the populace now volume 2 issue #24
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To inform, educate, enlighten and uplift all peopleTRANSCRIPT
More Changes Are Coming P.1 Celebrating Black Achievements P.1
Choosing a Charitable Organization P.2 The Preacher’s Corner (New) P.2
Motivating African-American Secondary School Children P.3
More Changes Are Coming More Changes Are Coming More Changes Are Coming More Changes Are Coming
February 13, 2010
IS S UE
24
VOL. 2
On this date in 1818, Absa-On this date in 1818, Absa-On this date in 1818, Absa-On this date in 1818, Absa-
lom Jones, activist and lom Jones, activist and lom Jones, activist and lom Jones, activist and
leader in the Black Pioneer leader in the Black Pioneer leader in the Black Pioneer leader in the Black Pioneer
period, died in Philadel-period, died in Philadel-period, died in Philadel-period, died in Philadel-
phia, PAphia, PAphia, PAphia, PA
On this date in 1970 Jo-On this date in 1970 Jo-On this date in 1970 Jo-On this date in 1970 Jo-
seph L. Searles ,III began seph L. Searles ,III began seph L. Searles ,III began seph L. Searles ,III began
training as a floor partner training as a floor partner training as a floor partner training as a floor partner
with Newberg, Loeb, and with Newberg, Loeb, and with Newberg, Loeb, and with Newberg, Loeb, and
Co. Searles was the first Co. Searles was the first Co. Searles was the first Co. Searles was the first
Black on the New York Black on the New York Black on the New York Black on the New York
stock exchange. stock exchange. stock exchange. stock exchange.
On this date in 1923 The On this date in 1923 The On this date in 1923 The On this date in 1923 The
Renaissance, the first Renaissance, the first Renaissance, the first Renaissance, the first
Black pro basketball team, Black pro basketball team, Black pro basketball team, Black pro basketball team,
was organized.was organized.was organized.was organized.
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By Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent Patrick A. Sellers, An Illinois Correspondent for The Populace Now
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Hello readers, I would like to take this op-portunity to announce a couple of changes to our
publication that will be taking place in the upcoming months. These changes will provide our publication with a new look as well as a broader scope for our content.
Celebrating Black Achievements Celebrating Black Achievements Celebrating Black Achievements Celebrating Black Achievements Is Is Is Is Celebrating Black HistoryCelebrating Black HistoryCelebrating Black HistoryCelebrating Black History
"...and a
good time
was had by
all." And so
it was for
attendees of
the Black Black Black Black
History Month KickHistory Month KickHistory Month KickHistory Month Kick----off Cele-off Cele-off Cele-off Cele-
bration bration bration bration in Freeport, IL on the
campus of Highland Commu-
nity College. A possible sev-
enty-five folks gathered for
something of an unveiling on
January 30, 2010. And I know
that wherever you are, my
fellow Americans, you are
probably celebrating Black
History month in your own
way. Programs and services
and the like are taking place
this month in schools,
churches, social community
centers and so on.
A former native son, Mr.
George Triplett, returned to
reveal something very special
that he'd been working on for
close to three years. After
much investment of time and
personal finance, invitations
were sent out to honorees
who had made history in the
city and in various places in
the world. The accomplish-
ments of musicians, athletes,
educators and more were
spoken of during the KickKickKickKick----
off.off.off.off. All honorees were born in
Freeport, IL. You may have
heard of some: Preston Pear-
son, former Dallas Cowboy;
Robert Johnson, Founder of
Black Entertainment Televi-
sion; Gerald McClellan (made
a personal appearance with
the help of his sister Lisa),
former Middleweight Cham-
pion of the World; Carl Cain,
basketball Olympics partici-
pant. Even the widow (Mrs.
Lily Davis) of former Harlem
Globe Trotter & Entrepreneur
McKinley "Deacon" Davis
honored us with her pres-
ence, reminiscing about her
famous husband.
It was an overwhelming af-
ternoon.
