Feds deny Wake’s magnet grant – News & Observer

RALEIGH — Wake County’s request for $10.3 million in federal money to expand its magnet school program has been rejected by the U.S. Department of Education, adding fuel to the debate about ending the school district’s diversity policy.

North Carolina’s largest school district will not be among those sharing the $100 million in grants expected to be announced today by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, according to Wake school board member John Tedesco. Education officials have been informing members of Congress who represent winning school districts, and Tedesco said his congressional contacts told him no systems in the state won magnet grants this year. (Read more)

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

Tea Party’s roots lie in backlash against Obama-Will Bunch

–There was no talk of the jobs crisis facing America or governmental solutions, but the throng embraced the TV star’s message that the poor in America don’t have it so bad and that the rally "[has] nothing to do with politics, everything to do with God."– (Read more)

NAACP files complaint against Wake schools – ABC 11

RALEIGH (WTVD) — Flanked by national NAACP president Ben Jealous, the Rev. William Barber announced Saturday the organization has taken legal action against the Wake County Public School System over its decision to end a nationally-recognized socio-economic diversity policy. (Read more)

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

Princeville commissioner suspended – Source: The Daily Southerner

PRINCEVILLE — Following Monday night’s meeting, Ward 1 in Princeville is without representation for three months. (Read more)

Note: Here we go again. It is my opinion that Princeville need some new officers because it appears that these officers will never get along. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

See related:

Princeville NC

Letter: Story of black betrayal has lesson – Source: The Daily Reflector

“If you take it all the way back to slavery, there was never a successful slave revolt because the house Negroes would go and tell the boss man what the field Negroes were planning.” These explosive words were spoken by D’Army Bailey, a former Memphis judge and activist. He continued, “And this is all part of the same pattern. It teaches us a lesson that the more things change, the more they stay the same.” (Read more)

Racist messages pose quandary for mainstream sites – Source: Washington Post

— Although you rarely hear racial insults on Main Street these days, there’s a place where unashamed bigotry is all too easy to find: tossed off in the comments sections of some of the Internet’s most popular websites, today’s virtual Main Street. (Read more)

Note: I can relate to this because I experience it almost daily, racist comments left as if I am going to approve them. LMBAO C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

Summary of NC Law on Expunction of Criminal Records – Source: Rep. Angela Bryant

EXPUNCTION OF CRIMINAL RECORDS

This is a summary of North Carolina law concerning the expunction of criminal records. Expunction is the process by which a record of criminal conviction is removed by order of the court, and the individual is restored to the status he or she occupied before the arrest or indictment.  The terms ‘expunction’ and ‘expungement’ are often used interchangeably, and both appear in the statutes. In very limited circumstances, North Carolina law permits the expunction of certain offenses from a person’s criminal record. There are several requirements that must be met for expunction and each individual can generally be granted only one expungement in his or her lifetime. Any person seeking advice regarding a specific case should contact an attorney of his or her choice for more information.

Expunction When Charges Dismissed/Not Guilty

• Charges Dismissed Or Person Found Not Guilty – G.S. 15A-146 provides for the expunction of records when charges are dismissed or there is a finding of not guilty. A person charged with any crime, whether a misdemeanor or a felony, who is not convicted of that offense, can apply to have the charge expunged.  Persons who have previously received an expungement under this or other specified provisions, or persons who have previously been convicted of a felony would not qualify under this provision.

• Charges Dismissed Or Person Found Not Guilty As A Result Of Identity Fraud – G.S. 15A-147 provides for the expunction of records when a charge is dismissed or there is a finding of not guilty in a case where a person is charged with a crime as a result of someone else using the person’s identifying information to commit an infraction or crime.  When the charge against the person is dismissed, a finding of not guilty is made, or the conviction is set aside, the person can apply to have the charge expunged. There is no limit to the number of times a person who is the victim of identity fraud can qualify for an expungement under this provision.

· Charges Dismissed Or Person Found Not Guilty Of Certain Drug-Related Offenses Committed While Under The Age Of 21 – G.S. 15A-145.2(b) provides for the expunction of records when a person is charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance or possession of less than 1 gram of cocaine, and the charges are subsequently dismissed or there is a finding of not guilty. An order of expunction must be entered if the court determines that the person was not over 21 at the offense for which the person was charged occurred. A similar provision is contained in G.S. 15A-145.3(b) with regard to misdemeanor violations of the Toxic Vapors Act and possession of drug paraphernalia.

