The Broward Times back issues from December 2007:
Affirmative action: The double-edged sword
Dec 07, 2007; ... I vividly remember a very hurtful exchange near the end of my high school career. I was trying to encourage a Jewish student who was a year behind me about his prospects for college. I had been accepted at Dartmouth College, my alma mater, and other Ivy League schools. He - a straight-A ...
Sistrunk Festival takes it back to the streets
Dec 07, 2007; ... Seeking a return to its glory days, the Sistrunk Historical Festival will take its 2008 parade and festival back to the streets. The popular Black History Month event, which in recent years held a festival with vendors and performing artists at the Rev. Samuel Delevoe Park, will bring ...
High-profile attorney makes impact with low-key persona
Dec 07, 2007; ... WHO'S WHO IN BLACK SOUTH FLORIDA There is a silent but forceful wave of advocacy spreading through the streets of Broward County. The energy of righting wrongs and balancing the scales of justice does not stem from chanting groups or peaceful street demonstrations. This move for equality ...
Organically eating your way to better health
Dec 07, 2007; ... Have you ever wondered if your diet was negatively affecting your health? If you are still eating conventional foods, then it very well could be. Organic foods are those that are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation to maintain the integrity of ...
Am I my Brother's Keeper?
Dec 07, 2007; ... WAKE UP CALL " ... We don't want to deal with ourselves. We take great joy in prescribing medicine to cure the hate in other people's hearts. Meanwhile, our self-hatred, on full display for the world to see, remains untreated, undiagnosed and unrepentant." - Jason ...
Lessons we can learn
Dec 07, 2007; ... THE POLITICS OF BLACKNESS Last Sunday, the Venezuelans, particularly those expatriates in America, taught the world a lesson. Hopefully we, as black folk can learn from it. The Venezuelans handed their loud-mouth president, Hugo Châvcz, a resounding defeat when he tried to become ...
Cuban immigration, Haitian repatriation
Dec 07, 2007; ... NEW DIALOGUE Recently, 34 Cuban refugees landed in Palm Beach County. The U.S. Federal government says it tries to "discourage illegal migration by sea," according to Barbara Gonzalez, spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Yet, "these refugees are ...
Young professionals connect in Miami
Dec 07, 2007; ... It was a crisp, clear night in Miami's Design District as more than 70 young professionals and guests gathered during the interactive networking event, "Life: The Game." The event, presented by the Metro-Miami Action Plan Trust and Miami-Dade College (North Campus) at the Art Fusion ...
Students earn computers in Dell program
Dec 07, 2007; ... When Marcus Lindsey filled out an application for one of the 40 spots in Dell's TechKnow program, he was not expecting a free computer. He was among the hundred or so students at Arthur Ashe Middle School in Fort Lauderdale who were in the running, and he was selected to participate. As ...
Jim Berry's Black and Red Affair is good sport to local charity
Dec 07, 2007; ... Many sports fans avidly tune in to Jim Berry on CBS4 or WDNA 88.9 FM. In addition to his career demands and being a doting father of two children, Berry finds time to help the people around him. He supports The Greater Miami Tennis Foundation and The South Florida Steppers. The ...
The Manifesto of Kaylen Sanders
Dec 07, 2007; ... TEENS' CORNER I believe in dreams A great escape from the cruel reality of life I believe in using imagination to redecorate the world I believe in a dream of peace A dream of love and happiness' Dreams are portals deep into the folds of the ...
MOVIE REVIEW: The Perfect Holiday
Dec 07, 2007; ... MOVIE REVIEW: The Perfect Holiday ENTERTAINMENT This is very painful to write, but I have to be true to myself and you readers. I hate to put down one of our movies, but this has to be said: "Corniness, thy name is The Perfect Holiday." It's hard to believe a movie can be ...
AROUND SOUTH FLORIDA
Dec 07, 2007; ... WESTON A city ordinance that would have made it a crime to fish from city-owned bridges or public rights of ways near canals has been scrapped, at least for now. But you can expect Weston city commissioners to revisit the issue soon. Now, unless someone convinces me otherwise, this ...
Listen to that still, small voice
Dec 07, 2007; ... We have all been nagged by intuition, by an intangible "sixth sense." Often, the unease is visceral; our stomach sinks, knowing that an action taken (or pending) portends trouble. To our detriment, we have become experts at tuning out our instincts. We choose, instead, to retain a false ...
