Looking for Freedom in America 2013| Republicans Mark March on Washington

September 5 – September 18, 2013

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The Middle Passage: A Story of Survival

Looking for Freedom in America 2013

By Gregory Bearstop as told to him by Derek Lewis

derek lewis “You won’t make it here. The collegiate curriculum is too difficult for you,” the White Dean warned me in a discouraging erudite tone of voice. “You would do better attending the less rigorous college in the museum district,” he continued. Yet, as a music lover, the only tune I heard was: I, as a Black man, was not smart or capable enough to thrive at his institution.

I walked away from the conversation feeling racially profiled, stereotyped and discriminated against. In 2007, in College Station, Texas, I couldn’t believe that the dean was still espousing views all too consistent with the pejorative racial attitudes prevalent in some areas of this country. When many hear derogatory messages, they feel diminished and some start believing the lies - - as the dean suggested, I attended the college that afforded me the seemingly greater opportunity for a successful completion.

Even when I came upon the shores of a more collegiate, friendly environment, I still crashed upon the jagged rocks of subjective racism and inequality. Without fully grasping its affect, the feeling of non-acceptance affected my quality of life, including my passion for creating music.

I recall my friend, who happened to be White, being excused from taking a mid-term exam. She was allowed to have her test at a later date as a written take-home exam. I had taken the mid-term and gotten a “C” on the exam. Nonetheless, I agreed to give my scored exam to this friend to use as a study guide. Well, it so happened that my friend’s take-home exam was the same exam that I took. She told me that she copied my essay verbatim. Do you know that our White lady professor gave her an “A” on her take-home exam although I received a “C” for the very same answers?

In 2011, I fulfilled one of my dreams and earned a Master’s in Business Administration. Now I began my search for my niche, not knowing where to go, but letting fate guide me. The winds of opportunity lead me to Exxon Mobil in Beaumont, Texas. It was interesting work analyzing oil and gas samples. But, after working a five in the morning to five in the evening shift for six months, I was ready for a reprieve. That came in the form of a fresh start at Dow Chemical in Plaquemine, Louisiana. There I tested plastic as a lab analyst by day and lived out of a hotel by night. But, without a real place to call home, once again, six months became the extent of my employment span. These stints were technical ventures; while they stimulated my mind, they left my heart unfulfilled.

Eventually, I was invited to interview with the research department at a government agency in Washington, D.C. On Inauguration weekend 2013, I flew to D.C. for the interview. It was a pleasant encounter that revealed some promising overtures. This was confirmed two weeks later.

It’s been six months now and I couldn’t be happier in my new job. I am slowly building my life in the Washington, D.C. area, a life different from the one I once knew: I now go to White establishments and, as a Black man, feel genuinely welcomed. I meet Black professionals in prominent positions and seeing them in those positions now seem to be normal rather than an exception. I even feel motivated to again pursue my passion for making music. I look around and realize that my move was more than emancipation from antiquated racial attitudes, but I have found greater acceptance; and in doing so, I am finding me.


Fundraising 101 By Wayne A. Young Americans gave $316.23 billion to charity last year, 79 percent came from individuals, 15 percent from foundations and 6 percent from corporations said Barbara Ciconte at the 8th annual The Bridge to Integrated Marketing and Fundraiser Conference at the Gaylord Conference Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The biggest beneficiaries of the donations according to one source are religious organizations, followed by education related institutions and human services organizations. Though Americans are great givers, the trend is toward fewer Americans giving; but those who give are giving even more. And the greatest reason why people stop giving is that there are “too frequent solicitations,” followed by change in charity leadership or activities, added Ciconte of Donor Strategies. As most Americans can testify by the phone calls or mail they receive asking for donations in the Fall, the holidays are when many charities gear up their fundraising drives. “Maybe it’s best to spread out your solicitations over the year with a special push during the holidays,” Ciconte suggested to fundraisers. When seeking funds from corporations, Jeanne Jacob of Goodwin House suggested contacting the Marketing and Community Outreach departments first. Read more about generational differences, upcoming conferences on Fundraising and to request a copy of the 15-page The Next Generation of American Giving and more		Head Start Alums In 1965, the United States made a commitment to open a window of opportunity for at risk children - Head Start. In the 48 years since, nearly 28 million Americans have attended Head Start. Head Start alumni have gone on to become business owners and artists, musicians and doctors, teachers, Members of Congress and exceptional parents to their own children. Those who have been touched by this program know the reality of how a head start in life leads to success. If you are alum or your child attended Head Start, join us in a national campaign to encourage all former Head Start children and parents to identify themselves. We will keep you informed about what we are doing to keep the Head Start window of opportunity open and you will hear about many ways to get involved. Publisher’s Note: Head Start programs and staff are limited by the Head Start Act and annual Appropriations Acts in how they may legally engage their Congresspeople. Head Start Parent/Graduate Form

