Urban Pro Weekly October 11, 2012

7/31/2019 Urban Pro Weekly October 11, 2012

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P h

o t o b yV i n

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t H

o b b s

Newspaper

The CSRAsFREE

WEEKLY

VOL.2 NO.6

Artist on a mission Janelle Mon ePersonal and Business Income Tax Preparat

Accounting/Bookkeeping

IRS & State Problem Resolution

IRS & State Audit Representation

Levy/Lien/Garnishment Release

Offers-In-Compromise And More

The Wise Choice2664 Tobacco Rd., Ste A,Hephzibah, GA 30815www.taxwize.net

Soul and funk singerJanelle Mone performsat the Westobou Festival.Westobou, an annualevent, celebrates film,words, music, visual artsand dance.

OCTOBER 11- 17, 2012NEWS COMMENTARY ARTS ENTERTAINMENT

UrbanW

eeklyPro

heodis Ealy

Theodis Ealy & E.V.O.S. BandThe Organic R&B,

oul & Blues Festival

Is TEE CenterOct. 15 deadlineabout the vote?


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Is TEE Center Oct.15 deadline about the

PublisherBen Hasan

706-394-9411

Managing EditorFrederick Benjamin Sr.

706-836-2018

UrbanProWeekly LLC

Mailing Address:3529 Monte Carlo DriveAugusta, Georgia 30906

Urban WeeklyProSales & Marketing

Phone: 706-394-9411

New Media ConsultantDirector of Photography

Vincent Hobbs

email:

Ben [email protected]

Frederick Benjamin [email protected]

Vincent [email protected]

Politics&more

THE AUGUSTA CONVENTER CENTER on Reynolds Street is just another name for the TEE center. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

By Frederick Benjamin Sr.UrbanProWeekly Staff Writer

AUGUSTAThe October 15 deadline pushed by gusta Riverfront CEO Paul Simon

raised more than a few eyebrowsund town among those who pay

ention to what Simon says.Although Simon told commission-

at their last regular meeting thatd like the management contracts

proved by mid October so thatcould move forward with hiring

d training staff, there may be are important reason why he wantsrything tied up by that date thevember 6 election.f the pace of the parking deck man-ment negotiation is any indication,

ming up with a quick agreement ondetails of the TEE center manage-

nt contract is unl ikely.For starters, too many people havented out too many problems withproposed contract right out of the

gate.Citizens Watchdog organizations

have begun poring over the docu-ments and what they are finding

would give any politician ample rea-son not to rush things for the ben-efit Paul Simon or the Marriott hotelchain.

Writers of the online blog CityStink.net have come across many red flagsand have publicized their findings.

Hard to ignore would be the exclu-sive catering contract that AugustaRiverfront LLC is attempting to land.

Harder still to square with signeddocuments is the matter of over amillion dollar worth of kitchen equip-ment that the city apparently paid for

without justification.Simon would naturally want all of

this glossed over but quickly.Heres what could be worrying

Simon. Before the election of Matt Aitkin in 2008, there was a fiercepolitical battle just to get the approvalto construct the TEE Center. Of the

ten commissioners, five usually linedup in favor of the TEE center and fiveopposed.

A lot of people are putting in a lotof effort to make sure that Matt Aitkindoesnt get re-elected. If Aitkin is notre-elected that would mean that threeTee Center cheerleaders, includingCommissioners Jerry Brigham and JoeBowles would be leaving the city panel.

The best that Simon could hopefor in that scenario would be for thesame five-five split that nearly sunk

the entire project prior to 2009.Now if, the contracts are approvedon or close to October 15 prior toelection day, it wouldnt matter i f pro-TEE-center politicians were elected.

Even if Matt Aitkin does lose inNovember, he along with the other two lame duck commissioners Brigham and Bowles could still

vote to approve the convention cen-ter contracts before leaving office onDecember 31, 2012.

That, however, would be leavingtoo much to chance.

CityStink writer, long a cr itic of theSimon-Morris style of public privatepartnership, outlines just a couple of issues that may prevent commission-ers from rushing to rubber stampthe latest management proposal.

Owens writes, The unsigned,undated partnership agreement from2007 says throughout that Riverfrontis responsible for kitchen equipment

while saying that Augusta is responsi-ble for the kitchen space. Augusta has

not been able to show where its City Commission has ever voted to changethe partnership agreement, only that

Augusta approved the change order to add $1.4 million of equipment to aproject that Riverfront agreed to par-ticipate in as a builder and operator.

