Our History: Table where law abolishing slavery signed in London, UK

While visiting London during the Queen’s funeral last year, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of London Docklands. Admission was free, but I gave a donation.

(Cranes outside the Docklands.)

There I witnessed a grand exhibit that placed Blacks in historical perspective.

After taking a private tour, my attention was placed on the table where the law to abolish slavery in England was signed. None of the nearly 20,000 slaves who lived in London in 1833 were seated at the table, however.

Know History!

Our History: Tour of Atlanta History Museum’s Cyclorama

Although there were approximately 600 black men at the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864, only one is pictured in the Atlanta History Museum’s Cyclorama painting.  

Blacks were not allowed to fight with guns, even those commanded by Gen. Sherman. They were mostly servants on the battlefield.

Green light underneath what is described as a lone Black man on the battlefield in Battle of Atlanta, 1864.

And the original Cyclorama depicting the Atlanta Civil War Battle was an entertainment piece produced by Germans, used to make it appear that the Confederates won the battle.

Fact: The present Cyclorama in Atlanta’s History Center in Buckhead was completed by C. D. Moody, owner of Atlanta Construction, Lithonia, Ga., an African American.

Let History speak for itself!

Our History

The black judge in "Perry Mason" episode did not receive credit because he didn't have any lines! (Screen capture from show)

I religiously watch old episodes on the Perry Mason Channel and was amazed to see a female judge speaking from the bench on the show one night. Then, on Wednesday night, I was watching "The Case of the Skeleton's Closet" done in 1963 and was surprised that a black man was the judge, but he didn't have any lines and, therefore, no credits! 

The judge having no lines was very unusual because all the other episodes that I've seen had a talking judge, but some surmise that the producers didn't want to upset the audience by having a black man make decisions in the courtroom. That was during the height of the Civil Rights movement!

The man was Vincent Townsend, Jr., and he was an actor and a real judge, the first black judge in Los Angeles County, Calif. He was also a roommate of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, according to Internet sources. 

Know History!

Army National Guard joins forces with Cobb County Police in PaYS program in Austell, Ga.

Cobb County Police and the U.S. Army signed a partnership agreement today at the Cobb County Police Training Academy located at 2435 East West Connector in Austell, Ga. Signing the document were Brig. Gen. John T. Gentry and Police Chief Stuart VanHoozer.

The U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program guarantees soldiers five job interviews and possible employment after their service in the Army. It is designed to help soldiers prepare for a career after the Army by connecting them with employers who understand the skills, discipline, and work ethic that military service members possess.

Swearing in was conducted by Brigadier General Gentry. 

Wingcom Watchdog talked to Gentry and VanHoozer after the ceremony.

Brigadier General John T. Gentry, Jr. , Assistant Adjutant General, Army National Guard, Marietta, Ga since August 2019

(Motto: Always ready, always there.)

Q. Okay. It's General Gentry. I just was listening to some of your remarks today, and you were talking about skills that you're looking for, I guess for new recruits, people going into the Army. One of the things you said is they need to make sure that they don't have any behavioral health or drug problems and that they are physically fit. So I just wanted to ask you, how can you guarantee that recruits are mentally, ethically, and culturally fit to serve? 

A. Well, it's a great question. So as part of the screening process, as part of the in-processing that we would do, all of our initial recruiters do some initial screening. Is there a history of some type of behavioral health issues when they were growing up? Or obesity factors? That might come into play as they're doing the initial assessment. All soldiers have to do this before they actually enlist into the Army.

So that oath and enlistment that we did, they would go to a medical processing center which there's one here in Atlanta. It's called MEPS, and that's where they do an actual physical, you know, of their capabilities to be able to serve in the Army. 

And that goes for really all military services. All branches have some type of in-processing that's very similar, and so from there, once they've seen a doctor, who determines them physically fit to come into the Army, that's when they would actually do their enlistment at that point in time. And then they literally, right after that, they’re shipped not too long after that to do their basic training.

Q. I'm glad you mentioned that because we've been noticing, you know, some of the officers, they're out of shape ...  but they have to wear all that gear and run around... 

A. Yeah, the older you get, the harder it is but we have a fitness test that we all have to meet, minimum height and weight standards as well to continue to serve.