· Pardon of Innocence – G.S. 15A-149 provides for the expunction of records when a person has been granted a pardon of innocence by the Governor. 

Expunction When the Offender Was Under a Specified Age at the Time of the Offense

· Juvenile Records – G.S. 7B-3200 provides for a person who has reached the age of 18 to petition for the expunction of records relating to the person’s having been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined while a minor.  This provision does not allow the expunction of records relating to an offense that would have been a Class A-E felony if committed by an adult. The statute also provides for expunction of juvenile records when a juvenile petition was dismissed without adjudication

· Convictions of Misdemeanor Committed While Under The Age Of 18 – G.S. 15A-145 provides for the expunction of records for first offenders convicted of a misdemeanor committed while under the age of 18.  A person who is convicted of a misdemeanor committed prior to reaching the age of 18 may have that conviction expunged after 2 years, assuming there have been no other convictions within that time period.

· Misdemeanor Possession Of Alcohol Committed While Under the Age of 21 – G.S. 15A-145 also provides for the expunction of records for first offenders convicted of misdemeanor possession of alcohol who were under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed. A person who is convicted of misdemeanor possession of alcohol committed while under the age of 21 may have that conviction expunged after 2 years, assuming there have been no other convictions in that time period.

· Misdemeanor Cyberbullying Committed While Under the Age of 18 – G.S. 14-458.1(c) provides for the conditional discharge and dismissal of a misdemeanor cyberbullying offense committed while under the age of 18 and provides that expunction may be obtained pursuant to G.S. 15A-146. (See Charges Dismissed or Person Found Not Guilty above)

· Certain Gang Offenses Committed While Under the Age of 18 – G.S. 15A-145.1 provides for the expunction of records for first offenders who are either (i) convicted of, or (ii) discharged and dismissed, for certain gang offenses, when the offense was committed while the offender was under the age of 18.  A person who is convicted of, or discharged and dismissed for, one of these offenses committed while under the age of 18 may have that conviction expunged after 2 years, assuming there have been no other convictions in that time period.

Expunction Of Other Types of Convictions

· Conditional Discharge And Expunction For First-time Drug Offenders – G.S. 15A-145.2(a) and G.S. 15A-145.3(a) authorize the expunction of records for offenses discharged and dismissed pursuant to G.S. 90-96(a) or (a1) or G.S. 90-113.14(a) or (a1). These conditional discharges and dismissals are for first offenders who were under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed, and who have not previously been convicted of any offense under North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Act, Toxic Vapors Act, or Drug Paraphernalia Act, or under corresponding federal law or the laws of another state. When such person pleads guilty to or is found guilty of misdemeanor drug possession, possession of less than one gram of cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia, or inhaling or possessing any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors or fumes, the court may, without entering a judgment of guilt and with the consent of such person, defer further proceedings and place the offender on probation under certain conditions.  Discharge and dismissal under this provision may occur only once with respect to any person.

· Cancellation and Expunction for First-time Drug Offenders – G.S. 15A-145.2(c) and G.S. 15A-145.3(c) apply to first offenders who were under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed, and who have not previously been convicted of any offense under North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Act, Toxic Vapors Act, or Drug Paraphernalia Act, or under corresponding federal law or the laws of another state.  No sooner than 12 months after conviction, the person may apply to the court  to have a conviction of misdemeanor drug possession, possession of less than one gram of cocaine, possessing drug paraphernalia, or inhaling or possessing any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors or fumes, cancelled and records of that conviction expunged.  Cancellation and expunction under this provision may occur only once with respect to any person.

· Misdemeanor Larceny – G.S. 15A-145(d1) provides for the expunction of a misdemeanor conviction of misdemeanor larceny pursuant to G.S. 14-72(a) if the person has no felony convictions, it has been at least 15 years since the conviction for misdemeanor larceny, and the person has had no felony or misdemeanor convictions during that 15 year period. 

Obama presses for longer school years – Source: Yahoo News

WASHINGTON – Barely into the new school year, President Barack Obama issued a tough-love message to students and teachers on Monday: Their year in the classroom should be longer, and poorly performing teachers should get out. (Read more)

A.B. Swindell and Buck Newton responded to the political ads and the mailer – Audio on Jammin 99.3

A.B. Swindell and Buck Newton responded to the political ads and the mailer placed by the Swindell campaign and the North Carolina Democratic Party.  They were both interviewed on the Wed. Sept. 22nd show on Jammin 99.3. (Listen here)

 

Check out "WYMS Radio -Did Integration destroy the Black Economy and Minority Wealth? 9/28/2010 10:00 PM EST" on Black Talk Radio Network™

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Not Just A Church: Bishop Eddie L. Long must step down – Source: Kinetics Faith & Justice Network

This is powerful.

