WSSN Stories

Photo Credit: Freddie Washington

What It Do With the LUE is Longevity! Energetic! Passionate! Creative! Spiritual! An all-around show stopper is just a few words to describe the man they call Uncle Charlie.

Major props for San Manuel Indian Bingo on bringing out the legendary Charlie Wilson to San Bernardino! Uncle Charlie showed UP and showed OUT! He gave us that R-n-B and Soul, mixed with funk. The house was packed with everyone on their feet vibin’ to his classic vocals, and the sounds of his amazing band will always be a special memory for me.

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma this singer is no stranger to the Word of God. Gaining his singing roots in church, Mr. Wilson and his brothers formulated a new sound which birthed the famous group, The Gap Band. Having highs and lows and a battle with drug addiction throughout his career, Mr. Wilson beat the odds and made a comeback.

Hooking up with star powers such as rapper Snoop Dogg of Dog Pound Entertainment, reminded him of his love for the music. Snoop Dogg gave Mr. Wilson the name Uncle Charlie. Snoop re-introduced him to a younger generation as they collaborated on several hit songs. When you have 21 and 25 year olds singing your songs word for word, then you know you were destined to perform.

I had such a good time the music took me back. “Mr. first name Charlie, last name Wilson,” is truly a legend in the game. Until next week folks L’z!

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Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

“Baby you know, [with Valentine’s Day just a few days away], I was just sitting here thinking how happy we are right now, and the way we are with each other, and the way we’ve been with each other. You know every now and then, two people get to share, to know love as we know it, and as we share it… And I really wish, and probably it doesn’t mean nothing to no one else, but I really, really wish, that all [men] all over the world, could be loved, as much as I love you. They could be needed and wanted as much as you are. You see baby, to me, it’s like sometimes I think to myself and I say, humph! [Sister], you’re really lucky; you’ve got a [man] that loves you, that needs you… that pleases you… A [man] that does everything on earth that a [woman] could dream of. You got a [man] that makes you feel real. A [man] that keeps you strong, right on! A [man], that means so many things in so many ways. You’ve got it all! So, you see baby, I, I really can’t help myself when I tell you that I love you baby, and I thank God for you…. and I want you to know that I do. You know, sometimes I get so, so emotional over you, I just wanna run out in the street and scream and shout, and just tell the world I’m in love…. I found that one, I found that someone… Never knew love could be so true… Baby, I could go on forever and ever, but I just want you to know that… I love you baby, Ooh, I love you…” [Barry White – Hard to Believe That I Found You Lyrics]

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If one offered for love all the wealth of one’s house, it would be utterly scorned.” –Song of Solomon 8:6-7

The Song of Solomon… It’s the only book of the Bible that features a female narrator, and she is far more open and honest about her most intimate desires than any proper Hebrew woman would ever be. The Song of Solomon simply features two lovers singing to one another as their relationship blossoms from courtship to consummation. Nobody who has experienced the ecstasy and agony of love would dare to deny that “love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave.” And anybody whose heart beats or aches for another knows that “many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” Truly if you offered for love all the wealth of your house, it would be utterly scorned.

The female narrator begins the book by begging her beloved to kiss her “with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you” (1:2-3). Or, in chapter 2, when she says, “As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Sustain me with raisins; refresh me with apples; for I am faint with love” (2:3, 5). Or in chapter 5, when she describes her lover as “all radiant and ruddy. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. His eyes are like doves beside springs of water, bathed in milk, fitly set. His cheeks are like beds of spices, yielding fragrance. His lips are lilies, distilling liquid myrrh. His arms are rounded gold, set with jewels. His body is ivory work, encrusted with sapphires. His legs are alabaster columns, set upon bases of gold. His speech is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (5:10-16). Or, finally in chapter 7, when she beckons, “Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields and lodge in the valleys . . . there I will give you my love” (7:11-12).

Of course, the unnamed narrator doesn’t get all the good lines. Her beloved is equally passionate and sensual in his speech. In chapter 2, he cries, “Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” (2:10-12). And in chapter 4, he describes her as so very, very beautiful: “Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, moving down the slopes of Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing. Your lips are like a crimson thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil. Your neck is like the tower of David. Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle that feed among the lilies. You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you” (4:1-5, 7). And finally, he announces in chapter 7, “How fair and pleasant are you, O loved one, and delectable maiden! Your kisses are like the best wine that goes down smoothly, gliding over lips and teeth” (7:6, 9).

