UrbanProWeekly_August 16, 2012

NEWS • COMMENTARY • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT

Newspaper

The CSRA’s

FREEWEEKLY

AUGUST 16 - 22, 2012Urban WeeklyPro

Augusta Reggae Music Tribute to Bob Marley enters its 15th year

Years Old

Springf ie ld Baptis t

Photos by Vincent Hobbs

isolation The isolation

of Richard Roundtree

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

2

U

rban

ProW

eekl

y • A

UGUS

T 16

-22,

201

23

UrbanProWeekly • AUGUST 16-22, 2012

PublisherBen Hasan

706-394-9411

Managing EditorFrederick Benjamin Sr.

706-836-2018

Sales & MarketingPhone: 706-394-9411

New Media ConsultantDirector of Photography

Vincent Hobbsemail:

Ben [email protected]

Frederick Benjamin [email protected]

Mailing Address:3529 Monte Carlo DriveAugusta, Georgia 30906

An UrbanProWeekly LLC

Publication

Urban WeeklyPro

(Statement by Mayor Copenhaver on the merger name controversy):

During the naming process I weighed in on several occasions with the committee that my own personal preference for the name would be the University of Augusta. However, the decision has now been made and the Board of Regents has shared with me that the decision is definitely final.

As Mayor of Augusta, an Augusta College Alum, a longtime ASU Foundation Trustee and a two-time “A-Day” chair, no one would have liked to see Augusta as part of the new name more than me but I didn’t get what I wanted and I’m willing to accept that and move on.

It should not go unnoticed nor unappreciated that Governor Nathan Deal has set aside hundreds of millions of dollars to help ensure that Georgia Regents University is a long-term success and a nationally recognized institution which will be a major boost to the future growth of our city in a multitude of ways. In moving forward I believe that the best expenditure of my time and efforts is to do everything possible to help the new university grow and prosper here in Augusta to the ben-efit of the citizens of our commu-nity educationally, economically and socially for generations to come.”

Deke Copenhaver on the name change

FlyAGS.com

NON STOPDIRECT

FLIGHTS TOWASHINGTON, D.C.

NOW FLYING!Express

“It’s time to move on”

2

Urb

anPr

oWee

kly

• AUG

UST

16-2

2, 2

012

3UrbanProW

eekly • AUGUST 16-22, 2012

LOCAL NEWS & Commentary

The isolation of Richard Roundtree

By Frederick BenjaminPolitical Commentary

When Richard Roundtree and Scott Peebles face off in the runoff election for sheriff next Tuesday, each will be playing accord-ing to a much different script.

For Peebles the script was written a dozen years ago when former Sheriff Charlie Webster decided to retire early. By the time Ronnie Strength donned the sheriff’s mantle in 2000, it was more of a coronation than an elec-tion.

As befitting the most powerful political posi-tion in the county, emis-saries from West Augusta and the South Augusta “mafia” paid homage to Sheriff Charlie Webster’s hand-picked “heir appar-ent” and stuffed his breeches full of folding money.

The sheriff is a strange

hybrid of politician and enforcer and most would have to admit that the position shapes them rather than vise versa.

To win the sheriff’s seat, all Strength had to do was to wake up on election day and remain breathing for the rest of the day.

Most may not remember the circumstances under which Strength ascended to the role of top cop.

For one, he did not have to compete in a Republican or Democratic primary. Why?

Sheriff Webster retired before serving out his full term. By doing so, his replacement would have to be chosen through a nonpartisan special elec-tion rather than a pri-mary.

Despite the power and influence of the local Democratic Party in 2000, Strengh’s advis-ers were wise enough to have him huddle with

local Republicans in West Augusta who, along with Webster’s natural South Augusta constituency, would be in the position to hand him the election.

Strength chose to run as a Democrat in the 2000 General Election with the blessings of the Democrat Party machine which, at the time, was dominated by the city’s most power-ful Democrat — Charles W. Walker.

In the general elec-tion, Strength crushed Republican Leon Garvin who at the time was one of Sheriff Webster’s lieu-tenants.