Not Just A Church?

by Dr. Yolanda Pierce

Reflections of an Afro-Christian Scholar

I am grateful for all my colleagues who have weighed in on the allegations against the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Georgia.  The timely statements of Drs. Shayne Lee, Jonathan Walton,and Anthea Butler have provided so much context in which we can situate the seriousness of these accusations, as well as the ramifications of race, gender, and sexual orientation as it applies to this case and to the larger phenomena of mega-churches, prosperity preachers, and televangelism.  And while my thoughts today are prompted by this continuing scandal, I want to explore what I believe to be at the root of the many, many scandals that continue to befall Christian churches: pastors who want to be feudal lords of their own personal fiefdoms instead of the shepherds they are supposed to be…

"We’re not just a church, we’re an international corporation.  We’re not just a bumbling bunch of preachers who can’t talk and all we’re doing is baptizing babies. I deal with the White House. I deal with Tony Blair. I deal with presidents around this world. I pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation. You’ve got to put me on a different scale than the little black preacher sitting over there that’s supposed to be just getting by because the people are suffering." (Eddie Long regarding his compensation package; Atlanta Constitution Journal, August 28, 2005).

These words reveal to me a profound disconnect between what scripture requires of a pastor and what a corrupt and materialistic culture believes a pastor should be.  Why has the corporate model, built upon the acquisition of stuff (things, people, and money) become the model for our churches?  Why is the number of members or the amount of money raised and spent, the marker of success for a church?  How do we reconcile this vain pursuit for bigger numbers with the biblical command to create disciples – not members – but true disciples for God?

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Jonathan Walton interviewed by CNN’s Rick Sanchez about the Eddie Long scandal

Dr. Jonathan Walton, author of Watch This! The Ethics and Aesthetics of Black Religious Broadcasting.and  professor at Harvard Divinity School on Bishop Eddie Long, and the Prosperity Gospel subculture in black megachurches.

Watch

Some churches like Ga. pastor’s thin on safeguards

Bishop Eddie Long on sex scandal: ‘We will arise through this situation’

The 2006 scandal that ousted one of America’s most prominent preachers forced independent charismatic and evangelical churches to consider how to keep a closer eye on their leaders, an issue raised again this week with lawsuits accusing another megachurch pastor of misconduct.

It’s too early to say whether the sex allegations against Bishop Eddie Long, the famed pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta, will spur the kind of soul-searching that followed the downfall of the Rev. Ted Haggard in Colorado.

Regardless, pastors and experts say the Long case demonstrates how vulnerable the country’s independent churches still are to being damaged by the misbehavior – sexual, financial or otherwise – of leaders whose considerable influence often comes with temptation and little accountability.

"The more powerful a Christian leader becomes, the fewer restraints that other people can put on them," said the Rev. H.B. London Jr., vice president of ministry outreach for Focus on the Family. "Some of these men and women become so powerful that no one can tell them ‘no.’"

In one of the biggest shocks ever for independent churches, Haggard resigned from the Colorado Springs megachurch he founded after a Denver man accused him of paying for sex. The fall of Haggard, who drove a pickup truck and made church salaries public information, shook the independent churches who considered him a spotless success story.

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Pastors. Affairs. Power. Ethics.

Jun 9, 2009

djchuang.com

It all unravels eventually. Whether it’s getting tired of hiding the indiscretion, telling a lie, living a lie. Or, getting

caught red-handed.

Another pastor admits an emotional and physical affair. It’s wrong and there are tons of consequences. I think in the information age, with the openness of the Internet, more bad news is known and spreads faster. Moral failures have been around before, easier to hide in some sense, though just as devastating. This past weekend, another pastor falls, even more in the public eye because of social media. And the online chatter perculating.

Scott Williams lists 4 Reasons Leaders FAIL, i.e. fake, attitude, integrity, lacking. Geoff Surratt warns pastors of how they’re already toast if they think they aren’t vulnerable. Ron Edmondson adds his thoughts and Todd Rhoades adds his prayer for another fallen servant.

