Page 8 - The Fayetteville Press Newspaper October 2025 Edition

Page 8
Editorial / Opinion
The Fayetteville Press Newspaper welcomes letters from its readers. All letters must be signed and must include a home address and a daytime phone number.
Mail or E-mail your letters to: The Fayetteville Press Newspaper, P.O. Box 9166, Fayetteville NC 28311
Mandate—Urgency of Frequency
by Nero B. Coleman
Once again, I find myself
pondering on the subject matter to
discuss in this month’s issue when
several events gave great cause to
the reason for the subject title cho-
sen. For decades I have professed
the importance of voting for us Af-
rican Americans. I have attempted
to beg, borrow, and steal any
method or reason to convince us of
the vote’s importance.
Since the last expose‘, several
things have occurred:
1) City elections; 2) President
Donald “Dump” kissing up to
Putin; and 3) the death of Charlie
Kirk. Before I touch upon these
three subjects, I must briefly pre-
pare you, the reader, that at this
moment I have the right of Free-
dom of Speech, and this right is in
jeopardy.
Furthermore, I must note, as I
did previously in reference to my
voting importance, that I have been
in the fight against injustice in my
community for years. My fellow
students and I expelled the Grand
Dragon of the State (KKK) from
the campus of Fayetteville State
University (FSU) only to be ac-
cused of denying the racist indi-
vidual to espouse his rhetoric on
the campus’ radio when he did not
Dr. Shanessa Fenner, Principal
The Fayetteville Press September/October 2025 Edition
All letters are subject to editing. We will not publish unsigned or pseudonymous letters.
E-mail: fayepress@aol.com
The Fayetteville Press
Newspaper
“Your Community Newspaper”
Raleigh seek to make it difficult P.O. Box 9166
Fayetteville * NC 28311
for you to vote during early voting
by: 1) having only one location for (910) 323-3120 - Office
voting; 2) shortening the hours to www.fayettevillepress.com
E-mail:
impede progress; and 3) discourag- fayepress@aol.com
ing “day of voting”. This is where
the title comes into focus. *Publisher - JJ Jones
*General Manager
Mandate is defined as: 1) an Chrystal M. Thomas
By Nero B. Coleman authoritative command; 2) an au- *Sales Manager
(910) 574-3577 thorization to act or given to a rep- Dwight Brown
resentative; 3) (verbiage) to admin- *Editor - Jae McKrae
believe we deserved a university, es- ister or assign; and 4) to officially
pecially one he could speak to. So, I require, make, order. Since the *Special Corespondent
know what it means to use continu- Constitution was written, our right Queen Degraphenrei
ances as a tool to accuse individuals to vote has been questionable, so Staff Writer
of law violations. much so, that the ones who granted Shelia Mclaughlin
Now, on the subjects at hand, be- it felt the only protection of it was *Photgrapher
ginning with city council and mayoral the Constitution. Now the urgency Bruce Carpenter
races. The only thing I have to say re- to utilize the vote is even more cru- *Account Executives
garding this matter is get out and vote. cial. With the new traitor-in-chief Dr. Don Reid
With three (3) former council mem- saying if people vote for him again, *Distribution
bers running for mayor and all but one they will not have to do it again Michael Dykes
running unopposed, it means the city (vote in any more elections). The Nero B. Coleman
council will look a lot different. only way that can happen is if the * Graphic Designed By
Which representative you decide to Constitution is destroyed. He’s Joe McGee
represent, you and your community only been in office eight (8)
need your vote! The city has a lot of months or so, depending on when *Staff Chaplain
Bishop
problems that are not going to be fixed you read this. He declares to have Larry O. Wright, Jr.
overnight. It is going to require indi- a mandate to do the things he E-Mail:
viduals voting together with an agenda claims to do such as deporting im- fayepress@aol.com
to improve the quality of life in the migrants who are brown and black Web-Site
whole city (community). Whoever the to places, he is mandated to do. We www.fayettevillepress.com
mayor is, he or she will need to work are led by a Trumpeter (blowing his For
with a newer group as for him or her- own horn, and all men know that is Subscriptions
Call
self; even though the Republicans in not possible in reality). (910) 323-3120
Run To Save Your Life
By Dr. Shanessa Fenner
Domestic violence is a serious matter. Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten in the U.S.
As women we have this fairy tale of meeting our knight in shining armor who sweeps us off our feet and we live happily ever
after. Then the fairy tale turns into a nightmare. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and violence is everyone’s
business.
Some of the signs of an abuser include pushes for quick involvement, constant jealousy, controlling behavior, isolates you
from family and friends, blames others for their own mistakes, verbal abuse, and threats of violence. They want to control you and
every aspect of your life.
Some of the signs of a person who is being abused entail tries to cover up bruises, nervous about talking when the abuser
is around, walks around on eggshells, has very little contact with friends and family, appears to be sad, lonely, and afraid, fears for
her life, and makes excuses for the abuser’s actions. Abuse often gets worse over time. If the abuser hits you once, they will hit
you again.
A real man protects you. He will not abuse, devalue, disrespect, ignore, make you cry, be mean, or talk trash to you. You
have to know your self-worth. Love is supposed to make you feel safe therefore you should not live in fear or violence.
Sometimes the victim stays in the relationship due to financial stability and other reasons. Of course it may be hard in the
beginning. It does not matter if you have to live temporarily in a one-room place with few belongings, but you will have peace of
mind. You can build those things up again. Your safety and well-being come first.
Another important point is it is okay to be alone if you choose to do so. We live in a society that can make you feel as if
you ALWAYS have to be in a relationship and/or married. No you do not. This is your life, your decision and your peace of mind.
If you keep finding yourself in not so good relationships take a step back and get to know self. Spend that time building a better
you. No relationship should ever validate you. God validates you.
You are a grown woman and your last punishment should have come from your parents when you
were younger and not from the individual you are involved in a relationship with. The hotline for domestic violence help is 1
(800) 799-7233.
If you know someone who is in a domestic violence situation let them know that you care for their safety and it would be
very devastating to have to put their family through the pain of having to plan their funeral. If you are a victim please know that you
are beautiful, loved, and deserve to be happy. Stay safe!