 Q. What about flat feet? 

A. Yeah. So that could be a factor that screens one out. You're absolutely right. So someone who has extreme flat feet, that can be problematic for them. With the expected load that the body is supposed to carry into a combat scenario environment. So someone who has extreme flat feet could be screened out as part of that medical physical process. 

Q. Yeah. I know my stepfather wanted to be a Tuskegee Airmen, but he was colorblind so he couldn't do that. So I guess you have to have rules. I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have another interview.

Interview with Chief Ernest Stuart VanHoozer, Jr. , Cobb County Police, Marietta, Ga since 2022

(Motto: One team, one fight, one community.)

Q. This present political environment with activists all up in the air about some things that have been happening in community policing, some activists are saying partnering with the Army could be considered more militarization of the police. How can citizens know that they're not going to be at war with the police?

A. Well, first of all, I’ve never heard one of our community members ever bring anything like that up. So, I’m not sure who has asked you that. We have standards in place in our hiring standards, a very thorough background check and you know, we're trying to make sure that we hire good people, no matter their background. 

So if somebody from the military came into our profession, they would have to meet the standards that we set and we have a good training program after that which is a second step, to train officers to interact with citizens. 

And then finally, we have an accountability program after that where we have policies, we have sergeants and lieutenants that make sure that the conduct of the officers is what we want it to be. We believe in community policing and military people actually have many of the same qualities that we're looking for - self-sacrifice, a commitment to something bigger than themselves, bravery, courage. 

But overall, what I think I see that's common is a desire to do good for American citizens and for American society. So, I believe that it's a good partnership. I believe that. Bringing in people from the military is a positive move, not that bringing people into the police force is just a matter of, well, you were a soldier, so now we're good with you being a police officer. No, we still do a psychological background check. We still do a very thorough polygraph. We do drug testing and a background investigation. So, does that make sense? That kind of answers your question, which makes sense. 

Q. We were watching the funeral yesterday of Mr. Tyre Nichols, and a lot of things were coming out that I think a lot of people in the community are concerned about, and so we don't really know where this is going to lead. But, of course, citizens want to feel safe. 

A. Yes ma'am.

Q. I was interested in the gentleman (veteran) on the crutches. He said he gets very emotional, because it's an emotional job. What you guys see and have to deal with... And that's one thing we want to make sure that the police officers get some kind of help with some mental health program because they have to deal with all these crises …And, so, I guess you agree with that?

A. Oh, 100 percent. In fact, over the years, we've grown our internal mental wellness programs. We have a robust chaplain's program. We have a robust peer support program. We have a mentoring program, in addition to all the other stuff that's already there. We have, the county has an employee assistance program. And we're even growing that more. And I have a deputy chief that's actually in charge of looking at, not only mental wellness, but financial wellness and physical wellness. So yes, we're 100% in agreement.

Q. The gentleman (veteran) also said, I can't remember his name, but he said that only one percent of the police probably are bad police, so 99% are good. That's not a bad percentage. 

A. Yes, ma'am. Every department has a little bit different culture. I can tell you that if we had one percent that we were aware of, they wouldn't be working here. That would be seven bad officers. 

That's too many. I think he was being kind of generic with that. We acknowledge that there are bad actors in any profession. But, yeah, no, we understand that and we just are happy that the community and Cobb County understands that we have a professional department here and the likelihood of what you just saw or what you have seen across the nation is pretty slim here, but that's because of great people that we hire, and great leadership over a number of years, and great county leadership. 

Q. We really appreciate you. 

A. So yes ma'am, thank you. Very good to see you guys. I'm sorry. I am in a little bit…

Q. Okay, that's okay.

Our History

 

Tyre Nichols, killed by police in Memphis, Tenn., was funeralizjed today. Those attending his funeral, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, vowed to take action and include legislation invoking a Duty to Relieve addition in his honor to a proposed George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Tyre Nichols was defenseless against SCORPION gang cops

This is what a scorpion looks like. (Animal Outtakes)

Tyre Nichols, a slightly-built runner, was on the 3rd yard line headed for a touchdown. From nowhere, armed out-of -control SCORPION tacklers entered the field, intercepted Nichols' manhood and stole his life. It was a game move that officials would penalize and the audience would boo. When will these violent provocations against the innocent stop?