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AN ANALYSIS OF POWER IN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

A Paper for the Christian Business Faculty Association Conference

Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia, October 16-18, 2003

The definition of power that we use is particularly important in the Biblical account, since power is a part of God’s creation (Colossians 1:16). All authority comes from Him (Romans 13:1). Power, like the rest of creation, was designed for a moral and upright purpose. However, once God has given power to an individual, it is up to that individual how it will be used – for good as God designed (2 Timothy 1:7-9), or in conceit, cruelty, self-aggrandizement, and domination, as Weber would imply.

Does Power Really Corrupt?

If power is a neutral force, what then should be done with Lord Acton’s statement, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" (Russell, 1938)? This is widely accepted. We have even heard Christians use this as an reason to condemn other Christians in authority positions. But does power always corrupt?

Power certainly can corrupt. Evidence from Genesis to the latest newspaper shows that power is often used for evil or venial purposes and that people with power tend to want to keep it at the expense of others.

Nevertheless, the statement cannot be literally true. God has absolute power and He remains uncorrupted. Moreover, we must wonder if God would create something and give it into the hands of His children if it was impossible for these people to prove good stewards of it.

The evidence in the scripture is that God understands that power is seductive but He provides counter forces by which Christians can wield it honestly and wisely. There are many counter forces such as love for Christ, love for neighbor, obedience, accountability and humility. In the next section, we will briefly show how accountability and humility can counter the seduction of power.

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A COVENANT of

CLERGY SEXUAL ETHICS

Human sexuality is a good gift of god through which we become partners with God’s creative intent for humanity (Gen. 1:27, 28, 31). Faithful sexual practice expresses the loving commitment of marriage and embodies the mutual intimacy between husband and wife (Gen. 2:18-25).

When we misuse our sexuality, God’s creative intent is supplanted by destructive consequences. Raised to the status of idol, the good gift of sexuality mutates into the power of exploitation, selfishness, anger, and domination.

When sexual sin and abuse occur, Christian practice calls us to engage the work of justice, reconciliation, and healing. The work of justice involves repentance, restitution, and restoration. Justice builds the foundation for reconciliation by establishing conditions in which alienated and injured parties have the opportunity to heal.

Healing can occur when the possibilities of justice and reconciliation are realized.

The relationship between ministers and congregants is based upon trust. In difficult times, church members turn to ministers for comfort, support, guidance, and assurance, expecting the minister to act as a pastor, shepherd,counselor, and friend. Church members trust

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Bishop Eddie L. Long must step down

By ROLAND S. MARTIN

rolandsmartin.com

The power of any pastor over his or her parishioners is derived from their "calling" to minister the Gospel from God, or as some call it, the anointing by the Holy Spirit. But the role of a pastor – the Bible speaks to being a shepherd of a flock – also comes from the belief that it is their moral standing as the earthly representative of God to lead their congregations spiritually.

If you read the writings of Paul in 1 Timothy 3 (New International Version), he offers the following instructions: "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church)…He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap."

As we witness the salacious and troubling sex allegations leveled this week against Atlanta mega-church pastor, Bishop Eddie L. Long, it is clear that many are confused to hear four young men come forward and allege that the man of the cloth, the husband and father, sexually coerced them and used the power of his prophetic position to engage in sex with them. It is even more shocking considering Long has preached with conviction against homosexuality and gay marriage.

The details outlined in three lawsuits – a fourth man stepped forward on Friday – have rocked the Christian community. Bishop Long isn’t just a preacher with a storefront church. He oversees a massive 240-acre complex in Lithonia, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, a congregation of 25,000 members; schools; and an international ministry that is seen on TBN, Daystar, The Word Network and online. He is widely respected as a strong man of God who ministers annually to fellow pastors, men, youth and a mega women’s and marriage conference.

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Kinetics: putting faith in motion

By Lynn Pinder,

Baltimore Religion & Politics Examiner

There is a powerful faith movement brewing in Baltimore centered around faith, dialogue and motion.   This movement – called Kinetics – is an information ministry founded for the purpose of informing and equipping the faith community with resources to address social justice issues.  Like its dictionary definition, Kinetics is about changing the motion of masses.

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About Us

… You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell. (Isaiah. 58:12)
Kinetics mission is to disseminate information and develop new ideas that work to strengthen social movements within the African-American community; providing them with the tools and skills to pursue justice and better address the needs of those whom they serve.

