narrative of race and racism through an explora- (Source: http://blacknews.com) tion of the social construction of whiteness,” according to be everywhere – shaking hands, holding one on ones, Baltimore, MD — School age children are learning in the organizers’ website. watching cultural shows and last but not least, approving generous grants. the age of technology, i.e. internet, wireless devices and Whiteness History Month has been discussed as a possi- multi-dimensional imagery. Major conglomerates such ble event at PCC since Dec. 2014, officials said Monday, As the conference in Johannesburg drew to a close, 48 as PBS Kids, Disney and Nickelodeon have met success inspired by groups such as the Black Lives Matter move- African countries had received pledges, promises and with engaging children in programming for entertainment ment’s actions both on and off campuses nationwide. development deals from Asia’s principal financial giant. or educational purposes. However, there are few educa- They also received commitments to assist with peace- In contrast to Black History Month and other heritage tional shows that address the cultural and historical needs keeping missions and $60 million towards the building of children of color. months, Whiteness History Month won’t be a “cele- of the African Union’s new 25,000-strong multinational bratory endeavor,” organizers said. Whiteness History standby force to respond to crises across the continent. EdAnime Productions, co-founded by a host of African Month won’t focus on whites as a group of people, American teenagers and young adults, was created to according to PCC spokeswoman Kate Chester. The dis- In the announcement that China would double its last address the aforementioned deficiencies. Their flag- cussions will center on “whiteness as a social construct.” major aid package – from $30 billion to $60 billion ship animated series, Meltrek, is a collection of lessons – priority programs were identified, including industri- Organizers created a website last August and plan events designed to teach children about the history, culture and alization, infrastructure and agricultural development. contributions of African Americans from 3000 BCE to for this April to foster more discussion on campus about Also, poverty eradication and the green economy. South ways to find solutions to “community issues and social 2008. using hip hop music as a teaching tool. The first African president Jacob Zuma said the continent fully animated lesson of Meltrek, “Exploring Ancient Africa”, problems that stem from racism.” PCC officials say they supported this higher level of engagement. expect an agenda of events, speeches and discussion teaches children about the birthplace of humanity, Africa. sessions at each of its four campuses to be announced in Meltrek is sold in twenty-four states in the United States the next few weeks. Alabama Closes Then and six countries around the world. Meltrek themed For more information visit: http://www.pcc.edu/about/ Reopens 31 Satellite DMV products such as DVDs, coloring books, and unit plans diversity/cascade/whiteness-history-month Offices in Counties Where 75 for educators are available for purchase at www.edanime- Percent of Voters Are Black productions.com. Marine Corps Authorizes Twist and Lock Hairstyles for Penn State Partners With Female Marines the National Football League Players Association to Offer Educational Opportunities for Former Players

(Source: Breanna Edwards, http://www.theroot.com and and Brian Lyman; http://www.governing.com) One year after Alabama’s voter photo-ID law took effect, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced that 31 satellite state Motor Vehicle Division offices would (Source: Journal of Blacks in Higher Education; jbhe.com) no longer have access to driver’s license examiners as a result of budget cuts, meaning that residents would have The World Campus of Pennsylvania State University to travel to other counties. has entered into an agreement with the National Football League Players Association that will present educational John Archibald, a columnist with AL.com, wrote “take a (Source: Hope Hodge Seck, http://www.military.com) opportunities for former players who did not complete look at the 10 Alabama counties with the highest per- their degrees while in college. The Marine Corps has approved two new hairstyles for centage of non-white registered voters. That’s Macon, female Marines, citing a request from a staff sergeant that Greene, Sumter, Lowndes, Bullock, Perry, Wilcox, Players who have accumulated credits from another uni- prompted the change. Dallas, Hale, and Montgomery, according to the Alabama versity and want to complete their degree will be advised on transferring those credits to an online degree program According to a Marine Corps administrative message, Secretary of State’s office. Alabama, thanks to its budget- through the World Campus of Penn State. Or players who two-strand twists and thin locks are now approved for ary insanity and inanity, just opted to close driver license want to start on a new undergraduate or graduate degree wear in uniform. The decision to approve both hairstyles bureaus in eight of them. “Every single county in which program will have the opportunity to choose from 125 was made by the Marine Corps Uniform Board in Octo- blacks make up more than 75 percent of registered voters online academic programs. Under the agreement, former ber, according to the message. will see their driver license office closed. Every one,” NFL players will have access to tutoring and career In a change of course, however, Gov. Robert Bentley In a video released by the Marine Corps in conjunction counseling. announced that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agen- with the message, Marine Staff Sgt. Cherie Wright of II cy would return driver’s license examiners to 31 rural Craig Weidemann, vice president for outreach and vice Marine Expeditionary Force is credited with prompting a counties. A statement from the governor’s office said an provost for online education, stated “Penn State is excit- review of female hairstyle regulations. Wright submitted examiner would spend at least one day each month in ed to welcome the NFL Players Association as a partner, a recommendation letter to the Marine Corps Uniform each of the counties slated to lose part-time examiners and the university is committed to helping these players Board asking for the change, officials said. under budget cuts announced by ALEA at the end of last complete their college degrees so they can be successful “For some, this change is culturally liberating, has finan- month. The schedule and timetable of the return was not in their careers off the field.” The agreement is of partic- cial benefits and is simply convenient,” Wright said in a immediately clear. Gov. Bentley pledged to work with ular importance to African Americans. Blacks make up statement released by the Corps. the Black Caucus on the closures two thirds of all players in the National Football League. Page 6 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane

NAACP UPDATE: http://www.SpokaneNAACP.com HE MADE A CARL MAXEY: DIFFERENCE A FIGHTING LIFE Contributors: Dr. Jeanne Ashton Black man and two Jews from Philadel- A KSPS Documentary Baynes, Spokane NAACP Education phia were murdered by racists. He stat- Committee; Dr. Scott Finnie, Director, ed “It was the first time both Black and Africana Studies Dept, EWU; Naima white worked hand-in-hand as a matter Quarles-Burnley, Spokane NAACP of humanitarian concern – the right to President vote and the right to live.” Mr. Carl Maxey had been the catalyst Later, as the anti-war movement began, for important changes in the racial cli- Maxey represented conscientious ob- mate and in the anti-discrimination laws jectors and was one of the community’s in Washington. Today, when students of first voices of opposition to bloodshed Gonzaga Law School enter the law li- in Vietnam. Maxey served as state brary, they pass by a bronze bust of Carl co-chairman of Jesse Jackson’s presi- Maxey. The inscription reads: “He made dential campaigns, and received awards a difference.” for his efforts on behalf of poor people. Indeed, he made a remarkable difference. Fighting for civil rights became his hall- Carl Maxey fought discrimination as a mark in Spokane, too. champion of social justice and supported He sued Spokane public schools af- the NAACP serving as legal counsel. He ter the district refused to hire a Black was the first black person from Eastern teacher. When a Spokane barber shop Washington to pass the state bar exam- wouldn’t cut a Black man’s hair, Maxey ination. Maxey became a fixture in civ- sued the shop and won. The barber quit. il rights and highly publicized criminal In another case, he sued the city of Spo- cases, concentrating on criminal defens- kane for conducting closed City Council es for more than four decades. meetings. He also sued and won when Rising from humble beginnings, as an city officials refused to broadcast the orphan, he became a giant in civil rights, first Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier fight on the law, sports and politics in Spokane. closed-circuit television at the Coliseum. Maxey was adopted as an infant and He earned a reputation as a flamboyant brought to Spokane by Carl and Caro- trial lawyer who took on controversial line Maxey, but by the age of 2, he end- clients and causes. He raised two sons, ed up in the Spokane’s Children’s Home who went on to practice law with him in where he spent his childhood during the an office on West Broadway. His life’s Depression. In 1936 when he was 12, goal was to have all people - regardless Maxey and another boy were kicked out of age, race, creed, sex or economic cir- of the orphanage, which said it wouldn’t cumstance - enjoy life, liberty and pur- take any more “colored” children. As a suit of happiness. teen, he was placed at the Sacred Heart Indian Mission, in Desmet, Idaho. Dr. Scott Finnie, Director of the Africana Studies Department at Eastern Washing- Maxey returned to Spokane and attended ton University, was deeply impacted by Gonzaga Prep, where he lettered in foot- Carl Maxey. He remarks, “His heart to ball, basketball and track. He was hired serve others and his wisdom to unravel at the Spokane Club for 25 cents an hour the complications of injustice for the as a busboy. He was promoted to waiter voiceless left a lasting impression upon and then to bartender, but bristled at the my life and career in higher education.” segregation in the private club, which King County Executive Ron Sims, who wouldn’t accept Black members. grew up in Spokane, called Maxey When World War II broke out, Maxey “larger than life. He was forceful, some- joined the Army and served as a medic times controversial. He was incredibly in the segregated military. After the war, talented and gifted. He was one of the he attended the University of Oregon last great civil rights icons in Spokane, KSPS Public Television is proud to an- rights leader who always fought for the and Gonzaga University, becoming a “Sims said. nounce the production of another local- underdog. collegiate boxing standout. Undefeated Carl Maxey used his legal skills to con- ly produced documentary entitled Carl in college boxing, Maxey tried out for During the tumultuous civil rights and test inequities. He was a “pioneer for Maxey: A Fighting Life. Based on local the 1948 Olympic boxing team, but lost Vietnam War eras, Carl Maxey—called equality.” He touched the lives of many historian Jim Kershner’s book by the same his first bout. Two years later, he won the a “Type-A Gandhi” by the New York people in all walks of life. He was “a name, the film will premiere at the Bing NCAA light heavyweight boxing cham- Times—fought to break down color bar- lion for justice. He made a difference. Crosby Theater on February 18, 2016. pionship by defeating the captain of the riers in his hometown of Spokane and 1948 Olympic team. Sources: Community.Seattletimes.nwsource.com; Carl Maxey was, in his own words, “a guy throughout the nation. He expanded his BlackSpokane.com; Spokesman.com/stories/1997/ who started from scratch—black scratch.” commitment to justice and antiwar causes After a short but brilliant college boxing jul18/Spokane-loses-a-chion-carl-maxey; http:// lmba.nef/Carl-Maxey; BlackPast.org He was sent, at age five, to the -scan to the political arena, running for the U.S. career, he went on to fight wrongs in the dal-ridden Spokane Children’s Home and Senate against powerhouse senator Henry courtroom and promote civil rights. He NAACP Documentary Screening: then kicked out at age eleven with the M. (Scoop) Jackson. worked his way through Gonzaga Law The Spokane NAACP will be hosting only other “colored” orphan. School as a busboy and a bartender at the a screening of the KSPS documenta- The documentary explores the sources of then segregated Spokane Club. Graduat- ry, “Carl Maxey: A Fighting Life” , Yet Maxie managed to make a nation- Maxey’s passions, as well as the price he ing in 1951, he later successfully chal- followed by a community conversa- al name for himself, first as an NCAA ultimately paid for his struggles. The re- lenged the state liquor board’s licensing tion in late February. Please check the championship boxer at Gonzaga Univer- sult is a moving portrait of a man whose of clubs that discriminated on the basis NAACP website or Facebook page for sity, and then as eastern Washington’s personal misfortunes spurred his lifelong, of race or religion. information about the date and loca- first black lawyer and a renowned civil tireless crusade against injustice. tion, and join us in celebrating the life In the 1960s, the civil rights movement of one of the legends of the Spokane blossomed and the young attorney used community. Documentary Premiere - February 18, 2016 his law degree as a springboard to politi- For morning information, contact the Bing Crosby Theater, 7pm, 901 W Sprague Ave, Spokane, Tickets: $50 per person cal activism. With two other lawyers, he NAACP at (509) 209-2425 (extension 1141), Television Premiere: KSPS Public Television, Spokane Channel 7, 7pm traveled to Selma, Mississippi in 1964 to or visit the Spokane NAACP website at join the civil rights fight after a young http://spokanenaacp.com. Tickets: http://www.ksps.org/community/maxey-doc/, or call 509- 443-7700, 1-800-735-2377 The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 7 AFRICAN AMERICANS AND EDUCATION Looking Back in Order to Move Forward: A Seven Part Series By Lawrence Burnley, Ph.D. Part VI: “The Cost of Learning: Anti-Literacy Laws and Violent Opposition to Black Education” – The Southern Experience Given the reality of chattel enslavement The story of Mary Peake is an excellent ex- An example of the price one could pay and the near universality of anti-litera- ample of how opportunities given to mulat- for learning to read and write is provided cy legislation for free or enslaved Blacks toes were used to benefit Blacks who were by Mr. Lewis Favors, who was born in throughout the South, formal schooling for denied access to any form of schooling. 1855, in Meriwether County, Georgia, near enslaved Africans was largely nonexistent Mary Peake was born Mary Smith Kelsey Greenville. Asked if he knew of anyone on until after the Civil War. Exceptions to this in Norfolk, Virginia, to a free Black moth- his plantation who could read or write, Mr. reality would include apprenticeship op- er and a White father. At age six she was Favors said, “They was all afraid to even man named Jemmy (sic) and resulted in the portunities for a limited number of persons allowed to attend a “select” school for free try [to learn to read or write] because they deaths of twenty Whites. within the plantation system. Clandestine Black children for ten years in Alexandria, would cut these off.” According to the in- underground schools run by Africans, Virginia. Upon her return home to Norfolk, terviewer Mr. Favors pointed to his thumbs In 1800 the law was expanded to include and some Whites, were also maintained Mary started a Baptist-affiliated organiza- and index fingers as he said this. free Africans, and was perhaps influenced by a planned insurrection in Virginia in throughout the South. tion called the Daughters of Zion “to aid Ms. Annie Price, who was born in 1855 in 1800 by Gabriel Prosser. Prosser’s plan the poor and ill.” The enrollment at Peake’s Spalding County, Georgia, shared that “If Some examples of such schools include was aimed at the massive liberation of school rose to more than fifty free and en- any of us were ever caught with a book, we one that operated from 1818 to 1829 in Sa- enslaved people and the establishment of slaved African children. would get a good whipping.” vannah, Georgia, which was founded and a Black state. His attack was delayed by a operated by a man from Santo Domingo Her dedication and commitment to the Anti-literacy legislation existed as early as violent storm and Prosser was betrayed and named Julian Froumontaine; a school oper- education of Black children is reflected 1740 with Georgia and South Carolina be- eventually hanged. ated by a woman known as Deveaux from by her refusal to cease her teaching duties ing among the first to pass such laws law 1833 to 1865, also in Savannah; the Pio- while she fell deathly ill. Lewis Lockwood, prohibiting anyone from teaching enslaved According to historian Deborah Gray neer School of Freedom in New Orleans in an AMA official, penned the following ob- Africans to write or from utilizing enslaved White, “within weeks, slaveholders as far 1860; the Sisters of the Holy Family school servation of this educator’s selfless dedica- Blacks as scribes. South Carolina’s legis- west and south as what was then the Mis- founded by Henriette Delille, a free Black, tion: “It was beautiful, though sad, to see lation and Georgia’s—given that it shares sissippi Territory cautioned each other to in 1842 also in New Orleans; and a school her…when too sick to sit, lying on her bed, a border with South Carolina—was in re- beware of suspicious behavior on the part run by Mary Peake in Hampton, Virginia, surrounded by her scholars, teaching them sponse to the Stone Rebellion in Septem- of Blacks.” which began operating in the open in 1861. to read.” Mary Peake taught until she died. ber 1739. This insurrection was led by a Continued on Page 18

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For more information, contact a program coordinator at Community Colleges of Spokane does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation or age in its programs, [email protected] activities or employment. • Marketing and Public Relations • January 2016 • cs Page 8 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane government/politics HUNDREDS ATTEND OLYMPIA MLK RALLY- GOVERNOR SPEAKS (Charlotte Kerney/Sandra Williams, Commission on African American Affairs) Over 200 individuals from across Washington state converged Monday, January 18, on the state capitol in Olympia for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday. The march and rally, which was a first in the state, according to organizers, was sponsored by the Washington State African American Coalition, and began with a caravan that travelled from 23rd and Jackson Streets in Seattle to the Washington Sate Capitol Rotunda. Participants called for an end to police brutality targeting African Amer- ican males/females, improvements in K-12 education, work training for African American youth, reforming Washington State’s deadly force stat- ute, equitable economic opportunities for persons of color, and a repeal of Washington’s I-200 Affirmative Action Law. Syndicated radio talk show host Warren Ballentine was the keynote speak- er and Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Pramila Jayapal and Representative Jim Moeller addressed the crowd. “Our calls for equality will not be drowned out by any noise, by anybody,” said Inslee. SPOKANE CITY COUNCIL VACANCY NAACP VICE PRESIDENT ONE OF TWENTY-TWO APPLICANTS Phillip Tyler, Vice President of the Spo- bers’ rankings and determined which ap- agement consulting, including executive kane branch of the NAACP, joined twen- plicants would be interviewed by the full and strategic on-board coaching, commu- ty-one other applicants vying for a seat on Council. Selection of applicants for inter- nication skills and relationship building, the Spokane City Council that was vacat- views by the full City Council were set to acknowledges that applying for the city ed by former Council representative Jon happen by January 29. council is a bold step, but he adds, “for- Snyder, who left after he accepted a pos- Interviews of the top candidates by the full tune favors the bold.” tion as Governor Jay Inslee’s Policy Advi- City Council will be open to the public The other applicants for the City Council sor for Outdoor Recreation and Economic and will take place Wednesday, February. seat include: Randy J. McGlenn II, George Development. 3, from 2-4pm in the City Hall Council McGrath, Blaine Stum, John Waite, An- The City of Spokane posted an announce- Chambers, lower level (808 W. Spokane thony L. Kiepe, Rae-Lynn Barden, Todd ment on January 12 to fill the seat, which Falls Blvd). While the interviews are open Beyreuther, Breean L. Beggs, David W. represents south Spokane, including the to the public, the public will not able to Lucas, Ryan M. Oelrich, Alexander Scott, East Central neighborhood, and accepted comment or ask questions. Councilmem- Grant Keller, Charles Otto Greenwood, applications through January 19. Coun- bers will ask the same questions of each Kyle Reavis, Terry L. Black, Patricia A. the future.” The best way to comment,” he cilmembers had until January 27 at 5pm candidate. The Council will vote to fill the Hansen, Ed.D, Asher Ernst, Stephanie Re- added, “is to email council members.” to review all applications and interview Council vacancy at the February, 8 City galado, Robert A. Gilles, Jess R. Ponikvar, Here are a list of their e-mail addresses: candidates as they wished, then to rank Council meeting, and LaVerne D. Biel. [email protected]; awaldref@ their top five applicants and submit their Phillip Tyler, an Air Force veteran who When asked what he is looking for in a spokanecity.org; [email protected]; top five names to City Council President worked with the Spokane County Sher- candidate, Council President Stuckart re- [email protected]; cmumm@spo- Ben Stuckart by 5 p.m. on January 27. iff’s Office for 15 years and currently sponded, “I personally am looking for a kanecity.org; [email protected]. A committee of three Councilmembers President of Wisdom in Words, which is a council member who has a clear vision of For information on the Spokane City Council reviewed and compiled the Councilmem- consulting company that focuses on man- what they want to see Spokane become in visit: https://my.spokanecity.org/citycouncil The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 9 It Takes a Village NURSE BRYN: PURSUING A DREAM Ministers Plan February 21 Fundraiser Spokane ministers are joining together to support the Bryn’s choice for college was the University of Wash- dream of Bryn Martin-Williams. Bryn is currently at- ington in Seattle, because of the quality of their nursing tending Seattle University’s College of Nursing and the school, and initially she was a pre-nursing major, but ministers have planned a variety-show style fundraiser to she was not offered admission into the nursing school. help cover her educational expenses. “Though this was an unexpected setback,” she said, “I prayed and decided to obtain my Bachelor of Science de- The program, which will be emceed by Pastor Happy gree in Public Health, becoming the first in my family to Watkins of New Hope Baptist Church is scheduled for graduate college.” Bryn’s choice of Public Health was a Sunday, February 21 from 4-6pm at Holy Temple strategic one, she says, “because I knew that this would Church of God in Christ (806 W Indiana Ave, Spo- be an asset in helping me to be more attuned to providing kane, WA 99205) and the community is encouraged to well-rounded, holistic care as a nurse.” Bryn also coupled come and show their support. her Public Health degree with a minor in Spanish, “be- Bryn’s story is an inspirational one, which is why so cause I wanted to expand my capacity to serve diverse many people are coming together to offer their support. patient populations.” For as long as she can remember, Bryn Martin-Williams has always wanted to be a nurse. It has always been her After graduation from college, Bryn worked as a barista dream. In fact, Bryn says, “it’s almost as if being a nurse at Starbucks in Seattle Children’s Hospital, until she was is ingrained in my DNA,” and she has been doing every- able to secure a CNA position in the Acute Care Float thing in her power to make that dream a reality. But de- Pool before transferring to the Emergency Department spite our best efforts, sometimes, dreams can be elusive as a CNA/Technician. Last year Bryns’ determination to things, as evidenced by Bryn’s post on the fundraising attend nursing school paid off, and she was admitted into website gofundme.com, that her friends convinced her to Seattle University’s College of Nursing, class of 2017. It was Bryn’s story and her detrmination to perservere, set up. that touched the Spokane ministers, and many others in Bryn’s dream, however, is not a free one, and in order “Unfortunately, I have come to another road block in my the Spokane community. to cover the expenses for her current quarter of school, journey,” she wrote. “I have searched and explored all op- Bryn needs to raise $5,000 by March. She is currently at “I was raised in a single-parent household: my mother, tions proposed: scholarships, private loans (I do not have $3,500. The Spokane Chapter of the Links, Inc, have al- my older sister, and I,” she shared. “We were regular a co-signer), financial aid (I do not qualify due to being a ready pitched in. Moved by Bryn’s story, they used their Sunday church attenders and actively involved at Holy post-baccalaureate student), and speaking with the nurs- annual Christmas Giving project to raise $1,200 in one Temple C.O.G.I.C. As a young girl in elementary school ing department and financial aid office.” She continued, night. Now the minister’s have decided to help as well. I received many academic excellence awards, Student of “it is now clear that I won’t be able to get the necessary the Month, and made the Honor Roll. In middle school, “Despite facing adversity along my journey,” Bryn says, resources through the avenues I have attempted thus far.” I participated in sports and became Vice President of the “prayer and belief in God’s plan for my life, and my com- After a lot of thought and frustration, Bryn said, “and ASB (Associated Student Body). In my senior year, I mitment to this profession has remained steadfast. In fact, quite a bit of nudging from my peers,” she decided to began the running start program at Eastern Washington these experiences have only intensified my drive and be- share her story and to ask for help. From her community. University.” lief that nursing is my calling.” It takes a village! Page 10 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane PEOPLE SERVICES OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS MLK EVENTS LAUNCH MLK CAPITOL CAMPAIGN

