Page 5 - Florida Sentinel 6-7-19

Editorial/Column
FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN
(USPS 202-140)
2207 21st Avenue, Tampa Florida 33605 • (813) 248-1921 Published Every Tuesday and Friday By
FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHING Co., Member of National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
S. KAY ANDREWS, PUBLISHER
C. BLYTHE ANDREWS III, PRESIDENT/CONTROLLER ALLISON WELLS-CLEBERT, CFO
GWEN HAYES, EDITOR
IRIS HOLTON, CITY EDITOR
BETTY DAWKINS, ADVERTISING DIRECTOR HAROLD ADAMS, CIRCULATION MANAGER TOYNETTA COBB, PRODUCTION MANAGER LAVORA EDWARDS, CLASSIFIED MANAGER
Subscriptions-$44.00-6 Months Both Editions: $87.00-Per Year Both Editions.
Opinions expressed on editorial pages of this newspaper by Columnists or Guest Writers, do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of The Florida Sentinel Bulletin or the Publisher.
When the United States Treasury Department announced a few years ago that they were going to introduce a new $20 bill emblazoned with the image of Harriet Tubman, I remem- ber thinking how cool it would be to see a Black face replacing the white visage of Andrew Jackson.
And the fact that they chose the twenty, arguably the most recognizable of the de- nominations, seemed like the perfect marriage considering the bill's nickname, "Dub," could easily transition to "Tub."
The year 2020 was initially slated as the timeframe in which the Tubman's were supposed to make their debut. But, as it stands now, the roll out has been postponed and no one will be able to collect or spend the iconic greenback until at least 2028.
The official excuse for the delay, according to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, is that there was a concern about counterfeiting with the new monetary unit. But some- thing tells me there may be other reasons why Ms. Tub- man has been placed on the backburner.
I mean, eight years seems like a very long time to correct a counterfeiting issue, espe- cially with the level of technol- ogy that exists today. You have to wonder if it would really take such a prolonged period
to simply add a few more water marks and magnetic strips?
It is hard to imagine it being a mere matter of coinci- dence that Mnuchin pushed the release of the Tubman back far enough so that it wouldn't occur during his tenure or that of his boss, Donald Trump, even if he were re-elected. And I don't believe it's a stretch to assume that he probably hopes that, by then, whoever is in office will do the exact same thing.
Of course, these turn of events shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has been pay- ing attention to how the Trump Administration, that appears to embrace bigotry whenever possible, operates. For me the shocking part would have been them allow- ing the Tubs, with their cele- bration of Black heroism, to make their way to a bank teller's drawer.
This, unfortunately, is just another example of what we're up against when it comes to diversity and representation in this country. As much as it ap- pears on the surface that America has become a huge, multicultural melting pot, at it's core, and at the highest seats of power, the ideal that this is a nation built for and by white people is still deeply en- trenched.
There is a reason why places like Mount Rushmore exist. Not only is the landmark
a blatant slap in face to the na- tives who once occupied the territory where the monument was erected, it also sits as a re- minder to all future genera- tions of the kind of imperialism that allowed this country to prosper.
Like Rushmore, the money we exchange on a daily basis is an extension of that message. And it doesn't matter how many immigrants of dark complexion land on these shores or how few of the off- spring from America's forefa- ther's are left to carry the torch of Manifest Destiny, there will always be a segment of the population who will want to protect these symbols of power, white supremacy and domination.
You would think, since the architects of this nation bor- rowed so liberally from an- cient African civilizations such as KMT (Egypt) during its for- mation (including the Wash- ington monument, the structure of the Great Seal and even the red, white and blue colors of the flag to name a few) that it wouldn't be a big deal to have the likeness of an African descendant on at least one piece of legal tender, if for no other reason than out of re- spect and acknowledgement of that influence.