Where is Augustas money? A gre at ques tion. Owens also

questions the wisdom to grantingSimon and company and exclusivecatering deal.


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Urban WeeklyPro HEADLINER:JANELLE MONE

Entertainer Janelle Mone wastown last week as part of thestabou Festival. Before her eveningformance on Thursday, October 4,Grammy nominated artist spoke

Paine students about the impor-ce of voting.Because our future depends onWe are the generation that has toke sure that our next generationaken care of. I think community how we get things done, coming

together. And one person can do apart. But one person cant do it alone.But when we are collective, our voic-es are louder and then they becomeheard and then we are much stronger

when we are one, Mone told thestudents.

Student groups at Paine have ral-lied together to celebrate NationalStudent Day, which was a day pro-moting studentvolunteerism andsocial responsibility through a vari-

ety of events. The Paine CollegeStudent Government Association,

Wesley Fellowship, LIONS Activity Board and Greek organizations havehosted voter registration drives since

August to ensure all students, fac-ulty and staff exercise their rights inNovember.

Exercising our right to voteis extremely important, saidKeyla Connie, president of Wesley Fellowship. We appreciate celebri-

ties like Janelle Mone lending her support towards events like this touplift the importance of voting.

Four decades of funk and soulexplode as hot new singer, Mone

joins forces with Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, pivotal mem-bers of James Browns band in the1960s and 1970s. Janelle Monehas been called a super-musicalcross between James Brown, Judy Garland, Andre 3000 and Steve Jobs.

Soul and funk singer Janelle Mone performs at theWestobou Festival. Earlier in the day, the Grammy nomi-nated singer encouraged students to become moreinvolved in politics.Photo by Vincent Hobbs

aine College Rocks The Votewith Westabou headliner

Maceo Parker, renown saxophonist for James Brown, George Clinton andPrince, performs at the Westobou Festival. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

oung crowd enjoys soul and funk singer Janelle Mone as she per-ms at the Westobou Festival. Photo by Vincent Hobbs


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ASU volleyball player Paige Tuttle (center, #1) tips the ball over the net during a game against Lander University at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Augusta Statpicked up its first Peach Belt Conference win of the season Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 victory. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

SU volleyball player Leslye Barnette(center, #13) prepares to block duringgame against Lander University at Christenberry Fieldhouse. Photo byncent Hobbs

ASU volleyball player Kristen Koch (center, #8) watches the ball duringa game against Lander University at Christenberry Fieldhouse.Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Ladys Volleyball ASU 3-0 vs. Lander 10.6.12

ugusta State University volleyball players celebrate after scoring againstnder Univeristy at Christenberry Fieldhouse.oto by Vincent Hobbs


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COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATIONOF RICHMOND COUNTY

e Richmond County School System will accept bids and request proposals until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 ,the following:

1. Vehicle Equipment for School Safety and Security RFQ #12-608

2. Football Helmets for Middle Schools 2013-2014 Bid #317

3. Tilting Skillet for Glenn Hills Elementary School RFQ #12-610

4. Cafeteria Tables for Various Schools RFQ# 12-611

5. Walk-In Cooler for Morgan Road Middle School RFQ #12-612

d speciications may be obtained by contacting Amy Baumanthe Business Ofice at 706-826-1298, on our web site at

ww.rcboe.org , or at the Richmond County School System, Centralice, 864 Broad Street, 4 th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

e Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject

y and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

UNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY

: Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Secretary

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MeetingsSecond forum added to discussASU/GHSU consolidation

AUGUSTA A second open forum will be

held with Georgia Health SciencesUniversity President Ricardo Azzizand Augusta State University InterimPresident Shirley Kenny at noonMonday, Oct. 15, in the ASU MaxwellPerforming Arts Theatre. The 3 p.m.forum in the Natalie and Lansing B. Lee

Jr. Auditorium in the GHSU Auditoria

Center will continue as scheduled.In addition to the Presidents

remarks, both forums will feature ASU Vice President for Academic AffairsCarol Rychly and GHSU ProvostGretchen Caughman presenting con-solidation-related milestones.

For more information about theconsolidation, go to www.asughsu.org.

andidates Forums

Augusta Branch NAACP will beng a Political Candidates ForumVoter Education Workshop at

p.m. on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012 atNew Zion Hill Missionary Baptistrch, 3237 Deans Bridge Road,usta,Ga.