(Continued on page 4.)(Continued on page 4.)(Continued on page 4.)(Continued on page 4.)
By Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent for The Populace Now
“A Minority Perspective”“A Minority Perspective”“A Minority Perspective”“A Minority Perspective”
Patrick A. SellersPatrick A. SellersPatrick A. SellersPatrick A. Sellers
Publisher
Bobbie CollinsBobbie CollinsBobbie CollinsBobbie Collins
Editor-In-Chief
Lee DixonLee DixonLee DixonLee Dixon
Webmaster
The Populace Now Volume 2 Issue 24 Page 2
Choosing a Charitable OrganizationChoosing a Charitable OrganizationChoosing a Charitable OrganizationChoosing a Charitable Organization By Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent Buffy Griffin, A North Carolina Correspondent for The Populace Now
Shortly after any need or tragedy arises, or-ganizations begin to gear up and provide available resources to both rescue and assist accordingly. Subse-
quently, those out for self-gain began their plans to selfishly defraud and steal from those that are already in desperate need. Compassionate people naturally have a heart for giving and helping when and where it is needed. However, greedy people also help (themselves) when and where they find or create opportunity. Sadly, not only do they not care that they
progress taking place and you’ll see just how much your contribution is still needed and can help.
When researching, keep in mind that
not all organizations are non-profit. Yet
all organizations require funding to re-
main useful and effective. Always ask
how the money is distributed, which
includes the percentage that goes to
keeping the organization running and
the portion that actually goes to your
cause. Better yet, you can take the ini-
tiative and start your own organization,
providing aide to those you feel need it
most or that you feel more compassion-
ate toward.
Preacher’s CornerPreacher’s CornerPreacher’s CornerPreacher’s Corner
Now FaithNow FaithNow FaithNow Faith
How many of you have
heard the scripture, "Now
faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the
evidence of things unseen?" (Heb. 11:1)
Over the last few months, God has been
dealing with me on the little things in life,
the things we ignore or take for granted
and overlook as just another word. I'm
thinking of faith that can move moun-
tains; faith that can raise the dead; faith
that can perform miracles. Biblical faith.
We all love to profess our faith. But what
kind of faith is it?
Have you ever heard someone say
something like, "I will pray that God will
deliver you or heal you?" or "I hope things
turn out well for you?" Or maybe you
have heard, "Yes. I remember when I was
young and God brought me out." There is
nothing wrong with saying these things, if
you mean them. But beware of diluted or
"fluffy" faith.
Let's look at the scripture again and I
will show you what God revealed to me
today. "Now faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the evidence of things
unseenunseenunseenunseen." We all know this simply means
things just have not yet materialized. But
you must believe in the power of the
Almighty and claim it as though it has
already happened. That's NOW faith.
Here's the revelation: NOW faith is not
faith that says, "I'll pray that God will
work it out. NOW faith says, "In the name
of Jesus, it is DONE!" NOW faith has al-
ready claimed the victory in every trial
and situation. This is not tomorrow's faith
or yesterday's faith. This is NOW faith.
We need a revival of NOW faith in the
body of Christ. NOW faith leaves no room
for doubt. NOW faith leaves no room for
fear. NOW faith is the substance that
sustains this walk we call Christianity.
NOW faith is what will carry the Gospel
even to those that have chosen NOT to
hear His Word.
I recently had a conversation with some-
one about my health. They informed me
that some folks they know suggested
that I put a little more trust in the Doctor
and that I was a fool for stepping out on
faith. They said that God can still work it
out. It just takes time. NOW faith says
otherwise. NOW faith says that by His
stripes I am ALREADY healed. God shows
NOW faith to us every day. Jesus
showed NOW faith to us on the cross
when he died for a sinful world (things things things things
unseen).unseen).unseen).unseen). NOW faith is the substance
that breathes new life into an old, decay-
ing spiritual walk. NOW faith saves mar-
riages, builds bridges and (dare I say),
kills the stronghold of dogma in churches
that builds denominational walls, which
divide the body of Christ.
