Page 6 - The April 30 2026 Edition of The Fayetteville Press Newspaper

Page 6a The Fayetteville Press April 30, 2026 Edition

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.
All letters are subject to editing. We will not publish unsigned or pseudonymous letters.
Mail or E-mail your letters to: The Fayetteville Press Newspaper, P.O. Box 9166, Fayetteville NC 28311
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Don’t Get Caught Up in the Distractions

As we continue to navigate our com- to name a few of the performers.
munity, we find ourselves confused about This is also an invitation to any The Fayetteville Press
what is actually happening as prices, gro- vendors of any type to be a part Newspaper
ceries and other much-needed commodi- of educating the community of “Your Community Newspaper”
ties get out of reach with no new monies your services.
P.O. Box 9166
coming in. Just looking at these issues Juneteenth Rock the Vote Fayetteville * NC 28311
alone creates distractions. Block Party was and is an ongo-
The main distraction is the primary ing attempt to register to vote and (910) 323-3120 - Office
cause for most of the previous ones men- encourage others to Get Out To www.fayettevillepress.com
tioned. They are just the consequences Vote (GOTV). E-mail:
for a non-working government. The cur- Now that we see cuts to the fayepress@aol.com
rent individual in the White House rep- social fabric of our nation, we
resents himself and cares for no one else. need to fight harder to overturn *Publisher - JJ Jones
He has several others like him in Con- By Nero B. Coleman the things we have lost or have
gress. Like the president, they also en- (910) 574-3577 been taken and ensure we keep *General Manager
rich themselves at our expense. what rights we still have. There Chrystal M. Thomas
Now we have the distraction of the the individual who was voted into Congress must be will- is a concerted effort to take more *Sales Manager
war, which was preceded by the TSA shut- ing to address some of the distractions. I currently sup- of our rights away, especially Dwight Brown
down, the Epstein files investigation, port former Governor Roy Cooper because he is for the Overturning the Voting Rights Act
seeking retribution for the president’s people rather than himself. of 1965, the right to vote via *Editor - Jae McKrae
enemies list, destruction of the White Getting back to the issue at hand, we must not let mail-in ballots, IDs other than
House, and immigration. These distrac- the distractions take over our ability to vote and pro- passports, and being removed Staff Writer
tions are not as important as our fami- mote. The only way to seek corrections in our govern- from voting lists/records. If we Shelia Mclaughlin
lies, communities, and other issues that ment is by registering to vote. Telling people that oth- are going to preserve anything for *Photgrapher
exist daily while conducting life. To find ers died to give us this right sometimes has an effect our future generations (children), Bruce Carpenter
our way in this period of distraction, we one would hope for. The distractions that are occurring we need to move quickly and ef-
must dig deeper to determine some so- now give me an opportunity to announce the Juneteenth ficiently. We need to start focus- *Account Executives
lutions to this dilemma. Rock the Vote Family Reunion on June 13, 2026. ing on those around us who are Dr. Don Reid
The most important solution is to Since President Joe Biden declared it a national registered and ready to vote.
correct Congress by finding people (can- holiday, Juneteenth was celebrated throughout the United Church members, family *Distribution
didates) whose concern in governing is States. When I first envisioned Juneteenth here in members, or just someone you Michael Dykes
“We the people, for the people, and by the Fayetteville over 20 years ago, we were just declared an met need to be alerted and vigi- Nero B. Coleman
people”. After finding these individuals, All-American City, yet we did celebrate Juneteenth. lant in finding these unregistered
we must work to ensure they succeed in Being a city with diverse military ties means we have voters and correct the problem. * Graphic Designed By
their endeavors to assist us in making soldiers coming from all over the country, so how can Then we need to motivate and en- Joe McGee
things fair. As an Independent voter, I can we be an All American City without celebrating this Af- courage them to vote. So, let’s
choose either candidate from any party. rican American holiday. We welcome the new citizens not get so caught up in the other *Staff Chaplain
Bishop
The importance of the upcoming mid- without a true reckoning of their cultural celebrations. distractions that we do not do our Larry O. Wright, Jr.
term elections is that we need to focus Now that the City of Fayetteville is showcasing their due diligence in getting things
on the candidates who speak about the celebration at Festival Park, it should not impede us from fixed in Washington. This will E-Mail:
issues. Local elections are the most im- continuing our celebration. Everyone doesn’t celebrate keep us ready for further elec- fayepress@aol.com
portant because the decisions made by the same; not everyone celebrates the 4 of July in one tions. Web-Site
th
locally elected individuals impact us im- place. www.fayettevillepress.com
mediately—schools, taxes, recreation, Our celebration is the Family Reunion Rock the Remember—Juneteenth
funding, etc. The Cumberland County Vote Block Party at Seabrook Park. It will consist of Rock the Vote Block Party Fam-
For
Commissioners and the Fayetteville City former performers, creating the reunion. There will be ily Reunion June 13, 2026, Ads & Subscriptions
Council regulate these issues. gospel rappers such as “YoungSaint”, comedian ‘Mr. Seabrook Park, 12 noon to 7 Call
On the federal level, the race for the Brown”, “Do or Die” from Atlanta, and the DJs—Crazy p.m. See you and your family (910) 323-3120
Senate is even more important because Horse and Carolina Panthers DJ “Spaceage Timmy”, just and friends!

The Love of “Mama”

By Dr. Shanessa Fenner

There is nothing more precious than the love of a mother who is the strength and backbone of the family. My mother is the
only parent I have had in my life and I love her so much. I call her “Mama” and she means the world to me.
There are so many things my mama taught me. She taught me to do my very best in school, clean up the house, cook, act
like a lady, handle my business, be proud of my heritage, form a relationship with God, have my own money and belongings, dress
with style and class, and how to maintain and navigate this battlefield called life.
The best thing that she instilled in me is to be independent and only depend on self. You see people come in and out of your
life and change like the four seasons with their broken promises and lies so when it’s all said and done, you can only depend on self.
Then there are the things that I learned from watching her. The true essence of my mama is her strength, resiliency, and
unconditional love. No matter what she was going through she made a way out of no way for things to happen. The sacrifice that she
made in order for me to have certain things was amazing and I am grateful and thankful. Real mothers put their children first and
some of them have strengths they didn’t even know they possessed.
As a mother you have the responsibility to show your daughters they are worthy, capable, and have the capacity to become
Dr. Shanessa Fenner, Principal independent, successful, and God fearing individuals. It is the role of the mother to embed in her daughters they are valued, impor-
tant, and to love the skin they are in.
My mother was a teacher and eventually became a social worker so her expectations for me were very high especially
when it came to my education. I was expected to make good grades along with obtaining a quality education. Failure was not an
option. I knew that when I graduated from high school I was expected to attend and graduate from college. I did not have a choice.
It is also very important for mothers to teach young black females to love and embrace the versatility of their hair, facial,
and body features so they won’t struggle with their self-identity as they get older.
It is very important for daughters to love themselves, strive to do their very best at all times, and to make great things happen.
God did not make any mistakes. He created every hair on my head and body and knows what it represents.
So to all mothers have a Happy Mother’s Day! We love and appreciate your tears and prayers for us. On judgment day we
want to know that we pleased 2 people: God and mama!