There will be a Charter School Amendment Presentation. A repre-sentative from the Richmond County

Board of Elections will be present.Other presenters will include Board of Education members Venus Cain, Patsy Scott and Barbara Pulliam.

andidates for the District 1 andrict 9 County Commission &ol Board Seats are invited toar at a Candidates Forum atMay Park Recreation Center on

Thursday, October 18, 2012, 6 - 8p.m.

The event is sponsored by theLaney Walker Neighborhood

Association.

litical Forum and Voter Educationorkshop hosted by Augusta Branch NAACP

stricts 1 and District 9 Political Forum

Mail-out absentee ballots are now available upon written request.equests may be accepted by mail, fax, email, or in person. In-personarly Voting will begin on Monday, October 15, 2012 and Saturday oting will be on Saturday, October 27, 2012. The last day for Voting by ail and Early Voting will be Friday, November 2, 2012.Additional voter information including confirmation of voter registr a-

on status, confirmation of distr ict assignment, the location of your poll-g place, driving directions to your polling place, hours and locationsr Early Voting, sample ballots and more is available on the Secretary States My Voter Page at www.sos.ga.gov . Voters seeking information

ay also contact the Board of Elections Office at (706) 821-2340 or ww.augustaga.gov .

Early Voting begins Monday October 15


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8/16Paid for by Lamar-Milledge Elementary School PTA

VoteCharter School Amendment

NO

NO-1-

Provides for improving studentachievement and parental involvementthrough more public charter school options.

Shall the Constitution of Georgia beamended to allow state or local approvalof public charter schools upon the requestof local communities?

Paid for by Murphy Middle School PTA


NO

NO-1-



OnStage URBANPR0 Entertainment2212 Entertainment Group presents

Theodis Ealy & E.V.O.S. BandThe Organic R&B, Soul & Blues Festival

RAFFLETICKETS

$5.00 Win (2) Game

Tickets - Sunday,Nov. 4 2012

Atlanta Falcons vsDallas Cowboys at

the GA DomeDrawing on

Wednesday,

October 24, 2012 @5:30 p.m.

at the AugustaMini Theatre Call

706-722-0598

The plot thickens and the field narrows ascontestants enter another round of tapings inthe SPARK television show.

SPARK (Speaking Poetically and RemixingKnowledge) is a television program designedto identify young people in the CSRA withexceptional literary and performance talents.

The next taping will be at 6:30 p.m. at thePaine College Odeum Music Room.

Over the course of Monthly episodes con-testants will create and perform original liter-ary works that will be performed and filmedin front of a live audience. The winning tal-ent will receive a prize package valued over $10,000. The show will be televised throughComcast Cable.

Contestants will be judged on the follow-ing:

The unique literary character and quality of their creations;

The power, passion and poise of their per-formance;Their personal sense of style as cultural

trendsetters;The social relevance and cultural sensitivity

of their work;Their reflection of events around the world

and the global bridge they build for the audi-

ence.The remaining contestants include some of

the most important voices in the CSRA. These young people are culturally aware and havesomething to say about life, their commu-nity and the world at large. They are AndruChampion, Gerald Waller, Kahleel Mathis,Monet Epps, Raheema Johnson, Sassett West,Shaquilla Jackson, and Torrence White.

The guest judges include Joey Traina,Passionate,Dorian Harris, and ShaneenQuarles.

The theme for Episode 3 is Life ChangingMoments. Contestants wil l consider momentsin our lives when an event / situation or cir-cumstance occurs and changes life forever.They have been digging deep and exploring

what this is and creating a unique and inter-esting work on this topic.

This is a show of Duets. The pairings areas follows:

Gerald Waller and Kahleel MathisMonet Epps and Shaquilla JacksonSassett West and Andru ChampionRaheema Johnson and Torrence WhiteSPARK is Presented by Blue Bistro Theater;

Paine College Department of Media Studiesand the CSRA African American Arts Alliance

For more information 404-786-3277.