In his political career, Strength never again faced an opponent in the general election or the primaries.

So now in 2012, Strength’s supporters are prepared to do unto Scott Peebles what they did for Strength.

This time around, how-

ever, the position is, more or less, up for grabs. This time there was a primary and a runoff.

The fear that a chang-ing of the guard would upset the jobs-and-finan-cial-patronage apple cart, prompted the forces that embrace the status quo to step forward boldly and give their support and cash to Capt. Peebles.

A few days ago, Strength officially endorsed Peebles and this week, Mayor Deke Copenhaver stepped to the plate on his behalf.

The script for Roundtree, on the other hand has been impro-vised.

He has been in the unenviable position of not having the support nor the loose change of those who would really like to see a change in the game.

As one longtime politi-cal street fighter said to me recently, “It’s not about Richard Roundtree, it’s about someone else having access to all those jobs and contracts that the Sheriff controls.”

A great point. So why has the dominant discus-sion been on community policing, questionable endorsements and a citizen’s review board as well as the amplifica-tion of some youthful, if lurid indiscretions on the part of both Peebles and Roundtree.

Peebles supporters were correct in assess-ing the challenge posed by a black Democrat in 2012. Strength had never before faced any pri-mary challenger, much less an African-American one. The fear was that Roundtree, a political neophyte, would develop a “messianic” message and inspire blacks to go to the polls on his behalf. That concern was justifiable given the fact that a Robbie Silas can-didacy could peel off just enough white votes from Peebles to throw the race into a runoff. That is how it played out.

But what the Peebles

brain trust could not have predicted was “the isolation of Richard Roundtree.”

You see, for the Peebles managers, this race has always been about getting enough black support for their candidate to offset any loss to the Silas camp. As added insurance, how-ever, they planned and executed a Republican “raid” on the Democratic primary.

It worked and they hope it will continue to work in the runoff next Tuesday (August 21).

So what is behind the isolation of Richard Roundtree, besides his political inexperience.

Just this.Despite his roots in the

African American com-munity, not a single high-profile black politician has stepped forward to offer an endorsement.

More importantly, the Roundtree campaign organization did not do nearly enough to mobi-lize their natural base. There were very few if any fund-raising dinners hosted by prominent blacks on his behalf.

As a candidate, Roundtree could not get the electorate excited about the need for change in the sheriff’s department.

Roundtree did not get the political endorsement of any of the traditional black media outlets or broadcast personalities.

The political street fight-er that I mentioned earlier in this piece bemoaned the lack of political acu-men of an Ed McIntyre or a Charles Walker.

A successful black candi-date must build coalitions across party, gender and racial lines. But, these don’t come easily and not without a lot of work. Peebles has been able to do it, Roundtree has a few more days to try.

The black political infrastructure that exist-ed in the 80s and 90s and up until the year 2000 is still in place, but is wait-ing for the right candidate with the right issue.

For Richard Roundtree to be successful in Tuesday’s runoff election for sheriff he must channel his inner ‘David,’ — his Goliath is the red hot activism of entrenched politi-cal and financial muscle of the local GOP and the chilly embrace of the current black political leadership.

4

U

rban

ProW

eekl

y • A

UGUS

T 16

-22,

201

25


COLON HYDROTHERAPY{First Colon Cleansing Center In Augusta}CONDITIONS RESPONDING TO COLON HYDROTHERAPY

Cited by Rheumatologist, Arthur E. Brawer, M.D.

Enhances Weight Loss • Allergies • Acne • Constipation • Irritable Bowel • Gas/Bloating • Asthma • Chronic Fatigue • Spastic Colon • Potbelly • Body Odor • Headaches • Improves Sexual Health

706-733-5000coloncleansingaugusta.com • essentialcleansingcenter.com

ESSENTIAL CLEANSING CENTER 2045 Central Avenue, Augusta

Shanta Johnson

AQUA-CHI FOOT BATH Our cells lose energy due to age, illness and injury.

Does your body have enough energy to detoxify and heal itself?