Come into the fullness of the glory of
God. Open up your heart and mind to the
gems in His Word that we have allowed
to remain hidden. Be the best you can be
for Him. Don't keep praying for FUTURE
blessings, deliverance, and healings. But
I won't hate on you if don't adopt a NOW
faith perspective. Because I have just
gotten a double dose of NOW faith for
myself!
Pastor Fletcher is married to Lindsey and
is the father of three young children.
By Jerry "J.J." FletcherJerry "J.J." FletcherJerry "J.J." FletcherJerry "J.J." Fletcher, Pastor of New Vision Fellowship, A Florida Correspondent A Florida Correspondent A Florida Correspondent A Florida Correspondent for The Populace Now
are taking from those less fortunate but the fact is that some of them actually work within the charitable organizations. Because of this, those in need continue to lack and both the compassionate giver andandandand the intended recipient, have been cheated. We’ve all heard the horror stories and many have thought, “Why bother to help when the money isn’t going to those in need?” Some even go as far as refusing to help and try to persuade others to do nothing as well. While some of the re-sources are unfortunately misused and misdirected to say the least, certainly not all is lost. Take the time to do some research on the organizations and the
Volume 2 Issue 24 The Populace Now Page 4
It is necessary for edu-
cators to motivate stu-
dents. Psychologists
define motivation as
"an internal process
that activates, guides, and maintains
behavior over time." It is difficult how-
ever, for teachers to motivate students
whose backgrounds are different from
their own. In the year 2000, the U.S.
Department of Education reported that
"students of color comprised nearly 40
percent of the nation's school age
population, but the overwhelming ma-
jority of teachers are white." My inter-
est is in motivating African-American
students and helping them to achieve
their education goals.
Most parents would say that they
want their children to do well in school
and get good grades. Parents also
want their children to have friends and
to participate in after school activities.
Add to this that most teens are encour-
aged not only to learn academics but
also to develop a social life or to find a
job. You can see there are a myriad of
activities that compete with academics
for a teen's time and interest. It is no
different for African-American stu-
dents. And the majority of their par-
ents report that their children like
school, despite the racism encoun-
tered there. So why is the educational
system failing African-American stu-
dents? Why is there a persistent
achievement gap between African-
American students and white stu-
dents? Could it be motivation or the
lack thereof?
Educators site many reasons for the
lack of motivation among A-A students.
Among them: low socioeconomic
status, poor parenting skills, negative
peer pressure, and lack of knowledge of
A-A History. These all have students ask-
ing, "What good is it to acquire an educa-
tion?"
One of the most important issues when
teaching or motivating students of color
is convincing them that learning will en-will en-will en-will en-
hance the quality of their lives.hance the quality of their lives.hance the quality of their lives.hance the quality of their lives. Parents
are the most effective motivators of their
children. Some parents of minority stu-
dents need help to understand their role
in encouraging their children to learn.
Schools need to provide parents informa-
tion on tracking practices, and the differ-
ences between honors and Advanced
Placement classes, regular classroom
placement, and remedial classes. Par-
ents of A-A students also need to be
helped in working with teachers to moni-
tor and effectively enhance their chil-
dren's academic progress. Teachers (and
this is vital) should become aware that should become aware that should become aware that should become aware that
the cultural influence on parenting val-the cultural influence on parenting val-the cultural influence on parenting val-the cultural influence on parenting val-
ues and behavior is different in the Aues and behavior is different in the Aues and behavior is different in the Aues and behavior is different in the A----A A A A
community. community. community. community.
The differences between the percep-
tions of teachers and those of A-A par-
ents can only be addressed with honest
communication that is based on mutual
respect. For instance, A-A parents are
more likely to utilize physical punishment
and emotional withdrawal than other
ethnic groups because of the high value
that they place on obedience. It is clear
that one of the most important factors in
motivating A-A students is making par-
ents part of the educational team. With-
out their help, motivating A-A students
will at best be extremely challenging.