SPARK competitors face new tapings

Raheema Johnson, one of the remaining SPARKcontestants will be performing at the Paine CollegeOdeum. Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Saturday, October 20, 2012, JessyeNorman Amphitheater, Augusta, GA.Tickets available at Pyramid Music

locations. $25.00. For informa-tion, call 404-988-4926 or visit

www.2212entertainmentgroup.com


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Rev. Albert L. SmithFuneral Director/Owner

Serving with Dignity and Integrity

Affordable Prices Traditional Services Direct Burials Cremations Domestic &

International Shipping Pre-planning Grief Counseling Notary Public

723 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30901

Peoples Funeral Home

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Paid for by Deer Chase Elementary School PTA


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Paid for by Monte Sano Elementary School PTA


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s pace matters Lucy Craft Laney Museum and

ric Augusta will present ThisMatters: Preserving Augustas

an-American CommunitiesOctober 19 and 20 at the Sand

Community Center, 2540ler Rd.e Friday night speech andtion will be held at the

munity center. Keynote lecturebe by Dr. Bobby Donaldson,ate professor of history at thersity of S.C.-Columbia.

Donaldson is a native of sta, Georgia. Currently, he servesassociate professor of History

he faculty principal of Prestonential College at the University

of South Carolina, in Columbia. Anhonors graduate of the DavidsonFine Arts School, he received hisundergraduate degree in History and African American Studies from

Wesleyan University in Middletown,Ct and his Ph.D. in American History from Emory University. Previously,he served as a visiting professor atDartmouth College and held a fellow-ship at the W.E.B. DuBois Institute for

Afr ican American Research.The Saturday events will

start with coffee and refresh-ments at 9:30 a.m., then aramble of the Sand Hills neighbor-hood.

There will be a panel discussion

of residents starting at 11:30 who will share thei r stor ies, pho-tos and history of the Sand Hillsneighborhood. Then a luncheon willbe held at 12:30 with a summary of the forum by ASUs Lee Ann Caldwell,director of the Center for theStudy of Georgia History.

The events are free and the Saturday luncheon will cost $10 in advance.

To register or gain more informa-tion, please contact Historic Augustaat 706-724-0436 or www.historic-augusta.org or the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History at 706-724-3576 or

ww w.lucycra ft lane ymuseum.com.

Georgia Archives Month is ay to celebrate the value of orgias historical records, pub-ze the many ways historicalords enrich our lives, and rec-ize those who maintain our

mmunities historical records.s also is the ideal time to callntion to your organization or

al government and its work inserving Georgias documen-heritage.

his year, Reese Library Speciallections will observe theignated month with two lec-s highlighting Augusta Stateversitys rich past.

Mapping Memories: Fromenal to ASU oin Dr. Christopher Murphy,fessor emeritus of anthropol-, as he virtually demolishescampus and rebuilds it from5 to the present day.

hursday, Oct. 18, 2:30 p.m.,University Hall

tanding on Historyake a trip back in time with

Wells, local historian, andready to see the men,

nitions, animals, and livingrters of the working Augustaenal.riday, Oct. 19, 2:30 p.m.,enal Quad.

reproduction of the earli-known Augusta Arsenal Map30-1874) also will be displayedngside other Arsenal and cam-maps from Oct. 18-Nov. 1.

or more information, aboute events or other Georgiahives Month-related events,tact Carol Waggoner-

gleton, Special Collectionsrarian, at 706-667-4904 or [email protected].

eese Library pecial Collectionslebrates Georgia

very October, Reesebrary Special Collectionslebrates Georgiarchives Month

serving Augustas African-American Communities


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Paid for by Barton Chapel Elementary School PTA


NO

NO-1-


Shall the Constitution of Georgia beamended to allow state or local approval

of public charter schools upon the requestof local communities?

Paid for by Diamond Lakes Elementary School PTA


NO

NO-1-


Shall the Constitution of Georgia beamended to allow state or local approval

of public charter schools upon the requestof local communities?

Jennifer Norman-Dixon Independent Cruise& Vacation Specialist

Hephzibah, GA 30815Phone 706-925-2929

Toll Free (877-790-6082Fax 404-601-4492

Email:[email protected]/jdixon

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Events promote domestic violance awarenessAUGUSTASafeHomes will be painting the town

purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In cooperation with Augusta State Universitys Officeof Student Activities, along with severalother community organizations andsupporters, SafeHomes will be host-ing and participating in a variety of awareness events and activities during

October. These occasions are designedto not only bring awareness to the epi-demic of Domestic Violence, but also tosupport survivors, bring hope to thosestill abused, and remember those wholost their lives.