The Martin Luther King Jr. commemora- tive events, attended by hundreds in Spo- kane each year, held a dual purpose this year. In addition to celebrating and pay- ing a much deserved tribute to Dr. King for his lifework and accomplishments, the Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Spo- kane Minister’s Fellowship, the Communi- ty Celebration, which was held at Morning Star Baptist Church, and the annual MLK March and Resource Fair, were all a part of the kick-off of the capitol campaign for the the Martin Luther King Family Re- source Center.

Photo Credit: Dennis Mitchell The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 11 PEOPLE SERVICES OUR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS OPERATION HEALTHY FAMILY OHF Partners with Catholic Charities to Offer Dental Care Operation Healthy Family (OHF) business.” But they emphasize, Dental Access to low income is a 501(c)(3) faith-based non- that while their mission is rooted Medicaid patients. The Dental profit organization serving Spo- in their faith, OHF provides ser- Access Partnership (DAP) Clinic kane’s lowest income neighbor- vices to all community members is designed to increase access to hoods. Husband and wife team, regardless of their faith back- affordable, high-quality restor- Tommy and Paula Williams, ground.” ative dental care in a dignified co-founded OHF in 2010 because OHF programs include Reactor setting. The DAP Clinic model they felt “inspired by their faith Nation, which focuses on bul- integrates OHF’s dental care team and their passion for social jus- lying prevention; Brush for the (Hygienists and Expanded Func- tice to use their gifts and talents to Future, which is a school based tion Dental Auxiliaries) with pri- strengthen our community’s most Oral Health Education program vate dentists, providing time-con- vulnerable youth and families.” with a student leadership focus; suming restorative services in a cost-effective manner. Their mission, they say, “is to Dental Access Partnership honor God, follow Christ, and Clinic, which is a partnership Catholic Charities funded a small serve our community by offering with local private dentists and scale pilot that partially covered support, services, and programs creative funders to offer dental the costs of OHF’s dental care ter, the Bridges Project, House and access to the needed services. that strengthen the family unit access to the community; and the team for six clinic days. Patients of Charity, as well as residents The DAP model lessens the fi- through collaboration and part- Ballers Basketball Club were identified from Catholic of Catholic Charities’ affordable nancial burden placed on the den- nerships with other like-minded Recently, OHF partnered with Charities’ clients, including peo- housing apartments. Thirty-two tist by reducing staffing costs by nonprofit organizations and local Catholic Charities to expand ple served by St. Margaret’s Shel- patients received exams, x-rays, bringing in an outside care team diagnostics, and comprehensive that is paid for through creative dental plans. funding sources, (i.e., churches, Each person served through the foundations, etc.). pilot program needed a different But despite its promise, the is- care plan to fulfill the goal of re- sue for OHF, as it is with most storing teeth and supporting over- non-profit organizations, no mat- all health. ter how effective their programs, The cost of restoring teeth is high, is identifying a sustainable source but the impacts are equally high. of funding. Operation Healthy For example, restoring people’s Family is in the process of apply- smiles can mean the difference ing for a Medicaid Waiver, to be between them working or being issued in the state of Washington, unemployed. that will help fund the Dental Ac- cess Partnership Clinic and will The model that OHF uses in their help sustain and duplicate the Dental Access Partnership is in- program in other communities. novative and promising, in that it For more information about Opera- addresses both the cost of dental tion Healthy Family and DAP, visit care, which can be prohibitive, http://www.ohfspokane.org.

Non-ProfitBRIMO’S Started to Bring STORY Water to Village (Excerpts from From My Life the other side of the river, a huge Journey by Brimo Nyinkuany) crocodile showed up and came As a young boy I grew up on a very close to our boat. I could farm in South Sudan with four have even touched it with my siblings. At the age of 13, I nev- hand. As our boat was approach- er thought my family would be ing the river bank, we were again caught up in religious and politi- attacked, this time by two male cal wars, and separated for years. hippopotami. They were trying But it happened in the summer to capsize our boat by making of 1987, when Sudan Islamic a huge water surge and I almost government troops attacked our jumped in the water, but the fish- killed some, while others died of erman yelled “don’t move,” and villages and killed many people, thirst and diseases. burned houses, and kidnapped he started striking them with his children. However, I kept going and after paddle. It was a terrifying mo- we passed the wildest jungle, ment. I fled to a neighboring country to we faced hungry crocodiles and The long journey to the refugee seek refuge. However, to reach hippopotamus in the Nile River. camp was dangerous and death the refugee camp, I had to walk I was terrified because I was too defying. My only sustenance was a long distance on foot for three young and weak to swim. The first fruit and water. I was hungry, months. group decided to swim across, thirsty and exhausted, and I came My journey took me through and as soon as they jumped into to the point that I didn’t even feel deep mountain valleys, rivers and the river, they were attacked by like proceeding, but I kept going. desert regions. We went through crocodiles and hippos, and many I was determined to overcome the valleys of Mt. Tumorous with people were killed. Others were the present situation that would cliffs of 120 feet elevation on swept away by the strong current consume my life and threaten my both sides. and drowned. existence. The journey taught me Along the way I encountered Luckily, we were rescued by a the true meaning of commitment, many dangerous species of ani- local fisherman, who was fishing determination, and that if you be- mals, such as crocodiles, hippo- nearby. He let us enter his boat lieve in something enough, it is potamus, lions and tigers. I saw and started paddling away. While possible to achieve it. many people drown, and animals the fisherman was paddling us to Continued on page 13 Page 12 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane IN THE SPIRIT