$30 per session. Energize and Cleanse today!

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Essential Cleansing Center

2045 Central Ave.Augusta, Ga 30904

essentialcleansingcenter.com

706-733-5000

WE TAKE:•Georgia medicaid•Insurance plans•Charge cards•WIC vouchers

MEDICAL VILLA PHARMACY

Marshall Curtis,Pharmacist/Owner

Baron Curtis, Pharmacist

FREE DELIVERY SERVICE

706-722-7355

AUGUSTAArthur Williams, a senior, business

major with a marketing concentration from Atlanta, Ga. is a 2012 recipient of The National Black McDonald’s Operators Association scholarship.

Dr. Christine Crawford, direc-tor of operations/owner of seven McDonald’s franchises presented Williams with the scholarship at reception held at the 1831 Georgia Avenue location in North Augusta, SC on Tuesday.

Williams is the first employee from any of Crawford’s franchises to be awarded the $1,000 scholarship.

“This scholarship will be really helpful towards my collegiate educa-tion,” he said. Williams is a full-time

student, full-time employee and a commuter student.

Crawford attests to his hard work-ing character and business prowess.

“Arthur is great. He’s very much a gentleman and a scholar,” said Crawford. “He started with us in February 2010 and within six months he was promoted to the position of shift manager.”

Williams is actively involved at Paine College as a member of the Marketing Club, Business Club, Rotaract Club, International Students Association and Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE). He aspires to one day become an entertainment lawyer.

Williams is preparing for his final semester at Paine College.

Paine College student receives scholarshipNational Black McDonald’s owners group

Delores Crawford, Arthur Williams and Christine Crawford.

School bus service gets ‘A’ first day back

AUGUSTAA year ago, it was a disaster.

During the first week of school, the board of education was facing a full scale assault from par-ents, the PTA and bus drivers — all dissatis-fied with the transpor-tation system.

This year, so far, there has been no need for protest and the outrage was gone. According to school board offi-cials, the PTA and most parents, everything went pretty much as planned.

“We hit a home run,” school board trustee Venus Cain said. “A lot of work went into plan-ning and working with the trans-portation department.”

For Monique Braswell, president of the Richmond County Council of PTAs, the difference between this year’s smooth sailing and last year’s false starts was like night and day.

“I was very impressed. The school administrators and transportation workers worked hard and diligently and as a result, things went forward without a hitch,” she said.

Cain credits a number of proac-tive moves for a share of the suc-

cess. According to Cain the school board made a series of robocalls to parents giving them information that they would need on the first

day. She said that school officials including Deputy Superintendent Tim Spivey worked directly with the transportation department on opening day.

Nevertheless, there were irate parents on opening day. Some who had questions about the drop off times of their children were frustrated that they could not get through to the contact numbers provided by the schools. Other problems, however were not trans-portation related.

According to most observers, the Richmond County school bus operators had their act together this year.

4

Urb

anPr

oWee

kly

• AUG

UST

16-2

2, 2

012

5UrbanProW


Harold V. Jones IIATTORNEY AT LAW

SHEPARD, PLUNKETT, HAMILTON & BOUDREAUX, LLP

429 Walker StreetUpper Level

Augusta, GA 30901

Phone 706-722-6200Fax 706 722-4817

[email protected]

Criminal Law • Divorce • Personal Injury • Employment Law

Salon Vitality

3540 Wheeler RoadSuite 620 (Upstairs)

Augusta, Georgia 30906

FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST

BUY 1 GET 1

Chance706-829-8429

24-Hr. online appointments available

www.myabramsdesigns.com

Sharon Abrams706-373-8714

Call for an Appointment Today!