Domestic Violence AwarenessMonth Events

Tuesday, October 9, 2012: Lunch &Learn, Rape Crisis & Sexual Assault

Services, ASU JSAC, Hardy MeetingRoom

12:30-1:30p

Enjoy a catered lunch while learningabout drug-facilitated sexual assault.This event is also a part of Alcohol

Awareness Week. This free event isopen only to ASU Faculty, Staff, andStudents.


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dnesday, October 10, 2012: Paintown Purple, Community Wide/ nally eHomes encourages all to wear

for the day to show supportbring awareness to Domesticce, in the hopes of prevention.izations, businesses, and individu-encouraged to designate as many

during the month as Paint thePurple days. Supporters are invit-

send pictures of their participationposted on SafeHomes Facebook

For photo submission, please [email protected]

esday, October 24 - Thursday er 25, 2012: Seans Last Wish,

de ASU JSAC. All Day organization Seans Last Wish,

was organized and founded by mother, Elke Kennedy, one week

his murder in 2007. Their missionempower the community throughtional diversity programs, non-t conflict resolution, and com-y involvement. This powerfuly is open to the public, and canwed all day.

nesday, October 24,Theatrical & Musical Per-

nces, ASU Amphitheater 12:00poy theatrical and musical perfor-es by performers from the localThis event is free and open to the.

dnesday, October 24,Lunch & Learn, SafeHomes,

Allgood Hall E258.30-1:30p

Enjoy a catered lunch while learningabout dating violence. This free eventis open only to ASU Faculty, Staff, andStudents.

Wednesday, October 24,

2012: Intimate Partner/Domestic Violence Panel, ASU Campus,Building TBA.

6-7:30p

Local practitioners will discuss thelegalities involved in the process of leaving and/or prosecuting an abusiverelationship. This free event is openonly to ASU Faculty, Staff, and Students.

Thursday, October 25,

2012: Annual Survivors Walk, ASUCampus, Grove area by Fountain6:30-8:00pm

In partnership with SafeHomes and Augusta State University, the commu-nity will honor all survivors of domes-tic violence as SafeHomes hosts their annual Survivors Walk on the ASUcampus. The event features commen-tary from university, local, and stateofficials, along with testimonies fromsurvivors, a balloon release, and amarch through ASUs History Walk.

rom page 10


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Continued on page 10

Continued on page 10

Urban WeeklyPro CommentaryWill black voters give Obama whathe needs in Southern swing states?

By Patrik Jonsson Staff Writer When then-candidate Barack Obamaon North Carolina by 14,000 votes2008, a lot of the credit went to the

ye-popping 76 percent turnout ratemong African-American voters.Virginia, too, saw its large share

f black voters help put Mr. Obamaver the top in a state that hadnt sup-orted a Democrat for president sinceyndon Johnson. The results revivedemocrats hopes for a new Southernrategy and for a new coalitionetween traditional black voters androgressive newcomers to the grow-g knowledge economies of northernirginia and the Raleigh-Greensboro-harlotte triangle.But in these two Southern swing

ates, some polling and anecdotal evi-ence is giving rise to Democratic con-erns that African-American enthusi-sm for President Obama has slipped asresult of stubborn economic despair,eteriorating inner city conditions, aense among voters that Obama nonger needs the black vote to win,

nd disagreements over social issues,cluding the presidents embrace of ame-sex marriage. Heightening thoseoncerns is the recognition by cam-aign strategists and analysts that, toin reelection, Obama likely needsget close to the 65 percent of black

oters who turned out in 2008 to vote2012.The campaigns decision to send

Black voters who do go to the polls are near-certain to vote for Obama. But in Virginia andNorth Carolina, concern is rising that the black voters who sealed the deal for Obama in 2008

President Obama gives a boy a high-five at a campaign event inJacksonville, Fla., in July. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/File

First Lady Michelle Obama, Obamasmost popular proxy, to several histori-cally black colleges in North Carolina

over the last few months suggests inpart that a campaign that had growna little complacent about base turn-out in some states is now focusinghard on the grassroots, recognizingthat African-Americans representa very important bloc of the base,says Jason Roth, a Jacksonville, Fla.,political consultant who served as theObama campaigns north Florida field

director in 2008.I think the Obama campaign is

sophisticated enough to understand

the key to winning North Carolinais the African-American vote, says Andrew Taylor, a political scientist atNorth Carolina State University, inRaleigh. I think theyre really con-cerned about the fact that there isntthe kind of energy there was in 2008 and in a very, very close electionthat could be critical.