Cobb County Commissioner’s meeting political theatre

Cobb County Commission meeting - Jan. 24, 2023

After receiving an email invite from Cobb County Democrats, I was glad to start the political new year off right by attending a government meeting in small town Marietta, Ga. at 200 Cherokee Street. At the top of the agenda were redistricting/home rule vs laws signed by Gov. Kemp, a commissioner’s moving, and allegedly inaccurate board minutes. 

And even though one speaker said all our troubles are because of the media, I'm writing this anyway.

The place was packed. It was Good ‘ole times night in the overflowing meeting rooms with everyone hugging and profiling. All the would-be and wanna be politicians were there. No free parking in the parking deck. Chairs were locked in place even though Covid is still on the loose, so there was no keeping 6 feet apart, and no one appeared to be wearing a mask. 

Several fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi brothers were present, dressed in “Nupe” red and white sweaters, jackets, and hats. The crowd was racially diverse, but all the commissioners were female as well as the county manager. Wow, how things have changed since I moved to Cobb 28 years ago.

Commissioners and county manager are all women. 51.3% of population are female.

This is the bedrock of local American politics in 2023. This is how local politics is performed.

SCLC, NAACP, and other community group leaders were loudly excited. Even in these serious times, with war in Ukraine and recession looming, I feel the attendees could have been moving to a more productive outcome. An elevated police presence was observed, possibly due to the focus of the meeting and officers being prepared for any violent confrontations. At least one speaker was escorted out at the last meeting after his five minute allotted time expired, and two commissioners retreated to the back of the room.

Having graceful intentions was proffered by a preacher giving the opening prayer. Common courtesy was absent when trying to find a seat. Signs passed around included “Home Rule Protects” and “Cobb United We Stand/Divided We Fall” on two-sided red, white, and blue placards. Wristbands stated “Protect Local Control.”

There were no “No” votes against approving hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenditures which will raise taxes… for transportation improvements and legislative lobbying consultants. 

Lisa Cupid, Esq., was the commission chairwoman officiating the meeting. She got emotional when the clerk was accused of presenting inaccurate minutes. She said that duty was the responsibility of commissioners, not the clerk.

Other business: CPR training for schools exalted with the District 2 community cabinet, Cobb emergency services and local librarians collaborating to give 10-12 students training. Medical examiners office finally fully accredited. Citizens helped when they brought challenges to medical examiner office up…commitment paid off and generations of Cobb Countians will benefit. 

Public comment: 5 minutes for each speaker. Respectful courtesy and servility to be used. Takeaways: We are a free nation;  just move if you are not in a district you ‘re elected to serve. “Just move” is a disturbing message which connotes “You don’t belong” and “Blames the victim” some Democratic commissioners said. 

According to U.S. Census (2021), Cobb County's population is 50.2% White and 49.8% Non-White.

One speaker claimed that notable years in our history included events in 1917, 1955, 1964, and 2020, the year Commissioner Richardson was elected. Richardson has been “redrawn out”of her own district. Another commenter said the county would have to abide by laws enacted by the state legislature and not use home rule to change districts. “The law is the law,” he said. 

Another speaker said we’re close to insurrection, that the legislature will win, and the Commission is unauthorized and lacks authority when it comes to redrawing district maps.

Commissioner Gambrill called for a forensic audit of prior meeting minutes.

District 1 Commissioner Keli Gambrill (R) who in an accountant, asked for a forensic audit to ensure that the integrity of the commission is upheld in regard to meeting minutes. She said the administrative county clerk didn’t perform her job, and accuracy is key. She said the county clerk should accurately record the minutes, that Robert’s Rules of Order were not followed at the last meeting, and that what really happened after the last executive session was in question.

Democratic commissioners said the video record was not synced at the last meeting, but “Truth cannot be changed, and words have consequences!”

To watch past meetings, go to the Cobb County government website.  Knowledge is power!

Correction: "Just one correction….this was the 2^nd meeting of the year.  It was the first meeting where Commissioners Gambrill and Birrell both refused to vote on any of the work of the evening that was the 1^st meeting of the year."--- Sally Riddle, SCLC

Should we get involved?