Join Us

Kinetics Faith & Justice Network mission is to provide the faith community with the tools to advocate and mobilize on local, national, and international issues, to build capacity to solve our own problems, and to use dialogue as a catalyst for social change. Members include clergy, scholars, lawyers, social justice advocates, and nonprofit and business professionals.

www.KineticNet.org

See related:

Bishop Eddie Long

The Bishop Eddie Long Saga

I really don’t want to get into this saga in depth however as I hear folks talking about this I have to voice my opinion. It is my opinion that these guys are serious as hell because they are putting themselves out their on a national level. I don’t hear anyone talking about the situation from the boys angle but it is all about if the Bishop is guilty as accused. Okay if he is or not the boys in my opinion are the real topic of discussion. This situation should send a message to parents that you don’t allow your boys/girls to be put in situations such as this.

Oh well but you see if passa say it is alright then it is good to go. I say the hell if it is. I always say that with my issues/concerns with the church especially with pastors, I can handle situations but I be damn if I will take my children to such places for them to believe that everything passa is saying and doing to be the gospel truth. When the children look up to passa more than they look up to their parents, I have a problem with that.

What seems to never amaze me is that folks will say don’t judge other folks but it is according to who it is, when it is and where it is. It is the same no matter who it is, when it is and where it is. It is just wrong!!

C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

See related:

Bishop Eddie Long

Who Is Bishop Eddie Long?

Meeker wants panel to scrutinize school reassignments – Source: News & Observer

RALEIGH — Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker is wading into the Wake County schools debate again, this time quietly assembling a group of town mayors and “high level” residents to scrutinize the student assignment plan currently being developed by the school board. (Read more)

Note: This is going to be one of those cases where you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t. The real issue is the future of our children. In my opinion this is a good thing. I say go Meeker go. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

See related:

Wake County Public Schools

Eddie Long by William Reed Columnist

A SITUATION BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL

He don’t speak with no anointing!  He don’t speak with no authority!  He’s a con artist! – Chris Brown

Black mega churches are big business in the United States.   Take Faithful Central Bible Church, whose for-profit arm now owns The Forum, former home of the L.A. Lakers.  Or Bishop T.D. Jakes, a pastor of a 30,000-member church in Dallas, whose company produces books, movies, radio shows and conferences across the country.

Black preachers of mega-churches do quite well.  Many live in mansions and drive Bentleys.  Their churches have become conglomerates.  If Jesus were to show up at some of these locations, he’d be turning over vendor tables along with voter registration tables along with ATM machines.  The public rarely gets a glimpse at religious leaders’ compensation because churches are not required to file tax returns.

But continuing accusations have made Eddie Long’s money a public  issue.  Prosperous Blacks have made Atlanta the epicenter of megachurches.  Self-proclaimed “Bishop”, Eddie Long is one of the most powerful men in the Black megachurch movement.   Long  mixes gospel, glitz, politics and finance as he pastors New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, a 25,000-seat megachurch in Lithonia, Georgia.  A  “country preacher” from North Carolina, Long commands a salary near $1 million-a-year, drives a $350,000 Bentley and has a nine-bathroom mansion spread over 20 acres of land in DeKalb County, Georgia.   New Birth is like a stadium, with a lower and upper deck, multicolored spotlights, six large video screens and loudspeakers.  Its services are like concerts and are recorded and sold as DVDs and compact discs within minutes. A gift shop offers snacks, books, music and apparel bearing the New Birth logo.

Long holds a Bachelors degree in Business administration from a Black college, his ventures include a music publishing company and a transportation service.  Born outside Charlotte, North Carolina in 1953, Eddie Long heads the biggest church in the south.  He serves on several boards, including: Vice Chair – Morehouse School of Religion; North Carolina Central University-Board of Trustees and Fort Valley State University’s Board of Trustees.  New Birth was recognized in 1993 as the fastest growing church in North America and under Long’s tutelage, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church  has become an instrument of international force.

In 1995, Bishop Eddie Long established a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity to help the needy and spread the gospel.  The charity, Bishop Eddie Long Ministries Inc., provided him with at least $3.07 million in salary, benefits and the use of property between 1997 and 2000.  It is one of at least 20 nonprofit and for-profit corporations Long founded after becoming New Birth’s pastor.  In a August 28, 2005 report the Atlanta Journal-Constitution accused Long of mishandling the charity’s funds.  You gotta like his the swagger in his retort "We’re not just a church, and we’re an international corporation.  We’re not just a bumbling bunch of preachers who can’t talk … I deal with the White House and with presidents around this world and pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation."