Patience
Dec 07, 2007; ... My maternal grandmother, Ella Love, was a simple person imbued with complex strengths. As a youngster, I would have called "Granny" impatient. She didn't suffer foolishness from anyone, young or old, black or white, rich or poor. All who knew Granny knew where they stood with her. And ...
POSITIVELY BEAUTIFUL: Ride it out
Dec 07, 2007; ... A broken arm, a busted tooth and a great deal of fear encompass die day training wheels are removed from a kid's bicycle. We all go through it: The fear of trying a new thing that is sure to be painful. Every knee has been scraped one time or another, and every heart has been broken one ...
God bless us, every one
Dec 14, 2007; ... FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK As we inch ever closer to the holidays, it is increasingly important to keep our eyes on the prize. I am not talking about what you will find under a Christinas tree, beside a menorah if you are Jewish, or alongside a kinara if you celebrate ...
Barack Obama: Strange fruit hanging from the ballot box
Dec 14, 2007; ... Traditional civil rights-era black leaders are treating Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, a presidential candidate, like strange fruit hanging from the ballot box, and if s a crying shame. You may recall the song, Strange Fruit, by Billie Holiday, which condemned racism, particularly the ...
Urban League gets land for new community center
Dec 14, 2007; ... After 32 years of service to Broward County and a 10-year land search, the Urban League of Broward County will build a new Community Empowerment Center along the Sistrunk corridor. The Broward County Commission on Tuesday awarded the agency a section of Rev. Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park ...
CORRECTION
Dec 14, 2007; ... A story in the Dec. 7 to 13 edition of the Broward Times incorrectly ...
What ever happened to the public servant?
Dec 14, 2007; ... WAKE UP CALL I have always preferred the term "public servant" when describing those elected officials who hold municipal, state or federal positions. As far as I am concerned, a person who is elected by the people to serve the best interests of the people is most appropriately deemed a ...
Who needs long-term care?
Dec 14, 2007; ... There's so much drama going on all around the world. Black-on-black crime appears to be at an all-time high and it seems that not a week goes by without some outlandish scandal being revealed. Brace yourselves. It seems that many of us will be around to witness the world's happenings for ...
In the land of milk and honey
Dec 14, 2007; ... THE POLITICS OF BLACKNESS I am amazed at the enigma presented by American-born black Christians in relationship to white folk. There is one persona in church and then another outside. In church, I hear wonderful testimonies in praise and worship service that belie any underlying ...
FINESSE MITCHELL: Laughing his way to the top
Dec 14, 2007; ... Smart, sensible and funny as hell describe Finesse Mitchell and his new book, Your Girlfriends Only Know So Much: A Brother's Take on Dating and Mating for Sistas. With yet another goal on his 2007 "To Do" list crossed off, the comic with good looks and quick comebacks is on a roll and ...
Library gets boost to help small businesses
Dec 14, 2007; ... There was a time in Fort Lauderdale's history when Sistrunk Boulevard, also known as Northwest 6th Street, contained the heart and soul of black-owned business, culture and entertainment. Things changed in the late 1960s when integration opened doors to neighborhoods and opportunities ...
AROUND SOUTH FLORIDA
Dec 14, 2007; ... SOCIETY Perhaps it's me, but it seems that more women are being arrested and charged with committing crimes. Most of their alleged crimes are financial in nature and involve some kind of fraud. Are we in the midst of a female-engineered crime wave, or is it just normal greed and a sign ...
Keeping it Real
Dec 14, 2007; ... Christmas holidays are fraught with expectations. Children expect toys to magically appear, families expect to spend time together, and retailers expect consumers to shop 'til they drop. Indeed, there are expectations all around. What we do not expect, however, are troubled teens going ...
Kindness
Dec 14, 2007; ... In what is a practical love story between Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 2), we can see kindness. Boaz's kindness has a special nature to it, in how he initially treats this foreign-bom black Moabite woman, whom he has heard about, through his kinswoman Naomi. Boaz is a man of more than ...
POSITIVELY BEAUTIFUL: Snow covers Florida
Dec 14, 2007; ... Remember the old story of the great-granddaughter who always cut off the end of the roast before baking, adhering to family tradition? The custom sprang forth from great-grandmother's pan being too small for a standard roast. Family habits don't have to make perfect sense. Our family ...