SV

FREE

Before & After School Program

Private Pre-K Class

Tutoring Offered

Professional, Friendly Certified & Experienced Staff

Nutritious Breakfast, Lunch, & Afternoon Snacks

Transportation Provided

& Experienced Staff

Nutritious Breakfast, Lunch, & Afternoon Snacks

Transportation Provided

School bus service gets ‘A’ first day back

6

U

rban

ProW

eekl

y • A

UGUS

T 16

-22,

201

27


Years Old

Springf ie ld Baptis t


On Sunday, August 12, 2012, a packed church of members and visitors celebrated the 225-year anniversary of Springfield Baptist Church in downtown Augusta. The Reverend Al Sharpton brought the crowd to their feet several times during the anniversary sermon.

James Truitt (above)

works the sound board

at Springfield Baptist

Church. The church, the

nation’s oldest continu-

ously-meeting congre-

gation, celebrated their

225-year anniversary on

Sunday.

(At left) Inspired church

members, visitors, and

friends of Springfield

Baptist Church show their

appreciation during the

keynote address by the

Rev. Al Sharpton.


6

Urb

anPr

oWee

kly

• AUG

UST

16-2

2, 2

012

7UrbanProW


OnStage URBANPRofiles 15th Bob Marley TributeIn Augusta, “Reggae Season”

starts with the Bob Marley Tribute. The annual Tribute to Bob Marley brings the finest regional and local reggae performers together in an intimate club setting before an appreciative audience. On Saturday, August 18, Marley’s life and legacy will be honored at the 15th Annual Bob Marley Tribute.

This year, there’s a homegrown flavor to the proceedings. Augusta’s seminal reggae band Kaya will reunited when Rudy Collins (defi-nitely in the running for Augusta’s hardest working entertainer) and Lady D, (Augusta’s acknowledged Queen of Reggae) take the stage for a powerhouse set of Marley magic.

Featured this year will be ATL

DreamVision. This band is high energy with a battery of vocal-ists that span every contempo-rary style. Their interpretation of Marley is not to be missed.

Back this year is Rebel Lion and passing through for a few spins will be Augusta’s hottest reggae DJs, including DJ Spud and DJ Neicko. Spoken word artist Catherine the Great and Augusta’s poet laure-ate Bro. Trav will flow in and out throughout the proceedings.

Lady D has been a highlight at the Marley Tribute for over a decade. Her stirring renditions of reggae classics never fails to bring the house down. Bassist Rudy Collins has mastered various reg-gae styles and is a not-to-be-missed reggae performer.

What: 15th ANNUAL BOB MARLEY TRIBUTEWhen: SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012 - 9:00 PMWhere: SKY CITY, 1157 Broad Street, Augusta

PERFORMERS: LADY D (Augusta’s Queen of Reggae, the area’s most dynamic reggae performer), ATLDreamVision (Hottest Live Band on the Augusta Circuit), REBEL LION (Eclectic, Original, Conscious Hip Hop), BROTHER TRAV (Augusta’s Poet Laureate and the evening’s MC),

CATHERINE THE GREAT (Spoken Word That Moves).Tickets available at all Pyramid Music locations, Caribbean Soul Restaurant, Rebel Lion Den and Still Caribbean Restaurant.INFO: Call 706-836-2018

A section of 12th Street between Jones

and Reynolds streets was designated

“Springfield Way” and the new signs were

unveiled during the 225th anniversary cel-

ebration at Springfield Baptist Church.

Photo by Vincent Hobbs

Reggae superstar Bob Marley’s legacy crosses cultural lines.

8

U

rban

ProW

eekl

y • A

UGUS

T 16

-22,

201

29


Ben Crawford1631 Gordon Hwy (Southgate Plaza next to Terry’s)Suite 4 Augusta Georgia 30906706-305-1698 office [email protected]

If you’re looking for insurance, we will find the best Georgia and South Carolina insurance solutions for your needs.