We do have to pay attention to

the enthusiasm factor, says AndraGillespie, an Emory University politicalscientist and author of The New Black Politician. Turnout is not going tobe as robust as 2008, this is no longer about electing the first black president,but its also very difficult to tease out

where black support is right now and whether or not black turnout is goingto be depressed.

The question is whats the dropof across the board? she adds. WillRepublican turnout be less anemicthan Democratic turnout? If everybodis upset in equal proportions, its a

wash, but theres a chance that mightnot happen, meaning one group ismore enthused and, thus, more effec-tive. Thats the difference between

winning and losing elections. What Obama has done for blacksThe presidents supporters argue

that Obamas record makes it clear thathe has worked for black advancement,as he promised.

His signature health-care law willboost the plight of poorer blacks, the

say, and his support for public service jobs in the stimulus bill also ben-efits the community. (According tothe University of California, BerkeleysLabor Center, 21 percent of black work-ers are public employees.) Middle-classtax cuts, too, have helped black fami-lies as well as white.

By Mychal Denzel Smith

The Republican presidential cam-aign has persuaded me. Not to voteor Mitt Romney, God no. They have,owever, convinced me of somethingse I previously considered unthink-

ble. In some ways, the idea betraysmy black nationalist inclinations, but

aving witnessed the GOPs flailingor the past year and a half as theyveied to mount a campaign to unseatresident Obama, Ive finally comeround.

James Baldwin said: The truthbout this country is buried in the

myths that white people have abouthemselves.

We need a W hite History Month.For anyone who speaks on issues

f race publicly, the idea has longeen a joke a retort thrown atou from frustrated white folks whoelieve they are being discriminated

against because there doesnt exist aspecial month set aside to celebratetheir racial identity. They cry foul atthe notion of Black History Month,Black Entertainment Television,Black Enterprise and everything else

with black in the title even, some-times, going so far as to say thesethings are racist in nature becausetheir names and missions are dis-criminatory. Its preposterous, butthey counter that they need a WhiteHistory Month to provide balanceand equality.

After laughing this off for years,Im now on the same page.

I dont mean White History in thesame way we (attempt) to celebrateBlack History during February, or

Womens History in March. Wherethese are intended to correct animbalance in the way history is cel-ebrated from an overwhelming whitemale perspective, White History

Month need not rehash the tales of great white heroism. We need a dif-ferent approach here.

I mean for us to have a WhiteHistory Month in the way JamesBaldwin once suggested a WhiteHistory Week. During a speechbefore the National Press Club in1986, he presented the idea and waslater questioned about the serious-ness of his remark. He responded:

I was not joking about WhiteHistory Week Im serious aboutthat. White Americans really do not

not know their history, and thatsone of the reasons theyre in trouble.

And when I suggest White History Week, Im not making a parody of Black History Week, but Im suggest-ing that the truth about this country is buried in the myths that whitepeople have about themselves. Thesemyths have to be excavated and only can be excavated by white people.

Most of the history we learn is builton myths. Even the black history wechoose to teach in response to euro-centric learning is centered aroundmyths. But those myths are meant tohelp a people reclaim a history longdenied to them, to instil self-esteemin the face of disempowerment. Itmay not be exactly ideal, but therationale is at least noble. The mythsof white American history perpetu-ate oppression and inequality. Theinstil in white America a false senseof self-imperviousness to facts or

logic. When George Washing ton cant

tell a lie, Abraham Lincoln single-handedly freed the enslaved, FDR lifted the nation out of depressionand Ronald Reagan tore down theBerlin Wall with his bare hands its no wonder Michele Bachmann

Why America Needs White History MonthViewing the past through the lens of privilege obscures who got hurt in the process. White Americaneeds saving from its myopia.