The fire next time!

If you look at current events today, it seems that the powerful are chipping away at our freedoms. And although I learned from Black Panther organizer Elaine Brown that we should not get involved in fights that don't pertain to us, here are some recent events that should spur us to get involved, for little by little,  our rights are being eroded.

Abortion: Even though I am past child bearing age, why should politicians be involved with deciding a women's right to medical procedures? Why are poor people and people of color being told that they can't get an abortion for any reason?

Affirmative Action: Even though I won't be going to UNC or Harvard, why are politicians getting ready to un-diversify education? Why are schools being re-segregated, and why are parents fighting against CRT?

Guns/weapons: Even though I don't intend to kill anyone with a gun, why have politicians made it O.K. to carry guns in public and have enacted laws to let young supremacists off the hook when they kill us in the streets? Why did police allow a man to hit an elder in the head with a hammer?

Housing: Even though I have a home and mortgage, why is housing unaffordable for many Americans, and first time homebuyers can't find decent housing because bank interest rates and HOA fees disqualify them from owning a home?

What actions are you gonna take until your freedom to protect yourself is extinguished?

Still fighting for inclusion? Who wants to segregate?

Let's face it: racism exists on Planet Earth, but not all folks are racists.

But, is the next generation of racists being educated by today's white supremacists?

Ask yourself why good 'ole boy networks exist.

Ask yourself why people can't find affordable housing.

Contemplate why your children bid you to pick your battles, remind you that you're not MLK, and have indebted themselves to banks, HOA's and college collection agencies.

We're living in a nightmare! Happy Halloween.

What are your kids learning about RACE?

What we learn about historical events should be based on past human experiences and be all inclusive, regardless of culture and politics.

When two years old, I was enrolled in an HBCU nursery school program in Normal, Ala. where my mom was secretary to the college president and my dad was associate professor of Horticulture. My father, who also managed the campus orchard, garden, and greenhouses, was also on a team of scientists at Oak Ridge, Tenn. studying the effects of the atomic bomb on vegetation. 

All the adults around me were professional educators and through osmosis, I learned that black people were upstanding citizens doing great things.

This idea was duplicated in my segregated kindergarten, in my all black church, and in the professional alliances my parents had in the community. By the time I was five years old, I could already sing the Lord's Prayer from memory and knew fractions, being taught by my teacher using her homemade apple pies. I was well prepared to learn that I and my people were important, smart, and studious. Some were alcoholics, though, probably related to the stress of being Negroes.

What I didn't realize was that my parents had to pay a poll tax to vote, that I couldn't use certain restrooms or eat in restaurants or attend integrated public schools because I was Black. And I remember feeling inferior when my new White friend couldn't come over to my house to play because I was different.

When I was four, my mother and father started a florist and landscaping business. It was headquartered in a location which housed a black dentist, physician, tailor, and funeral home director.

When I entered a private Catholic elementary school, the only thing I learned about Black people was that the Indians skinned them to see what color they were underneath. In middle school, Black History was never discussed.  My History teacher took me outside the classroom one day and told me that George Washington Carver was a credit to his race. This is something that the other students didn't hear.

In high school with the approval of my History teacher, my friends and I cut up pictures from Ebony and Jet magazines and arranged them on a Black History Bulletin board. One hour afterwards, it was torn down by students who didn't like the display.

Fast forward to my son's middle school experience in Georgia. While attending his school's open house, I was confronted with a flagpole sized Confederate flag on the History room wall which took my breath away. When I explained to the teacher that some students would have a negative reaction to seeing this, I was told that they were studying the Civil War. When I asked her and the principal to have it removed, they wouldn't until I notified them that only a small poster of the flag could be used as a teaching aid in the classroom. 

Fast forward to now. Critical race theory is being shot down in several states because they don't want kids feeling bad about the past. They want their own sanitized history taught. So, lynching, race riots, Jim Crow, mass incarceration, murder of Emmit Till, Martin Luther King, Jr., George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, and others will not be discussed in History class? 