But, since the decision makers at the top seem inca- pable of coming to terms with the truth and refuse to share credit with those who helped to make the concept of Amer- ica possible, holding our breath until the day it happens (or are at least until we're able to pay for a pizza with a "Tub") probably isn't such a smart idea.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. You can contact Mr. Barr at: cbarronice@gmail.com.
We’ll Have To Wait For Harriet
POSTMASTER: Send Address Change To: Florida Sentinel Bulletin,
P.O. Box 3363 Tampa, FL 33601 Periodical Postage Paid At Tampa, FL
C. Blythe Andrews 1901-1977 (1945)
C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. 1930-2010 (1977)
To Suh With Love!
irst we bid a fond farewell to former Buccaneer de-
fensive tackle Gerald McCoy and a warm welcome to Ndamukong Suh, defensive tackle from the Los Angeles Rams who will replace McCoy. They both have had stellar careers and a whole slew of awards and trophies.
Earlier, several sports newspaper writers wrote that Suh was surly, “had a style of play that the Bucs may need,” was voted “the dirtiest player in the NFL” by his peers, was “fined more than $600,000,” and was “sus- pended from three games.” Saying, “the Bucs don’t want a repeat of the kind of aggressive passion that led to it,” one writer stated that Suh will be “playing for his third team in three years,” and that Suh was “more of a mer- cenary than a mentor.”
Having so many negative things written about him, we wanted to find out more about Suh.
Before we knew it, we found out that Suh is a “to whom much is given, much is required” man. Besides being “the sixth highest ranked defensive player and the 24th best player in the NFL,” Suh has an off-field history of which he can be proud.
Some of the “good things we found out about Suh warmed our hearts and showed balance in his off-field be- havior. No one mentioned that Suh was voted “Most Char- itable Athlete” in 2015 and one of two football players listed in the Giving Back 30.
Suh has a family foundation that supports youth in Ja- maica (his mother’s ethnic background), and Cameroon, (his father’s ancestry.) He also supports youth in Port- land, Oregon (his hometown) and Nebraska (home of the college town he graduated from).
Suh’s foundation also supports education, fashions and health and well-being initiatives. Suh gave $2.6 mil- lion to Nebraska University for an athletic strength and conditioning facility and a School of Engineering $600,000 endowed scholarship fund.
Moreover, Suh gave his high school, Grant High School in Portland, Oregon, $250,000 for field turf. Wherever Suh lived, he participated in local charity events.
He also has an abiding love for his heritage. His name means “House of Spears” in his father’s native language (Ngemba) in Cameroon (Central African Country).
Recently, Suh proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Katya Leick, whom he obviously respects as much as he loves her. She is a former basketball power forward for Kansas State University and a news reporter. Suh thanks her for her continued support.
In the future, when we think of Suh, we will remember the Shakespearean quote, “The evil men do lives after them; while the good is oft interred within their bones.”
Welcome home, Good Man Suh and Katya.
Increased Learning Equals Increased Earnings
“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.”
~Jim Rohn
Empowered Greetings. According to Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall at- tain unto wise counsels.”
There are two questions I want to pose to you today.
First, “Are you increasing
learning through self-educa- tion or formal education?” Both should have a place in your life.
Secondly, “Who are you listening to?” Generally speak- ing, your level of earnings will be predicated on your level of learning. I’m not just talking about how many years of school you completed or how many degrees you have ob- tained.
But, I want to know, what have you self–educated your- self on from the school of life
and from the relationships you engage in daily? Learning brings with it opportunities for increase.
Therefore, it is important to monitor whom you are learning from. This person will influence the direction your life will take.
Remember some people only deserve a few minutes of your time but not a few hours. Surround yourself with people who add merit, quality and worth to your life. The power of their presence will make a mark on your life that cannot be erased. Today, I challenge you to increase what you know, so you can grow spiritu- ally, mentally, physically, emotionally, socially, profes- sionally and financially.
To request Selphenia to speak or train at your upcom- ing event, call (813) 603- 0088.
F
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5-A