PRODUCTS

Auto

Home

Business

Bonds

www.gacoverage.com

TBATrowell Builders & Associates

Designers • Builders • Planners

SanctuaryMulti-Purpose Buildings

Renovations

P.O. Box 211886 Augusta, Ga 309171.800.546.2685 • Fax 706.738.6328email: [email protected]

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

Tender Care Training School

Certified Nurse Asst. TrainingPhlebotomy Training

Pharmacy Tech. Training

1140 Druid Park Ave.Augusta, GA 30904

OFFICE HOURS

TUES-FRI. 8:30 AM - 7:30 PM

State Approved

Phone: (706)736-9225Fax: (706)736-0995

Jennifer Norman-DixonIndependent Cruise

& Vacation Specialist

Hephzibah, GA 30815Phone 706-925-2929

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

Email:[email protected]/jdixon

Young adults (ages 11-17) are encouraged to submit freehand or digital logos and/or a one sentence slogan that best represents the mission and spirit of YA@AL (aka Young Adults @ Augusta Library).

Entry forms are available online and at all locations within the system through-out the month of September. The deadline for entries is September 30.

Prizes will be awarded to the winners at an announcement celebration on October 14 at Headquarters.

This event is also our kick-off celebration for Teen Read Week 2012.Teens interested in serving on the Teen Advisory Group (TAG) should also submit their applica-tions by September 30. This group will advise the library on the types of programming that would best benefit area youth.

Planning meetings are short (even Skyped, in some instances) and the major membership require-ment is that youth show up to pro-grams ready to work and have fun. The first term runs from January

to December of 2013, beginning with an Installation Reception this December.

So, make sure you check out YA@AL this Fall! It’s no longer just your parent’s library.

The following links will be help-ful:

Http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HFQZPTD - TAG Application

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BWCW67G - Slogan Contest En-tryhttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BTRW8CM - Logo Contest Entry

YA@AL is On The Way! AUGUSTA LIBRARY EVENTS

Vote On The

August 21

Runoff Election

8

Urb

anPr

oWee

kly

• AUG

UST

16-2

2, 2

012

9UrbanProW


Urban WeeklyPro Commentary

By Mark Trumbull

No sooner had Gabby Douglas dismounted from the podium clutching gymnastic gold, then observers began speculating on the other riches she’d be pulling in from cor-porate marketing deals. Her face already graced the boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, and that was just the beginning.

Every four years, it’s same the story: an athlete wins a high-profile event, and the buzz starts about the millions of dollars to be raked in from corporate sponsorship deals. For US high achievers like swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte and gymnasts Aly Raisman and Ms. Douglas or their peers from other nations – here’s looking at you, Usain Bolt – the Summer Olympic Games look like a financial bonanza. The fame of gold medals could be worth as much as several million dol-lars per year.

But these tales of personal riches are the exception, not the rule. Of all athletes, Americans enjoy some of the richest potential for reaping income from corporate spon-sorships and product endorse-ment deals. But the flow of money is uneven and some-times comes with pitfalls.

Take the example of US hurdlers Lolo Jones and Dawn Harper. Their excellence is in a sport that, unlike tennis

or basketball, enters the TV limelight only once every four years.

Ms. Jones has had more success with corporate spon-sors than Ms. Harper, who was a gold medalist in Beijing. That contrast served as the backdrop when Jones found herself this week in a nega-tive spotlight for the financial side of her career. A New York Times article painted Jones as an athlete whose “sad and cynical marketing campaign” has made her more visible than teammates who are bet-ter performers on the track.

Jones, who crashed over a hurdle and out of gold con-tention in 2008, said she had been “ripped to shreds” by the criticism, which she called unfair. In the end, she proved to be a contender in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing fourth and just a tenth of a second out of a bronze medal. Harper again medaled – silver – while Australian Sally Pearson won gold and US teammates Kellie Wells got the bronze.

The big story here is not whether Jones deserves to have more sponsors than Harper. It’s the more basic point: Like Harper, most Olympic athletes aren’t rolling in money. The corporate deals that do come their way (Harper is backed by Nike) enable their athletic quest but not a cushy lifestyle.

This reality came into view early in the London Games,

when many athletes used the social network Twitter to publicize their protest against an International Olympic Committee mandate known as rule 40. The rule says athletes can’t advertise for their spon-sors during the two weeks in London, unless the company is an official sponsor of the Olympics.