REVERENDSpokane Minister’s W FellowshipALTER Elects KENDRICKS New President In December, Reverend Walter J. Kendricks, Pas- Spokane. “We are appalled by the suspension rates tor of Morning Star Baptist Church, was elected the for children of color in our local school system. We new President of the Spokane Minister’s Fellowship. are disappointed by the lack of diversity amongst Kendricks replaces Rev. Roberta Wilburn, who made teachers and staff in that same school system. We are history when she was elected the first woman Presi- concerned about the interactions between members dent of the Minister’s Fellowship. of our community and local police, and by the treat- ment that people of color receive within the criminal The Fellowship, which meets monthly at the Em- justice system. We seek to improve and increase op- manual Family Life Center and represents fifteen portunities for minority candidates in city and county local churches, is a gathering of Christian ministers, employment.” mostly (but not exclusively) African American, that exists, Rev. Kendricks says, “to unite Spokane area “We ask not for anything to be given to us,” he add- Pastors and Ministers for the purpose of support, ed, “we ask only that we be treated the same as others fellowship, understanding, and goodwill among and and that we are offered the same opportunities as oth- between Churches of all denominations.” ers for life, liberty, and happiness.” Rev. Kendricks, who has been Morning Star’s Pastor Rev. Kendricks, a transplant to Spokane, was born since 2013, is emphasizing the “uniting” part of the in Lorain Ohio, 20 miles west of Cleveland. He was Fellowship’s mission as he steps into his new role a PC (a preacher’s kid). His father was a Pastor, and as President, stating that his goals and vision for the his mother, a home maker. In high school, Kendricks Fellowship and for the Black community are one and sang the choir and was Senior Class President, be- the same, “to unite the African American community fore graduating from Clearview High in 1974. He in Spokane so that we speak with a single message, worked for United Airlines and traveled around teh even though that message may come from various country before being called by GOD into Ministry people and organizations within the community, our and licensed to preach in 1994. He was ordained in message is the same.” 1997 for prison ministry by Rev. Dr. Leon C. Jones (now deceased), and served as Associate Minister at The single message that Rev. Kendricks is talking Eastside Baptist Church of Tacoma, WA, until being about, is that “our community will no longer be ig- called by GOD again to Pastor Morning Star in No- nored and marginalized by those in authority. We vember of 2013. seek justice and honesty for our community in all facets of life, with a focus on education for our chil- In describing himself, Rev. Kendricks offered, “I’m The other officers elected by the Spokane Minster’s Fellowship in dren,” The vision of the Minister’s Fellowship, he another Man who has first heard the call of GOD, December were Vice President Donnie Stone, Secretary Dycelia adds, “is to improve the quality of life for all those then answered his call to serve first Him, and then Weiss, Treasurer Luke Jasmin and Chaplain Delories Shack. For whom we serve.” His people with all I have to give him.” He says that he sums up his calling in the words of a song; “I give more information about the Spokane Minister’s Fellowship or to The Fellowship, Kendricks says, is interested in myself away, I give myself away, I give myself away, reach Reverend Kendricks, contact Morning Star Baptist Church at the issues that are impacting African Americans in so you can use me”. (509) 534-4878. WORD OF FAITH CELEBRATES NEW CHURCH Because of the faith of his people, God has opened a new door Pastor Otis Manning Words of encouragement were offered to Pastor and the congregation Otis Manning and his congregation by Superinten- of the Word of Faith dent Ezra Kinlow of Holy Temple Church of God Christian Center were in Christ, Pastor Lonnie Mitchell of Bethel A.M.E. joined by the Spokane Church and Rev. Walter Kendricks of Morning Star church community Baptist Church. on Sunday, January Spokane NAACP President Naima Quarles-Burn- 9, as they officially ley also joined the celebration by presenting Pastor celebrated moving Manning with a Community Partner Award for the into their new church important educational work that he is doing with space, located at 9212 his television ministry, Living By Faith. Pastor E. Montgomery Av- Manning’s televsion audience was also included in enue, Building 402, the celebration as he broadcast his sermon to his Suite 400. viewers, sharing the message, “All you need is a Pastor Otis Manning and The lively celebra- word from God.” First Lady Jaretta Manning tion featured praise Congratulations to Pastor and First Lady Manning and worship from Word of Faith’s Voices of Faith, and the Word of Faith congregation on this and followed by musical selections from Whitworth many more blessings to come. University’s Exceptional Praise Team, the Holy For more information about Word of Faith Christian Cen- Temple Church of God in Christ Choir, and the ter or to contact Pastor Manning call 509-891-5253 or Morning Star Baptist Church Choir. visit www.wordoffaithspokane.org. Photo Courtesy: The Talent of Memories, Min. Robert Lee Robinson Jr. The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 13 THOUGHTS FROM A GRANDMOTHER The month of February was chosen because I am in agreement with Mr. Woodson who it coincided with the birthday of Abraham also condended that the teaching of Black What Do You Lincoln on February 12 and Frederick history was essential to ensure the physical Douglass on February 14. Both are dates and intellectual survival of the race within Really Know which Black communities have celebrated a broader society. together since the 19th century. Forty-three years later the expansion of About Black The first Negro History week was met Negro History Week to Black History with a lukewarm response. Despite this far Month was first proposed by the leaders of from universal acceptance, the event was the Black United Students in Ohio, at Kent History Month regarded by Woodson as “one of the most State University in February 1969. The By Evelyn Anderton fortunate steps ever taken by the Associa- first celebration of Black History Month tion for the Study of Negro Life and Histo- took place at Kent State one year later in What do you really know about Black His- ry” and he planned for a repeat of the event February 1970. tory Month? During my research for this on an annual basis. Finally In 1976, as part of the United States article, I realized just how little I knew. Bicentennial, the expansion of Negro His- Here are a few details I would like to share. Woodson also believed that “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it tory Week to Black History Month was fi- Even though Blacks have been in America becomes a negligible factor in the thought nally officially recognized by the US gov- at least as far back as colonial times, it was of the world and it stands in danger of be- ernment. President Gerald Ford spoke in not until the 20th century that they gained ing exterminated.” regards to this urging Americans to “Seize Black History Month still today sparks a a respectable presence in the history books. the opportunity to honor the too often ne- debate about the continued usefulness and A historian named Carter G Woodson and The Black churches and Black press glected accomplishments of Black Ameri- fairness of a designated month dedicated to the Association for the Study of Negro Life played a significant role in the distribution cans in every area of endeavor throughout the history of one race. However, I person- and History announced the second week of of literature in association with Negro His- our History”. Black History month is also ally believe that Black History is American February to be “Negro History week” in tory Week and the Black press aided in the an annual observance in Canada in Febru- History and let’s just celebrate it for twelve 1926. publicity effort. ary and in the United Kingdom in October. months.