Since the 1963 March on Washington – America Changes And because they kept marching, America changed. Because they marched, the civil rights law was passed. Because they marched, the voting rights law was signed. Because they marched, doors of opportunity and education swung open so their daughters and sons could finally imagine a life for themselves beyond washing somebody else's laundry or shining somebody else's shoes. Because they marched, city councils changed and state legislatures changed and Congress changed and, yes, eventually the White House changed. Because they marched, America became more free and more fair, not just for African-Americans but for women and Latinos, Asians and Native Americans, for Catholics, Jews and Muslims, for gays, for Americans with disabilities. America changed for you and for me. Barack Hussein Obama March on Washington 2013 August 28, 2013 Photographer Jonathan French's March on Washington Week on Facebook See More Photos on Port Of Harlem Snippets Facebook Absolutely. Children born in the last eight years will only know an African-American man being president of the United States. That changes the bar for all of our children, regardless of their race, their sexual orientation, their gender. It expands the scope of opportunity in their minds. And that’s where change happens. You know, laws and policies are important. But in the end, it’s how we are living our lives. Michelle Obama Parade Magazine August 18, 2013 We have made progress. The fact that we can do things our parents couldn’t and that their parents couldn’t is undeniable. But don’t use it as an excuse to stop the move toward progress … use it to inspire. Al Sharpton Time Magazine Aug 26-Sep 2, 2013		Republicans Commemorate March on Washington The Republican National Committee (RNC) commemorated the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington August 26 with a luncheon at the Capitol Hill Club. (The Republican leadership was noticeably absent from the Marches on Washington August 24 and August 28) Similar to events held by or for Black liberals, the RNC draped its events with gospel music, the singing of the National Black Anthem and its own Martin Luther King family connection in the body of one of his nieces, Alveda King. “I am a Republican and I am a proud Republican,” the Black conservative said. Despite the presence of the defeated Congressman Allen West (R-FL), most of the speakers were free of the anti-Obama, anti-progressive agenda rhetoric. “My job is to fix the Voting Rights Act. This is something that must be done by the end of the year, before the 2014 elections,” declared Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI). Calling on Congress to work together, Robert Brown of B&C Associates reminded Congress that the US was built on compromise. “This is part of our legacy,” he said. James Kemp, son of the deceased Republican moderate Jack Kemp, urged Republicans to help Detroit and show that Republicans have solutions to the nation’s ills while Bob Woodson reminded the overflow audience that competition is good and that groups like SNCC, CORE, and the NAACP, competed against each other to produce a more effective Civil Rights movement. Woodson, of the Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, touched many nerves when he urged Blacks not to get upset just by the killing of Trayvon Martin, but also by the killings of Blacks by Blacks. “We should not wait for evil to wear a White face before we get outraged,” he said. More Photos on Port Of Harlem Snippets Facebook


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Things to Do Washington, DC 11th Annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival King Street from Washington Street to the Potomac River waterfront 480 King Street Alexandria, VA Sat, Sep 7, 10a-7p Sun, Sep 8, 10a-5p, free Tell It with Pride The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Shaw Memorial National Gallery of Art Sun, Sep 15, 2013–Mon, Jan 20, 2014, free Baltimore Congressional Black Caucus Obamcare Care Info University of Baltimore 1420 N Charles St Sat, Sep 14, 9a-5p, free, free breakfast (Open enrollment in the (ObamaCare) Marketplace starts October 1, with coverage starting as soon as January 1, 2014.) Chicago/Gary The Mountaintop Court Theater 5535 S. Ellis Ave. Chicago Thu Sep 5 – Sun,Oct 6, $35-$45 Jacksonville, FL Personal Finance from a Biblical Perspective w/ financial planner Alicea Eliut Unity Baptist Church 716 New Berlin Rd Suite 11 Wed, Sep 18, 7p, free TV The Watsons Go To Birmingham Starring Noni Rose and Alan Grier Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere Fri, Sep 20 (8p ET/PT, 7C)		The Watsons Go to Birmingham The Watsons Go To Birmingham 1963, follows an all American family on their road trip from Flint, Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 and their historic summer experiences give them a newfound courage to stand up for what is right and helps them grow stronger as a family in the process. Set in the Summer of 1963, Flint, Michigan is home to the Watsons, a close knit family made up of Daniel and Wilona Watson, and their three kids, 15 year-old juvenile delinquent Byron , nerdy 11 year-old Kenny and eight year-old adorable sister Joetta. When Byron’s antics go over the top, his parents realize enough is enough and they decide the family needs a dose of Grandma Sands no nonsense approach in Birmingham, Alabama. So the Watsons load up the 1948 Plymouth Brown Bomber outfitted with a true tone Ultra-Glide turntable and head South with plenty of comedy en route. When they finally make it to Birmingham, they meet Grandma Sands and her friend, Mr. Robert, who show them around town and the Watsons discover that life is very different there than in Flint and not necessarily for the better. During that historic summer, the Watsons find themselves caught up in something far bigger than Byron’s antics; something that will change their lives and country forever. The Hallmark Channel Original Movie World premieres Friday, September 20 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C).

POH Cover Girl Gets Married Top) Amari and Keon Berry with daughter Zaria Berry. Bottom) Amari on POH cover. Amari Young, who graced the first full color issue of Port Of Harlem , was married to Keon Berry. Both are from Jacksonville, Florida and plan to settle in the city. Young, niece of POH Publisher Wayne Young, was escorted down the aisle by her brother Daris, while her father, Unity Baptist Church of Jacksonville pastor Derrick Young, officiated the marriage. More Wedding Pictures on Facebook		Snippets Readers' Trends The Most Popular Links from the last Snippets Latin Jazz-Jazz Latin The Best Independent African Museum in The West Prison Artist at Kennedy Center – Washington, DC Most Popular Page and Searched Word on the Website for September, to Date Governor O’Malley and the Lifers Parole Bill (3rd consecutive Snippets) Lamman Rucker (8th consecutive Snippets) Thanks for Using the Share Bars (using Sharebars make it even easier to electronically share Snippets)

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