If the allegations of Bishop Long’s involvement in homosexual acts are true, it would represent the height of hypocrisy.  In 2006, Long was chosen to host and officiate the funeral for Coretta Scott King.  Prior to that in 2004, Long and MLK daughter Bernice King led a march to MLK’s grave to support a constitutional amendment to protect marriage "between one man and one woman."  Long was a prominent supporter of George W. Bush’s faith-based initiatives.  His ministry received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Administration of Children & Families.  Long’s critics link such funding with his anti-gay activities.  There are questions as to whether Long used his youth training academy as a cover to procure kid sex.  Long concedes that “he has made mistakes”, but contends that he represents a "paradigm shift" in the Black church.  Long says he won’t be like other pastors who died broke while giving everything to congregations that "wanted them to live in poverty and preach about prosperity."

(William Reed is publisher of Who’s Who in Black Corporate America and available for speaking engagements via BaileyGroup.org)

See related:

William Reed

Why our folks continue to be left behind in so many things…

You know Political Agitator, I’ve wondered why our folks continue to be left behind in so many things… Why it seems we as a people can not advance to the measures and levels of prosperity as I see in other minorities. I’m learning – sadly…- a great majority are simply content where it is they are. There is no yearning for better or to do better. For themselves first and then for others. For in doing, you can’t want more for somebody else then they want for themselves. Sounds harsh but I am finding it to be true, we are often left behind because we choose to be. We, as a people are not making ourselves available to be an active part of the process. And asking us to participate in the arena of civic duty, local politics, etc those things that help shape our lives and our future, we simply will not apply ourselves… So in growing weary I made a decision to help where I can, when I can for whomever I can. And let God do the rest. For HE knows their needs far better than you or I ever will. And for those who know no better and those who don’t know they need somebody to help them along the way – I surrender them to HIM. God knows, ENERGY & EFFORT doesn’t come as ample as it used to my friend. Getting older makes you readjust how you do what you do. I pray you continued peace and strength in your call to communicate to the community. From the sparkplug to the agitator. Let’s continue to give them something to talk about! God Bless & God speed. Post on Citizens United For Change in Wilson NC

My response to: The Spark Plug.

It is my heartfelt feeling the reasons why we are left behind in so many things is because our people are sometimey. They get involved only when it is something in it for them. You see that is a real problem. In order to stay on top of things we must be at the table at all times just in case if something should come up we will be there. But the majority of the time we are not there and we have to work hard as hell to fight back.

Look at our local politicians. Are they really concerned about what is really going on around us overall or are they just concerned or play the role as it relates to the position they hold. Are they really doing a good job or are they just collecting a check? Do they really fight for change or do they do just enough to continue to get re-elected so they can collect a check? They collect the check but we are the voice while we sacrifice our time and resources while they reap the benefits. Look around and see how many folks that you know including yourself are appointed to boards and etc., or recognized for the work you do by these folks in power. They say they appreciate what you do and they do because you make them look good but obviously they are inferior of you because they do not promote you. You see if they promote you, they will not be popular.

Every day people don’t get involved or seem to care about what is going on around them simply because they do not see the powers that be (local elected officials) doing a damn thing. Every day people say why waste there time going to meetings such as a school board meeting when those that look like them do not support them when they come in for a complaint or concerns. I understand why every day people do not get involved because I have been there. It is frustrating even sometimes humiliating that folks like you know that you have valid concerns and/or complaints and tell you to come to the meeting but they sit there and don’t say a damn thing. So why should one go?

I truly believe there are every day people who want to get involved but there is little trust in our community. I have said it over and over and over again that there need to be some meetings in the hood to talk about why we are not together, set aside our differences, talk about what has worked/not worked and how we can move forward holding each other accountable. Those who do not want to move forward together can eliminate themselves and they need to get the hell out of the way. We have no time for playing games because it is about the future, the future of our children especially during a time when it seems that our children are lost. However it is not their fault because what in the hell are we doing? We want the children to stand for something but what in the hell are we standing for? We are allowing mess to go on in the hood, around the hood and abroad and then we talk about how bad things are.

As individuals especially those like myself and others who have been out there trying to make a difference for many, many years we have to rethink how we do things in order to stay sane. Since we have done our part we must do whatever we is best for us in order to stay sane. We must fight for our future, the future of our children. We must keep in mind that those who are not in the fight will also benefit from the work that we do.