BLACK PARATROOPERS BRIMO’S STORY Continued from Page 11 Continued From 3 Upon reaching my first refugee mination came from thinking Initiative, a 501c3 non-profit camp called Panyido in Ethio- about where I had come from organiztion that is focused on Total fire jumps 460-470 with an average of38 pia, I discovered the conditions and what I hoped for in the future. providing sustainable, clean jumpers per fire. were extremely horrible. Peo- drinking water to communities Regardless, of the sad and aw- Unfortunately, the first smokejumper to die on a ple suffered from poor hygiene, in South Sudan Africa. ful experienced I have had, I fire jump was a member of the 555th Triple Nick- unhealthy sanitation and food never loss hope simply because The organization, which is le. PFC Malvin L. Brown was a trained combat shortages. The main cause was I am a lifelong learner. With named Koyom after Brumo’s medic. He died on a fire jump near Lemon Butte in dirty water and lack of med- the Umpqua mountain range, 38 miles northeast of the little knowledge I gained in home village, has a goal of icine in the clinic. As a result, Roseburg. Over their six months on fire duty, more the refugee camp, it opened my raising $105,000 to build eight there was a cholera outbreak than 30 Triple Nickle suffered injuries--broken leg way to get a chance to apply for wells, and Brimo is on his way and many people died. above the knee, dislocated knees, crushed chest and resettlement to United States of to Africa to survey exactly what a spinal fracture. PFC Malvin Brown is listed as Killed in Action. Two days after VJ Day, September The bad conditions forced America, and one year later I needs to be done over the next 2, 1945, the 555th were busy suppressing a fire south of Spokane in Whit- many refugees to flee the camp. was allowed to resettle in Wash- year in order to drill their first man County, WA. I was able to withstand the sit- ington State. well by February of 2017. uation for four years. However, When bombs rained down on Pearl Harbor the Nation and the military were Currently, I am attending col- In addition to providing clean four years later, we were forced both racially segregated. Black troops like the 555th served in all black lege and working part time at water, the Kyom Initiative also again to move back inside Su- units led by white officers and black troops fought wars on multiple fronts. the same time. As I grew up and plans to provide mosquito nets They lived and served under Jim Crow laws prevalent throughout the coun- dan due to a war between the spent half of my entire adult life and water purification tab- try and fought racist and racism both in society and inside the military. The government of Ethiopia and in the refugee camp, I realized lets, to raise awareness about military records involving the men and the mission of the Triple Nickle and the rebels. We traveled another that education would be my re- hygiene and sanitation, and Operation Firefly were only declassified by request in 2014. Their stories thousand miles to Kenya to the and experiences during the 1945 fire season in the PNW involves much demption. As a result of my life provide community programs Kakuma refugee camp. more than the space here allows. Theirs is a story of race, racism, patrio- experiences, I have developed highlighting basic issues related tism and undaunted courage. Their story is our story. Life was not that easy in the into a courageous, determined to water quality. camp. People were very hostile and proud individual. Robert L. “Bob” Bartlett PhD is a Senior Lecturer at Eastern Washington Uni- For more information or to make a to each other. I guess it is our versity in the Sociology and Justice Study’s Department and a member of Human- Koyom Sanitary and Hy- donation contact Koyom Sanitary human nature that if you don’t and Hygienic Initiative 509-323- ities Washington’s Speakers Bureau. He is a member of The 555th Triple Nickle gienic Initiative 0272, [email protected] or on Association and the National Smokejumpers Association. Bob can be reached at know each other, we fight, but Facebook at koyominitiative. The 509.710.4937, at [email protected] or through the Humanities Washington Speak- I knew I was in the camp for a In 2012 Brumo founded the website koyominitiative.org is cur- ers Bureau. reason. My courage and deter- Koyom Sanitary and Hygienic rently being revised. DR. FRANCES CRESS WELSING March 18, 1935 - January 2, 2016 By Romeal Watson tility and aggression” towards people of color. Renowned psychiatrist, race The essay created so much con- theorist, and author of the troversy (among both Black 1991 book, “The Isis Papers: and White administrators) that The Keys to the Colors”, Howard stripped her of tenure died on January 2nd due to a in 1975. stroke. Since then, she spent over 20 In 1962, Dr. Welsing gradu- years as a physician for the U.S. ated from Howard University Department of Human Services with her M.D from the Col- in Washington, D.C., specializ- lege of Medicine, specializ- ing in child psychiatry. In ad- ing in pediatrics. She shook dition, she traveled the world, the world of behavioral sci- studying the origins of white ences with her 1970 essay supremacy from a psychologi- “The Cress Theory of Col- cal and biological perspective. or-Confrontation and Rac- ism (White Supremacy)”, Welsing is best known for her in which she explained how 1991 book, “The Isis Papers”, the “numerical shortage” and which many Black leaders and “genetic recessiveness,” of the white population social theorist still reference today. And to that I may have created “an uncontrollable sense of hos- say: Rest well Dr. Welsing, we’ll take it from here. Page 14 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane business/economics FINANCE 101: Discovering Your Financial Fingerprint Dycelia Weiss is a wife, a mother, and a grandmother. She shops and seminars in the community, where she focuses has been a resident of Spokane for eleven years and “a on teaching the cognitive development of our financial de- servant of God for thirty years.” Dycelia is also a Christian cision making. For example: What is your earliest memo- Financial Educator. ry surrounding money? How was money modeled in your life? “Even in this time of unprecedented access to informa- tion,” Dycelia says, “there remains a lack of financial The answers to these questions can have an impact on how knowledge amongst individuals and families.” As a result, we view and handle our money, and learning the answers Dycelia is focused on helping her clients understand “fun- to these questions, and others like them, which is some- damental financial concepts that will give them the foun- thing that is rarely discussed in the Black community, is dation to create a sound financial strategy so they can build a part of Dycelia’s monthly workshops, called: Finance a better tomorrow for themselves and for their loved ones.” 101: Discovering Your Financial Fingerprint. The work- shops, Dycelia says, are an opportunity, “to enjoy an eve- Dycelia is an independent associate with World Financial ning of fun as we discover your Financial Fingerprint and Group, Inc. (WFG), which is a national financial services learn what financial impression has been left on you.” It’s marketing company with associates throughout the Unit- a first steps towards economic empowerment and wealth ed States, that strives to help individuals and families that building. The workshop cost is $10 and seating is limited. are often overlooked by the financial services industry. As an associate with WFG, Dycelia educates individuals and Upcoming Workshops: families on financial concepts, and offers financial prod- 2nd Monday from March-June (3/14, 4/11, 5/9, & 6/13) ucts and solutions, including life and health insurance. Ad- 5:30-6:30pm ditionally, Dycelia is able to introduce interested entrepre- Emmanuel Family Life Center, 631 Richard Allen Ct. neurs to the WFG business opportunity. 3rd Monday from January-March (1/18, 2/15, 3/21) An entrepreneur herself, Dycelia started her own business 6-7pm in 2013, founding Weiss Financial Consulting, something Heritage Home Loans , 1227 N Argonne Rd. she says, “has opened a whole new world to me.” As a part For more information or to register contact Dycelia Weiss at 509- of her business, Dycelia offers monthly interactive work- 327-0165 or [email protected] ELEVEN STEPS TO BETTER MONEY MANAGEMENT By Eric Easter, Urban News Service (www.urbannewsservicecom) to make better use of your valu- that trip you really wanted to go policies a while ago, but do they Savings, bills, plans and bud- able time. on, celebrate! Looking at the big adequately protect the life you gets. These things rarely appear picture can be overwhelming and live now? After that, check to see Audit Your Lifestyle on Yuletide shopping lists. Yet sometimes prevent you from rec- whether there are new deals or How we live determines how the days and weeks after Christ- ognizing small steps you’ve made new products that will save you much we spend. So, how much mas and into the New Year often toward your goals. money on your premiums while does your daily lifestyle contrib- yield a frightening wake-up call. giving the same protection. ute to your financial health? Do Add Your Financial Goals to For many people, getting their fi- you really need cable TV? Has Your Regular “To-Do List” Review nances in order is second only to eating out become a daily occur- Many people put these things on If you’re a more experienced in- losing weight among their New rence? Do you really need to go separate lists. Write your financial vestor, review your portfolio to Year’s resolutions to brunch every Sunday? Do you goals down and put them on your make changes that reflect new But as with dropping those have more invested in shoes than list of things to do every day as a business trends or the current eco- pounds, somehow watching those stock? One of the easiest ways to reminder of what you’re working nomic environment. Technology, dollars and cents rarely happens. keep money in your pockets is to is creating multiple streams of toward. especially, is changing rapidly. Fortunately, experts say, it’s nev- stop finding ways for it to leave in income. Consider committing Guy-Max Delphin is the CEO Do you think the same way about er too late to start improving your the first place. to finding new ways to put your and president of Delphin Invest- the industries you invested in as financial health. This is as much you did when you first invested? Go Automated money to work so it can be fruit- ments, a hedge fund management about changing the way you think Three words: automatic savings ful and multiply. company based in New York that Plan for the Worst about money as adjusting your plan. One of the most effective focuses on balanced investment Nobody wants to think about saving or spending habits. Popular writers about money ways to save (and invest) mon- — such as Robert Kiyosaki, Mi- strategies. Here are his words of dying, but the major difference Urban News Service asked lead- ey is by opening an account and chelle Singletary and Napoleon financial wisdom: between wealth in the black com- ing authorities Ben Carter and setting automatic debits to put Hill — are popular because their Have a Money “Vision” munity today and that of other Guy-Max Delphin how readers money away in a separate savings strategies are sound. Reading If you’re a small investor, be a communities has almost every- can dedicate 2016 to bolstering (or investment) account you don’t gives you the opportunity to see contrarian. It can be hard not thing to do with what we leave their personal finances. Ben Car- look at often. The day after pay- your life, your goals and your to follow the crowd around the behind for the next generation. ter is the host and producer of day, a portion of your automatic finances through an alternative water cooler, especially in good Make a will or review the one you Manage Your Damn Money, a deposit should be headed to this lens. Apply the strategies and times. But if everybody is talking have and make sure your wishes YouTube series designed to help separate account to ensure con- shifts in thinking that align with about a stock, chances are you’re are very clear about the manage- millennials make personal eco- sistency and saving of the largest your perspective and are likely too late. Have a unique vision ment of your money and belong- nomics a part of their culture. percentage of your income possi- to have a positive impact on your for how you want to invest that ings. Here is what he advises: ble. This trains you to get com- pockets. matches what you believe in. If Watch Financial Television fortable with living on only a por- Budget Your Time First you’re relatively new to invest- tion of your income and makes Celebrate Small Victories (But Only Sometimes) Consider places where you’ve ing, a conservative strategy that saving a task you don’t have to Take a weekend to get all your In general, you should avoid been wasteful with your time, en- minimizes your risk is always think about. online accounts and account taking investment advice from ergy and resources, not just your statements in one place and take best. Then make small-size in- a TV pundit. But channels such money. Often, life can overtake Learn More/Read More a look at your victories — mon- vestments to limit short-term as CNBC can be very helpful in us with things we’re not obligat- It sounds like a no-brainer, but ey you’ve earned, saved and in- pain. Don’t bet the farm. learning the lingo of Wall Street, ed to deal with, pay for or spend finance confuses some people vested, or goals you’ve met in the Adjust Your Plans for “Right stocks and finance and new devel- time on. Ultimately, in one way so much that even reading about past year. If you’ve made contri- Now” opments in business and finance. or another, that costs you money. it feels like a chore. Commit to butions to your 401(k) at work, Review and re-evaluate all of That comfort can go a long way to Take the time to consider what learning something more about celebrate! If you were able to pay your insurance policies — home- making it easier to discuss money mundane tasks might be avoid- how to make your money grow. off that nagging debt, celebrate! owners, auto, rental, life and and planning with a spouse, your able and how you might be able The true key to building wealth If you were able to save $750 for health. You may have started the family or a financial adviser. The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 15 ART & ENTERTAINMENT POETRY RISING ON THE NORTHSIDE With Stephen Pitters The Barnes and Noble Bookstore Social Work and Public Health and eventually moved on to the trum- on the first floor of the pet and was playing the Northtown Mall was the saxaphone by the age of unlikely location for a twelve. In addition to spoken word and jazz the saxaphone, Jermaine event on Wednesday, also plays the trumpet, January 20. Normally the flute, drums and per- a quiet space to browse cussion, and he is learn- newly released best sell- ing to play the piano. ers, Barnes and Nobles Jermaine shares his customers and invited love of music through guests, were instead his work with Ready 2 treated to the wonderful Servie Ministries in the mixture of poetry and Spokane Valley, where the melodious sounds of he does outreach on Sun- the jazz saxaphone. days. A standing room only With the success of his crowd, as well as sev- first Poetry and Music event, Stephen eral passersby who were drawn in by has a teaching certificate from -Gon Pitters is looking forward to the re- music, joined Spokane poet Stephen zaga University. He has published maining installments which will take Pitters and jazz musician Jermaine three manuscripts, “BRIDGES OF place every other month throughout Carlton for the first in a series of po- VISIONS”, “WALKS THROUGH 2016, all at the Barnes and Nobles etry and music events that Pitters has THE MIND” and “CURRENCIES in the Northtown Mall, 4750 N Di- put together to share his love of poetry OF LIFE- ENLISTED BEHAVIOR, ” vision St, Spokane. The dates for and of music with the Spokane com- and is currently working on a fourth, the upcoming events are 3/16, 5/18, munity. “CONVERSATION ON AN AL- 7/20, 9/21 and 11/16, and will feature TERED ROADWAY,” which he read Stephen Pitters began writing poetry a variety of poets and musicians. in a high school English class and kept excerpts from. writing because he “liked words and For more information about this event or Jermaine Carlton, who spends his the KYRS radio show Spokane Open Poet- how they sounded when they were put time travelling between Spokane and ry, contact Stephen Pitters at 509-979-0671 togehter.” He is a well known local Europe to visit family and perform, or [email protected]. Jermaine poet and host of the KYRS radio pro- is a local jazz musician, who started Carlton can be reached at 509-979-6347 gram, Spokane Open Poetry Program, playing the drums at the age of four, or [email protected] or for event in- holds Master’s degrees in Clinical which he says was his first love. He formation you can find him on Facebook. YORK See Lewis and Clark’s famous expedition from the eyes of its only Black member.

In celebration of Black History Month, David Casteal brings us the story of York, Lewis and Clark’s personal man- servant and slave during their famed expedition.