Fast forward to now. When I explained to a young doctor how I didn't learn to swim because the black pool was in a sewage dump area and how I attended the first school to be desegregated in the State of Alabama, she smiled and said, "Thank goodness we don't have to go through that kind of mistreatment now," and I thought to myself does systemic racism still exist, and if it does, what are we going to do to defeat it? 

Should it start in the classroom, the courtroom, in church, at the ballot box, in the bank, in the real estate office?

I say yes! But first we must teach the teachers a new methodology of awareness which emphasizes the psychological importance of telling the truth despite what politicians say. 

Now I understand why 16% of black parents are homeschooling their children. Let the whole truth be told. The students can handle it! We're not a RACE, but we're on track to becoming a new planet if we LEARN the right moves.

Slow down: key to curb death on highways

Fatal car crashes increased and decreased in Cobb Cty., Ga. over the last 5 years, according to Kimberly Pettit, Public Service Tech II, PD Central Records. In response to our open records request, the data provided is as follows: 

2018 - 42, 

2019 - 36, 

2020 - 45, 

2021 - 52, and 

2022 - 25.

With more people heading back to work locations, it seems like we're right on track to see at least 50 people killed in accidents on local highways this year unless people slow down and obey the driving laws. 

The high price of gasoline may also contribute to fewer crashes because more people are staying home.

A recent fatality reported by Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Unit occurred on Piedmont Road at Bob Bettis Road, Friday, May 27, 2022 at 11:26 a.m. The incident occurred between a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, driven by 25-year-old Graham Dobbs of Rockmart, and a gray 2022 Kawasaki EX400 motorcycle, driven by 17-year-old Gabriel McLachlan of Kennesaw. McLachlan was pronounced deceased at the scene by personnel from the Cobb County Medical Examiner’s Office. Dobbs was not injured in the crash. 

The police press release did not indicate whether the accident was a result of high speeds, and the crash remains under investigation.

When asked what members of the community can do to lessen the number of fatal crashes, Sergeant Wayne Delk of the Cobb County Police Public Information Office response follows: 

"The best thing the community can do is to slow down and obey the rules of the road when driving. We regularly post traffic safety tips on our social media (Traffic Tip Tuesday) to keep the motoring public informed of traffic laws. And our Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) unit as well as our Motorcycle unit work in areas that are known to have speeding motorists in an attempt to curtail the number of speed-related crashes.

 

"This summer, as in summers past, our department is participating in “100 Days of Summer HEAT”, a state-sponsored program to address aggressive driving and speeding on our roadways. Speeding and D.U.I. continue to be the biggest contributors to fatalities not only in Cobb County, but also across the state. For more information about the state’s programs regarding traffic enforcement and safety please reach out to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). 

"We are proud participants in the GOHS Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) program, and we remain committed to not only enforcing traffic laws but also to informing and educating the public every chance we get. Sometimes that education comes during a traffic stop on the side of the road and might also include a citation for a traffic violation."

Teen shot and run over in Cobb County, Ga.

Cobb County Police responded to a person shot at 223 St. Martins Lane in Mableton, GA on Monday, March 7, 2022, at 11:36 a.m. Responding officers located 18-year-old Ricardo Ward of Hampton, GA, lying in the driveway with several gunshot wounds. Officers learned that Ward had also been run over by a vehicle in addition to being shot. Ward was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a silver (or champagne) 2000’s model Toyota sedan. Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call 770-499-3945 or email cobbpolicecrimetips@cobbcounty.org.

Former Trump “headquarters” being demolished in Marietta, Ga.

Pictures of the week

Cobb Cty police arrest Bleckley Cty sheriff for alleged sexual battery

Press release for Feb. 2, 2022... On January 19, 2022 The Cobb County Police Department was alerted to an alleged sexual battery that had occurred the evening of January 18, 2022 at 2450 Galleria Parkway at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly. Following a thorough investigation by investigators from our Crimes Against Persons Unit (with statements gathered from multiple available witnesses) an arrest warrant was obtained on January 28, 2022 for Sheriff Kristopher Coody, the current Sheriff of Bleckley County. This remains an active sexual battery investigation, and we will not be offering any additional statements or providing any on-camera interviews.” From Sgt. Wayne Delk, PIO