US track and field athlete Nick Symmonds, among oth-ers, tweeted that “many have gotten rich using Olympic ath-letes’ free labor.” He and oth-ers made the case that athletes would be valued more highly by corporations if their mar-keting visibility could extend to the Olympic Games them-selves. That, in turn, might give more athletes the means to train and compete in their sports.

A few superstars, inevitably, become the most visible in ads targeted at the mainstream. For Ms. Douglas and Ms. Raisman, who have become instant household names, the first offers are likely the start of a flood of opportunities.

Mr. Phelps already enjoyed a ubiquitous presence even before these Games. Now, with his London performance making him the most decorat-ed Olympian ever, he stands to rake in big money for years to come.

Sometimes, young athletes face tough choices about whether to accept corporate

Olympic gold doesn’t always light a path to richesThe perception is that gold-winning Olympians find it easy to turn success into lucrative corporate sponsorships (Gabby Douglas is already on Corn Flakes boxes). But that’s the exception to the rule.

Gabby Douglas is among those few Olympic gold med-alists whose feats will attract riches.

cash or not.Missy Franklin, who may

be the US women’s answer to Phelps in the swimming pool, has launched her Olympic career by winning four golds and a bronze (plus setting two world records) as a teenager in London.

Sports marketing experts

say Ms. Franklin might earn $2 million a year or more by saying “yes” to companies that want to hitch their products to her rising star.

Yet her avowed interest, so far at least, is to pursue col-lege-level competition, where amateur-only rules ban such income.

By Mark Guarino

There’s a lot of Republican star power in Wisconsin these days – Rep. Paul Ryan, a congressman from the Badger State, on the GOP ticket; Gov. Scott Walker, a recall-election survi-vor; and Reince Priebus, chairman of the national party. But even that may not be enough to put Wisconsin in the MItt Romney column come the November election.

What Congressman Ryan’s new status as running mate probably will do, though, is make the race for Wisconsin a lot more competitive for the Republicans than it has been so far, say political analysts.

“It’s not enough for a slam dunk. It just means Wisconsin is competitive,” says Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. “You can

reasonably put it into the column of swing states.”

Even before Saturday, when Mr. Romney announced his pick for vice president, Ryan was known nation-ally as the intellectual center of his party for his work as chairman of the House Budget Committee and his budget plan to cut federal spending for Medicare, the health-care pro-gram for seniors, and Medicaid, the program for the poor.

However, Ryan is a less visible play-er on the local scene. He has never held statewide office, and his congres-sional district represents one-eighth of the state. Romney picked him mainly for his economic and fiscal agenda, not so much for his constitu-ent connections, says Mordecai Lee, a political scientist at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

“[Ryan has] never been politically

tested statewide – his influence is not geographical, it’s ideological – and that’s what’s what made him a national figure,” Mr. Lee says. “He could just as well be the congressman from Timbuktu.”

A Republican candidate for presi-dent has not won Wisconsin since 1984, and polls show that Romney is so far not positioned to change that record. Romney’s favorable rating in Wisconsin is 36 percent, unmoved since July, according to a Marquette University Law School poll released last week. His unfavorable rating this month, meanwhile, jumped six points to 48 percent.

In comparison, President Obama’s favorable rating among Wisconsin voters rose two points in August to 54 percent, according to the poll.

Governor Walker said Sunday on “Meet the Press” that, to win

Wisconsin in November, Romney needs to appeal to voters outside the safety zone of his party.

“For a Republican to win [in Wisconsin], you not only have to secure your base, you have to reach out to independent swing voters,” Walker said. “In our state, what we saw in my election two months ago, what they want more than anything is people to tell them the truth who are courageous and [who] are willing to take on tough decisions.”

Having Ryan on the ticket will boost Romney’s polling in Wisconsin, and his Midwest background and Irish-Catholic heritage will resonate throughout the crucial battleground region of the upper Midwest, says Mr. Sabato. But Ryan’s greatest impact might be in forcing the Obama camp to defend a state it might have thought was in the bag.