I want you to know that there is a long tradition of interpreting this book allegorically, viewing the passion of these two people as an expression of agape, the endless and unconditional love of God. According to this reading of the text, God is one of the lovers, and the church, you [the believer], is the other and your love for one another grows in strength and splendor until the final joyful discovery that even death and the grave can no longer overcome it. It is an invitation into the very heart of God, and a promise that the love you find there will be as strong as death and as fierce as the grave. May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you [1 Thessalonians 3:12]. From all of us at Westside Story Newspaper to all of you, Happy Valentine’s Day! And to the lover of my Soul, Jesus, I Love You!

Dinner with Dads

VICTORVILLE, CA- What happens at the dinner table stays in the hearts and minds of children. At least that is the message a group of fatherhood, community and education advocates throughout the Victorville valley are working hard to get out.

“Dinner With Dad” is a community outreach event hosted by hip hop recording artist, television personality (Men of Faith In Action) and Victorville resident, “Justified,” focused on bringing fellowship and resources to fathers wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of their children.

Dr. Ronald Williams, Victor Valley Union High School District, was a featured guest at the February 4 “Dinner with Dad” event. He shared the importance of both fatherhood and parent engagement in a child’s education.  As well as, how fathers can impact and create key networks for children and communities they live in.

Street Positive CEO, Terry Boykins, is an organizer and sponsor of Dinner with Dads.  He commented, “Years ago myself and other fatherhood advocates, namely Marcelino “Mars” Serna, discussed the importance of connecting fathers and student academic achievement, as well as, positive community modeling throughout San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire in general. Seeing these young fathers taking a proactive position to make a positive difference is very exciting.”

In addition to education and community, Dinner with Dad also featured speakers and resources on mental health, financial planning, travel, communications, safety, fitness, employment and other topics of interest to help fathers succeed in parenting.

For more information on Dinner with Dad call (442) 284.3733, or visit www.streetpositive.com.

Naima J. Keith

LOS ANGELES, CA- The California African American Museum (CAAM) is pleased to announce Naima J. Keith as their new deputy director for exhibitions and programs. Keith joins the Museum after having served for nearly five years at The Studio Museum in Harlem. She comes to CAAM as the first senior staff member hired by CAAM’s Executive Director George Davis following his recent appointment. Keith will oversee CAAM’s art, history and education programs. She will also continue to curate exhibitions.

“I am trilled to have Naima join CAAM’s management team as she brings a solid reputation that is well recognized in the art world, in addition to being a Los Angeles native,” says CAAM’s Executive Director George Davis.  “With Naima as our Deputy Director, we can count on a cutting-edge future that charts a new path for our Museum. The energy and creativity that she will bring to the programs and exhibitions we offer will be a valued asset to our institution and Los Angeles.”

Prior to joining CAAM, Keith served as associate curator at The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York.  During her tenure at the Studio Museum, Keith organized several critically acclaimed exhibitions, including Samuel Levi Jones: Unbound, Kianja Strobert: Of This Day in Time, Titus Kaphar: The Jerome Project, Glenn Kaino:19.83, Robert Pruitt: Women, The Shadows Took Shape (co-curated with Zoe Whitley) and Fore (co-curated with Lauren Haynes and Thomas Lax) among many others. Her exhibition Charles Gaines Gridwork 1974-1989 traveled to the Hammer Museum and was nominated for a “Best Monographic Museum Show in New York,” award by the International Association of Art Critics. Her final exhibition for the Studio Museum, Views of Main Street, opens spring 2016 and will be the first major New York solo museum exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Rodney McMillian.  Additionally, Rodney McMillian: Views of Main Street will be accompanied by a full-color scholarly publication titled Rodney McMillian, co-edited by Keith and Anthony Elms, Chief Curator at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia.

“I am delighted to join George Davis in leading this nationally recognized and essential cultural institution,” says Keith.  “As a native Angeleno, I have long admired the California African American Museum, and now it will be exciting to play a pivotal role in its continued growth.”

Keith has lectured for leading arts and culture institutions including the Zoma Contemporary Art Center located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; and Brooklyn Museum. Her essays have been featured in publications for the Studio Museum, Hammer Museum, LAXART, MoMA PS1,  NKA: Journal of Contemporary African Art, among many others.

Keith received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Spelman University and a Masters of Arts in history from the UCLA.