A movement message

It was another well-choreographed yet pitiful-some 50 worshippers who convened yesterday at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia to commemorate the life and legacy of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who, being only 39 years old (the same age Malcolm and Medger were gunned down) was shot in the mouth on a segregated Negro hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee. Resembling a sparkling Christmas tree with silver lights, The Rev. Dr. Bernice King, who was a traumatized kindergartener when her father was murdered by Who knows who, gave a somewhat angry speech in the year 2022 but smiled while singing “We shall overcome someday.” Why don’t they change that to TODAY? I want it to be TODAY!!! Like that morning Tv show… I’m tired of waiting for someday. Still dreaming? Wake up! Revive yourself, like Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, the keynote speaker of the Afternoon who also preached at Meghan Markle’s wedding to a prince, and stop giving Delta free commercial plugs while you’re at it. We are still the last hired and first fired, The first killed by the police, The last ones standing in the voting line without water, food or bathroom breaks, The last to get a good education or decent living arrangements The near last on the millionaire/billionaire/trillionaire list. We need a Someday Today. How long? As long as we let this shit go on. Take me to a place where I can be safe. When you find it, call me, ‘cause I want to go. Today. Stop focusing on Yesterday and Someday. Focus on NOW!

Kidnapped children found in Cobb Cty., Ga.

Cobb County Police Officers responded to a person stabbed at 6760 Mableton Pkwy Lot 2B in Mableton, Ga on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at approximately 9 p.m. They discovered 31-year-old Danny Bernal inside his trailer suffering from several sharp force trauma injuries and lacerations. According to Mr. Bernal, several masked men along with his ex-girlfriend had forced their way into his home, stabbed him, and kidnapped his children. Cobb County Police investigators from the Crimes Against Persons unit were able to track down the children to the Super 8 Motel located at 417 Church St in Decatur, Ga. Our detectives, along with our VIPER unit, responded to the hotel early in the morning of December 2, 2021; and with the assistance of the Decatur Police Department they were able to recover the children unharmed in the hotel room. Bernal’s ex-girlfriend and three adult males were taken in for questioning by detectives. This investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-3945. Press release and photo provided by Cobb County Police Dept.

Joe Douglas, music promoter, dies in Metro Atlanta

Music Promoter Joe Douglas has died. Husband and father of three, Douglas was associated with Frankie Beverly, Maze, and Tam Tam. (Photo by Kurk D. Johnson) Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, details of his death are unclear. A private funeral is being planned with future details pending.

All we can do is pray!

Family hour for the Hicks held at In His Hands Church, Woodstock, Ga.

While visiting Woodstock, Ga. today, I went under a gigantic flag being hoisted by firefighters around noon in the middle of the street. Then came the motorcycles, a hearse, and dozens of police cars and firetrucks. It was a tribute for a fallen firefighter and his wife who were killed by an alleged armed robber.

In the Lowe's parking lot, I talked to the crying aunt of Amber Hicks, 31, who was killed, allegedly by a 22 year old man on drugs in a neighborhood reported to have safety/security problems. The alleged gunman also killed Amber's 31 year old husband, Tim, who was a firefighter.

Family members gather in front of church.

"All we can do is pray," said Amber's Aunt who said she helped raise her from three months old because Amber's mother died of cancer. Outside of the church's family hour, her cousin said he was glad their two year old son was spared and was not also killed by the intruder.

Sculpture in front of church

"We're living in bad times right now, all over the world," said Amber's cousin. He is committed to taking care of the family during this time of grief.

Condolences are in order. Names of the family have been held from this article since calls to Officer Wayne Delk of the Cobb County, Ga. police department were unanswered at post time.

Family members meet with members of police and fire departments.

Amber's Obituary: https://www.facebook.com/amberthatsme?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMDIxODEzOTY1ODk4ODYwMl8xMDIxODEzOTk3NTQ3NjUxNA%3D%3D Amber's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/amberthatsme?comment_id=Y29tbWVudDoxMDIxODEzOTY1ODk4ODYwMl8xMDIxODEzOTk3NTQ3NjUxNA%3D%3D

I was born in America, but what does that mean?

I wear beautiful, clean,  affordable clothes and jewelry; I wear a mask in public, speak English, am a married mother, and believe in a divine spirit who can forgive when asked.

