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Editorials
One Step Away
Harriet Tubman On The $20 Dollar Bill
Now, before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight. Yes, Ms. Harriet Tubman was considered to be the face of America’s newest 10-dollar bill. But so was
Eleanor Roosevelt, and from last report, Ms. Roosevelt won out. However, such was not the end of the race. Har- riet Tubman was also a front-runner for placement on our nation’s 20-dollar bill, and from all indications, she’s a shoe-in to win the honor.
And why not have a Black woman’s face on the front of “In-God-We- Trust?” Given all the other icons and ras- cals whose mugs have made their way to fiscal notoriety, why not give pictorial and historical credit where credit is due?
For, indeed, Harriet Tubman would represent more than herself. She would symbolize the plight and victory of the tens of thousands of Black women who – from slavery through Emancipation, and finally to Civil Rights equality, have proven to be the economic backbone of the United States of America. Ask Sojourner Truth who once challenged American men folk with the question, “And ain’t I a woman?” Indeed and unsung, it was the Black woman whose face should have adorned the head of the Statue of Liberty.
So, we applaud our leaders for at least symbolically making a logical decision. Now, if they would only open up the floodgates of equal employment opportunity so that Black women and Black men could make a decent living – filling their wallets, pocketbooks, and bank ac- counts with wads of Harriet Tubmans.
While lamenting the fact that a trip to the movies or to the shopping mall in America these days has become dangerous, we were not surprised to read that a poll of
movie-goers revealed they wanted security/police offi- cers in the movie theaters. We were very surprised thought that they didn’t want to pay for such protection.
Also surprised, were members of our editorial staff who discussed the matter and out of that discussion came an idea we believe is worth exploring. Call it the possibility of “Secret Deputies.”
Are we talking about a modern rendition of the Lone Ranger? Not really. But what we suggest is to have non- uniformed members of the National Guard or honorably discharged veterans in plainclothes volunteering to be trained and deputized by local law enforcement agencies to carry concealed weapons and to become actively en- gaged in protecting the public during public events (for instance, movies, malls, sports events etc.).
Whenever attackers or terrorists attempt to harm pa- trons at public events and venues, the Secret Deputies would assume their roles as deputized sheriffs, police of- ficers, etc.
Adding 50 cents or a dollar to the cost of tickets to at- tend the events would be worth the peace of mind of knowing someone is present and available to spring into action.
Consequently, whatever the cost, being able to enjoy sporting events, shopping trips, first-run-films, or other entertainment venues in America without fearing for our lives must be a freedom we can once again enjoy in the land of the free and home of the brave.
“Functioning In Your Set Place Is The Key To A Fulfilled Life.”
Bishop I.V. Hilliard
Empowered Greetings. You are one step away from moving into your set place. A place that has been designed for you to fill and be fulfilled.
Don’t let anything come to rob you of your future because you are only one step away from experiencing the optimum conditions that God has planned for your life.
Your just one step away from a simple solu- tion to all the difficult challenges you’ve been facing.
Your just one step away from your faith al- lowing you to stand stead- fast when discouragement comes to cripple you with its grip.
Walk in an unwavering fortitude of faith that says “I will not be moved from my set place.”
You cannot be moved because you are only one step away from your
breakthrough.
You cannot be moved
because you are only one step away from possessing your promise.
You cannot be moved because you are only one step away from your over- flow.
No matter what comes to stop you, don’t draw back because you are only one step away from vic- tory.
If you want Selphe- nia to speak or present a workshop at your next event please call 813-956-0185.
Get connected with Selphenia should check out her Website: success- coachtowomen.com or Facebook: Selphenia Nichols Success Coach To Women or Instagram: Selphenia or Twitter: queenofsuccess1.
sions like “leeway” and “benefit of the doubt” don’t exist as far as we’re con- cerned. Our every misstep or mistake, that draws at- tention of law enforce- ment, could potentially end with us being slaughtered, regardless of how minor the violation.
Even the normal hor- monal imbalance that causes teenagers to act out is something our teenagers can’t afford to allow to overtake them. While other kids who display a rebel- lious spirit, a defiant na- ture or who go through a mischievous phase may wind up spending time in the custody of juvenile de- tention, these days, our children are more likely to take up residence inside of a casket.
As disheartening as all of this may sound, and as much as I hate to admit it, this is the reality that we’re forced to face. In this soci- ety we have become the foxes in hunt.
And, since we aren’t prepared, willing or able to fight back, like any animal being preyed, it seems as though our best chances of survival involves us doing everything we can to just stay out of the way.
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No Room For Error
Secret Deputies
Sunday marked the one year anniversary of the shooting death of 18-year- old Michael Brown by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. For many, the spilling of Brown’s blood is considered the genesis of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Ironically though, on the same day that people were remembering this tragic episode, another unarmed, Black male, 19-year-old Christian Taylor, also methisendbywayofapo- lice officer’s bullet. This time the shooting occurred on the premises of a car dealership in Texas.
Over the last 12 months, as I’ve witnessed incidents like these play out over and over again, I’ve noticed two common traits that have been a factor in almost every scenario; a trigger happy cop coming in con- tact with a Black male who may have committed some illegal infraction.
Whether it was Brown walking in the middle of a street, Eric Garner sell- ing cigarettes on a New York sidewalk, Walter Scott attempting to duck going to jail for late child support payments,
Samuel Dubose refusing to allow a cop to open his car door or Taylor de- stroying private property, they all found themselves on the receiving end of a cop’s over-active aggres- sion for simply doing one thing: ‘failing to comply after engaging in behavior’ that made them targets for some kind of law enforce- ment intervention.
And, unfortunately, for a Black person in this country, that’s all it nor- mally takes to be sentenced to death by a firing squad.
The uncomfortable truth that becomes more appa- rent each time one of these stories surfaces is that, when it comes to the law in America, Black people have absolutely no room for error.
Unlike whites who can, seemingly, get away with getting whatever anxiety they feel off of their chests, even after being caught for wrongdoing, Black people expose themselves to a completely different haz- ard level when expressing even the slightest level of protest.
For us “bucking” the law is never an option. That is mainly because expres-
wishing
Clarence
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5