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Editorial/Columns
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Another Undercover Brother
aybe it's a good thing
he didn't win. That was the first thought to cross my mind when someone in- formed me about former gu- bernatorial candidate, Andrew Gillum, being found sloppy drunk in a Miami hotel room with an overdosed, gay, meth addict. I can only imagine how embarrassing it would have been had this incident oc- curred while he was serving as Florida's first African American governor. The en- tire Black population of the state would have been forced to drop their heads in collec- tive shame as they reconciled with the fact that the person, who they believed could have been the second coming of Barack Obama, had to va- cate his position due to a sex
and drugs scandal.
Like everyone else, I as-
sume, I never saw this com- ing. Even though Gillum rocked the classic butt-naked face, that has always been as- sociated with creeps and conmen (no offense to in- mates in state prison who are forced to maintain the look), I gave him the benefit of the doubt that he could be the exception to the rule..... As it turns out, he was not.
After putting up a strong contest against Ron De- Santis, having the support of the Obamas and becom- ing the poster-boy for Florida's Democratic Party, Gillum had the potential to become the next political Rockstar, one who could have probably beaten De- Santis in a rematch. Now, in the wake of these new sala- cious developments, Gillum's political career is about as bankable as the Coronavirus.
According to Gillum, his regrettable actions were a re- sult of him abusing alcohol after falling into deep de- pression following his defeat at the hands of DeSantis. For many of us, who've had to deal with some heavy dis- appointment in our lives, it's easy to relate to the idea of a person drowning his sorrows in a bottle of liquor. But what I'm trying to figure out is how doing so in an intimate setting with a crystal meth- smoking, male escort fits into the equation?
I mean, I know what being in the dumps feels like. And part of bringing myself back up meant engaging in activities that I enjoyed.
If Gillum employed a
similar strategy for his emo- tional well-being then, to me, it translates to the fact that he was partaking in the kind of behavior and spending time with the type of individ- ual who he knew would make him a little bit happier. In other words, he was caught doing something that he's probably found great pleas- ure in for years.
What makes this entire episode even worse for Gillum is the way some media outlets are giving out detailed information about the case, including the condi- tion of the room and what police officers allegedly dis- covered on the bed sheets. A combination of substances and body fluids that can be summed up in one word.... YUCK!
With his dalliances now on front street, Gillum can humbly take his place among the likes of Michael Jack- son, Bill Cosby and R. Kelly, men who also had their dark sides and super- freakiness exposed to the light of day. Luckily for us, though, due to the ongoing pandemic sucking all of the oxygen out of the room, we don't have to worry about his story making national head- lines while further sullying the image of other aspiring brothers everywhere.
I guess everything truly does happen for a reason.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Com- pany. You can contact Mr. Barr at: cbar- ronice@gmail.com.
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A Light In A Time Of Darkness
o doubt, you’ve heard the story. An elderly couple
stops a stranger and asks her if she could do them a kindness. They need to shop for food and sup- plies, but because of the Coronavirus, they are afraid because of their age that they will be susceptible.
So, they ask the stranger if she will accept their money and do their shopping for them. She accepts the money, buys their food, gives them their groceries, and a true story becomes more viral than the virus which caused it. So, what would you have done had you been the stranger?
Better still, what will you do if asked?
We are told Coronavirus is particularly fond of sen- ior citizens, and that the elderly is warned to stay in- doors whenever possible, is also part of the information. No doubt, that means senior citizens will need support to survive.
Are you ready and willing to help?
Your parents, grandparents, senior citizen resi- dents, elderly friends, and loved ones... have you con- tacted them, and given them your telephone number in case they need you?
Rather than thinking about yourself and your safety, if you live with senior citizens, have you made efforts to see about their health and safety? If you’re a member of a lodge, fraternity, sorority, or church, what plans are you making to come to the rescue of those hardest hit by the Coronavirus?
Yes, we are told not since the Spanish Flu (one cen- tury ago) has the world been so much in danger by a virus. But then as now, the darkness gave vent to Light.
Let us protect our senior citizens. Let there be Light.
Tampa Bay Area
Stores Set Aside Special Hours For Seniors
In light of the Coronavirus, several stores in the Tampa Bay Area have made special arrangements for their elderly cus- tomers.
Winn Dixie stores and pharmacies are reserving shopping hours from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., for senior citizens and those most at risk of contracting COVID-19. The reserved hours will be in effect Monday through Fri- day.
Whole Foods stores have started serv- ing customers ages 60 and older from 7 a.m.
until 8 a.m.
Publix has designated Tuesday and
Wednesday mornings, from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. The pharmacies will also open at 7 a.m. Target has allocated the first shopping
hour of every Wednesday.
Walmart will offer one hour before the
store opens on Tuesday. Vision Centers and pharmacies will also be open during that time.
Dollar General will dedicate the first hour of business to seniors.
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PAGE 6 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020