Today, the classroom is one arena in
which the traditional Eurocentric per-
spective is most obvious. Because
negativity and hopelessness pre-
dominate in news reports and re-
search regarding A-A and because
most textbooks reflect a Eurocentric
bias in most high school history
classes, the students are likely to
hear about slavery, Martin Luther
King, Jr., and possibly Rosa Parks.
Students are unlikelyunlikelyunlikelyunlikely to learn, for
example, that in spite of many obsta-
cles including racism and oppres-
sion, nearly four hundred A-A men
and women earned doctorates from
the period spanning the late 1800's
to World War II. And they're
unlikely to be taught that one of the
founders of Georgetown University
was a half -black man who
had earned a Ph.D., in Belgium be-
fore the Civil War. An unawareness of
h e r i t a ge e f f e c t s s e l f - p r i d e
and contributes to lack of direction.
Many factors contribute to low
a c h i e v em e n t r a t e s o f a
high percentage of A-A students. But
the most important is racismracismracismracism. Until
our nation's school systems and soci-
ety as a whole develop ways to truly
put all students on an even footing,
there will be a disproportionate num-
ber of children of color left behind.
Teachers must understand the ef-
fects their personal biases have
when interacting with students. No
one can deny that the problems of
our nation's school districts concern-
ing students of color are great.
But they are not impossible, if we
take the challenge one student at a
time.
Motivating AfricanMotivating AfricanMotivating AfricanMotivating African----American Secondary School Children American Secondary School Children American Secondary School Children American Secondary School Children By Harry Taylor, Harry Taylor, Harry Taylor, Harry Taylor, B.S. History and MSE, Adult Ed. An Illinois Correspondent, An Illinois Correspondent, An Illinois Correspondent, An Illinois Correspondent, for The Populace Now
Widow of Mr. McKinley “Deacon” Davis
Freeport Community College Graduate
and community icon
Former World Middleweight World
Boxing Champion
First African American
teacher in Freeport history
Former Eastside Recreation
Director
Renowned African American
Musician
Freeport African American
Alderman
First Freeport African American
Principal
African American Historian
First African American Fireman
In Freeport’s history
(Motley)(Motley)(Motley)(Motley) who became the first social who became the first social who became the first social who became the first social
worker for Jane Addams Mental Health.worker for Jane Addams Mental Health.worker for Jane Addams Mental Health.worker for Jane Addams Mental Health.
Time and space simply will not allow us
to say so much more about each of
these folks. In days to come, perhaps
some would do us the honor of writing
further details about their experiences
and presenting them here in The Popu-
lace Now.
We'd like to thank Marty Blake Photogra-We'd like to thank Marty Blake Photogra-We'd like to thank Marty Blake Photogra-We'd like to thank Marty Blake Photogra-
phy for the great photos taken during the phy for the great photos taken during the phy for the great photos taken during the phy for the great photos taken during the
event and reproduced for this article.event and reproduced for this article.event and reproduced for this article.event and reproduced for this article.
Our final thank you goes again to Mr. Our final thank you goes again to Mr. Our final thank you goes again to Mr. Our final thank you goes again to Mr.
George Triplett for the perseverance George Triplett for the perseverance George Triplett for the perseverance George Triplett for the perseverance
necessary to put together the wonder necessary to put together the wonder necessary to put together the wonder necessary to put together the wonder
photo/bio exhibit of the dayphoto/bio exhibit of the dayphoto/bio exhibit of the dayphoto/bio exhibit of the day--------that is now that is now that is now that is now
on display at our Freeport Public Libraryon display at our Freeport Public Libraryon display at our Freeport Public Libraryon display at our Freeport Public Library--------
thanks to Ms. Carol Dickerson, Director.thanks to Ms. Carol Dickerson, Director.thanks to Ms. Carol Dickerson, Director.thanks to Ms. Carol Dickerson, Director.