Not all gangs are bad is What it Do With The LUE this week! When you think of the word gang, I’m sure the first thought that comes to most folks mind is TROUBLE. Stoney Gang Entertainment and 4 Everthuggin Entertainment are two entities that work simultaneous together in order to create and push its talented artists to the forefront of the music industry. Stoney Gang Entertainment is the management side of the house and 4 Everthuggin is the production side of the house. Both entities are founded by CEO, Stoney MAK. MAK had a vison and took off from there.

Stoney MAK wanted to create an environment for talented artists looking to lead a better way of life other than street gangs. His motto is, “Put it to paper and spit it on over the MIC.” The company specializes in their own beats and production. The team has been all over the state of California opening up for well-known artists in the game.

Artists under Management consist of “Yugan,” “Princess Stoney,” “Baby Tank,” and “Sleepy.” Please make sure you follow their music. More to come from this talented gang of individuals. Until next week L’z!

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Ladies…. Have you ever met someone who just left you in awe? I mean, they were so great and so wonderful that you were left shaking your head and saying, “There’s nobody else like Him!” Well the Bible records for us the account of one such meeting. In [1 Kings 10] the Queen of Sheba was left in amazement when she met King Solomon. She went away saying, “There’s nobody like Him!” But I want you to know that as great as King Solomon was in his day, a greater than Solomon is here! He is all that Solomon was reputed to be, but 20,000 times more! I tell you, “I have never been so much in love before, what a difference a true love makes in my life. So nice, so right, loving Him gives me something new that I’ve never felt, never dreamed of. Something’s changed, no it’s not the feeling I had before; oh, and it’s much, much, more. Love I never knew that a touch could mean so much, what a difference. And when we walk hand in hand, I feel so real. Lovers come and then lovers go that’s what folks say… but what we have is much more than they can see…” [L.T.D – Love Ballad Lyrics]

I’m talking about the Man who meets the Standard. He can meet every need, whether it is physical, material or spiritual! He has all power and He can move your mountains, quench your thirst and save your soul! He holds all the answers to all your questions. In fact, He is the Answer to all the riddles, problems and questions of life! They all rest and reside in Him. He can bring you into the presence of the God of eternity! He alone can give you the vital connection you need to God. He alone bridges the gap between God and man! I tell you, there’s nobody like Him! He owns it all and He takes care of His own! There are no shortages with Him [Psa. 24:1; Psa. 50:12; Job 41:11]. Not only does He have it all, but He is willing to share it all with those who feed from His table, [Phil. 4:19; Psa. 37:25]. His people love Him and want to be around Him to hear His Word and to do His bidding. Those who know Him and love Him want to serve Him [Titus 2:14; Eph. 2:10]. When lost men hear about Him, it piques their curiosity. It whets their appetites. It makes them want to come to know Him!  I tell you, there’s nobody like Him! There’s nobody like Him in His Piety, [Heb. 7:26; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22]. Yes, Solomon was a man of faith, but He is the focus of faith! He is infinitely holy and righteous. Solomon was a man who offered sacrifices to God, but He offered Himself as a sacrifice to God for humanity! He gave His life on the cross to redeem all those who will place their faith in Him, [1 Pet. 1:18-19]. He will always give you back far more than you give up! And He will always prove to be far more glorious than anyone could ever articulate! He will leave you flabbergasted, astounded and amazed! You will have to say “There’s nobody like Him!” I tell you, “You’ll never find, as long as you live someone who loves you tender like He do. You’ll never find, no matter where you search someone who cares about you the way He do…” [Lou Rawls – You’ll Never Find]

His love… It is the most overwhelming thing I have ever encountered in my life. It Is Unspeakable – [Rom. 8:38-39] It Is Unending – [Jer. 31:3]… It Is Unselfish – [Rom. 2:4; 1 John 4:19] – It Is Unmerited – – [Matt. 23:37.] It Is Unconditional – It Is Supernatural. It is Sacrificing and it is Satisfying! And He has captured my heart. His name… Jesus! I invite you to be captured by the glory of the One and only who can set you free to truly live… Jehovah/Yahweh– Jehovah–Adonai– Jehovah-El– Jehovah–Elohim– Jehovah–Jireh– Jehovah–Makeh– Jehovah–Mekaddishkem– Jehovah–Nissi– Jehovah–Rapha– Jehovah–Roi– Jehovah–Saboath– Jehovah–Shalom– Jehovah–Shammah– Jehovah–Tsidkenu– EL–Elyon–  El–Gmulot– El–Olam– El–Roi– El–Shaddai… Qanna… He is my everything! In Him I live and have my being. There’s nobody like Him! I’ve made my vow, everything that I am and hope to be, for the rest of my life, I’m fully committed. My hands, my heart, my mind, every part of me until the day I die, I’ll say, yes! [Walter Hawkins -Fully Committed Lyrics] Because there’s nobody like Him!