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Got Skills?UrbanProWeekly is lookingfor writers who know the

community

Harold V. Jones IIATTORNEY AT LAW

SHEPARD , P LUNKETT , H AMILTON & B OUDREAUX , LLP

429 Walker StreetUpper Level

Augusta, GA 30901

Phone 706-722-6200Fax 706 722-4817

[email protected]

Criminal Law Divorce Personal Injury Employment Law

bamas Southern strategyfrom page 12d, says Professor Gillespie, likely voters do not fault Obama for

oor economy, but but the blamed on what they see as obstruc-t Republicans trying to under-the president at all costs.ve heard black people say theent would do more, but theylet him, says Carol Swain, a

erbilt University professor whoalizes in evangelical politics,

who is herself African-American.y believe that if hes reelecteddo more for them.ck support for Obama could ben a California snap poll taken by yUSA shortly after Wednesdayspresidential debate, in whichbody surveyed but African-icans thought Mitt Romney won.reover, in this election, voting for

ma is less about racial pride andabout policy particularly that

blican policies hold fewer spe-rewards or distinct promises for ack community, suggests Davids, a political analyst at the Jointr for Political and Economic

es in Washington, in an interview the Tennesseean newspaper in

ville.frican-Americans are still facingof hardships, he told the paper.Republicans are offering nothingthan the same of what they hadGeorge Bush, and what they

under George Bush was hard with no promise of things get-

ting better.Grim numbers for black community

Yet the plight of the black commu-nity under Obama has by most mea-sures worsened since he took office:

The median annual income of black families fell by 11.1 percent over the past three years, about double thedecline for white families, and the black poverty rate is now up to nearly 28 per-cent, up 2 percent from 2009. The black unemployment rate is at 14 percentnationally, but even higher in Southernstates, where most blacks live.

Urban inner cores in Chicago,Detroit, and other big cities have seenunusual mob lawlessness involvingblack youth a sign of disaffection anddecoupling of blacks from the nation-al economy and the nation as a whole,suggests Ms. Swain at Vanderbilt.

Foreclosure rates are higher among blacks than whites, and black homeownership which has tradi-tionally constituted 60 percent of

African-American wealth has fall-en in percentage terms compared to

whites, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies, at HarvardUniversity in Cambridge, Mass.

Meanwhile, in May, the presidentsdecision to openly back same-sex mar-riage drew cries of protest from con-servative black Baptist churches andpastors in the South. While Obamaschange-of-heart had the effect of boosting support for gay marriageamong blacks for the first time to

above 50 percent, a poll by an anti-gay marriage group called Coalitionof African-American Pastors suggest-ed that 12 percent of previous black Obama supporters would not vote for him again.

The danger of over-confidenceConversely, in Virginia, black lead-

ers fear that black voters wont turnout because of over-confidence inObamas shot at winning the presi-dency again.

The polls show that were ahead,but Im worried about the apathy inthe African-American community, Va.State Sen. Henry L. Marsh III told theHoward University News Service last

week. A lot of people are not comingto the rallies. If we dont turn out, westill could lose Virginia. They assumethe election is over.

The Richmond Free Press, the larg-est black weekly in Virginia, raisedsimilar concerns last week in an edi-torial titled The danger of overcon-fidence, which questioned Obamasability to energize black voters.

To be sure, black political expertssay likely African-American voters willpull the lever for Obama, not MittRomney, while others, including GeneDemby on the Root website, suggest

that this hypothetical voter sit-out isnot a real thing.The best Republicans can hope for

is that those black people who havefigured it out and realize theyve beenhad over four years, that they chooseto stay home, because I dont see them

voting for Mitt Romney, says Swain.

Apathy has even spread to someblack intellectuals. Im going to votefor the other offices that are on the bal-lot, but Im just not going to cast a votefor the presidency, William Darity, an

African-American studies professor atDuke University, in Durham, N.C., toldPBS NewsHour this week, to the dis-belief of the reporter doing the story.Mr. Daritys concern? Were approach-ing the kinds of unemployment ratesthat existed in the United States at theheight of the Great Depression in the

African-American community in NorthCarolina.

To add to the campaigns worries,studies of voter registration figuresindicate that Democrats are strugglingto sign up new Obama voters in statesacross the country, including Virginiaand Florida.

In part, thats why Democrats haveseized on tough new voter ID laws and

voter roll purges in states like Florida,Texas, and South Carolina, accusingRepublicans of trying to discourageDemocratic constituencies, includingblacks, from registering. There may be truth to that, but experts say atleast part of that voter registrationdrop is also evidence of an enthusi-asm gap among some black voters,

with economic travails, potential over-confidence, and concern about gay marriage all playing a role.