KWANZAA: A year-round tradition at Kulture Klothes
Dec 14, 2007; ... Kwanzaa is celebrated year-round in Maisie McNaught's heart, home and business. "We celebrate Kwanzaa to remember our roots," said McNaught, 58, of Miami Gardens. "Many of the Kwanzaa principles and ceremonies are integrated into daily Caribbean life." Kwanzaa, established in ...
An Important lesson for black fathers
Dec 21, 2007; ... FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK I recently gained a great deal of inspiration from the story of a West African prince who was sold into slavery, survived the Middle Passage, and - by his own industrious efforts - bought not only his own freedom, but also that of his wife and children. By ...
Venus racks up fashion degree in Fort Lauderdale
Dec 21, 2007; ... She has won two Olympic Gold medals, two U.S. Open titles and four Wimbledon championships. But while Venus Williams has dominated the tennis world, she's also been chasing another dream off the court: fashion design. Last week, Williams' hard work paid off. She graduated from ...
Lawsuit accuses pastor, wife of improperly using church funds
Dec 21, 2007; ... FORT LAUDERDALE - Some members of New Mount Olive Baptist Church have filed a lawsuit that accuses the senior pastor and his wife of accepting funds from the church's video and tape mimstiy without authorization. Kenneth Mullens and Pat Davis, on their own behalf and that of "concerned ...
African-American health and yoga: A lifestyle worth exploring
Dec 21, 2007; ... The statistical data regarding African Americans and diabetes, hypertension and heart disease is chilling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.2 million, or 13.3 percent of all African Americans over 20 have diabetes, and forty-three percent have been diagnosed ...
Breast cancer program helps uninsured women
Dec 21, 2007; ... FORT LAUDERDALE Elena Manuel suspected something was wrong when she felt the lump on her left breast in November 2006. But without insurance or money, she decided to let it go. "It's probably nothing," she said to herself. She had proved in the United States from the ...
The Price of Progress
Dec 21, 2007; ... WAKE UP CALL This past weekend, I made an attempt to do some holiday shopping before my customary Christmas Eve shopping marathon. My seven-year-old son and sidekick, Justin, jumped into the car with me, and we were off. Just as I turned onto Interstate 95 South, a feeling of dread ...
Kwanzaa focused my life
Dec 21, 2007; ... SISTERSPEAK Kwanzaa 1984 forever changed my life. I was a 21-year-old graduate student at Howard University in Washington, D.C. when I saw a flyer inviting students to celebrate Umoja, the Kwanzaa principal of unity. Honestly, I didn't know what those terms meant but my soul felt ...
Toshiro Abbley, a new face at Miami City Ballet
Dec 21, 2007; ... Toshiro M. Abbley is the youngest dancer to be awarded a contract with the Miami City Ballet. You might not notice the 18-year-old amid dancers warming up to rehearse Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" ballet. But once acquainted with Toshiro's deeply dimpled smile, you'll notice little ...
Michael Baisden replaces Ken James on Hot 105
Dec 21, 2007; ... The front page of the website has been updated not only to announce the arrival of the "Bad Boy of Radio," but also to include his likeness among the regular cast of characters on WHQT/HOT-105. The face that no longer appears up front is that of popular afternoon radio personality Ken ...
Anita Baker: Simply excellent
Dec 21, 2007; ... She began the show with the song Mystery, but there was nothing mysterious about her. For the roughly 1500 concert goers in attendance, it was plain to see and hear that Anita Baker is the real deal. Charismatic, unpretentious and in possession of one of the best voices I have ever heard, the ...
Hip hop review: Little Brother's gonna work it out
Dec 21, 2007; ... Hip hop review: Little Brother's gonna work it out Still smarting from the defection of their acclaimed producer and lukewarm 2005 sales for the critically acclaimed Minstrel Show. North Carolina duo Little Brother returns, stronger than ever, with Get Back, rapping like it has something ...
AROUND SOUTH FLORIDA
Dec 21, 2007; ... BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS The Broward Black Elected Officials, Inc. is under criminal investigation, but that hasn't stopped its president, Lauderdale Lakes City Commissioner Levoyd Williams, from planning the group's 2008 annual gala. The coming year's event is titled The Gala II. The ...
What's your motivation?
Dec 21, 2007; ... A recent conversation outside an electronics store prompted me to question my faith. My companion and I became focused upon the concept of heaven and how the promise of eternity provided the main incentive for becoming a Christian. I shared my reasons for being a Christian, and for ...