With Paul Ryan, Romney brings Wisconsin into playAdding Ryan of Wisconsin to the GOP ticket makes that state competitive, but it’s no guarantee that Romney-Ryan will win it. It will force Team Obama to spend time and money there.

AUGUSTA LIBRARY EVENTS

10

U

rban

ProW

eekl

y • A

UGUS

T 16

-22,

201

211


COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

OF RICHMOND COUNTY

The Richmond County School System will accept bids and request for proposals until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, for the following:

1. Banking Services RFP #12-599

2. Band Uniforms for Butler High School RFP #12-600

3. Graphing Calculators Bid #307

4. Accounts Payable Audit and Recovery Services RFP #12-875

5. Gas Dishwasher for Windsor Spring Elementary School RFP #12-601

Bid speci�ications may be obtained by contacting Amy Bauman in the Business Of�ice at 706-826-1298, on our web site at www.rcboe.org, or at the Richmond County School System, Central Of�ice, 864 Broad Street, 4th Floor, Augusta, Georgia 30901.

The Richmond County School System reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY

By: Dr. Frank G. Roberson, Secretary

Many thanks

for your confidence,

support and vote.

— Judge Carlisle Overstreet

Art as Work and the Power That is PotentialTrends, Troubles and Triumphs by Anthony Page

Trends, Troubles and Triumphs looks at the evolving cultural landscape of the CSRA. Periodically we offer insider perspectives, opinions and points of view on the state of the arts, cultural and entertainment industry in the CSRA.

GUEST COLUMN by Skyler Q. Andrews

Art is a trade. This refers to all art, any kind of art. Yes, “trade” is the right word. “Craft” is also accurate, but folk are to accustomed–too comfortable--with that word, so that its connotation is still soft and light and trivial, even if the word itself isn’t. This is unfortunate, because despite what it connotes, the word “craft” denotes work. The patient and purposeful, careful, sophisticated cultivation and focus of virtue and skill toward the production of quality. That is craft. That is art. That is work.

Artists know this, but because most people who are not artists don’t realize this, it can be very easy for even artists to forget this, especially as they make serious strides toward fulfilling the lofty ambitions that often come with artistic aptitude of any kind. I say so from expe-rience.

I am a playwright. My first full-length play, a hard-boiled mystery thriller enti-tled Rooster, is opening this month at the Gilbert-Lambuth Memorial Chapel on the campus of Paine College. I still find it hard to believe it’s happening sometimes. I owe this to the grace of God and, via Him, the generosity, faith, and devotion of a host of people to whom I gladly owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. It is not just my play that I spent two and half

months worth of late nights in front of a computer writing, is a collaborative piece of art, consisting of the work of several dedicated people. I knew this in theory before. I am aware of it all too well in practice, now. Seeing this production come to fruition has been beautiful. It has also been taxing. It has been work. The stressful kind. The anxiety-inducing kind. The tiring kind. The “I-cannot-wait-until-it-is-all-over” kind. I will not say that writing it was the easy part. That was work, too. I have no doubt all the lack of sleep and (what at least feels like) formidable sprints of mental energy are taking some kind of toll on my body.

My forte as a writer, if I can claim one, is prose fiction. There is the occasional poem or spoken word piece, which is more often than not flash fiction or prose poetry. I mentioned Rooster as my first full-length play, but it is not by any means my first foray into storytelling. Short stories and burgeoning novels are what I have under my belt besides. They all took work. They were all painstak-ing. They all required, and demanded like the piercing scream of a desperate or hungry or tired infant my concentration, contemplation, reason, problem-solving skills, and patience. And most of them are still not finished. I am working on them.

This dead horse will continue to bleed with my blessing. This point does not

need to be driven home in the case of a carpenter, or a plumber, or an electrician, or a chef, or any number of “real jobs.” This is understandable: their usefulness is obvious. We need our buildings and furnishings. We need our running water, and our power, and our food. We need to buy things (at least we think we do, but that is another matter), and people to buy them from, and people to broker the transactions. We need doctors to keep us healthy, and teachers to show our children how to read. We need police to protect us, firefighters to put out fires, lawyers to talk us out of trouble or make sure troublemakers stay locked up. I’m sure if we think hard enough, you can figure out why your job is so useful.