Renea Wickman

By Renea Wickman

In November 2014 citizens of California overwhelmingly voted to pass Proposition 47 also called the Neighborhood and Schools Act. Proposition 47 is a law that provides that certain low level non violent felonies can now be reduced to misdemeanors. Thousands of people volunteered to walk and call to ensure thousands more citizens to ensure that Proposition 47 was passed – and it was. Since that time hundreds of inmates, in particular, African Americans have been released from prison, jail, parole and probation because of Prop 47 related. Here in the IE alone, the Inland Empire Concerned African American Churches, Time for Change, Starting Over Inc. and many other organizations have held Proposition 47 clinics helping African Americans and other people reduce their felonies to misdemeanors.

The millions of dollars in savings would breakdown to 25% going to the Department of Education , 10% going to Victim Compensation and 65% going to the Board of State and Community Corrections to be distributed to programs directly related to those released and affected by proposition 47. In February 2015, the California State Legislative Analyst’s Office, LAO, estimated the states savings from 100 million to 200 million for 2016 – 2017. However, at the same time it was reported that 1,900 inmates would be released as a result of Proposition 47 in 2015 – 2016 with a savings of roughly 73 million dollars.

Community members demanded that funds for newly released inmates be put back into the community for support with mental health, drug and alcohol treatment, life skills training, job training and education and not given to law enforcement. The community was on a roll and it was expected that the funds would in fact go to Community Based Organization and not back in the pockets of law enforcement. However, the Governor just released the 2016 – 2017 proposed budget where he is now saying that the savings only amounts to 29 million dollars.

It is my belief that the pressure is on the Governor and other elected officials to redirect that money back to jails paying correction officers, parole and probation, law enforcement as a whole. Here’s why, with proposition 47 working so well, eventually the decrease in inmates, and people on parole and probation means the state will have to eliminate those jobs. Well, law enforcement is not having that. Law enforcement have the most powerful unions in the country, who give billions of dollars to our elected officials campaigns. They own them.

The African American community has been exploited by the prison industrial complex for centuries and white people have made fortunes off our incarceration. We have always been the most populated in the prisons and jails across the country. Here in California we are only 6.6% of the population but make up as much as 40% of the incarcerated population. This institution has destroyed our families and our communities apart –  is time for us to really back and hard comprehensive criminal justice reform. We will be writing letters to the Governor and state legislators requesting more information on how Proposition 47 savings went from up to 200 million dollars to now only 29 million dollars.

If you would like more information on how you can help, please contact Renea Wickman at myjibril@msn.com or 909 567 0222.

Original Tuskegee Airmen

By Naomi K. Bonman

PASADENA, CA- On Sunday evening, despite the rainy and cold weather, I enjoyed a nice evening out in Pasadena as I covered the production of “Fly” at the Pasadena Playhouse. The evening started with red carpet arrivals where special celebrity guests, such as Angela Basset and Vanessa Williams, came to support a historic production about the Tuskegee Airmen. Of course, a few of the remaining Tuskegee Airmen were all present and made their red carpet debut prior to enjoying the stage production that depicted their lives.

The cast did a phenomenal job of displaying the emotions set during the time period. It featured Brooks Brantly as W.W. (Off-Broadway: Significant Other, U.S. Tour of War Horse), Ross Cowan as Shaw (Portland Stage: Red, Berkshire Theatre Festival: Homestead Crossing), Omar Edwards as Tap Griot (Fly at Florida Studio Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Loretto-Hilton Center Browning Mainstage, Ford’s Theatre Society), Anthony J. Goes as O’Hurley (Connecticut Repertory Theater: Olives and Blood, Chautauqua Theatre Company: Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre: Paul), Brandon Nagle as Reynolds (Guthrie Theater: Mocondo, City Theater Austin: Death of a Salesman), Desmond Newson as Chet (Broadway: Motown: The Musical, 3D Theatricals: Hairspray, San Diego Musical Theatre: Rent), Damian Thompson as J. Allen (Off-Broadway: The Anthem, Around the World in 80 Days, By The Dawn’s Early Light), and Terrell Wheeler as Oscar (Florida Studio Theatre: Fly, Castillo Theatre: Children of Killers, New Ohio Theatre: That Poor Dream).

