Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 8-25-17

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Artist Recalls Meeting With Activist During Tampa Visit
Tampa artist Ronnie Moorer, right, presented a portrait to Civil Rights activist, Dr. Dick Gregory, in 1988.
“I never learned hate at home, or shame. I had to go to school for that.”
Dick Gregory
DR. DICK GREGORY 10/12/1932 to 8/19/2017
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Ronnie Moorer is a artist who captures historic events that take place in Tampa. And, on many occasions, he has the opportunity to meet the subject he has chosen for his art.
Moorer has met and pre- sented his paintings to individ- uals ranging from popular athletes to a U. S. President. In 1988, he had an opportunity to meet Civil Rights activist Dick Gregory when he visited Tampa. During that visit, the artist met the activist and pre- sented him with one of his por- traits.
Recently, Gregory died at the age of 84, and the news of his death brought back memo- ries for Moorer.
He said, “As an artist, one must find opportunities to ex- hibit and promote his or her work. In 1988, God gave me that opportunity. I was a mem- ber of an art group called “An- other Vision,” led by Oliver Parsons, who is an excellent artist.
“By him working at USF, he was able to get the group to dis- play their artwork the same day that Dick Gregory was to be the guest speaker. So the idea cametome,whynotdoa graphite pencil drawing and present it to him. So I did and God did bless me to present it to him after his wonderful speech and the humor he brought along with it. The place was
packed, of course, and it was an honor and a privilege to stand on stage to present Dick Gre- gory, with the portrait I drew of him. It's one thing to see and hear a person like him on TV or read about in the newspaper, but to be there live was a thrill.
“Dick Gregory, was a Civil Rights leader, activist and a Co- median, and was someone to behold and to be remembered for generations to come. God has opened many doors for me to meet people like Dick Gre- gory. Martin Luther King, III, and President Barack Obama, just to name a few. The memories I had that day, I still think about and tell others. What a Blessing!”
Moorer created a tee shirt with the image of President Barack Obama that he had designed. And, when Presi- dent Obama visited Tampa, he was there to make the pres- entation.
In addition to creating artis- tic drawings, Moorer is a col- lector of African American historic books, figurines, coins, and other items. He also ac- tively participates in Black His- tory programs each February and other events in the commu- nity.
About Dr. Dick Gregory Dr. Dick Gregory, born Richard Claxton Gregory, was a Comedian, Civil Rights activist, social critic, entrepre- neur, author, motivational
speaker and actor.
He began his comedy rou-
tine while serving in the mili- tary. His comedy routines mocked bigotry and racism. Dr. Gregory went on to become the first African American co- median to successfully cross over to include whites among his audiences, appearing on tel- evision, and releasing comedy albums.
During the 1960s, Dr. Gre- gory, who was arrested several times, was a Civil Rights ac- tivist. He protested the Viet Nam War and racial injustice. Dr. Gregory died on August 19, 2017, of heart failure at the age of 84.
Community Prayer Vigil At Allen Temple AME Was About Love
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Love was the common theme at a community prayer vigil hosted Thursday at Allen Temple AME Church.
Hundreds of people filled the pews of the Ybor City in- stitution for the two-hour cer- emony held in response to the tragic events in Charlottsville, Va., on Aug. 12 when white supremacists and counter protestors clashed over the re- moval of a Confederate statue.
When the dust settled, three were left dead: Heather Heyer, 32, and Virginia State police officers Trooper-Pilot Berke M. M. Bates and Pilot Lt. H. Jay Cullen.
Heyer, whose father lives in Brevard County, was killed when a car mowed through a crowd of counter protestors. Bates and Cullen died when the helicopter they were rid- ing in to monitor the events crashed on a return trip to base.
The vigil featured hymns, a moment of silence in re- membrance of the victims, and a collection for the Tampa Police Memorial Fund in honor of Bates and Cullen.
Several leaders of faith de- livered brief prayers, includ- ing Father John Tapp of Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, who referenced Christ’s example of faith when he walked on the Sea of Galilee.
“You have called on us as citizens of this great nation to walk on water with you,” he said. “Despite the storm of hate...we stand together in unity.”
Rev. Bernice Powell Jackson, pastor of First United Church of Tampa,
Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames, Jr., host pastor, Allen Temple AME Church, in prayer before the service begins.
ice.
Ministers and members of law enforcement attended the serv-
charged the audience to exer- cise kindness and under- standing.
“I want you to focus your hearts and minds on one word – love,” she said. “Think about what you know about love today that you didn’t know last week.”
Before dismissal, Allen Temple pastor Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames, Jr., asked congregants to remember Heyer, the officers, and those who were injured in Charlottesville.
“Remember to love your neighbor as you love your- self,” he said.
In a separate interview, Dames said he and other local faith leaders are plan- ning additional events to ad- vance understanding in the community.
“The group is meeting in a few weeks to have some group discussion on how we move forward and get to know each other,” he said.
Tampa resident Lois Rice said she attended the service in search of some heal- ing.
“I’m really afraid for our nation since Trump was elected,” she said. “This is helpful.”
The pews at Allen Temple were filled for the Community Prayer Vigil.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL-BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B