A kinder, gentler Kwanzaa
Dec 28, 2007; ... I've gotten into heated debates about Kwanzaa, the holiday created in Los Angeles in 1966 at the height of the Black Power movement by an African studies professor and self-described "cultural nationalist" named Ron Everett, a.k.a. Dr. Maulana ("master teacher" in Swahili) Kaurenga. At ...
Grand Bahama Island: 24 Minutes to Paradise
Dec 28, 2007; ... A major player in the airline industry made it easier to enjoy the turquoise and electric blue waters of a famed tourist destination recently when it began service to Grand Bahama Island. Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low-cost carrier, launched its inaugural flight to Grand Bahama Island, ...
Personal chefs help you eat healthfully
Dec 28, 2007; ... OUTDOORS WITH JULIA YARBOUGH We are what we eat. How many times have you heard that phrase? It may seem slightly cliché, but it's more accurate than many people may realize. As you know, I love the outdoors and stay very active. My performance in the gym, running, or hiking is ...
The assault on Christianity
Dec 28, 2007; ... THE POLITICS OF BLACKNESS Some folk see the day after Christmas as not only the first day of Kwanzaa, but as an opportunity to catch post holiday sales in preparation for next year's Christmas celebration. In keeping with that line of thought, a discussion on the significance of ...
My babies weaned from breast milk
Dec 28, 2007; ... SISTERSPEAK Breastfeeding is the ultimate badge of motherhood. My husband, in-laws and older daughters can bathe, dress and play with our babies. Only I can nourish and protect them with the life-giving milk in my breasts. Breastfeeding my twins a couple of days after ...
Starting an Investment Plan
Dec 28, 2007; ... FINANCE Starting an investment plan seems harder than it really is. Most people think starting a plan requires a great sum of money, so they delay the process. But nothing could be further from the truth. It's like the "practice makes perfect principle;" the more you do it, the better ...
Dance troupe left homeless
Dec 28, 2007; ... "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? -Langston Hughes "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes captures the emotions of 47 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds who will soon lose the place where they hold dance ...
Miss Black Florida USA to compete in Africa
Dec 28, 2007; ... Without stage experience, pageant parents, or crown fever, Eunice Cofie, 27, of Tallahassee, succeeded earlier this year in winning the title of Miss Black Florida USA. "A friend came to me and told me that I should really consider being a part of it, but I simply blew it off. I thought ...
MOVIE REVIEW: The Great Debaters
Dec 28, 2007; ... MOVIE REVIEW: The Great Debaters I've always been a lover of history, I especially marvel at early 20th Century Black Americans able to fashion happiness amidst pernicious Jim Crow laws. The Great Debaters is a film loosely based upon a 1930s event. Three students Henry Lowe ...
ALBUM REVIEW: Ghostface Killah: The Big Doe Rehab
Dec 28, 2007; ... ALBUM REVIEW: Ghostface Killah: The Big Doe Rehab Once upon a time, a mythical crew stormed the bulwarks of the world's hip hop fleet. Hailing from Shaolin (that's Staten Island, to the uninitiated), the Wu-Tang Clan brought forth a unique rhyme style, utilizing the talents of its 100 or ...
AROUND SOUTH FLORIDA
Dec 28, 2007; ... 2007 IN REVIEW Another year is coming to a close and it's time to reflect upon the incidents that took place and touched our lives over the previous 12-months. The emotions run the course, but what will always stay with me about the year 2007 are the increases in crime, particularly ...
Facing your Giants in 2008
Dec 28, 2007; ... "Giants do die. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Just walk around the Jericho wall." - The Tri-City Singers The New Year is just around the corner and with it comes many new things. New challenges, new hope, new love, new direction. A chance to alter the spiraling fortunes of ...
Goodness
Dec 28, 2007; ... Year after year, when asked what she wants for Christmas, my mother-in law has a standard answer, "All I want is Peace of Mind." Many of us want a lot of material things for Christmas. We believe that because we believe that we've been good, we deserve to get whatever we want for ...
POSITIVELY BEAUTIFUL: Who is the Baby?
Dec 28, 2007; ... Christmas is, of course, all about the birth of Christ and my toddlers wanted a manger scene. Off to Wally World we went. Holiday times mean crowded isles, so instead of searching I found a clerk and asked, "Where would I find a Nativity?" She answered, "What's that?" "You know," I replied, "the ...