Such issues ultimately may notdampen support for the president but may lessen turnout, political com-munications expert Brad Bannon toldPolitico.

ves the founding fathers foughtd slavery, Newt Gingrich thinksblack children should be jani-o teach them about work ethic,

Perry hunts at Niggerheadsees no problem, Republicandential nominee Mitt Romney ll jokes about the presidentscertificate and his campaign

air, John Sununu, can refer toresident as lazy and not thatt.he race-baiting and sabre-rat-that has been on display for the

tion of the presidential nomi-n process and now is a parte national campaign revealst a disdain for people of color,so a deep misunderstanding of it means to be white. Whitenesss privileges, and among them is

your view of history is throughof the default, the conqueror,iumphant. And when you canistory through that lens, youhave to be burdened with

standing the consequences of triumph from the perspective

ose who were stepped on dur-e conquest.the racia l and eth nic demo-

hics shift in this country,Republican party has become

home to an angry white reaction-ary base that feels their privilegebeing threatened. What a WhiteHistory Month could teach them isthat this is nothing new, and thateven their identity as white peoplehas evolved. White immigrants of the 18th and 19th century, partic-ularly those of eastern Europeandescent, experienced discrimina-tion, but gradually gained accep-tance as they embraced Americanracism and the white Anglos need-ed more among their ranks toensure they retained power.

White America needs their mythsinterrogated, deconstructed andultimately replaced with a new his-tory altogether. Like Black History Month, a White Histor y Month wouldbe unable to cover all the territory

needed to accomplish such a feat inso short a period of time. One wouldneed to do so around the clock,around the calendar.

But this is the United States, and weenjoy our pageantry. Let us observe

White History Month and use it torescue white America from itself.

2012 Guardian News and Media Limited

Mychal Denzel Smith is a freelance

hite History Monthfrom page 12 writer and social commentator. Hiswork on race, politics, social justice, pop culture, hip hop, mental health, feminism and black male identi-

ty has appeared in various publi-cations, including The Guardian,

Ebony, theGrio, the Root, Huffing ton Post and GOOD.


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Paid for by T. Harry Garrett Elementary School PTA, Inc.


NO

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MUSIC: LIMITLESS

Paid for by Hephzibah Elementary School PTA


NO

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AUGUSTAAugusta native Trey McLaughlin

will release his debut album Limitlessn Sunday, November 4, 2012 with anlbum Release Concert at Tabernacleaptist Church at 5:00 p.m. Admission$10 or $20 with Limitless CD.The John S. Davidson Fine Arts School

raduate has undoubtedly made a nameor himself in the Music industry by per-

orming with gospel greats like WilliamMcDowell, Kierra Kiki Sheard, Brianourtney Wilson, and James Fortune.In 2009, McLaughlin became the

ounder and director of his own gos-el ensemble; Trey McLaughlin and theounds of Zamar. With his expressivenor vocals and intricate arrangementsf contemporary gospel, McLaughlin isne of the brightest new artists on theurrent gospel scene.

McLaughlin and this anointedroup released their first single, I Willraise, earlier this year. The single,vailable on I-Tunes, is featured onimitless . I Will Praise, is a war cry that

eminds the listener that even in their arkest moments the goodness of theord should be on their lips. It testifies

hat in spite of all you may go through,he knowledge of Gods presence isnough to make you lift your hands andive Him praise!The single, I Will Praise, has been

dded to Yes Lord Radio, URRedeemedRadio and Gospel Impact Radio rota-ons. Additionally, it has been addedo rotation at WOKB 1680 in Orlando,lorida. Trey McLaughlin and theounds of Zamar is fresh off a competi-

Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar set to release debut ation win for their rendition of Chasing

After You, which afforded them a fea-ture on GRAMMY award-nominatedartist Vashawn Mitchells Triumphant(Deluxe Edition) DVD.

McLaughlin is also an alumnus of analumnus Columbus State University. He

is currently the Music Instructor at the Jessye Norman School for the Arts andis the Associate Director of BarefootProductions, Inc./Creative Impressions.He also serves as the Minister of

Worship and Arts at Tabernacle BaptistChurch in Augusta, Ga.

To keep up with Trey McLaughlinand the Sounds of Zamar, visit their

website at http://www.treymmusic.com/or follow them on Twitter: @treymclaughlin and @soundsofzamar;or check them out on Facebook and

YouTube!

VOTE H AROLD V. J ONES II District 9 Commissioner QUALIFICATIONS:

Former Solicitor GeneralFormer Chairman of the Greater AugustaArts Council

Lifetime member NAACPMember, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

Working Together to Move Augusta Forward


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Urban Pro Weekly October 11, 2012

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