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Editorial/Columns
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Babies Need Smarter Mothers
t this point I don't know
what it's going to take to get it through the heads of young mothers that it's never a good idea to leave their children in the care of their boyfriends of the moment. But, for the sake of the little ones being harmed, we have to figure out a way to get
the message across.
It seems like several times a
year we read or hear about these types of occurrences. The tragedy of a child being severely abused or killed after a woman entrusts his or her well being with some random person she happens to be sleeping with at the time.
The most recent example of one of these sad incidents in- volved 19-year-old Christo- pher Reddick who, while babysitting for his girlfriend, scalded her three-year-old son with boiling hot water. He claimed that he wanted to give the baby a bath and, since the hot water in the apartment was-
n't working, he used water that he boiled on the stove.
It was an explanation so ridiculous in scope that it could only be interpreted one of two ways: A blatant lie to cover up the wickedness of his deed or a clear indication that he was a complete idiot. Either way they both led to the same conclu- sion... He had no business look- ing after someone's kid.
I mean a person would have to be a cruel bastard or a total moron to think it was even a re- motely good idea to use water brought to a boiling point to bathe a toddler without, at least, adding some cold water or let- ting it cool off for 20 minutes. And, judging by the look on his face in the mug shot I saw in the paper, it could actually be a combination of the two.
Every time I run across one of these wild incidents I always wonder to myself what these mothers were thinking? How did they rationalize in their
brains that they could leave their most valuable possessions with individuals who they barely knew?
It never seems to dawn on them that these guys, who make a habit of living with different women because they lack the ability to live on their own, probably have a hard time tak- ing care of themselves. With that being the case, it's hard to imagine how anyone could trust them with the welfare of another human being?
These kind of unfortunate events happen so often that it may be time to come up with an ad campaign to address the issue. In much the same way they promoted slogans like "Say No To Drugs," "Buckle Up," and "Don't Drink And Drive," there should be a billboard at every in- tersection plastered with atten- tion-grabbing headlines like, "Don't Be A Dummy And Leave Your Kid With A Dummy," "Mommy Don't Leave Me With Him. He Can't Think Straight," or "Never Trust A Birdbrain With Your Baby."
I know the idea may sound funny but, when it comes to keeping children safe, some of these mothers need to realize that it's really no laughing mat- ter.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. You can contact Mr. Barr at: cbarronice@gmail.com.
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When Politics Come To Black Tampa
arch 17th, is when Florida voters gird up their
loins and troop en masse to the Primary Ballot box. But a question looms as Florida voters prepare to do battle.
While white voters, Latino voters, women, LGBTQ and other voter groups prepare to clear their con- science, what are Black voters going to be doing? More specifically, does anybody really know how Black vot- ers feel about the current issues that try our souls?
Then get closer to home . . . how Black voters in Tampa are shaping up to make a difference in the up- coming presidential election horizon when the very survival of American democracy hangs in the balance. Never mind that thought, a handful have tried, and no one has yet, been successful in becoming Tampa’s first Black Congressional representative.
Perish the thought regarding the obvious fact Black leadership still plays the role of beggar at the table of Tampa’s apportionment. Add the fact that as of yet, not one Democratic Presidential candidate that we know about has bothered to visit any of Tampa’s Black mover-and-shaker organizations or individuals seem to point to the possibility that the Black Tampa community is woefully under the national political radar. But perhaps, we’re wrong.
Instead, use this Editorial as a wake-up call. Rouse, and place Black interests back on track toward becom- ing a voice that matters.
In other words, when politics come to Tampa, let’s make sure Black doors receive a meaningful knock.
Woke? Watch What Trump Has Done And Does
o the Trump campaign
thinks Black voters are asleep and dreaming of voting for him. Even though President Donald Trump says, “I am the least racist person you have encountered.” Blacks should remember what he has done in the past and what he is still doing that impact Blacks negatively. He reminds me of an old plantation owner who gave slaves a few trinkets and food they weren’t allowed to eat all year long on Christmas.
Throwing us a few bones by pardoning Jack Johnson and promoting Charles McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee airmen of World War II, cannot cause us to forget that he wouldn’t rent apartments to Blacks. Nor, can we forget how he treated and talked about President Barack Obama, and is attempting to erase all the
programs and policies that President Obama initiated to help the poor, Blacks and other minorities, the elderly and children, and to save our clean oceans, clean water and clean air for future generations.
In case you forget, let me share just a few ways on a long list of anti-Black actions Trump has given us on his backsides: First, he just added Nigeria to a list of predominantly Black and brown countries that are banned from securing visas for permanent travel to the United States.
He was quoted as saying the U. S. should take more people from Norway, HELLO! He had already removed the protected status of Haitian immigrants, forcing tens of thousands of Haitian immigrants to leave the United States and return to their country that is still trying to
recover from the earthquakes that have devastated their country.
Also, on the long list of racist actions are the following: Trump referred to Nigeria and other Black and brown countries as S—H—countries. Trump stereotyped a Black reporter who asked if he had met with the Congressional Black Caucus. Trump later tweeted that several Black and brown members of Congress, with non- American ancestors, should go back to their countries, even though they are American citizens.
Please don’t forget how he attacked Black NFL players who silently protested racism in America by kneeling during the playing of the National Anthem. Other attacks include: the rescinding of the 2014 Joint Sales Agreement, which helped increase diversity in the television industry, and proceeded to revoke the Title IX guidance clarifying protection for transgender students.
He continues to seek ways to end the Affordable Care Act health insurance for physically challenged citizens.
There are other ways Donald Trump has not helped Blacks. Harambe.
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