But we don’t seem to feel like art is work, that what is crafted to entertain us, enlighten us, distract us, amuse us, make us laugh, cry, and think, is neces-sary enough for those who run after it with their sweat and toil and breath and heavy though to be taken seriously. We don’t “need” art. So art is not work. It is “only” a craft (despite what the word actually means)--not a trade.

But art is a trade. Literature, poetry, music, theatre, dance, painting, draw-ing… These are trades. They require skill, diligence, every bit of virtue delineated by Aristotle. The dead horse continues to bruise, but to drive this point beyond home, here is a demonstration: I inter-

viewed a group of young people for the upcoming local television show SPARK, produced by Blue-Bistro Creative and the Paine College Department of Media Studies. The youngest of the contestants of the show was 14. The oldest was 24. Poets. Singers. Spoken-word artists. Actors. There was even a Christian hip-hop artist. Each one of them was articu-late, intelligent, ambitious, and talented. Pregnant with potential. Passionate for the arts.

They were all ready to work. My heart shuttered. I am still taken aback. I tend not to focus on the usually less-than-use-ful dichotomy of “negative” and “positive” when it comes to social or cultures mores, trends, or conditions (I prefer “shallow” and “substantive”–this is also another matter). But this, this was overwhelming-ly positive. These young people–young Black people, young Black artists–were fueled by a desire to grow, and learn, and revel, with deliberate speed and diligence, in their potential. By the arts.

The arts are good for something. The arts are work.

Skyler Andrews is an emerging play-wright and has recently been selected to be a part of Paine College Department of Media Studies – New Playwrights Development Program. His first work will be at Paine College’s Odeum on August 24th and 25th. More information [email protected].

10

Urb

anPr

oWee

kly

• AUG

UST

16-2

2, 2

012

11UrbanProW


We’re On Board With

GALLOP & ASSOCIATES706-495-3796

ARTHUR L. PRESCOTTPRESCOTT INDUSTRIES, INC.

706-231-0446

Kreative MindsChildcare and Learning Center, Inc.

2542 Milledgeville Rd.706-364-5627 Fax: 706-364-5628

Dr. FAYE HARGROVEHargrove Leadership Services

706-364-4237

THE CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES THAT APPEAR ON THIS DISPLAY SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY-ORIENTED MISSIONUrban WeeklyPro

JAZZYSHOTS Photographywww.jazzyshots.com

706-925-0678

TRIBE MEDIA [email protected]

706-836-2018

Abdul & Janice El-Amin

Dylan Walker

Dwannette Pullings &Joshua Toran

Halim & Wendy Yazid

Moses & Betty Dunn

Mr & Mrs Michael Cobb Sr.

Willie & Brenda Aiken

Yusuf Rashada & Family

THE LAW OFFICE OF

Frails & WilsonATTORNEYS AT LAW

EXPERIENCED REPRESENTATION

Real Estate TransactionsPersonal Injury • Bankruptcy

Social Security DisabilityProbate • Domestic • Criminal Defenses

706-855-6715211 Pleasant Home Road

Suite A1Augusta, GA

Randolph Frails Edwin Wilson

ü Over 19 years of Law Enforcement experience ü Field Operations Supervisor – R.C.B.O.E. ü Violent Crimes Supervisor – RCSO ü Lead Homicide Investigator – RCSO ü Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice - SCSU ü Master’s Degree in Counseling & Psychology - Troy ü Graduate of FBI National Academy ü Firearms, Defensive Tactics and SWAT Instructor ü Chairman and Co-Founder of Dads in Action

Law Enforcement & Community – One Team, One Dream

ROUNDTREEFORSHERIFF.COM

12

U

rban

ProW

eekl

y • A

UGUS

T 16

-22,

201

213


Date post:	18-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	frederick-benjamin
View:	216 times
Download:	0 times

UrbanProWeekly_August 16, 2012

Documents