The Tuskegee Airmen flew over the skies of Europe and North Africa during World War II. Fly dramatizes the historic contributions made by the Tuskegee Airmen to the desegregation of the American military and the furthering of civil rights. After The Pasadena Playhouse engagement, Fly will then have its Off-Broadway premiere at The New Victory Theater on March 11, 2016. An earlier, 55-minute version of Fly was presented by Lincoln Center Institute, the educational arm of Lincoln Center, in 2005.

If you missed the opening night, there is still time to catch the production until February 21. The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 South El Molino Avenue in Pasadena. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (NOTE: There will be no performance on Sunday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m.).  Tickets range from $25.00 to $77.00 and are available online at PasadenaPlayhouse.org or by calling The Pasadena Playhouse at (626) 356-7529; or visiting The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office, Tuesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. during non-performance dates.  On performance dates the Box Office is open Tuesday – Saturday from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Pasadena Playhouse will also offer a special military discount for all performances of Fly excluding matinees. The military discount (buy one ticket, get one free) is available over the phone or at The Pasadena Playhouse Box Office. Military I.D. must be presented to receive the discount.

Ikhlas Saleem

By Ikhlas Saleem

In 1986 Whitney Houston covered the George Benson hit, “The Greatest Love of All,” which he originally recorded for a film biography of Muhammad Ali. Stephen Holden of The New York Times wrote that Houston’s cover gave the “message of self-worth an astounding resonance and conviction…a compelling assertion of black pride, family loyalty and spiritual devotion, all at once.”

Now that I work in education, this is a song I often reflect upon when feeling emotionally tasked, particularly the opening lines: “I believe the children are our future, Teach them well and let them lead the way, Show them all the beauty they possess inside, Give them a sense of pride to make it easier, Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be…”

My grade-school friend, Yasmine Muhammad, who was blessed with the talent—and in this case burden—of a great singing voice, was requested to sing this song at every awards ceremony, academic gathering and sometimes basketball games because, why not.

I didn’t know it then but what an incredible message to continuously impart upon children—particularly children that were and are descendants of slaves, carrying almost 400 years of baggage of a dignity lost and a future almost impossible to dream.

So now in 2016, I can reflect and celebrate my ancestors that carried the burden of a back breakin’, cotton-pickin’ South, while spending their nights in hope of freedom trying to make sense of a language that was not their own, while being reminded that their futures lie in nothing but death or labor of the American South.

Nate Bowling has said it before and I’ll say it again, while the fate of black children lies outside of plantation fields, America isn’t quite ready to believe or concede that black children are the future. Instead there’s the exception. There’s the, “Jahmal, despite his circumstances, who has managed to exceed expectations.” There’s also, “Keisha who displays incredible potential.” And of course there a couple of kids from 90220 and 10027 that “made it.”

You see, it’s much easier to find exceptions rather than tending to the whole lot. The fact is we’re not teaching children well and black children are among the groups that suffer most. We’re not making it easy when we lower standards for students and teachers. We’re not making it easier when we lessen measures of accountability for our lowest-performing schools. And we’re not making it easier when we restrict school enrollment to a block-radius. What we are doing is limiting students’ ability to show us all the beauty they possess inside.

Pride is lost when a high school student can be thrown from her desk and arrested in front of her classmates. Pride is lost when disciplinary action is met with a school-to-prison pipeline. Pride is lost when you graduate high school only to take remedial courses at your local community college because your diploma is worthless.

I believe children are the future, but America has to believe that black children are part of that future, too.

PSA! PSA! PSA! LUE Productions will now have its own radio show right here in the IE titled “LISTENING WITH LUE (Launching Unique Entertainment),” a platform for Indie Artist’s and the ART’S. Tune in every Sunday with us from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

LIVE RADIO and INTERNET LET THE WORLD HEAR YOUR MUSIC! Music must be EDITED to be in rotation. The show is hosted by LUE and Co-hosted by Comedian Anthony Stone featuring occasional guest hosts from time to time.

For an interview and/or song rotation opportunity, please email Lue.info@yahoo.com with SUBJECT: “Listening with LUE.”

You can listen in at www.kcaaradio.com, 1050 AM, 106.3 FM, 106.5 FM, or by calling in from your phone at (832) 999-1050