The plan follows York as he travels with Lewis and Clark’s historic expedition and grows from a young slave to an outgoing frontiersman and archetypal Black American. Written by David Casteal and Bryan Harnetiaux and directed by Susan Hardie, this performance features authen- tic African drumming by David Casteal, who portrays York. FEBRUARY 11-13 The Modern Theater Coeur D’Alene 1320 E Garden Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, (208) 676-7529 FEBRUARY 27-28 Spokane Civic Theatre (Firth Chew Studio Theatre) 1020 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201, (509) 325-2507 Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at http://themodernnews.org/2015/12/07/york/#more-3569. Page 16 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane OUR VOICES OSCAR BOYCOTT SPOKANES TAMIR RICE RESPONSE Continued from page 1 racial violence in the United States and the Black America, it’s time to Reflections track record and developments in our local flip the script and call on by Jaclyn Archer criminal justice system. white Hollywood’s liberal Nationwide, Black males made up 40 percent actors to show some solidar- I was on Christmas vacation, staying with my of the nearly 1,000 unarmed people shot by ity with their darker-skinned parents when I heard the news that no one law-enforcement in 2015, despite comprising counterparts and just stay would be indicted for the murder of Tamir only 6 percent of the U.S. population. With home. Rice, a twelve-year-old boy who was shot the stream of controversy currently facing the down by police officers in a Cleveland park. It White Hollywood needs to Spokane Police Department, it’s no surprise sit this one out. Them not was December 28, and the news rippled across that the Spokane area conforms to the trends social media as people registered their shock, being there is a much louder of racial bias in its policing and criminal jus- and more sincere statement that despite the clear dishonesty of the officers tice system. As Quarles-Burnley pointed out, involved and the video evidence proving that than their attending and say- Blacks interact with police at six times the rate ing something political in Rice had been given little to no warning, there of their community representation in Spokane. would be no justice for the grieving family left their speech about the lack behind. Within minutes of seeing the news I The SPD is currently facing a crisis of public of blacks as they accept their was in contact with Liz Moore, director of the confidence and management, as the mayoral award in their fancy clothes Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane. leadership of David Condon has been called and jewels and exit stage left We both agreed that it was important for us to into question due to the recent scandal involv- to do media interviews. could see our breath in the air as we chanted, ing allegations of sexual assault involving his do something. Sharpton and others who some of us alternated gloveless hands in and hand-picked police chief. With subsequent want to get the attention Liz believed it was important to stage a public out of pockets as we continued to hold our misconduct by members of the SPD and on- of the Academy’s voting act of solidarity that would promote the visi- signs aloft. going hearings by the Spokane Ethics Com- members and create change bility of those who care about police violence mission, it is reasonable to wonder whether We were college students, activists, organiz- would do better by affect- in the Spokane area, and draw attention to the Spokane’s most marginalized and vulnerable ers, and community members; diverse in race ing the Oscars’ ability to issue of police violence against people of col- populations can or even should place their as well as age, gender, and stage of life. Many generate revenue with the or. “It’s easy to feel invisible here,” she said, trust in an institution that locally, and histori- of us had never been acquainted before, but we annual broadcast. If the Os- “demonstrations let people know we are here.” cally, has proven itself hostile to their interests. had joined together for one common purpose: cars don’t have A-list actors I wanted to promote education about the events to proclaim, loudly and publicly, that Black However, the education I received from lead- on that red carpet and in the surrounding Tamir Rice’s death, and examine lives matter, and to express our outrage that ers and organizers on January 12 was compel- audience, nobody — black, the history of state sponsored violence against a black boy may be executed without trial for ling not because of what I learned of injustice, white, Latino, Asian, or people color both in the United States and in the crime of behaving like a careless child. but what I learned about the willingness and otherwise — will be watch- Spokane in particular. So we combined our The energy was high, even though many of us dedication of Spokane community members. ing. Maybe, just maybe, the ideas, and our efforts, and brought our organi- had never been involved in a public demon- Many organizations, including PJALS, Spo- Academy’s mostly white and zations into cooperation. stration before. As the cars rumbled by there kane Police Accountability and Reform Coa- male voting bloc that didn’t On January 12, the Black Student Union of were honks of support, and a few drivers who lition, Greater Spokane Progress, Smart Jus- see any nomination-wor- EWU, for which I am the Community Rela- yelled insults or argument, but most frequent, tice Spokane, Center for Justice, the NAACP, thy performances by Afri- tions Officer, the Peace and Justice Action on the corner I stood on, was a look of discom- along with racial equity workers installed in can-Americans in 2015 will League of Spokane, and the NAACP of Spo- fort from the drivers I made eye contact with. our local government are working to improve see something wrong with kane joined together to hold signs during rush The discomfort was by no means uniform. Spokane’s policing and criminal justice sys- that picture. hour on the corners of Division and Main, and Some drivers seemed discomforted by my tems so that the next violent tragedy doesn’t Main and Brown. presence, others seemed troubled and pensive, happen here. Meanwhile, any community Sometimes being an ally means actually having to do Between fifty or sixty of us spread out between others were moved. member can join local activists, or help in- fluence the process of selecting a new police something. It’s time for an intersections and held signs during the evening It is a testament to the passion of the social Oscars with no whites. rush hour bearing the declaration “Black Lives justice and pro-Black communities in Spo- chief at [email protected]. Matter,” the names of police violence victims, kane that we stood in the cold for over an We cannot bring back those we have lost. We Jasmyne Cannick is a social commentator and opinion writ- and other anti-violence slogans. We crossed hour. Sometime after six we adjourned to the cannot reclaim the stolen potential of Tamir er, featured in the Los Angeles the street with every corresponding green Community Building for the educational por- Rice, or any of the other hundreds of lives Times, Chicago Sun Times, Los light, turning our signs towards the cars wait- tion of the evening. NAACP President Naima claimed by police violence. But we can decide Angeles Daily News, and Ebony ing for their turn, some protestors wove their Quarles-Burnley, EWU Africana Studies pro- what kind of community we want to live in, Magazine. Ms. Cannick’s blog is way through the idling vehicles in an effort to fessor Dr. Okera Nsombi, and Liz Moore gave and invest our time into making that commu- located at http://www.jasmynea- cannick.com/blog. confront as many sets of eyes as possible. We presentations on the history of state-sponsored nity a reality. RISE By Ron Smalls ( a guy from a little town called Philadelphia) My daughter and I are new to Spokane and Washing- So as we remember all of those that we have lost in the ton for that matter. Spokane has that small town feel, struggle, all of the fallen, let’s rise. As you read this sit- with just a touch of the city for good measure. Yeah ting in the barbershop, hair salon, standing in line at the this seems like a good place to raise a child, a child market, sitting at your computer, or as you enjoy a cup that may one day inspire this great nation in which of coffee at your favorite coffee spot, share it with some- we live. one. Let’s rise up and contribute in a positive way becom- ing part of the solution. No longer laying down, standing Recently my daughter and I attended the celebration down, but rising to the challenge, because nothing beats a of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life at the INB Per- failure but a try. forming Arts Center. As my daughter and I enjoyed the festivities, I looked around the room, seeing peo- Don’t just point out a problem, be brave, creative and dar- ple of all ages, races, sexes, and I realized something ing enough, courageous enough to rise to the occasion and that many of you probably already know. For bet- present possible solutions. As I said, like it or not, we are ter or worse we are in this together. What do I mean in this together, it’s in the darkest moments that a light by this? Well let’s just say if you sneeze or cough in shines the brightest. And now more than ever we need that a crowded room someone is likely to catch your cold. One of the speakers said that he believes Martin Luther light to shine brighter than it’s ever shined before. Yes, for better or worse our lives are connected in ways King was a warrior, the Native American gentleman went Shall we unite to rise and become a beacon of hope for that are clearly evident and some not so evident. on to say that “when a warrior falls the people rise and those that shall come after us, while continuing the work Injustice affects all of our lives in one way or another, unite.” I’d like to believe that’s true. That a person can of those that have gone before us? We can make this world but you don’t need me to tell you that. However the have such an impact on a society and its people, that a better place, let’s rise. If not now-- when? If not us-- same can also be true of a positive act, such as com- should that person fall we unite and rise. Let’s rise to meet who? You may say I’m a dreamer but then so was Dr. King ing out to celebrate the life of a man that hoped, no the coming challenges that face us, we can do it, I know and like him I believe it’s possible, and hopefully so do dreamed, of a better world for all people. we can. you. Now lets rise! The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 17 OUR VOICES THE SOURCE OF LIFE By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (TriceEdneyWire.com) — Previously, I’ve written about lable proportion. Simply put, Flint River water was toxic, environmental racism and the untold and unpredictable corrosive and unfit for consumption. impact it’s had/will have on communities of color. Com- In September, Flint’s Hurley Medical Center released a mon to these episodes have been motives of profit and fi- study that found the number of infants and children with nancial gain. Additionally, there’s been a total disregard elevated lead-blood levels had doubled. In high risk areas, for the welfare and humanity of affected communities. it tripled. The impact of this exposure can’t be determined Reflecting on news from Flint, Michigan, I am struck now, but it is estimated that, among those exposed, sig- by the severity and long-term impact of this case of en- nificant learning disabilities will result and the need for vironmental racism. Unless you live under a rock, you special juvenile services will develop. are aware of the callous and systematic poisoning of Flint Instead of a prudent and remedial response to complaints residents over the past eighteen months. and evidence of polluted water, the Snyder administra- tion acted with reckless disregard. Residents were told Typical of the industrial Midwest, Flint is overwhelmingly to “relax” and were assured that, despite the brown color controlled by elected officials affiliated with the - Demo and noxious odor, the water was “safe” to drink. Such cratic Party. The racial make-up of its current population action against Flint’s large African American population is 56.6% African American, 37.4% white, 3.9% Hispanic/ can most assuredly be called GENOCIDE. Latino, and the remainder a mixture of Native American and Asian. 40% of Flint’s population lives below the pov- Water is the source of life. The callous mismanagement erty line. of that essential commodity gives greater meaning to the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” It should also teach African Like its neighbor Detroit, Flint played a major role in the American communities that we are our own best caretak- automotive industry serving as home to Buick and Chev- ers. We cannot continue to put full-faith and trust in gov- rolet. The AC Spark Plug Company also originated in of any laws passed or decisions enacted by duly elected ernment or institutions to do the right thing. Flint. By all measures, Flint flourished because of a robust officials. By 2013, six Michigan cities and almost half of In his 1970 preface to the book, “We Charge Genocide,” auto industry. As the industry declined, companies began the state’s African American population were under emer- Ossie Davis wrote: “We will submit no further to the bru- to consolidate their manufacturing facilities and Flint was gency management. abandoned. Insolvency followed. tal indignities being practiced against us; we will not be This brings us to the decision to change Flint’s water sup- intimidated, and most certainly not eliminated. We claim Uniquely, the Emergency Financial Manager Laws of ply. Prior to April 2014, Flint obtained its public water the ancient right of all peoples, not only to survive un- Michigan allow Republican Governor Rick Snyder to through Detroit’s system sourced from Lake Huron. In hindered, but also to participate as equals in man’s inher- usurp the authority of elected officials of cities in finan- a cost-saving effort to trim $12 Million in annual cost, itance here on earth. We fight to preserve ourselves, to cial insolvency. Almost as an act of racial/political sub- the sitting Emergency Manager decided to obtain water see that the treasured ways of our life-in-common are not jugation, Snyder has used his power to appoint emergen- from the Flint River. Early response to the change and destroyed by brutal men or heedless institutions.” cy managers who have total autonomy over Flint. This current knowledge show the impact upon Flint’s public Dr. E. Faye Williams is National President of the National Con- system allows emergency managers to act independently water supply to be an environmental calamity of incalcu- gress of Black Women, www.nationalcongressbw.org. UNREPRESENTED BY OUR REPRESENTATIVES By James Clingman (TriceEdneyWire.com) - Does it bates? We, the bi-polar electorate, ed by Michael Kors, Azzedine which can be found in 1st Samu- really matter who wins the Pres- have empowered an aristocratic Alaïa, Jason Wu, Barbara Tfank, el, Chapter Eight: idency? How can it matter to class of pompous, self-righteous, Rachel Roy, and Isaac Mizrahi, “This is the way the kind of king Black folks, considering the way lying, condescending, affluent, I must ask if there are any Black [you want] operates. He’ll take we “play” politics? We have no aloof, money-grubbing, narcis- designers’ dresses good enough your sons and make soldiers of power, no leverage, and little or sistic, insincere, unconcerned, yet for the SOTU soiree? them… regimented in battalions no influence in the political- are powerful individuals that many Where does all of this political and squadrons. He’ll put some to na, and even worse it seems we of us hold in high esteem, for rea- high drama leave us? Our un- forced labor on his farms, plow- are reluctant to do what it takes to sons unbeknownst to me. They employment rate is still double ing and harvesting, and others to gain any political clout. So why play with our emotions and draw that of Whites, and we are not making either weapons of war or do we care so much about the up- on our sympathies, the result of creating jobs. Our health is the chariots in which he can ride in coming election? which is a never-ending roller poorest in the nation, especially luxury. He’ll put your daughters Having “played” this political coaster ride. Even sadder is the with illnesses like diabetes, and to work as beauticians and wait- game for more than fifty years fact that many of us believe they we don’t own a dialysis center. resses and cooks. He’ll conscript now, getting thousands of Black will save us. Our education is substandard, and your best fields, vineyards, and folks elected to public office, and All the incumbents and candi- we are not establishing our own orchards and hand them over to even a Black POTUS, we are still dates need are a few nice sound- the other hand, Bernie is courting schools. We are disproportion- his special friends. He’ll tax your far behind and even nonexistent ing phrases to make us think Blacks via his Black lives mat- ately incarcerated, but we are not harvests and vintage to support in serious public policy discourse we are in high cotton. To make ter rhetoric, and Trump is saying selling anything to the prisons. his extensive bureaucracy. Your and legislative initiatives. As we matters worse, Black “leaders” how much Black people love him, Many economic solutions are in prize workers and best animals face yet another “most important once again are telling us to vote, while the other Republican can- our hands. he’ll take for his own use. He’ll election” of our lifetime, what are but they are not in specific dis- didates are reluctant to seriously And here’s a political solution: lay a tax on your flocks and you’ll you willing to do to improve our cussions about who to vote for lobby the Black vote—including “If you want equity, justice, and end up no better than slaves. The political situation in this country? and why. Oh yeah, I forgot; the Uncle Ben. We are merely props equality, you must…become ir- day will come when you will cry Hint: Handwringing won’t help. NAACP is “nonpartisan” (yeah, for a circus act. ritants, become abrasive. Your in desperation because of this right) and cannot endorse or sup- king you so much want for your- Is our political strategy, “I got The day after the SOTU (State political philosophy must be self- port any candidate. How conve- selves. But don’t expect God to plenty of nothing, and nothing is of the Union) many of our peo- ish and pragmatic. You must start nient; and what a joke that is. answer.” - The Message Bible plenty for me”? Or, “You got to ple were more interested in what with the premise that you have no give the people, give the people The vast majority of Black folks Michelle Obama wore than what permanent friends, no permanent Unnerving, isn’t it? what they want”? Do we even are already in the tank for Hil- her husband said—or did not say. enemies, just permanent inter- have a strategy other than listen- lary; anyone can see that. Black She wore a dress originally priced ests.” William “Bill” Clay, U.S. James E. Clingman is the nation’s most ing to flowery words from -poli organizations will feature her at at $2,095, made by Narciso Ro- Representative (Missouri) prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He has written seven ticians and watching them give their conventions, and preachers driguez, a non-Black, gay design- We have set politicians up as books and is featured in newspapers, and speeches and participate in de- will invite her to their pulpits. On er, and we went bonkers. Preced- kings and queens, the price for magazines. http://www.blackonomics.com Page 18 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane

BLACKS AND EDUCATION LORENZO HAYES Continued From Page 7 Continued from Page 1 On their tongues was the name Gabriel Prosser; in their minds were thoughts of what might have happened if Prosser had suc- Marshall, a homeless, African American man, The NAACP statement goes on to say, “while ceeded in leading Virginia slaves in revolt against slavery.” who was taken into custody on November 11, we recognize that the Police and jail staff that on a charge of trespassing, choked on his own transported and booked Lorenzo Hayes into Anti-literacy legislation became even more widespread in the vomit and suffocated while being restrained by the Spokane County Jail will not be criminally South after 1830, again in response to a number of revolts by deputies. He died nine days later when his fami- charged in connection with his death, we raise enslaved Africans, namely those led by Denmark Vesey in 1822, ly took him off life support. The death was ruled the specter of negligence given the result.” Nat Turner in 1831, the publication of David Walker’s Appeal a homicide by the Denver Medical Examiner, published in 1829, and the abolitionist paper, The Liberator, and as in the Lorenzo Hayes case, the Denver Blaine Stum, Chair of the Spokane Human Rights Commission issued a statement as well published by William Lloyd Garrison in 1831. Walker’s Appeal, District Attorney, Mitch Morrissey, announced which called for open rebellion by enslaved Africans and assert- that there would be no criminal charges brought on behalf of the Commission. “We are deeply ed that death was a better option than slavery, caused great fear against the deputies, concluding that “despite concerned about the death of Lorenzo Hayes in the unintended and unfortunate result, the ev- the Spokane County Jail, as well as the three among Whites throughout the South. other deaths that occurred in a relatively short idence would not convince a jury beyond a This 1829 Georgia statute is an example of legislative reaction to reasonable doubt that the force applied to Mr. time span. While the prosecutor declined to file charges related to Hayes’ death, we question Walker’s pamphlet and was designed to prevent literacy develop- Marshall was either “unreasonable” or “inap- ment among the Black population: “If any slave, Negro or Free propriate.”. whether best practices for dealing with people experiencing an opioid overdose were used. We person of color, or any White person, shall teach any other slave, Both Lorenzo Hayes and Michael Marshall have filed a public records request with Spo- Negro, or free person of color to read or write, either written or were considered resistant by jail staff and re- kane County for all documents and files related printed characters, the said free person of color or slave shall be trained by officers in the prone position, which to the case, and will continue to advocate for a punished by fine and whipping or fine or whipping at the discre- is a body position in which one lies flat with more thorough, systemic investigation into jail tion of the court; and if a White person so offends, he, she, or they the chest down and back up. “Experts warn” ac- operations to ensure that deaths such as Hayes shall be punished with a fine not exceeding $500.00 and impris- cording to the Huffington Post article, that “the do not happen again.” common but risky police tactic of restraining onment in the common jail at the discretion of the court.” The Black Lens has also filed public records someone in a prone position can be lethal, espe- An 1830 statute in Alabama stated that “any person or persons cially on those with medical problems and the requests with both the City of Spokane and Spokane County and is joined by the Spokane who shall attempt to teach any free person of color or slave to mentally ill, whose distress is sometimes con- spell, read, or write, shall upon conviction…be fined in a sum of fused with resistance.” NAACP in requesting the release of the follow- ing information: Spokane County Medical Ex- not less than $250, nor more than $500.” The article continues, stating that “the Justice aminers’ Report; SIRR (Spokane Investigative Within the community of enslaved Africans, or “quarter commu- Department has long warned officers about Regional Response) Team Investigation Docu- the dangers of ‘positional asphyxia’, or death ments and Report; Spokane County Jail video nity,” literate Blacks enjoyed “immeasurable status” because of because someone’s position complicates their footage; Spokane Police Body Camera Foot- their ability to provide information from the outside world. Learn- ability to breathe.” Unfortunately there is no age, in addition to all reports, evaluations, test ing to read helped enslaved Blacks develop a healthier sense of national data on how many people suffocate as results, notes, hospital records, and any other self and helped them deal with the emotional and psychological a result of being restrained face-down, so the ar- related information and documents concerning challenges of chattel enslavement. Thomas Jones, who secretly ticle concludes, “it’s impossible to say whether the arrest, apprehension, booking and subse- learned to read while living under slavery, illustrates this point. use of the tactic has increased.” quent death of Lorenzo Hayes. Jones wrote, “I felt at night, as I went to my rest that I was really But deaths like those of Hayes and Marshall are In addition to adressing the circustances sur- beginning to be a man, preparing myself for a condition in life prompting increasingly vocal calls for Federal rounding the death of Loreanzo Hayes specifi- better and higher and happier than could belong to the ignorant investigations into jail practices and training. cally, the NAACP statement also points out the slave” (italics mine). The Spokane Human Rights Commission, cit- need for comprehensive training and education Ironically, extreme opposition to Black education and literacy led ing the deaths of four individuals, John A. Ever- for police and jail staff, “The Spokane NAACP itt, Lorenzo Hayes, Scott Stevens and Tammy further calls for the immediate implementation Blacks to value it that much more, giving it almost “supernatural Sue Heinen, in Spokane County jail custody of comprehensive training of the County police status.” over a two and a half month period in 2015, sent and the staff of the police department that in- Next in this Series – Part VII : The Southern Experience and a letter to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights cludes: consistent racial bias training and bias the Role of Religion Division in August, stating that the frequency of testing, and use of the findings to determine deaths appeared to indicate systemic issues at hiring, performance evaluations and decisions the jail and asking for an investigation. about where to deploy officers; crisis interven- The Spokane branch of the NAACP has also tion, that includes an understanding of men- expressed concerns. In response to Spokane tal health and substance abuse issues; tactical Prosecutor Lawrence H. Haskell’s decision not de-escalation and minimizing use of force.” to file charges in the death of Lorenzo Hayes, The NAACP statement concludes by saying, a statement posted on the NAACP website by “accountability is important. The Spokane President, Naima Quarles-Burnley, says “the NAACP asserts that despite the determination Spokane NAACP calls for a full and complete of lack of criminal intent in the Hayes case there investigation by the Department of Justice are undeniable issues of grave concern that concerning the circumstances surrounding the must give rise to a Department of Justice inves- death of Lorenzo Hayes and the three other in- tigation when in a six week period four people dividuals who died in police custody from May lose their freedom and their lives in one jail.” 3-July 13, 2015. This goes beyond pointing out blame or laying fault. It is about a review of our The Black Lens will be writing a follow-up arti- system, we need to find out what went wrong cle after the requested public information is re- and identify what we need to change to facili- ceived and reviewed, and will track any progress tate a just system.” in requests for a Federal Investigation of the jail. The Black Lens Spokane www.blacklensnews.com February 2016 Page 19 FEBRUARY events FEBRUARY 11 FEBRUARY 23 SPOKANE HUMAN RIGHTS WHY BLACK COMMISSION: COURAGEOUS PERSPECTIVES MATTER CONVERSATIONS with Dr. Kellie Carter-Jackson The Spokane Human Rights Commission 7pm is sponsoring their second Courageous Dr. Carter-Jackson will take the audi- OPENING Conversations event focusing on home- ence on a historical journey and end lessness in the City of Spokane. What with the modern day exclusion of Black is the current state of homelessness in Perspectives. Spokane? How should we as a commu- Whiworth University nity respond? What solutions should we Weyerhaeuser Hall, Robinson Teaching DOORS support and implement? The meeting is Theatre open to all! 300 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane, WA CONTEMPORARY 5:30-7pm For more information contact: Shawn East Central Community Center L. Washington at 509-777-4330 AFRICAN AMERICAN 500 S Stone St, Spokane FEBRUARY 27 ACADEMIC SURGEONS FEBRUARY 11-13 A NIGHT IN HARLEM YORK The Black Student Union at Gonzaga This banner exhibition celebrates the A Play about Lewis and Clark’s famous University Presents its annual banquet. contributions of African American expedition from the eyes of its only 5:30-8pm Black member. Gonzaga University surgeons and educators to medicine The Modern Theater Coeur D’Alene Cataldo Hall and medical education, and follows 1320 E Garden Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 1200 N. Addison, Spokane the lives of four pioneers in the field. 83814, (208) 676-7529 Tickets: $10 (students); $12 (community); Tickets: $20; $80 per table, contact gonzagabsu@gmail. http://themodernnews.org/2015/12/07/ The exhibit is a collaborative effort U.S. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE york/#more-3569. FEBRUARY 26-27 between the National Library PEACE AND ECONOMIC of Medicine and the Reginald F. FEBRUARY 12 JUSTICE ACTION TRAVELING WORDS AND IMAGES OF Lewis Museum of Maryland African CONFERENCE American History and Culture. BLACKNESS Sponsored by the Peace and Justice The Black Lens is sponsoring its first Action League of Spokane EXHIBIT community event for Black History To register visit: www.pjals.org/ Sponsored by the Diversity Events Month. Join us as community members 2016conference. Subcommittee of WSU Spokane and share their words and art. FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC For more information call 509-838- EWU Spokane. 7pm 7870. Student Academic Center Aunties Bookstore 402 W Main Ave, Spokane Library (Room 230) Cost: Free FEBRUARY 27-28 600 N. Riverpoint Blvd., Spokane YORK FEBRUARY 15 A Play about Lewis and Clark’s famous FEB. 1 – MARCH 11, 2016 expedition from the eyes of its only Sun: 10 AM – 6 PM NAACP TOUR OF WSU Black member. HEALTH SCIENCES EXHIBIT 3pm & 7:30pm (2/27); 2pm (2/28) Mon – Thurs: 8 AM – 9 PM Join the NAACP for light refreshments Spokane Civic Theatre Fri: 8 AM – 5 PM and tour of the Contemporary African 1020 N Howard St, Spokane, WA Sat: 9 AM – 5PM Amerian Academic Surgeons Exhibit 99201, (509) 325-2507 6-7pm Tickets: $20 (http://spokanecivictheatre. WSU Sciences University-Riverpoint com/york) www.nlm.nih.gov/ Student Academic Center spokane.wsu.edu exhibition/aframsurgeons 600 N. Riverpoint Blvd, Spokane For more information contact the FEBRUARY 29 NAACP at 509-209-2425 or visit BLACK LIVES AWARENESS http://spokaneNAACP.com CONFERENCE The Black Student Union at SFCC is FEBRUARY 15 hosting a conversation about what it mean to be black in today’s society and NAACP MEETING how we as a community can be a part of MONEY FOR COLLEGE Join the NAACP for our monthly the solution rather than the problem. general membership meeting 11:30AM -12:30pm Up to $22,500 for Washington students pursuing 7-9pm Sokane Falls Community College Community Building - Lobby Student Union Bldg, Lounges A & B STEM and health care degrees 25 W. Main Street, Spokane WA 3410 W Ft. George Wright Dr, Spokane For more information contact the Through a unique, public-private partnership, Washington is NAACP at 509-209-2425 or visit helping to grow a skilled, homegrown workforce that will foster http://spokaneNAACP.com innovation, drive our economy and fuel a brighter future for SAVE THE DATE Washington state. FEBRUARY 18 MARCH 12 CARL MAXEY: A FIGHTING • Recipients earn up to $22,500 in scholarship funding LIFE - DOCUMENTARY Delta Sigma Theta 2016 • Premiere Screening Event for KSPS Founders’s Day Celebration 59% of Scholars are first-generation college students documentary based on the life and work Keynote: Mrs Sandra Phillips Johnson, • 58% of the most recent cohort of recipients identified as of Spokane’s own Carl Maxey Noon students of color 7pm Red Lion Inn at the Park, Blrm D • Over 1,400 new applicants to be selected this year! The Bing Crosby Theater 303 W. North River Drive, Spokane 901 W Sprague Ave, Spokane Tickets: $35 each 2016-17 Application now open. Tickets: $50 per person 509-255-6013 or 509-928-8884 Deadline to apply is Documentary Premiere on KSPS Television, February 29, 2016. channel 7, at 7pm; Online viewing available APRIL 23 Visit our website for more information, including tools to help 2/19/16 http://video.ksps.org) For informa- promote WSOS at your site. tion contact contact Sandra Kernerman at African American 509-443-4417 Graduation Ceremony Join us for the 20th Anniversary of FEBRUARY 19 celebrating our graduates PUBLIC FORUM ON RACE 1:00pm AND JUSTICE Whitworth University Campus 10AM Hixson Union Building (HUB) Gonzaga University Law School Learn more at waopportunityscholarship.org. Courtroom 300 W Hawthorne Road 721 N Cincinnati St., Spokane Spokane WA 99251 WSOS is made possible through major funding by founding partners Microsoft & Boeing with matching contributions by the Please send information about upcoming community events to State of Washington. [email protected] or call 509-795-1964. Page 20 February 2016 www.blacklensnews.com The Black Lens Spokane CELEBRATING OUR LOVE