(Continued from page 1.)(Continued from page 1.)(Continued from page 1.)(Continued from page 1.)
Following a presentation of honorees
and after hearing from some, we ad-
journed to the second floor atrium to
enjoy framed photos and biographical
information that George gathered dur-
ing his quest. As people mingled and
observed, tasty morsels (fit for royalty)
were enjoyed by caterers Mr. and Mrs.
Roy (Joy) Sellers of Freeport's Sellnoir
food establishment (538 E. Stephenson
Street).
To record the day, CBS affiliate chan-
nel 23's cameraman was in place. The
local paper sent a photographer and
reporter. And Sellers Media Group (yes,
your very own) videotaped the three
and 1/2 hour unique event. Yours truly
was the Mistress of Ceremonies and
Mr. Sellers enjoyed a moment at the
microphone on behalf of Sellers Media
Group and your newsletter, The Populace
Now.
These are Freeport FirstsFirstsFirstsFirsts that highlighted
the day: Alderman, Albert Williams, 1953; Alderman, Albert Williams, 1953; Alderman, Albert Williams, 1953; Alderman, Albert Williams, 1953;
R.N., Caroline Edison, 1954; Police Offi-R.N., Caroline Edison, 1954; Police Offi-R.N., Caroline Edison, 1954; Police Offi-R.N., Caroline Edison, 1954; Police Offi-
cer, Albert Lenoir, 1955; Basketball Olym-cer, Albert Lenoir, 1955; Basketball Olym-cer, Albert Lenoir, 1955; Basketball Olym-cer, Albert Lenoir, 1955; Basketball Olym-
pian, Carl Cain, 1956; Male Teacher, Roo-pian, Carl Cain, 1956; Male Teacher, Roo-pian, Carl Cain, 1956; Male Teacher, Roo-pian, Carl Cain, 1956; Male Teacher, Roo-
sevelt Banks, 1958; State of Illinois Dept. sevelt Banks, 1958; State of Illinois Dept. sevelt Banks, 1958; State of Illinois Dept. sevelt Banks, 1958; State of Illinois Dept.
of Public Aid Sec'y, Catherine Taylor of Public Aid Sec'y, Catherine Taylor of Public Aid Sec'y, Catherine Taylor of Public Aid Sec'y, Catherine Taylor
(Banks), 1958; Female graduate of Free-(Banks), 1958; Female graduate of Free-(Banks), 1958; Female graduate of Free-(Banks), 1958; Female graduate of Free-
port Community College, Geraldine Jones, port Community College, Geraldine Jones, port Community College, Geraldine Jones, port Community College, Geraldine Jones,
1966; Caseworker for Ill Dept. of Public 1966; Caseworker for Ill Dept. of Public 1966; Caseworker for Ill Dept. of Public 1966; Caseworker for Ill Dept. of Public
Aid, became Lead caseworker, Sharon Aid, became Lead caseworker, Sharon Aid, became Lead caseworker, Sharon Aid, became Lead caseworker, Sharon
Taylor (Williams), 1974Taylor (Williams), 1974Taylor (Williams), 1974Taylor (Williams), 1974
Other notableOther notableOther notableOther notable Firsts Firsts Firsts Firsts who were honored on
January 30: Female Teacher, Arnetta : Female Teacher, Arnetta : Female Teacher, Arnetta : Female Teacher, Arnetta
Campbell (McGee); Principal Patricia Nor-Campbell (McGee); Principal Patricia Nor-Campbell (McGee); Principal Patricia Nor-Campbell (McGee); Principal Patricia Nor-
man andman andman andman and finally, Gail Caruthers finally, Gail Caruthers finally, Gail Caruthers finally, Gail Caruthers
Celebrating Black Achievements Celebrating Black Achievements Celebrating Black Achievements Celebrating Black Achievements Is Is Is Is Celebrating Black HistoryCelebrating Black HistoryCelebrating Black HistoryCelebrating Black History
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By Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent Bobbie Collins, An Illinois Correspondent for The Populace Now