Today’s photo

About 65 cars wait in line with people trying to get COVID-19 test on Piedmont Rd and around the corner in Marietta, only days after Georgia Governor Kemp delays mask mandate. This could mean more people have symptoms or just want to make sure they’re not sick!

The Ginger Room opens in Alpharetta to serve high tea and crumpets

With the full backing of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, The Ginger Room owners officially cut the blue ribbon at 61 Roswell Street in Alpharetta, Ga. yesterday. 

The business, located in the historic yet renovated 1856 Skelton-Teasley House, is a place where patrons can enjoy a sip or two of juice, coffee, or tea along with sweet baked deserts and finger sandwiches. The Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by owners Dr. Karl Walbrook and Angela Avery, real estate professionals, NAACP officers, business owners, family, and friends. Indoor and outdoor dining is available. 

One guest teared up when she came into the event - she remembered her grandmother's dishes and fine china. Nostalgia is one thing that makes the place special.

First on the beverage menu were glasses filled to the brim with a delicious strawberry blend of fruit and ginger which has anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Avery credits looking through the windows and loving the location as reasons why she chose the antique brick building to host clients for special occasions. According to LinkedIn, Avery is senior vice president at Municipal Finance/Blaylock Van LLC, an 80% owned African American investment bank.

A former midwesterner who claims not to be emotional, the teary-eyed Avery said she got "goosebumps" when she first entered the building. She credits her family, staff, and Ginger-Yummers for making the business a successful storefront since February. 

Co-owner Walbrook is a London, England native who holds a PhD in Built Environment from Trinity College, according to his LinkedIn profile. The two are affliated with Ginger Yums LLC USA. "One thing I learned in university: the true test of the measure is in your application... get on with it. Get it done," said Walbrook who also works as a project manager for the City of Atlanta. 

For reservations or special event pricing, call 678-399-9964. (the-gingerroom.com)

Happy Juneteenth, but who are the good, real Americans?

There once was a social experiment using kids and dolls. Children were asked, “Which doll is the good doll? Which doll is bad?” Seventy percent (70%) of the children chose the black doll as bad and the white doll as good. This study was used in a landmark desegregation case. https://www.thompsonschools.org/cms/lib/CO01900772/Centricity/Domain/3627/The%20Clark%20Doll%20Experiment.pdf 

The two black psychologists who did the experiment determined that “color in a racist society was a very disturbing and traumatic component of an individual’s sense of his own self-esteem and worth.” This may also lead to learned hopelessness. While a technology teacher in elementary school, I overheard a conversation in the lunchroom centered on Muslim American parents who had brought their kids to be enrolled in school. “They shouldn’t be here,” one teacher said. “But they’re Americans,” I interjected. “But they’re not real Americans,” was her reply. 

“The problem of the 20th and 21st century is the color line, and probably it will be in the 22nd century if systemic racism is not eliminated.” Children learn racism and sexism at a very young age, even while attending kindergarten. Looking at the Georgia kindergarten curriculum map for excellence in Social Studies (https://lor2.gadoe.org/gadoe/file/a1a403cd-9c0f-4b70-8ab5-39357ec63bed/1/Social-Studies-Kindergarten-Grade-Curriculum-Map.pdf ) youngsters are asked to study the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) who is dead! (Myth: the only good Negro is a dead one, and black men who oppose the status quo will end up martyrs, is the lesson.) 

Under leaders, three are listed: Washington, Lincoln and the current President who is also white. There are no Hispanics, Cubans, Afro-Americans, or Asians on the list, and women are also absent. Columbus Day is mentioned, even though Christopher Columbus (Cristoforo Colombo) never entered Georgia or the United States, but he decimated many native Americans during his search for fame, glory, and gold. Will that fact be taught on Columbus Day, or “Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He discovered America in 1492”? 

Since Juneteenth was just added as a national holiday...how will it be taught in public schools, and by whom? These are definitely reasons why critical race theory should be used in teaching Social Studies in the pre-k and Kindergarten classroom. But you have to make sure first that teachers who teach know the true history of America, including South America and Canada, and that the curriculum is not biased in the first place.