My main concern has been and is education but not limited to. However I do not attend the school board meetings faithfully after doing so for around 15 years trying to make things better for our children while others who shared my concerns never attended any meetings and those who did said nothing. I have decided that I will attend the meetings now when there is a specific issue or when I feel like it. I have done my share and I continue to be a resource to parents who call me. I can do that because I have been very active in the school PTO over the years serving as assistant secretary and vice president at G.W. Carver Elementary School. In 2001 I was instrumental in making sure that G.W. Carver replaced the retiring principal with a certified person and not the non-certified white female that they were going to put in place. They were going to make this female an assistant principal at the school until she received her document to become a principal. This was going to give us 2 assistant principals and no principal. I said I have no doubt she will receive her papers but the criteria states that we are to interview for a principal and not an assistant. I walked out of the interview. They didn’t act on her and this is when William Ellis from South Edgecombe moved over to the school from South Edgecombe Middle. I truly feel someone asked him to consider because he didn’t apply for the position. Dr. Florence A. Armstrong was blackballed during the meeting I set in while we interviewed candidates for that principal position. I also served on the School Improvement Team at this school.

I am a former member of the School Improvement Team at South Edgecombe Middle School where my daughter was a 7th grade honor student and they tried to use her to get back at me by trying to keep her from receiving the “A” Honor Roll. I challenged the principal and he had to go back and not only give my daughter the “A” she deserved but had to hold another awards program and other children got their “A” as well. The majority of those who benefitted were white children. Some of the staff at the school felt intimidated by me because I challenged them during the meetings and always held them accountable for their actions. I requested that 2 schools staff receive diversity training because of some issues. The Central Office agreed and the training was held in 2003 at 2 schools in my district. Because of my knowledge of the education system, a former principal of South Edgecombe called the local Sheriff Department to have me removed from the campus at a School PTO Report Card Pick Up night because I asked questions during the election of the PTO officers and during a visit to one of my daughter’s classrooms whereby I questioned the teacher about a math question. I had the election on video. I was banned from the school because the punk Superintendent at that time was buds with this principal. The principal was later removed from this school. The punk Superintendent eventually left also and he left the Edgecombe County Public Schools System in a financial crisis. I had informed some members of the school board that I had received calls from Hertford County before they hired him that we didn’t want him because he had tore up their school system.

At both of the schools I was the one who actually made them put by-laws in place for the PTO and School Improvement Teams. I contacted the DPI to get the information and got information from other local schools who had actual by-laws in place.

So did the black board members speak out on these issues? Go figure or better yet ask them.

The above is just a few things that I have been involved in since I was called upon by the children at SouthWest Edgecombe in 1993 when they asked me to come to the school to help them solve a staged walkout that stemmed from a white teacher/coach who had grabbed a black student around the neck in the hallway. During the time I was the 1st vice president of the Rocky Mount NAACP.

The principal at SouthWest a short time after my involvement in the walkout issue among some other issues because he had a problem with me, he invited me to the cornfield. Go figure what that meant? A white man invited a young black man to the cornfield. The Rocky Mount Branch NAACP called for his resignation but after some Safe Negroes met with the principal without me, the NAACP retracted the resignation although he admitted to it. But he did it in front of the guy that was with me and also some others who were present in the main lobby of the school.

I have received certificates of graduation for participating in the yearly (PESP) Parent Education Studies Program through the NC Justice and Community Development Center Education Leadership Institute at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill NC on June 14, 2002 and again on May 30, 2003 at the Holiday Inn Gateway Center in Rocky Mount NC.

One good thing my friend is inspite of it all, I have gained valuable resources so whatever I may experience in life I have resources. But the main thing is I am a resource for others.

So to the spark plug my friend we have promoted other folks but who is promoting us? Why do we continue to do what we do while other folks reap the benefits? It is the God in us my friend.

Check out see related below for verification to things mentioned above.

My friend, I totally agree with you, "I will help where I can, when I can for whomever I can. And let God do the rest."

See related:

If You Are Scared, Say It And Get The Hell Out Of The Way – Rev. Al Sharpton Greensboro 2005

From the Publisher – Folks It Is Not Business As Usual Anymore – September 10, 2009

School issues – August 25, 2005

About The Political Agitator

Note: Corrections and more information added on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 12:58 AM.