To: Chuck To: Gene To: Michael I love you for so many To: Chris You’re my valentine, the one I reasons – for being there Pure and tender, needed to have forever by my For all of the thoughtful things when I needed you the most, warm and true, side. My special friend, my you have done and all that you for being there just because. sweetheart, and dear and loving you need me, still do. Here’s a wish that is Therefore, when you see this filled with love especially for husband. and smile on my face, I thank God you. Have a wonderful

for putting you in my life. I need you Valentines Day.

Happy Valentines Day! Happy Valentines Day My Eternal Love Happy Valentines Day Your Loving Wife Always My Love Evelyn Tina Vickey Linda

To: William Happy Valentine Day To: Julius

What God has put Wayne Wayne, Valentines day is a time for sharing together…. Your Lips give me many kisses, Your love is better than wine Happy Valentines You fulfill all my wishes, feelings for someone very special. Day to my You stepped in right on time. Feelings that sometimes too often go husband— It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him unspoken. It’s a day for expressing William Whitehead. whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him Love you more than go………………… gratitude and love.. you’ll ever know… He whom my soul loveth. Happy Valentines Day Happy Valentines Wifey - Faith Day, Adell Your Loving Wife

To: OK To: Ivan You were my college sweetheart; I still love To: Wallace It’s like God looked at my life and To: James you. It took 10+ years to get our lives in or- knew exactly what I needed ! der. We now have Shayla, Ivanti, Oceana, Happy Valentines Day to the I needed a man who’s wonderful inside son-in-law Walter and grandson Kobe. and out, a friend who knows me almost You! You! You! Sweetest Partner Ever! Trusting, As the saying goes- You are the peanut butter better than I know myself and a love that to my jelly, the cream to my coffee, the laces Loving, Caring and Loves to to my tennis shoes and the beat to my heart. blesses me everyday. You’re just what I Happiness is being married to your best Spoil Me...James Troutt. needed. friend and you meet my criteria. Happy Valentines Day! God in his infinite wisdom said we were meant to be.

Happy Valentine Happy Valentines Day Love Always I Love You Love, Peggie Tammie Fannie Love, Lynne To: Robert

To: Tom To: Victor To: Timothy It didn’t take me long to realize you were Happy Valentines Day, the one for me. Thank you God for To the man I will always love and Forever my Valentine I Thomas Johnson, the love of putting such a wonderful man in my life. cherish for the rest of my life. my life. A man of Integrity, will love you to infinity Thank You Lord for giving me him. trustworthiness and honor and beyond.. Have a won- that God placed in my life. derful Valentines Day I love you dearly.

Forever My Love Forever My Love Forever From your wife Happy Valentine Day Happy Valentine Day Bernice Carolyn Diane Stevana